Now that the long 4th of July extended holiday has wound down and Summer is just settling in we thought you might yearn for that holiday feel and some more fireworks. In our last post we put together a list of some top cities and the best viewing places. Just in case you missed or have not had enough of those fantastic celebrations and displays here are some photos and videos of fireworks from Boston to KeyWest to finishing off in the great city of SanFrancisco.

On the Long Island Gold Coast

Her are links to what we feel were some tremendous fireworks displays throughout the USA on the 4th.

boston

new yorks macys

http://www.youtube.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3wNSEL6xNM
http://dc.about.com/od/cherryblossomfestival/a/Southwest-Waterfront-Fireworks-Festival-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.htmwatch?v=G3wNSEL6xNM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04/capitol-fourth-2013_n_3548534.htmlhttp://bit.ly/184tDHp

http://dc.about.com/od/cherryblossomfestival/a/Southwest-Waterfront-Fireworks-Festival-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/04/capitol-fourth-2013_n_3548534.htmlhttp://bit.ly/184tDHp

Us Gold Coasts Bang Up Fourth of July Festivities

For most families in the US it seems as if many families spend their 4th as their parents and grandparents did before them whether it be family BBQ"S heading off to a day at the beach or any other traditional 4th of July activity,usually spending the day together. If in the mood to start new traditions and exploring new ways to spend the 4th we have put together a few Bang Up Ideas that have stood the test of time from different cities and areas around the good old USA.
Of course starting with what is probably the most famous fireworks display in the world,New Yorks annual Macys fireworks show over the Hudson River and lower Manhattan again this year starting at 9:00 pm.

If in San Francisco enjoy live music and entertainment starting at Noon and continuing up until the fireworks display overlooking the Bay at 9:30 pm at Pier 39. They will launch from the Municipal Pier and from barges north of the pier. Aquatic Park offers some of the best views but all along the waterfront offers views including The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Coit Tower.

Heading to The beautiful and historic city of Charleston,check out the South Carolina Aquarium. Enjoy a Southern BBQ and a 4-D theater movie and than enjoy fireworks over Charleston Harbor with Fort Sumter in the background .

Going to be in the nations capital, Washinton D.C. for the 4th? Pennsylvania Ave has the tallest buildings for viewing in the downtown area.The W hotel at 1700 Pennsylvania Ave is known for their rooftop viewing parties. If you have friends on Mas Ave you might want to pay them a visit as many of those residences afford great views.  The popular and luxurious Hay-Adams Hotelat 800 16th  St NW offers a dinner and fireworks package if you have a room reservation. Goo luck on this one though. How gorgeous is seeing our nations capital and all of its monuments lit up under a magnificent fireworks display. We are getting goosebumps already.

Heading further South to the exciting city of Miami and South Beach their display over the Bay Front Park is breathtaking. The Sea Fair a beautiful yacht docked at the Bayfront is offering reservations for a private table on the deck with dinner and drinks while watching the fireworks. Sounds like a tremendous evening!

Heading even further South to the Keys, Big Pine and the lower Keys have their display at Big Pine Park. One of the largest displays in the Keys is set for Sombrero Beach in Marathon Key, a family beach and boating tradition. 

Fireworks in Key West ,sponsored by Key West Rotary Club can be seen from many of the local hotels and hot spots in town with the display being launched from the White Street Pier.

No matter what the 4th is a great time to continue traditions ,maybe create some new ones but too always appreciate the birth of this great nation.

The Renaissance Hotel Charleston,South Carolina

Planning a trip to Charleston this Summer make sure you book a stay at the Renaissance Hotel. We are sure glad our good friends recommended it for us when we came to town for their sons wedding recently. Set in the heart of the beautiful oldest quarter of Charleston,68 Wentworth Street are almost within walking distance to most of the city. For some of the areas especially in what can be some sizzling Southern weather you can get a ride on the many pedi cabs or even a leisurely ride in a horse drawn carriage.The city has a great trolly system that is free and covers all of the city.

Kent St the Rodeo Drive of Charleston is just one block away from the Renaissance.

The Renaissance built in 2001 and updated in 2008 has the feel of a boutique hotelwith all of the modern day amenities and superior service and a classic Charleston decor. Rooms with high ceilings, comfortable beds, Mahogony furniture, you have the feel of a classic southern mansion.

 After a day on the town cool off in their rooftop pool or stop at the Wentworth grill for a relaxing drink  located in the lobby. the restaurant has a limited menu but the food was very good.

As we said before the service was superior. We had an excellent check in,and when Terrel came to fix an exterior light bulb that was out he couldnt have been nicer. He even offered to go get us a cork screw that we had forgotten. You dont get that genuine service all the time at many hotels

As with most hotels the wifi was not free,we still dont understand that.

All in all a great stay and experience and we are waiting for another excuse to come visit.

For more photos visit our Facebook page usgoldcoasts and look for our you tube page for some video clips Usgoldcoasts channel

                                                          Kent Street 

Charleston South Carolina

For anyone that loves American history, is a student of the Civil War and loves old historic cities you must visit the beautiful "Old South" city of Charleston South Carolina. Voted the friendliest city in the US in 2011 by Travel and Leisure. This is a city with many buildings dating back to the 1600s  that have been preserved ,thanks to a very conscientious Mayor and historic committees where you really get a feel of what it was like during the Civil War era and before.
Take a short shuttle boat ride out to the nearby Ft.Sumter where the first shots of the war were fired on April 12th 1861by confederate troops. The confederates fired on the fort for two days before Union troops surrendered the fort which they occupied even though South Carolina had already seceded from the Union.
Stop by the nearby Charleston Market built in 1807  that stretches for several blocks in the historic area for some shopping. They have almost any hand made item ever imagined. Stroll down King St the rodeo drive of Charleston with a souther flair.

A city known for Seafood and southern style BBQs there is a large assortment of both. For lunch there is The Noisy Oyster located across from the Market. Try one of their delicious crab sandwiches and maybe a thirst quenching mojito as you watch the horse drawn carriages leisurely going by. if BBQ is what your craving there also are many to choose from. Sticky Fingers Smoke House restaurant located on Meeting St has a large assortment of delicious pulled pork smoked in the back with a variety of sauces. For dinner there are many fine dining restaurants spread all over the city.

After dinner you might want to take in a beautiful sunset. We highly recommend you stop by the Pavillion Hotel on E Bay St where they have an amazing 360 degree view of the Harbor and city. You can sip your cocktail near the rooftop pool while enjoying the view.

on the outskirts of Charleston there are many Southern plantations you can visit which have remained as they were several hundred years before. We attended an out door wedding at the Boone Hall Plantation which is on 760 acres of land. you enter a 3/ mile Oak tree lined driveway with sun glistened moss hanging from their massive limbs. Take a tour of the beautifully landscaped grounds the old slave quarters and the mansion where you get a feel of what life was like on one of these plantations.

Charleston is a town you will fall in love with as we did. We are so glad our good friends son relocated to Charleston several years ago and were married here. We were here several years ago but only for a day when passing thru on our daughters college tours. This gave us an excuse we have been looking for to revisit, this time for a few days to really enjoy and appreciate the history of this magnificent city. 

For mor on Charleston and the Renaissance Hotel we stayed at visit our site usgoldcoasts.blogspot.com 

or our facebook page usgoldcoasts and look for our channel on you tube usgoldcoasts 

Islander Resort Marathon, Florida

If you have not been to the Florida Keys we highly reccommend you put it on your Bucket list. On our way to the keys on a recent trip we decided to stop and explore one of the keys on the way to Key West. After a late lunch and staying longer at the restaurant ,taking in the fabulous views we decided to stop in Marathon Key. We had researched the Keys and decided to try the Islander Resort on Marathon Key just about half way to Key West from the Miami area.

Thanks to the suggestion of one very friendly person at the front desk we think we had one of the best views of the ocean ( very calm during our stay) and a pool view.They even let us check out two different rooms to decide which one we wanted before we checked in. It was quiet while we were there, I think because the weather was a little unsettled. I imagine it might be a little noisy during the day but the pool area has recently been updated and their is a separate spa area. If you want an even more secluded  room they have a new building which is separate and seems very nice. We will be back to check on one of those rooms.This room is just a little outdated but typifies a room in the Keys. We were told they will be updating these rooms shortly.It was very clean and has a small but efficient kitchen area. They include a continental breakfast in the morning which includes bagels ,cereal, danish and starts your day of relaxation off quite nice. The outside tiki bar is next to the pool and also seems updated but the bartender that day seemed a little indifferent. We must say we went back later,different bartender and had a great time sipping our cool drinks while enjoying the views.  All in all it was quite a pleasnt surprise for the money. As I said we will be back to check the new building and see what its like during the busier season. (8 US Gold stars )

Ft.Lauderdale,Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

The Marriot Harbor Beach Hotel in Ft Lauderdale Florida has a beautiful ocenfront location on a private beach at the south end of the strip for a private location, yet a short walk if in the mood to the public beaches and the ever popular strip with updated stores,cafes and an abundance of things to occupy your time both day and long into the nite.The two pools are excellent with spas and private cabanas for daily rental equipped with Tv"s. Part of our reason to come back again on Super Bowl weekend was to enjoy the game in our private cabana. Although this year one of the pool attendants tried to get us to leave early so they could close the area. Very disappointing  but after stating we had rented it for this purpose and asked questions she backed off.
 As for the rest of the recreation staff they were extremely helpful. A nice happy hour with a very attentive and pleasant bartender while we were there. The staff at the front desk was accomodating but seemed a little bothered and distant  All in all a nice experience. We have a short video from our waterfront room and of the expansive pool area. See for yourself on either our Facebook page facebook/usgoldcoasts.com or our You Tube page UsGold Coasts.

The view from our room 

For more photos go to our Facebook page facebook/usgoldcoasts.com 

Tranquility Bay, Marathon Key

This resort is exactly the place as the name says "Tranquil". Situated on Marathon Key about half way to Key West you feel as if you have escaped to somewhere very special. As you enter the resort you are   met by beautifully landscaped grounds with swaying palms all around and several of the resorts permanent residents, cats who stroll the grounds and occasionally take a break in the sun.
As you check in you get the sense that time is going to slow down during your visit as well as you will certainly want it to. One look at the sunset on your first night will definitely want you to stay forever.
The hotel consists of one,two or three bedroom villas all recently updated and very well equipped with all of the essentials and all fantastic views of either the pool area or water view ,with several beachfront villas steps away from the beach. The beach as with most in the keys are not huge and once you get past the rocks at watersedge the water is some of the bluest anywhere.
With the well equipped kitchen its nice sometimes to eat in while taking in the view. If going out to dinneris more your style there are many places close by to choose from offering the usual Keys food seafood, lobsters and key lime pie.

Pictured above is the beachfront villa we stayed in on our recent visit.

The beautiful beach for resort guests

Fantastic sunsets while sipping a drink from the beach bar.

If you are looking for a place to truly feel away from it all and enjoy with the entire family or friends we would certainly hope you check Tranquility Bay https://www.facebook.com/pages/Usgoldcoasts/310636352392440?ref=hl      Follow us on twitter @usgoldcoasts