{"id":3373,"date":"2014-06-24T18:08:10","date_gmt":"2014-06-24T18:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/long-beach-named-a-top-10-city-in-the-nation-to-celebrate-july-4th\/"},"modified":"2014-06-24T18:08:10","modified_gmt":"2014-06-24T18:08:10","slug":"long-beach-named-a-top-10-city-in-the-nation-to-celebrate-july-4th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/long-beach-named-a-top-10-city-in-the-nation-to-celebrate-july-4th","title":{"rendered":"Long Beach Named a Top 10 City in the Nation to Celebrate July 4th"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Best4th\" <\/p>\n

Photo by Erick Chavez.<\/em> <\/p>\n

As the 4th of July approaches to symbolize America\u2019s distaste for tyranny through its love of fireworks and barbecue, Long Beach will relish in the fact that it is among the top ten cities in the nation recommended for revelers to visit for the celebration.<\/p>\n

WalletHub<\/a>, the financial site dedicated to informing consumers and small businesses on everything from financial decisions to job markets, has created its latest listicle set toward pitting cities against one another in a best-of\/worst-of battle. Using measures such as accommodations and food establishments per capita and the cheapest 3-star hotels, Long Beach ranked in at #9, behind Irving, Texas and ahead of Riverside, CA.<\/p>\n

Richmond, Virgina took the top spot overall.<\/p>\n

Long Beach\u2019s entertainment and food rank compared to the other 99 cities listed sat at #39 and our attractions and recreation\/outdoor activities rank put us at #30. Where we stole the gold was in our weather forecast, where we sit at #1\u2014a discovery not shocking for locals. Other measures used to rank cities across the nation for their July 4th likability included traffic congestion, average beer and wine drink prices, acres of parkland per capita, walkability, and even the popularity of the 4th celebration in each city (i.e. the amount of fireworks, parades, and activities associated with the most patriotic of celebrations in the States).<\/p>\n

The importance of the rankings, at least according to WalletHub, lies in the economic value of the 4th: they claim that, due to the economic recovery many are experiencing, 2014 will mark a 72% increase in spending compared to just two years ago. They also estimate that given the 4th is on a Friday, 41% of people will turn the celebration into a 3-day extravaganza.<\/p>\n

Other California cities joining Long Beach in the top ten were Irvine (#2), Oakland (#4), Fremont (#6), San Bernardino (#7), and Riverside (#10).<\/p>\n

The worst place to celebrate the 4th according to WalletHub? Durham, North Carolina, which had to take the cake for worst weather forecast in the nation, along with Nashville.<\/p>\n

For a complete ranking list, click here.<\/a><\/em> <\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong> <\/p>\n