There’s no shortage of fun activities to do on July 4th. From neighborhood parades to backyard cookouts with friends and family, Independence Day gives us more fun options than there are hours in the day. For those of us who want to celebrate the holiday with a bang, there’s no bigger bang than a firework show that goes all-out. We’ve rounded up some of the most jaw-dropping displays across the country that will blow you away.
Thu, Jul 4, 4 – 11 PM CDT
Saltgrass Steak House
905 E Gregory St, Pensacola, FL
From Eventbrite.com: Join us at Saltgrass Steak House – Pensacola for a VIP Fireworks viewing experience with some of the best views in the city! MENU Homemade Beer Bread and choice of soda, iced tea or coffee COURSE…
Thu, Jul 4
Seville Square
311 E Government St, Pensacola, FL
From Visitpensacola.com: The Sertoma Clubs, are proud to announce the 29th annual 4th of July Celebration for Pensacola and our visitors. Including the largest Fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on…
Thu, Jul 4, 8 – 11 PM CDT
Downtown, Pensacola, FL
From Dopensacola.com: Come view the beautiful downtown fireworks from the ferry this 4th of July
Now in its 43rd year, the nation’s largest fireworks display lights up the night over the East River. This year, fireworks will go off from and near the iconic Brooklyn Bridge while paying homage to the theme of “American cinema.” You can expect to see tributes to the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Superman and E.T. through a very dramatic score. In the area? There’s no better vantage point than on the water via the Circle Line, Seastreak, or Spirit cruises.
Philadelphia lives up to its status as “America’s Birthplace” by starting the celebration days ahead of July 4th! There are two firework shows before the big one on Independence Day itself. On the 4th, the city shuts down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway leading up to the Philadelphia Art Museum (where the fireworks will go off overhead) for the biggest “block party” you’ll enjoy. In the hours before the fireworks, you’ll also get to enjoy a concert featuring Jennifer Hudson and Meghan Trainor.
Our nation’s capital goes big with a fireworks display illuminating the many significant historical monuments and memorials in the area. Viewing areas include the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials, among others. The best spot may be the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, especially if you arrive early to enjoy the live concert, A Capitol Fourth, put on by PBS. This year includes a salute to the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street and a performance of the 1812 Overture by the National Symphony Orchestra.
The nation’s oldest public Fourth of July celebration scores a 20-minute long fireworks display with music by the Boston Pops (this year, they’ll host special guest Queen Latifah). As with other shows, arriving early for a good spot will reward you with even more entertainment — like a 50th anniversary tribute to Woodstock by Arlo Guthrie.
The Flaming Lips, Keith Sweat and Brett Young lead the entertainment at “America’s Biggest Birthday Party,” which takes place at the famous Arch. The fireworks show takes place nightly from July 4-6. Over the course of those three days, 15,000 pounds of fireworks will certainly let freedom ring.
There’s nothing quite like New Orleans’ annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Where else can you see two displays going off at once from dueling barges on the Mississippi River? You can see this show from really any part of town, but the closer you get to the river, the better! For an extra-special night, make a reservation to watch from the New Orleans riverboats: the Creole Queen and the Steamboat Natchez.
Located just outside of Dallas, Addison’s annual fireworks display routinely tops “best of” lists (including accolades from the American Pyrotechnics Association). While most fireworks shows go for 20 minutes, Addison’s is one of the longest in the nation at 30! If you go, you’re in good company — the town of Addison’s population increases from around 16,000 to 500,000. Just make sure to arrive on the right day: The fireworks go off on the 3rd, not the 4th.
One of Southern California’s largest fireworks display takes place at the Rose Bowl Stadium, where there’s plenty of seating to take in the spectacular scene. If you plan on getting there early — say, 2 pm — you can keep your little ones occupied at the Family Fun Zone held on-site.
The Strip is a sight to see on Independence Day, and it’s not just because of the neon signs and fanciful casino light shows. From Mandalay Bay to Caesar’s, multiple casinos compete with shows and displays. It’s up to you to decide which you like best!
If the name of this annual fireworks show rings a bell (and you’re not a local), it might be because of the famous 2012 viral video where all the fireworks in the 18-minute-long display went off in about 12 seconds. It hasn’t happened since, but the spectacle is no less spectacular in comparison.
Whether you’re cheering for The Patriots or The Rams, or you’re just here to watch Maroon 5 rock it out at half-time, these tips will help you get your home ready for all the food, fun, and guests that come along for the party!
Plus, read until the end to find some of our favorite Super Bowl Sunday recipes!
One of the best parts of staying at a hotel is walking into a clean room every day without having to lift a finger. Unfortunately, we don’t have maids at home to help with this, which is why we need to prepare in advance to maximize our relaxation time. Plan to clean all areas of your home several days ahead. Include laundry in this so no there is no need to do anything other than enjoy once you go into staycation mode.
No one wants to worry about dinner while you’re trying to create a vacation experience. Make sure to pick your favorite recipes and prep them in advance. Spoil the family by having their favorite snacks handy. Diversify your staycation menu by planning to order a couple of meals from your favorite restaurant or eatery.
If you’re the type that finds cooking relaxing, consider trying a new recipe as one of your at home activities. Just make sure to pick up the necessary ingredients during your early shopping and you will be able to make cooking during your staycation an experience. Incorporate your favorite wine, music and celebrity chef (on screen) – to create a personal cooking class.
Consider what you need most to help you feel relaxed, and bring that into your home. You will want to start by picking designated spaces to prepare. If you’re into the outdoors, use your space to create a sanctuary. String up lights, set up a little camping space, and bring your favorite book along. Now you’re enjoying the great outdoors.
If the spa is more your pace, set up your bathroom to feel like a one. This can include candles, air purifiers, and bath pillows. You can make your staycation even better by booking an at-home massage. If you have kiddos, make sure to set up play-stations for them to enjoy in between activities.
The chores are done, the meals are planned and the scene is set. All there is left to do is prepare to get comfortable. Whether your home is the coziest place on earth or it could use a few extra touches, there are always little things you can do to maximize your level of comfort.
Buy new bed sheets to add a touch of hotel luxury to your staycation. Afterward, you will have an additional set to alternate with. Finally, adjust the lighting to match your mood. Consider purchasing a dimmer switch or a lamp with the option built in. This way you can easily dim the lights around your home, and fall into the ultimate relaxation mode.
It is important to know what you will be doing from the beginning. This way you won’t have to spend time wondering how to entertain yourself. A staycation doesn’t have to mean being lazy on the couch or sleeping in. You’re off from responsibilities so you will want to make the most of your time. This is a great time to plan to attend events you’re normally too busy to get to during your regular week. Map out exactly what you want your days to look like and what needs to be done to make that happen. After, delegate a task to the family for quicker preparation. Before you know it, you will be ready for the ultimate stay at home vacation.
In reality, just hours before guests arrive you’re more than likely frantically cleaning and febreezing every corner in sight. Don’t worry- your guests will forgive you if the house isn’t in catalog condition. But you know what they won’t forgive? Some frankly disgusting stuff that you might have overlooked in your haste to pretty things up.
With some expert help, we’ve identified the top things in your house that are grossing out your guests. Some of these problem areas are quick fixes, but others will take a little more planning and effort to resolve.
Start addressing the ick factor now, and you’ll be wowing your guests in no time.
Rings around the tub, grime on the shower floor, and toothpaste scum in the sinks are not just visually unappealing, but they also make your guests wonder how well the house has been maintained. It’s crucial to keep the things people can see, clean.
Nobody wants to see your discolored or mildewed liner when they step into the shower to, you know, get clean. Before guests arrive, toss your liner into the washer with a cup of vinegar and a few towels; run a short cycle for five minutes, then let everything soak for an hour. Turn the cycle back on, and hang the liner up to dry.
Nothing says “welcome to our home” like tufts of dog hair floating across your living room like tumbleweeds. An easy solution: Vacuum regularly (and if you’re strapped for time or just plain lazy, invest in a set-it-and-forget-it robotic vacuum).
Would you want to dry your hands on the same damp towel everyone else in the house has been using? Spring for some disposable hand towels, and save your guests the disgust factor—and a possible trip to urgent care.
We can’t believe this is still a thing. But alas, here we are, and guests will certainly be grossed out for all the same reasons as above. These things are germ magnets, given their proximity to the throne.
The guest room might seem like a good place to put your old pillows that you just can’t bring yourself to toss. But here’s a hard truth to face: If you wouldn’t sleep on those pillows, your guests shouldn’t have to, either.
Toss them after a week or so of use, and hide them when guests are around.
Nobody wants to stand in 3 inches of dirty water. Hire a plumber to investigate the source of any backup, and save your guests this indelicate nightmare.
Sticky cabinet and counter surfaces—typically the result of grease buildup from months and years of cooking—are a major cringe-inducer for guests.
The holidays are right around the corner, which means entertaining is a must. Sometimes a little interior design help may be necessary when hosting your loved ones or any guest that visiting for the holidays! Don’t prep for your holiday gatherings or vacation rental without reading this first. These are what the experts are saying! Plus your guest will love the additional touches ????
Carry your holiday theme on to the culinary display. Try using color-coordinated serving dishes, decorative figures or dimensional platters. This will be sure to catch the eye of your guests!
An assortment of table decoratives, in different sizes, creates a sense of elegance without interrupting the communication of your guests. By placing smaller table items in between seat settings you allow comfortable-conversation to occur amongst the beauty of your table display. Adding in small flower arrangements or single candle placements will bring warmth back into your setting. Glam up your table with a beautiful silverware selection or matching charger plates.
Follow through with the design of your home whether traditional or modern and incorporate holiday touches to your kitchen. Make use of your counters, kitchen island or breakfast nook. But keep it simple here, as you’ll likely need the extra space during the holidays.
For instance, if going for a warm and fuzzy vibe, pay attention to candles, big throws and accent rugs. Use these festive items to layer over your normal everyday decor. Living room and elsewhere.
Always ensure the right amount of seating options when entertaining or reorganizing a guest room. A comfortable array of areas to chat, during a cocktail/hors d’oeuvre hour, is crucial when welcoming your guests. The placing of side tables and a large centered coffee table allow for added convenience.
It may be common to miss those special bathroom touches, but chances are, the bathroom will be a happening spot. Make this place just as welcoming to your guests with small gestures. A vanity flower arrangement — seasonal scented hand soap or candle — matching counter containers. The key is to remember the little things here.
The number one cause of vacation rental guest complaints is cleanliness.
When guests have spent thousands or even tens of thousands on a vacation rental, their expectations of the cleanliness of the home is almost understood to be perfection. When this means turning an 8 Bedroom / 8 Bath House in 6 hours, the turn-day logistics have to go off without a hitch.
As the focus of Vacation Rentals continues to shift to a sharper focus on the guest experience, the execution of Vacation Rental Manager’s (VRM’s) housekeeping and maintenance departments becomes key to building trust and loyalty in your brand.
Fortunately, it’s a very simple issue to avoid. All housekeeping and maintenance team members have to understand the power and value of following processes the same way, every…single…time.
Vacation Rental companies sometimes try to make this part of the business difficult. As we mentioned before, turn days are an impressive feat by themselves; doing so without a road map would be nothing short of a miracle. Although this seems pretty obvious, most rental management companies HAVE the right checklists to be successful, but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired.
Live the Gulf Coast has a custom checklist, by property, of Housekeeping and Maintenance items to be addressed before, during, and after check-out. There are scheduled monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance work orders for all A/Cs, Grills, Pools, etc. to ensure your week of vacation runs as smooth as possible. Our proactive mindset and consistency keep Guests, Owners, and our Property managers happy…We like being happy and we want you to be happy!
Our Promise to you: “Our professionally trained and certified housekeeping team and inspectors are dedicated to making sure your stay is comfortable and stress-free.”
Life is way too short and the beach is way too beautiful to be fretting over the chance that a housekeeper used some toxic cleaning products where your family will be eating, playing, and staying for a whole week. This was a recent discovery after some insightful feedback from a growing number of our past guests. Our team did a deep-dive to find the perfect combination of eco-friendly and still tough on dirt and we came up with some clever substitutes. If we have enough interest, we might share our top tricks in a future blog…Let us know in the comments!
Our pet-friendly renters also need not worry as we have approved all cleaning products and certified they are 100% pet-friendly.
It might seem overly simple to make sure that cleaning products are safe for use in a hospitality-esque environment, but even bleach has been banned from our list of approved products. The combination of its inherent toxicity and potential to harm small children / pets means we had to find alternatives to these common cleaning products. Any clever cleaning tips and tricks are always appreciated as well. ????
We are always looking to improve in all facets of our business, but our attention to detail with housekeeping stands above the rest. With over 3,000 reservations under our belt, Live the Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals boasts “98 percent of guests rated our properties as “very clean” or “exceptionally clean”.
Our commitment to housekeeping excellence helps us stand apart in a crowded market where the routine has become mundane, details are lost in the noise, and VRMs have lost their passion to serve.
How do they do it?
Every team member has their own responsibilities and checklists on turn-days, but no team member is done until the whole team is done.
Their title might read “Housekeeping Specialist” or “Maintenance Supervisor”, but they are striving to achieve a mutual goal that the sum of their parts could have never dreamed possible. The difference in our version of teamwork vs. another company is the sharing of that common objective by equally passionate people. Our team members not only love what they do, but they care about YOU!
The team’s most commonly shared tasks are: sanitizing all the surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen, washing and changing the linens, hanging fresh towels, emptying the fridge and cleaning the interior, putting away dishes, cleaning underneath and between furniture cushions, looking for damage or missing items, stocking the home with toilet paper, soap, etc. and providing light maintenance (changing smoke detector batteries, light bulbs).
Sometimes even the best of processes and quality control measures can’t always prevent a “less than desirable” guest experience. Although 98% of guests have given us rave reviews, there will always be 2% of guests that we can not seem to please. Whether it is the rare slip-up by our turn-team or, often, some higher than normal expectations; We take each and every opportunity as a learning opportunity to be better for your next stay!
We encourage feedback, both instant and post-stay, as a constant barometer of what areas in our business have room to improve.
We are passionate, driven, and focused on creating the best possible stay for you and your family. Please reach out with any suggestions you might have for us to make our Guest Experience the best on the Gulf Coast!
New to the rental market? Looking to switch management companies? Let us assess your beach home and make the most of your investment.
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