There are usually two schools of thought on Independence Day: “Let’s go down to the Mall for the fireworks and the concert,” and “I’m not dealing with the crowds and traffic, so let’s go see fireworks closer to home.”

But when the Fourth falls midweek, as it does this year, the holiday can be an excuse for a great day out: a chance to take a road trip (either for adults or with kids) or to hang out with friends at a pool or on a rooftop. And if you do want the classic patriotic D.C. experience, there’s really no better day to bask in the red, white and blue.

No matter what your ideal July Fourth entails, we’ve got an itinerary for you.

1. I want to have the classic D.C. Fourth of July

Other cities might brag about their connections to the Declaration of Independence and the Founding Fathers, but D.C. actually has the declaration — and a few other important documents as well. Start your day on the steps of the National Archives, where a performance by the funky Experience Band and Show kicks off at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., it’s time for the official ceremonies, which include fife and drum music and a presentation of colors by the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the “Old Guard,” and a dramatic reading of the declaration by actors portraying John and Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other signers. (Feel free to shout “Huzzah!” and boo King George III when inspiration strikes.) The Archives are open until 7 p.m., with family activities including arts and crafts and a chance to “sign” the declaration yourself.

Stick around until the National Independence Day Parade steps off at 11:45 a.m., featuring marching bands from across the country, giant balloons, floats, military units and drill teams. The route runs along Constitution Avenue from Seventh to 17th Street NW — or roughly from the Archives to the Ellipse.

After you’ve watched the parade, walk a few blocks north to Penn Quarter to find lunch, or head to the National Mall. The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art are open all day, along with the memorials. The National Park Service runs a Family Activity Area at the Sylvan Theater on the Washington Monument grounds from 1 to 8 p.m. On the other side of the Capitol, the Library of Congress is open, including its grand Main Reading Room, to visitors with free timed-entry passes.

The West Lawn of the Capitol opens at 3 p.m. for the audience of the free A Capitol Fourth concert, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, which begins at 8. Performers include Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Fitz and Noelle of Fitz and the Tantrums, Sheila E., the National Symphony Orchestra and various military bands. The fireworks display begins at 9:09 p.m., and the concert is timed so the NSO performs Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture while the fireworks are booming over the Washington Monument. Visitors will be required to go through security screenings to enter the Capitol grounds or public viewing areas on the Mall west of 14th Street. (There’s a map of closures, first aid stations, restrooms and other important landmarks on the National Mall website, nps.gov/nama.) If the crowds or the lines are too much, there’s usually more room to spread your picnic blanket closer to the Smithsonian Castle.

2. I want to get out of town

If you’ve got the day off, make the most of it while avoiding the crowds heading into downtown D.C. Those with access to a car should consider heading out Route 50 toward Middleburg, the heart of Virginia’s hunt country. The historic and compact town is home to numerous boutiques along its main street — consignment shops, antiques, equestrian apparel, French home goods — as well as restaurants, bakeries and delis. (Sadly, the Museum of Hounds and Hunting is open only on weekends.) There are plenty of spacious tasting rooms among the horse farms worth a pit stop: Wine lovers should head for Chrysalis Vineyards, just west of Aldie, and Boxwood Winery, south of Middleburg; meanwhile, Mount Defiance makes hard cider, brandy, absinthe and spirits in the middle of Middleburg. The town’s award-winning Lost Barrel brewery, though, is closed on the Fourth. History buffs can stretch their legs on trails at the Goose Creek Historic Park, where a historic stone bridge is preserved at the site of an 1863 Civil War battle.

The main event, though, is at Great Meadow, in The Plains, about 12 miles south of Middleburg. The site of the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races is home to what is billed as Northern Virginia’s biggest fireworks display, set to music and featuring a drone show. The five hours of entertainment include flyovers by historic planes, polo exhibitions, fair games, live music and activities for children. There are also prizes for the best hat and most patriotic tailgate setup. Tickets are $50 per car in advance, and gates open at 5 p.m.

Don’t have a car? Not a problem: MARC trains are running between D.C. and Baltimore all day. The Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art are closed for the holiday, but other attractions are open as usual: Spend the day exploring the galleries of self-taught artists at the American Visionary Art Museum or viewing “Black Woman Genius,” an exhibition of fiber art by Elizabeth Talford Scott and Black women from the Chesapeake region, at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. Celebrate the first president by climbing the 227 steps of Baltimore’s Washington Monument to an observation platform, or remember America’s second war of independence with a visit to Fort McHenry.

Or, if that all seems too heavy, head to the neighborhood of Hampden, where the Avenue is lined with boutiques and galleries selling new and vintage clothes, antiques, handmade jewelry, homewares and much more, with restaurants ranging from Tex-Mex to vegan stir-fry. Not far from your train, the streets of Station North are filled with places to eat and drink: the “hyper-seasonal” nose-to-tail kitchen at Foraged; burgers, cheesesteaks and craft cocktails at the Royal Blue; or European-inspired beers in a gorgeous European-inspired beer hall at Guildford Hall.

Baltimore has two parties happening July Fourth: The city’s major party happens along the Inner Harbor, beginning at 3 p.m., with live music, food trucks, games and vendors, capped with a performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, fireworks and a drone show. There’s also the Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival in South Baltimore, with live music, family activities and fireworks along the Patapsco River. Be aware: The last MARC train back to D.C. leaves Penn Station at 9:25 p.m., so you’ll need to get an Amtrak (with tickets as cheap as $10 right now) if you want to stay for fireworks.

3. I want to do something with kids

So many essential elements of the Fourth are perfect for kids — music, parades, bright and awe-inspiring pyrotechnics — that it’s a shame so many local celebrations don’t really get going until dinnertime is approaching. (We get it, you’re staying out of the worst of the midday heat, but still.)

Mount Vernon’s An American Celebration gets underway at 9:30 a.m. with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and features an 18th-century magic show, Revolutionary War music and Army encampments, talks with reenactors, and, to the delight of all ages, daytime fireworks that create billowing puffs of colorful smoke over the Potomac River at 1 p.m. Admission is $26 for adults, $13 for kids and free for children age 5 and younger.

The Capital Jewish Museum’s Family Day has a “Summer Party” theme, with outdoor games, live music, arts and crafts, and a program about Jewish veterans of the American Revolution from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum’s exhibitions will be open as usual. Catalyst Hot Dogs is on-site with summer snacks. Admission is free, but registration is required.

The easiest solution, though, might be to take the kids to a parade. From marching bands to antique firetrucks, parades will easily keep small humans distracted for a while.

Among the best known is Takoma Park’s annual parade, now in its 135th year, which winds through the town beginning at 10 a.m. and features costumed characters, animal groups, themed floats and vendors along the route. The parade usually lasts an hour and a half to two hours. A block party kicks off at 6 p.m. on Maple Avenue.

The Palisades Fourth of July Parade is known for its community spirit: Anyone can join in the procession, with decorated red wagons, bikes or floats setting off at 11 a.m., no preregistration required. (See the website for details on joining.) The chaotic and joyful parade ends at Palisades Park, where the picnic includes a bounce house, hot dogs, music and lemonade beginning at noon.

Capitol Hill’s annual parade on Barracks Row is led by the U.S. Marine Band and features community groups, high school marching bands and local businesses. The parade moves up Eighth Street SE toward the Eastern Market Metro Plaza beginning at 10 a.m. Afterward, take the kids across Pennsylvania Avenue to the Metro Park playground and splash pad.

4. I want to see fireworks, but not on the Fourth

Love shimmering pyrotechnic displays but can’t swing it on July Fourth? Fear not: The fun isn’t limited to Thursday night. Here are more events taking place throughout the week leading up to the holiday.

Saturday: Fireworks, Food and Family Fun at Lake Fairfax

Fairfax County’s annual celebration kicks off at noon June 29 with live music and food trucks, while fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Tickets are $15 per car in advance, which does not include admission to the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole; those tickets are sold separately.

Tuesday: Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration

The town of Vienna’s annual party fills George C. Yeonas Park with a mix of live music — Latin American from Cantaré, pop and funk from Thunderball — as well as family activities, food trucks and picnicking on baseball fields. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with fireworks beginning around 9:30. Free parking is available off-site.

Wednesday: Baseball and fireworks

Fireworks illuminate baseball diamonds across the region on Independence Day Eve. The Nationals, who won’t have fireworks after their July 4 day game, will launch “Freedom Fireworks” after the last out of their 6:45 p.m. game against the Mets on July 3. The Bowie Baysox, who regularly host fireworks after weekend games at Prince George’s Stadium, promise their biggest show of the year after the Orioles’ AA affiliate’s 6:35 p.m. game against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The single-A Fredericksburg Nationals, home of the regular “Fireworks Friday” promotions, host a “patriotic edition” of the popular event following a 6:05 p.m. game against the Delmarva Shorebirds.

5. I don’t care about fireworks and parades

What’s not to love about a day when you can wake up, grab something to eat and be at a ballpark before 11 a.m.? The surprising Washington Nationals — only half a game out of a playoff spot — face the New York Mets during their traditional home game on Independence Day, with first pitch at 11:05. Get to Navy Yard early to fuel up: Walters has bottomless brunch starting at 9 a.m., All-Purpose opens at 9:30 a.m. for Italian brunch (think focaccia topped with eggs, spinach and goat cheese, or savory pies), and Atlas Brew Works starts serving beer and slices of Andy’s Pizza at 10 a.m.

At Nationals Park, tickets include a free beer. Afterward, walk down Half Street to the Bullpen, which opens at 9 a.m., for frozen cocktails and beers outdoors, or head over to District Winery, which offers half-price flights and bottles with your Nationals ticket stub. If the game got your competitive spirit up, catch a Circulator over to the Wharf and try beating your friends at Pixar Putt, a pop-up 18-hole mini-golf course with holes inspired by “The Incredibles,” “Inside Out” and other Pixar animated films. The Wharf doesn’t have fireworks of its own on the Fourth, but it is hosting Fourth at the Wharf, an afternoon of live country music, with local acts such as Human Country Jukebox and the Wil Gravatt Band playing on four stages around the development between 5 and 9 p.m.

6. I just want a day party

In this city, the Fourth of July brings plenty of patriotic celebrations, but you’d be forgiven for wanting a different type of festivity. This summer has already brought some of the most culturally unifying and danceable pop releases we’ve heard in years (Charli XCX, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, anyone?). And since summer weekends are numbered, a day off during the workweek might just be your pass to day party — “darty,” if you will.

Start your day at Metrobar in NoMa, which is opening early to kick off its cookout at noon. Co-produced by the D.C. State Fair, activities include a hula hooping competition, bingo and a home-baked cookie contest. Food trucks and ice cream on-site provide seasonal eats, and DJs and a seven-piece youth go-go band provide the beats. Unless you grab a coveted spot inside the converted Metro car, most of the seating is out in the sun. Once you want a break from the heat, take the Red Line to Decades, two blocks from Farragut North, for a rooftop party spinning hip-hop, Afrobeats and Top 40. Its party begins with a free open bar between 4 and 5 p.m. with an RSVP, though early arrival is recommended to secure a spot. The dancing will wind down before 9 p.m., when you should get in place for fireworks watching. Head toward Shaw for a “Flash of July” party featuring funky house music DJs Ardalan and the Sponges ($25) at the Florida Avenue NW nightclub, where you should be able to make out the fireworks shooting off from the Mall at 9:09 p.m.

If all this dancing sounds a bit too sweaty for a summer with temperatures pushing up toward the triple digits, maybe you’re more apt to spend the day cooling off at a pool party. Starting at noon, you can lounge at the Generator hotel’s pool patio, where a $25 ticket will get you two drinks and a DJ party until 8 p.m. For a similar vibe a little farther downtown, try Hotel Hive. The $75 admission includes an open bar, barbecue buffet with hamburgers and hot dogs, a dessert station, a raffle with prizes that include a free night’s stay, and a DJ who will spin tracks until the fireworks begin.