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4 Ways to Watch the Boston Pop Fireworks Spectacular

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

Although the Boston Pop Fireworks Spectacular won’t be televised nationally this year, it’s all the more reason for you to get off your couch and watch the fireworks live! Check out these 4 ways to catch the sparkles live for a romantic 4th of July in Boston.
Best Way to Actually Attend
This famous Boston affair will be launched at 10:30pm over the Charles River. If you’re looking to catch the actual Pop performance, the Oval seating area in front of the Hatch Shell opens at 4pm on July 3rd and 9am on July 4th. Come decked out in your best red, white & blue gear, as this affair can get really patriotic.
boston pop fireworks
boston pop

Most Low-Key 
If you want to watch just the fireworks, the best spots are typically on the Longfellow or Harvard bridges. Pack your picnic basket and head over there early, as these popular hot spots tend to fill up fast.
Charles River
boston pop fireworks

Most Romantic & Intimate
Looking for something a bit more intimate to catch the Pop performance? Reserve you and your date a spot at the Top of the Hub for a dressier, high-rise experience of Boston’s fireworks.
top of the hub
boston pop fireworks
Most Comfortable 
If you really want to cozy up in your sweats and watch it from the couch, then check out our recent post on how to throw a fun 4th of July party in your own home. Thankfully the Boston Pop Fireworks will be televised locally, so Bostonians aren’t missing out from the comforts of their home. Might as well go out with a bang!

great date spots in DC

A 4th of July in DC, Fireworks-Edition

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

Hey DC Bagels,
If you’re willing to brave the crowds this Independence Day, check out these 3 great date spots for a patriotic, fireworks-filled 4th of July in DC!
1. Most Popular Spot – National Mall Fireworks
Pack your picnic blanket & basket, and break out the lawn chairs & glow sticks. This location is notoriously a patriotic experience in and of itself, so check it out if you’re new to DC this summer. Fireworks will be launched from the reflecting pool area at 9:10pm.
great date spots in DC
More Low-key Spots to Catch the Mall Fireworks
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a more low-key spot, check out the hill below the Navy Annex at the end of Columbia Pike, looking down at the Pentagon.
Pro Tip 2.0: Another low-key spot frequented by the locals is Cardoza High School, located at 1300 Clifton Street, where there is a large hill with a perfect view of the National Mall.

2. Fireworks & Entertainment – A Capitol Fourth Concert
If you’re looking for something more than fireworks, check out the Capitol Fourth Concert at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Hosted by favorite TV-personality & “Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron, this concert will feature a live concert by the National Symphony Orchestra, Darren Criss from “Glee,” Megan Hilty from “Smash,” and other musical artists. Entirely free & doors open at 3pm!

great date spots in DC

Watch Megan Hilty work it on the front stage!

3. Rooftop View & Drinks – Rock & Roll Hotel DC
Hit up the Rock & Roll Hotel DC on July 4th for a “Freedom Jams! A Celebration of American Made Party Music” party with a live DJ, crazy patriotism, and deals on beer! With an outdoor bar you’ll have a perfect view of the fireworks coming out from the Mall and awesome drinks to accompany. The bar is conveniently located on 1353 H Street, NE and admission is free! 
great date spots in DC

great date spots in NYC

Pregame 4th of July in DC with 3 Great Date Ideas

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

With expectations for patriotism at an all-time high in ‘Murica’s Capitol, it’s either go big or go home this 4th of July in DC. That’s why we came up with 3 great date ideas  to fill up your day before the firework celebration at night! They’re all conveniently located so you can turn your daytime date into a nighttime show.
1. Embrace Folklife: Check out Smithsonian Folklife Festival, a free outdoor festival held in National Mall, from July 3-7 (post-game July 4th anyone?) by the Smithsonian Museum, celebrating diversity & tradition through arts & crafts, music & performances, and of course yummy ethnic cuisines!
great date spots in DC
great date spots in DC
What: Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Where: National Mall, Washington, D.C.
When: Wednesday, July 3 – Sunday, July 7 @ 11am to 5:30pm

2. The Night Before: Who says you can’t start July 4th celebrations early? Party it up with the Midtown Liberty Bar Tour on the evening of July 3 in Dupont Circle, where your ticket will contribute to Team USO in support of America’s Troops & their families. Bar-hop around DC’s best 20+ bars, featuring $2 Coors Light & $3 Blue Moon specials, patriotic food specials, & fun giveaways!

great date spots in DC

Can’t go wrong with Red, White & Blue gear in America’s most patriotic city.

great date spots in DC
What: Midtown Liberty Bar
Where: Dupont Circle, 1716 I St. NW
When: Wednesday, July 3 @ 5pm to 10pm

3. Get Cultured on the day of with DC museums. The Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, the International Spy Museum, Newseum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Presidents Gallery by Madame Tussauds and many more will be open for viewing on Independence Day. Whether you’re culturally curious or in need of a quick AC break on this hot DC day, the DC museums will be open for all!
great date spots in DC
great date spots in DC

What: DC Museum Hoppin’
Where:  Along Independence Ave (see map above)
When: July 4, all day!

great date ideas in SF

Conquering Post-Christmas Withdrawal with 3 Great Date Ideas in SF

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

Hey Bagels,
Happy June 25th! For some of you, today is any regular Tuesday, the notorious day-before-hump-day in the long work week. For others, it marks the halfway point in the year until Christmas Eve. While 6 months is a lot of time for the summer heat to get you down, and winter withdrawals to kick in, don’t fret! We got 3 great date ideas in SF for you to check out to celebrate a successful Christmas in the Summer, Aussie-style.
1. Summer Night Lights
Looking to take a romantic stroll down memory lane for overly-decorated homes with Christmas lights & Santa Clauses’? Look no further. Starting at dusk and going until 2 am, the San Francisco Bay Bridge will be lit with 25,000 white LED lights – a project called the Bay Lights. Catch the monumental light sculpture right before sunset with the app, Rise for accurate times on sunrise & sunset so you can get turned on by the Bay Lights when it turns on!

great date ideas in SF

Why wait for this…

great date ideas

…when you can have this now?

2. Decorating Sweets

Got a knack (or a sweet tooth) for decorating gingerbread houses? Channel your inner chef with a romantic, 3-day class on Pastry Fundamentals at SF Cooking School! Learn the science behind pastry making with chocolate-glazed eclairs, fruit turnovers, & Devil’s Food cupcakes – YUM.  See what’s bakin’ on July 16-18 @ 6-10pm and reserve your spot now!

great date ideas in SF

Remember when you were going to invite your Bagel over & cook a romantic dinner for her? Do you really know what you’re doing?
Take a cooking class instead & show off your culinary skills with dignity!

If you can’t wait that long, check out Sweetly Sentimental Treats at Black Jet Bakery in South Beach for immediate indulgence & a sweet deal! This bakery knows how to hit the spot, baking only single-serving goodies. With classic treats from organic, local ingredients, Black Jet makes only the best of the best.
Insider tip from our friends @ Sosh: check out the jam-filled turnovers (arguably better than Pop-Tarts) & Devil Dogs (definitely better than Hostess Cakes) pictured below:

great date ideas in sf

Yeah, we weren’t kidding. Look how good these look.

3. In the Rink & On Wheels
Wish you could ice skate  your new beau & casually hold hands because you’re “falling”? Why waste time waiting around for the Union Square ice skating rink to return, when you can roller skate with your Bagel every Tuesday night @ Inner Mission’s FunkyTown. Entry is $10 plus a few extra bucks to cover skate rentals — but beer & margaritas are on the house! They also have rental options to go outdoors so you can soak up the summer sun with your Bagel on weekends!
great date ideas in SF
If you’re looking for something on wheels but more scenic than indoor roller skating, try tandem biking around the SF Marina, Golden Gate Park, and across the Golden Gate Bridge with SF Bicycle Rentals, electric biking (for the lazy) with Plugz, and even renting your bike from SF locals via SpinLister, a bike rental marketplace for individuals & bike renting shops!

tandem biking

great date ideas in SF

Look Ma! No feet!!
Electric bikes are the way to go

best summer date ideas in LA

Best Summer Date Ideas in LA: Art, Food & Music Festivals

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

Hey LA Bagels,
We’re back with our series on best summer date ideas! With Chicago & SF covered, LA – you’re up next! Local art, food & music festivals are the place to be for your next Bagel date, so check out these local festivals & best summer date ideas in LA!
1. Drink:Eat:Play Wine Festival – Stroll along the Santa Monica pier at sunset with your Bagel & taste wine from over 50 wineries – what couldn’t be more romantic than this? 

best summer date ideas
What: Cheers: L.A.’s Wine, Spirits, Beer, and Food Festival – $50 general, $60 VIP
Where: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
When: Sunday, June 23 @ 5-9pm

2. LA Street Food Fest – This is the “baddest & most affordable” tasting event for all food truck lovers. You pay 1 price for a free sampling from 100 street food vendors. Soak up the sun and fill up your bellies with this awesome event!
best summer date ideas in SF

What: LA Street Food Fest – $50 general, $75 VIP
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
When: Saturday, June 29 @ 3/5-9pm (depending on ticket type)

3. 626 Night Market – Hit up the 626 area code in Santa Anita for the largest gathering of Asian night market vendors – including food, live music, artists, film, and games. Serving everything from stinky tofu, pork belly buns, and Vietnamese egg crepes to sweet delicacies like boba, lychee lemonade, and good ol’ fashioned kettle corn.
best summer date ideas
What: 626 Night Market
Where: Santa Anita Park, 285 W Huntington Dr., Arcadia
When: Saturday, July 6 @ 4pm-1am & Sunday, July 7 @ 4-11pm

best summer date ideas

Best Summer Date Ideas in SF: Art, Food & Music Festivals

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The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Catherine Nguyen

Hey CMB,
We’re back with our series on best summer date ideas in your local area! We just covered Chicago in the Midwest, and now we’ll be talking about festivals in SF! Although Coachella is over, festival season is still raging on for the summer! Besides, nothing beats bonding with your Bagel on a hot summer day than with delicious food and local music.
1. Danville Fine Arts Faire – If you’re new to SF and need to decorate your blank apartment walls with some handcrafted goodies, head over to the Danville Faire! About a 40 minute drive from SF, the Danville Faire showcases high quality arts and crafts from local artisans.
best summer date ideas in sf
best summer date ideas

What: Danville Fine Arts Faire – arts, crafts, food, music, free admission
Where: Hartz Avenue
When: This weekend! Saturday, June 22 – Sunday, June 23 @ 10am to 5pm

2. Treasure Island Flea Market – Located on Treasure Island for all the right reasons, the TI Flea Market hosts 100+ vendors selling hidden gems and treasures: from antiques, vintage, indie, retro to new & up-cycled goods. Food trucks galore, DIY workshops, scavenger hunts, and rockin’ music.

best summer date ideas

Treasures for all tastes!

best summer date ideas

What: Treasure Island Flea Market, $3 admission
Where: Great Lawn and Pavement
When: Saturday, June 29 – Sunday, June 30 @ 10am to 4pm

3. BreastFest – Not in shape to run a marathon to support breast cancer research? No worries; show your support through BreastFeast, a beer festival with, yes, unlimited beer tastings, food samplings and live music. Though tickets are on the pricey side, proceeds will benefit Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic. Drinking beer is always nice, but drinking beer for a cause is always better.
best summer dates in sf

best summer date ideas

Thankfully BreastFest has unlimited beer offerings so you never reach the bottom of your beer.

What: BreastFest Beer Festival – $50 advance tix, $60 @ door
Where: Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
When: Saturday, July 13 @ 2-6pm