The best places to watch Red, White & BOOM!

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – With Red, White & BOOM! drawing more than 400,000 visitors each year, attendees may be wondering how they can claim a spot and get the best view of the fireworks.

The fireworks show, known as the biggest in the Midwest, will start at 10 p.m. and last about 25 minutes. The colorful display will be set off within Genoa Park on the east side of COSI, with the fireworks shooting over the Scioto River.

The most popular viewing locations for BOOM! fill up quickly and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis; spots can be claimed as early as July 2 after 6 p.m. Anything placed outside before this time will be removed. Spots should be claimed with items that do not pose a danger to the public – stakes are prohibited.

Dorrian Green

Dorrian Green, located at 50 S. Belle St. in Franklinton, is one of the most popular spots to watch the fireworks. The park neighbors COSI and is less than a mile walk from where the fireworks will be set off. 

Battelle Riverfront Park

Battelle Riverfront Park, located at 25 Marconi Blvd. in the Riverfront District, is another fan-favorite spot. Located in downtown Columbus near city hall, the park is also less than a mile from where the fireworks will be set off. 

Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park, located at 233 S. Civic Center Dr. in the Riverfront District, is also one of the most popular viewing spots. Home to the Scioto Mile Fountain, Bicentennial Park is a half-mile from Genoa Park, where the fireworks will be set off.

Berliner Sports Park

For those wanting to avoid downtown, BOOM! suggests Berliner Park, located at 325 Greenlawn Ave. The park is in Southwest Columbus along the Scioto River, and about three miles from the firework’s launch site. Berliner has its own parking lots.

Goodale Park

Goodale Park, located at 120 W Goodale St. in the Victorian Village neighborhood, is just over a mile north of Genoa Park. The park offers a good view of the fireworks and features picnic tables and parking areas. Parking lots are located off of Park Street and Dennison Avenue.

Dodge Park

Dodge Park, located at 667 Sullivant Ave. in Franklinton, is one mile away from the fireworks’ launch site. Located on the Scioto River, the space featuring a skatepark offers a good view of the show. Dodge Park’s parking lot is located off of Sullivant Avenue.

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Scioto Audubon Metro Park, located at 400 W. Whittier St. in the Brewery District, is about 1.5 miles south of Genoa Park, giving residents a good vantage point of the fireworks. Scioto Audubon features picnic tables and 11 parking options throughout the park. 

Rhodes Park

Rhodes Park, located at 1910 W. Broad St. in the Highland West neighborhood, is about 2.5 miles from the fireworks’ launch site. The park is west of Downtown, and offers multiple parking lots and picnic tables. 

Other spots to watch BOOM! include Belle Street, Marconi Boulevard, and Washington Boulevard. For those watching from areas without a designated parking lot, Columbus offers meter parking, surface lots, and parking garages throughout the area. More parking information can be found here.