The Fourth of July without fireworks is like a birthday party without cake and ice cream.

After all, Independence Day is America's birthday and as President John Adams once said, the holiday should be celebrated with "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other."

What better illuminations to celebrate with than fireworks?

These days many cities -- from big to small -- mark July 4 with big fireworks displays. Some shows are so big they're known nationwide, from New York City's with the skyline and Lady Liberty as a backdrop to the display over Independence Hall in America's birthplace, Philadelphia.

Those fireworks displays make those cities among the best places in the nation to celebrate the Fourth of July, but they don't quite rank with our choices for the best five fireworks shows in America.

Best Fireworks Display No. 5: Mountains, Water And A Blazing Sky >>