Ever since I saw the unbelievable fireworks display that celebrated the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986, all other pyrotechnics displays have paled in comparison. It's like I tasted the world's best prime rib and was then forced to eat ground beef for the rest of my life. But maybe I just haven't looked hard enough for the right spot.

For this July 4th holiday, I spoke with a variety of fireworks experts, including Julie Heckman, head of the American Pyrotechnics Association, Lansden E. Hill Jr., the CEO of Pyro Shows and Philip Butler of Fireworks by Grucci to get the lowdown on the industry and to find out where the most awe-inspiring (and thereby some of the most expensive) fireworks displays could be found. Some of their answers weren't a big surprise: It makes sense that New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. would make the list. But other cities, like Nashville and Addison, Texas, shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to their pyrotechnic prowess.

Making the rockets red glare and bombs burst in air is not cheap, however. Fourth of July celebrations can cost anywhere from about $10,000 for a standard small town fireworks display to several million dollars for multi-day patriotic extravaganzas that sometimes even require corporate sponsors (hello Macy's). And organizers can spend several hundred thousand dollars reimbursing the city for services such as police overtime and clean up crews. Barges (for displays over water), pyrotechnic technicians, symphonies and celebrity entertainers can also add to the costs of honoring America's independence.

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