Well guys, I’m sorry to say the fireworks are being held over the Hudson River again this year. It’s unclear whether Macy’s will ever again double up the show on the East River for the benefit of all us Brooklynites. Outrageous, especially considering Brooklyn is where the action is, and this year’s show is a tribute to the 125th Anniversary of The Statue of Liberty — hello, located right off Brooklyn’s shore. One could hope for a light show over the statue, but according to the press material it does not look like this is in the works.
Fireworks start at 9.m. and will be shot off six barges on Hudson River. Pre-show is visible from the west coast of Manhattan in Chelsea featuring all kinds of water spurting from fire boats–to the delight of kids.
If you are passionate about watching up close this massive fireworks display, do what our editor did last year: Head to Chelsea early. Grab some picnic fare and drinks (she opted for outrageously good Chinese from Grand Sichuan International on 9th Ave between 24th and 25th. If you stop in, please ask them to open an outpost in our neighborhood–we desperately need it and they’d do fabulously well here).
Head over to the grassy areas on the western border of Manhattan and grab your space. The cops will rope off the picnic areas by 7 p.m., leaving the throngs to stand packed shoulder to shoulder on the streets, so you’ll have to get there early.
Some options for watching from Brooklyn:
Get on the highest roof you know in DUMBO, or Williamsburg.
Get on the highest roof you know in Park Slope or Red Hook and you might catch the neighbors’ fireworks.
For Manhattan:
Street closures: 12th Avenue will be closed below 59th beginning at 4 p.m. for viewing. Don’t attempt to get to Manhattan by car. The best viewing areas for the fireworks in Manhattan will be on 12th Ave between 20th and 59th Street. Pedestrians can access the 12th Avenue from 11th Avenue at 24th, 26th-30th, 34th, 40th-44th, 47th-52nd and 54th-57th streets.
Additional West Side prime public viewing spots:
Dewitt Clinton Park (access only from 11th Ave)
Pier 54 (access only from 14th St.)
Pier 84Â access only from 44th St.)
And some side streets between 11th and 12th Aves.
These areas are not likely to be open for fireworks viewing:
Battery Park (there is no show in Battery Park this year)
Battery Park City
Hudson River Piers (except Pier 54 and Pier 84)
Hudson Park Promenade between W. Houston and 59th St.
Hudson River Park Bike Path between W. Houston and 59th St.
July 4 cruise packages:
Circle Line Sightseeing
Clipper City and Shearwater
NY Waterway
NY Water Taxi
Schooner Adirondack
Seastreak Catamaran
Spirit Cruises
Statue Cruises
The Rocks Off Ship.
World Yacht Dinner Cruise
Check out nyc.gov for street closures (for cars.)
For New Jersey (you can take the jitney buses from Port Authority at 9th Ave and 42nd Street to the lovely parks and playgrounds along Boulevard East in Weehawken.. it’s a 20 minute bus ride that leaves every 20 minutes):
Excellent view from Hoboken and Weehawken
Decent views from Jersey City and North Bergen
Hudson River Promenade on the New Jersey side
This year, there will be no concerts in Battery Park or Governors Island. However, Shea Stadium is hosting Summerjam III with Extreme Animals, Sightings, Liturgy, PC Worship and more.
For additional fireworks viewing information, the general public should call the Macy’s Fireworks Hot Line at (212) 494-4495.
Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Live on NBC
You can also catch the fireworks action from the comforts of home by tuning in to Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks broadcast nationally on NBC. Starting at 8PM, the one-hour special will feature celebrity performers.
For the full Macy’s Press Release.
