fireworks

where to watch the Fourth of July fireworks in NYC

the stars are barges…
IMAGE

One of the highlights of Fourth of July in NYC is, of course, the Macy’s Fireworks display. This year, believe it or not, they are “inspired and directed” by Usher. Whether you’ll be able to tell that or not with the actual pyrotechnics, it does mean that beforehand there will be performances by Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey and Selena Gomez. The music starts at 8PM and the fireworks start at 9:20 PM.

Like last year, the Fireworks happened on the Hudson via four barges and you can see them fine on the West Side Highway, in NJ or on your TV (NBC), but from Brooklyn, not so much. Access points (and where are you CAN’T watch) are…

24th St.
26th St.
27th St.
29th St.
33rd St.
34th St.
40th St.
42nd St.
44th St.
50th St.
52nd St.
54th St.
56th St.
57th St.

The following are not viewing areas:

East River
Battery Park
Battery Park City
All Hudson River Piers (except limited access to Piers 84)
Hudson River Park promenade btwn W. Houston and 59th St.
Hudson River Park Bike Path btwn W. Houston and 59th St.

And while The Highline would seem like a great place to watch, they’re closing the park at 6 PM on the 4th, so no dice.

If you’re going to see The Feelies at Maxwell’s that night, the show doesn’t start till 10 PM so you might want to arrive early to work in the nice Jersey side view of the spectacle.

The Circle Line is offering both a private pier party as well as a sold-out fireworks cruise.

And maybe your friend who lives in Chelsea has a roof?