BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK - PIER 1
Perhaps the most obvious location for viewing the fireworks (and as one of the show's official ADA locations), the park is also expected to be one of the most crowded. Most of its local and contained attractions will also be
closing early, way before the start of the show, so factor that into your plans for the night. And you'll have to take public transportation into the park, as local roads will be closing at 4 p.m. You'll be able to enter at Old Fulton and Furman Streets, Joralemon and Furman Streets, or Old Dock and Furman Streets, but keep in mind that the NYPD will be checking any large bags. Is it worth coming here at all? For the prime view you'll get, absolutely!
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
Watch the fireworks from the Seaport District this year for a great front-seat view—some of the fireworks will be fired from a double barge directly south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Viewing areas will be set up around Fulton Street, John Street, Beekman Street, Peck Slip, and the FDR. Grab a bite to eat from Smorgasburg vendors, and come early for musical performances on either the Fulton Street stage or the Peck Slip stage starting at 1 p.m.
FDR DRIVE - LOWER MANHATTAN
The official viewing locations for Manhattan will be along elevated portions of the FDR Drive, with one of the entry points at 42nd Street, 34th Street, 23rd Street, Houston Street, Broad Street, Old Slip, and Pearl and Frankfort along the elevated FDR. Since the barges will be between East 23rd and 37th streets, and just south of the Brooklyn Bridge, these spots will be the most crowded, but the will have the best views. The southern most official access point to the elevated FDR Drive will be at Broad Street, where you'll have clear views of the double barge near the Brooklyn Bridge.
FDR DRIVE - MIDTOWN
Four of the fireworks barges will be located between East 23rd Street and East 37th Street, extending the prime viewing areas to Midtown Manhattan (last year, all of the barges were near the Brooklyn Bridge). The official viewing locations for Manhattan will be along elevated portions of the FDR Drive, with one of the entry points at 42nd Street, 34th Street, 23rd Street, Houston Street, Broad Street, Old Slip, and Pearl and Frankfort along the elevated FDR. Arrive early and the NYPD requests that you not bring large bags, coolers, or lawn chairs.
EAST 16TH STREET & AVENUE C
There will be an official ADA viewing spot at 16th Street and Avenue C. The show doesn't start until around 9 p.m., but crowds will start arriving around 5 p.m.
CENTER BOULEVARD AT 48TH AVENUE
Long Island City will have arguably the best views of the fireworks. Not only will the neighborhood be directly beside four of the fireworks barges, but it has the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop. The official viewing point will be along Center Boulevard between 48th and 49th Avenues, and it will be wheelchair accessible.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS PROMENADE
Though the Macy's Fireworks website doesn't list the Brooklyn Heights Promenade as an official viewing location this year, it's still a prime spot to watch the show given its head-on views of the river. Expect it to be crowded, though, as Time Out New York
expertly points out, the fireworks will be happening just above you, so don't feel obligated to clamor for a front-row spot.
Watermark Bar on Pier 15 in the South Street Seaport will be hosting
Freedom Fest on the 4th of July, with food, drinks, music, and front row seats to the fireworks. Tickets start at $109, but that includes an open bar from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and a full barbecue picnic. Tables are available for more money.
INDUSTRY KITCHEN
Situated along the East River Waterfront Promenade, Industry Kitchen will have great views of the fireworks near the Brooklyn Bridge. The restaurant is hosting a viewing party, with
tickets starting at $175 per person for bar seating. The price includes an open bar and buffet. If you want to reserve a table, it's $238.
BERRY PARK
Come here if you're looking less to have a great view of the fireworks and more to unwind in a lower-key setting. This Williamsburg beer hall hosts an annual 4th of July party on its rooftop deck, but be sure to arrive early to snag a seat on the river-facing side if you want to see the fireworks.
For $185, you'll be able to get up close and personal with the fireworks from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. The observatory will be open from 8 to 10 p.m. for the show, but keep in mind that it's standing room only. And there'll be no open bar here—only light refreshments and snacks. Get your tickets
here. [Photo via
U.S. News and World Report]
EAST 34TH STREET HELIPORT (TSS)
Skip the crowds on the FDR and buy tickets to the viewing party at the 34th Street heliport. Tickets start at $30, but that only gets you admission, though there will be food and drink for purchase. For $50, you get access to the VIP waterfront viewing area. Either of these ticket levels can pay an additional $50 for a three-hour open bar. Table service is available from $750.
THE GORBALS
Williamsburg restaurant the Gorbals is hosting an all-day 4th of July celebration on its rooftop. The fun starts around 1 p.m., with a $20 BBQ-inspired menu starting at 2 p.m. with all the American classics: hotdogs, ribs, corn on the cob, ice cream, and more. To ensure you have a spot, call for a reservation.
Z HOTEL NEW YORK - ROOFTOP BAR/LOUNGE
Another great rooftop option is the bar at the Z Hotel in Long Island City. For $175 (or $75, for teens aged 13 to 20, or
free for children 12 and under), you'll get bottomless food, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverages, and adults get two alcoholic drink tickets included as well. The event will run from 3 to 10 p.m., though food will only be served between 4 and 8 p.m. Buy tickets
here.
THE WATER CLUB
The Water Club, literally situated on the East River, is offering a special menu on the Fourth of July themed with—you guessed it!—
red, white, and blue dishes. The dining room, pictured here, should give you a great view of the fireworks, but if you want something a little more casual, head on up to the rooftop bar, The Crow's Nest. Call the restaurant for tickets and pricing.
PENTHOUSE 808 AT RAVEL HOTEL
True to its name, Penthouse808 sits at the tippy top of the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City. With expansive indoor and outdoor spaces, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the East River, making it a prime spot to watch the fireworks show.
Tickets are required, and the early bird deals are already sold out, but you can still buy space on the observation deck for $125. It's a steep price for standing room only, but it comes with barbecue. If you're looking for something fancier, tables for six are still available for $1,500.
OUTPUT
Output's website makes no specific mention of the Fourth of July, but the Williamsburg club's roof will be hosting on Saturday, July 4, from 3 to 10 p.m.—and tickets seem to be at regular price, going for $15 to $20.
Get them while you can! [Photo via
Free Williamsburg]
The bar at the Pod 39 Hotel's rooftop taqueria is currently accepting reservations of all sizes, according to its website. Email evenets@salvationtaco.com for more information and updates. This may seem like a cheap option—and it certainly could be, relatively—but be warned that last year, the restaurant had a minimum spending limit of $75 per group on food and drink. [Photo by
Daniel Krieger]
GRAND FERRY PARK
This park isn't on the official list for spaces to view the fireworks—perhaps because it's in Williamsburg, which is farther away from the barge locations, but the great thing about fireworks is that you can still see them from a distance, which makes Grand Ferry Park a nice option with room to breathe and a satisfactory view of the show to the south and north. What more could you want? [Photo via NYC Parks]
FOUR FREEDOMS PARK
While the official Macy's website says that Roosevelt Island is not a recommended viewing area, the island's southern tip will be open to the public during the show, according to
Roosevelt Islander. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. announced that FDR Four Freedoms Park will be open, as well as Southpoint Park. There were some concerns about crowding since there is a lot of construction happening near the parks for Cornell Tech, so it seems like this is not the best option unless you are a Roosevelt Island resident.
SOUTHPOINT PARK
The official Macy's website says that Roosevelt Island is not a recommended viewing area, but the island's southern tip will be open to the public during the show, according to
Roosevelt Islander. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. announced that Southpoint Park and FDR Four Freedoms Park will be open for the show. The last time the fireworks could be seen from Roosevelt Island was 2008, so this is a pretty big deal for island residents.
HORNBLOWER CRUISES (PIER 15) - SENSATION AND HYBRID
As Hornblower's newest vessel, the Sensation also offers its priciest Fourth of July experience. Depending on where you buy, tickets for adults are either
$250 or
$340. The cruise includes an open bar, appetizers, a buffet, and dancing, and it departs from Pier 15 at 5 p.m. If the newness of the Sensation doesn't wow you, try the Hybrid, another Hornblower yacht whose Fourth of July event seems equally exhilarating. Both are 21+ only, though.
HORNBLOWER CRUISES (PIER 15) - INFINITY, SERENITY, AUDUBON
Hornblower is also offering cruises this Fourth of July on the Infinity (pictured), Serenity, and Audubon, but these are family-friendly. The three vessels differ in departure time, menu, and price, with the cheapest individual tickets going for $169 on the
Audubon. The most expensive option is the "Captain's Quarters VIP Table for Five" on the
Infinity, which is going for $2,345. That's $469 per person!
CLIPPER CITY TALL SHIP
Setting sail on the harbor is one of the most fun, if not most expensive ways to view the fireworks, and the Clipper City Tall Ship offers another opportunity. The boat boards at 5:30 p.m. at Slip 2 in the Battery, and the night offers a great view of the fireworks and themed food and drinks (red, white, and blue cocktails, for instance). Tickets are $350 for adults, $275 for children, and the price includes a BBQ and open bar.
SHEARWATER CLASSIC SCHOONER
It isn't entirely clear what makes this yacht $100 more expensive than Clipper City, but hey—whatever floats your boat. Also run by Manhattan by Sails, this Fourth of July celebration shares its amenities with Clipper City, so you get a BBQ dinner and open bar. Adult tickets are $450, and children can board for $350, with departure set for 5:30 p.m.
NY WATERWAY'S JULY 4 CRUISE
Want to escape the madness of Manhattan this Fourth? Board NY Waterway's cruise boat in Weekhawken, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River. Starting at 7 p.m., the night will feature dancing and a cash bar. Tickets are $135 for adults (all ages are welcome), but keep in mind that parking and drink costs may add up! [Photo via Wikimedia Commons]
CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING CRUISES
"We believe it’s your inalienable right to party beneath dazzling pyrotechnics," says the Circle Line Cruises website. That is, as long as you're willing to shell out $149 for a ticket. The cruise goes from 6 to 11 p.m., but admission does not include food or drink. You can pay for those once you're on board. Buy your tickets
here.
NY WATER TAXI, PIER 45 - HUDSON RIVER PARK
Here's another cruise option: Join New York Water Taxi starting at 6:15 p.m. for an evening on the water, with great views of the fireworks. The $190 ticket will also buy you a light dinner buffet, non-alcoholic beverages (a cash bar will serve beer and wine), and hors d'oeuvres of both the stationary and passed variety. Buy tickets
here.
ZEPHYR CRUISE, PIER 25 - HUDSON RIVER PARK
Once again, NY Water Taxi will offer a second option for those willing to spend a little more money on their Fourth of July celebration. For $300, you'll view the fireworks from the Zephyr vessel, while also enjoying a buffet, dessert, hors d'oeuvres, and drinks. Note that this trip departs at 6:45 from Pier 25. [Photo via
NewYork.com]
BATEAUX NEW YORK
The price for this excursion has gone up to
$499.90 per person* and meals have dropped from four to three courses between last year and this year. Go figure! (*Also, after you factor in other fees, the basic trip actually amounts to
$663.34 per person.) But there are even pricier options, like the Platinum Independence Day Package, an option geared towards couples that amounts to $963.94 a pop and includes amenities like a bottle of champagne and a half dozen roses per couple.
SPIRIT CRUISES - NEW YORK
Spirit Cruises is offering two options for those that desire a waterfront view of the fireworks. Both feature a buffet-style dinner, an open bar (for individuals 21 and over), and a DJ. The pricier option, at $349.90 per person, departs from Chelsea Piers at 6 p.m.
SPIRIT OF NEW JERSEY
With the same offerings as the Spirit of New York cruise, the Spirit of New Jersey will also depart at 6 p.m., but it will begin its journey at Lincoln Harbor in New Jersey. Further, it only costs $279.90 each.
UPSTAIRS AT THE KIMBERLY HOTEL
The weather has been rather unpredictable lately, and Upstairs, the penthouse restaurant at the Kimberly Hotel in Midtown East, has the perfect solution: retractable walls and ceiling. If it's nice weather, you'll have a great rooftop experience. Otherwise, stay inside and have some specialty sangria. Festivities start at noon and run until 2 a.m. However, the rooftop does not have unobstructed views of the fireworks; they'll only be partially visible.
EAST RIVER STATE PARK
The East River State Park in Williamsburg should be a great viewing location for the fireworks given its close proximity to the river. The park normally closes at 9 p.m., but they confirmed to us over the phone that they will be open past that time to accommodate fireworks watchers.
THE FARM ON KENT
On July 4, The Farm on Kent won't just be celebrating a national holiday—it'll be commemorating its own existence! For the first time in 150 years the space will be open to the public. For $20, you gain admission to the farm, which is located between the Domino Sugar Factory and the Williamsburg Bridge, plus tacos from Vaya Taqueria, with vegetarian options available.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE GARDEN BAR
The BBGB will once more be hosting a 4th of July picnic. Entry fees are rough $130 and $182 for the beer garden and full admission, respectively, though both options include a full dinner buffet and three drinks. The party
starts at 6 p.m.—and the website stipulates that if you don't arrive on time, you'll be turned away!
[Photo of the 2014 fireworks by Oscar/Curbed Flickr pool]
Brooklyn Bridge Garden Bar will again be hosting their event.
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