Are you looking to light up your Fourth of July with some family-infused fun? Brighten your holiday with a classic, American favorite: fireworks! Your children will scream in delight as bursts of red, white, and blue ripple across the sky. It’s the perfect way to keep the family fun rolling after a rooftop barbecue or a day at the beach.
Sparklers from the 37th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show will be coloring the sky starting at 9pm, with more than 40,000 fireworks bursting in sync to a 25-minute soundtrack, comprised of patriotic standards and the country’s most-voted-for pop favorites. Check out our list of the best viewing areas below, prime access locations, and other fireworks programs, including cruises! This is a night you definitely don’t want to miss; so grab your family, put on your Independence Day attire, and get ready to ignite your Fourth of July night.
Best Free Viewing Areas
Riverside Park South
Views of the fireworks will be limited north of 59th Street, but Riverside Park, between 59th and 70th streets, may offer partial views of the Macy’s show. A cozy spot at the very south end of the park will guarantee a great view of the show, without the crowds and madness of Twelfth Avenue. The NYC Parks Department has warned that they close the gates at 4pm, so be sure to arrive early!
Twelfth Avenue & West Side Highway
Celebrate Independence Day with a massive New York City block party! Twelfth Avenue and the northbound lanes of the West Side Highway between 22nd and 59th will be closed to traffic at 2pm and open to all pedestrians. Join the party and come mingle with friends in the red-, white-, and blue-clad crowd as you watch the sky light up over the Hudson. Remember to leave your lawn chairs, backpacks, and coolers at home, though, or police won’t let you join in the fun!
From Jersey Side
You don’t need to be in Manhattan to enjoy the view. The fireworks can also be seen from Hoboken, Weehawken, or Jersey City Heights. Some of the best views should be from the JFK Boulevard East, and North Hoboken also boasts unobstructed views of the show. Enjoy the fireworks while still avoiding the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Ticketed Viewing Options
Hudson River Park (Pier 84 only)
The eastern portion of Pier 84 will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests will likely snag spots quickly, but if you show up early, you may be able to steal some of the best seats in the house free of charge. The Hudson River Park also offers an exclusive VIP viewing section on the edge of Pier 84, at West 44th Street and the Hudson River. For $200 a ticket (there are only 500 on sale), enjoy red, white, and blue patriotic cocktails, a live brass quintet performance, and an unobstructed view of the show. The party is kid-friendly, with face-painters and other entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets cost $100 for children ages 5 to 12, and tots under 5 get in free of charge.
Note: All Hudson River Park piers will be closed except for Pier 84 at 44th Street. Remember to get there early if you want to grab a spot!
Chelsea Piers
Located at West 23rd Street and the Hudson River, Chelsea Piers will be hosting an up-close viewing of the firework spectacle this Fourth of July. Ale drinkers can sip on their favorite refreshments as they gaze up at the night sky at the Chelsea Brewing Company, which is charging $175 per person. A ticket includes an open bar, a buffet dinner, and a free brewery tour, in addition to an unobstructed view of the show. Chelsea Piers also boasts a party at the Golf Club, with tickets priced at $100 for adults and $25 for children. Additional spots include the bowling club, 300 New York, where firework-gazers can both stare at the night sky and enjoy two hours of bowling. Whether bringing your picnic basket or your bowling shoes, these locations will make the night unforgettable.
The Sky Room
Why merely gaze up at the sky when you can watch the spectacle from a skyscraper with a panoramic view? Experience the fireworks from The Sky Room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, located on the 33rd and 34th floors. For $100 a person, enjoy the highest rooftop bar in the city and 360-degree views, including windows that look directly over the Hudson River! Your ticket also includes an open bar from 6 to 11pm.
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Witness the Independence Day spectacle from a patriotic location by venturing to the Intrepid. Though this year’s ticket options are sold out, it’s a great viewing spot for the whole family and includes a ton of pre-firework activities, so keep it in mind for future plans.
Cruises
Get out of the city, and dive into the water! Hop onto one of many 4th of July fireworks cruises that departs from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Weehawken. You’ll have a first-rate view of the night sky and truly be a part of the action, rocking on the Hudson.
- NY Waterway- New Jersey: Departing from Port Imperial in Weehawken, this is a great cruise for families, with children under 11 paying only $75 and kids under 3 entering free of charge. All seats are located on the top deck so that everyone on board is guaranteed a terrific view. Boarding is at 6:30pm and returns to the port at 10:30pm.
- Classic Harbor Line Cruise: In addition to the fireworks, view the Statue of Liberty and New York’s famous skyline. Cruise around the Hudson on one of four beautiful yachts and enjoy an open bar. Tickets are priced starting at $426, and all cruises leave Chelsea Piers. All aboard!
If You’re Not In The Area
The music of the night, dubbed as “America’s Mixtape,” can be heard over the radio on Fresh 102.7 and 1010 WINS, so you can dance along even if you’re not within eyesight of the fireworks. NBC will also be broadcasting the fireworks live, starting at 8pm EST. With performances by Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey, and Selena Gomez, this will be a show you don’t want to miss.
