Macy’s July 4th Firework Display in New York
Comlete Guide to the Macy’s July 4th Firework Display in New York City
Every year Macy’s has the largest firework display in the world on the East River in New York City. The display usually starts at 9 pm on the 4th of July.
The fireworks are shot out of four large barges that are anchored between 23rd and 42nd Street on the East River. Over 20,000 fireworks are set off that night delighting crowds and making pets everywhere hide under the bed.
Some 500,000 New Yorkers turn out to see the display that also features the New York Fire Department who join in the fun with fire boats shooting water high into the night sky.
Where to see the fireworks, how to get there and all the other details:
Manhattan
The best place to view the fireworks is from the FDR drive in New York City.
The FDR drive is always closed from Houston to 63rd street, so there is lots of space, but to get the best view you should be between 23rd and 42nd street on the FDR.
The only way to access the FDR is from the access ramps at 23rd, 38th, and 42nd street.
The pedestrian access times for the FDR are:
Southbound lanes of the FDR drive from 14th to 42nd Street will be open for the public from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. On-ramp entrances for pedestrians (including the disabled) are located at 23rd, 38th, and 42nd streets. The FDR Drive will be closed to all vehicular traffic between Houston St. and 63rd St. from 7:00pm until 1:00am.
Brooklyn and Queens
You can see decent views from Hunter’s Point, Queens, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and anywhere with an unobstructed view of the East River between 23rd & 42nd St, but as you are a little bit further away, it wont be nearly as much fun.
Boats in the River
Some people take a boat to the river (Some services offer dinner and fireworks). The rules are that all vessels in the East River must stay south of the Williamsburg Bridge or north of the Southernmost tip of Roosevelt Island. Vessels in Newton Creek should stay east of the Pulaski Bascule Bridge.
New Jersey
As New York views New Jersey like another planet, the views from New Jersey are pretty poor. On the cliff edge in Englewood Cliffs, Palisades Park and Cliffside Park will provide some glimpses into the action (Albeit small and infrequent) – Though its still probably better than watching it on TV.
TV and Radio Fireworks Coverage
NBC broadcasts the fireworks live (Albeit Janet Jackson live that is).
1010 WINS AM radio broadcasts during the show with a musical composition. If this doesn’t give you everything you have ever wanted to know about the Macy’s July 4th firework display in New York then please call the Macy’s Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495. – And no, they wont sell you any fireworks.