Where to watch the NYC fireworks show in 2010?
June 30, 2010 11:38 AM Subscribe
I'll be in New York City for July 4th and wanted to know where I could get the best view of the fireworks this year. I think they are going to be over the Hudson this year. Specifics appreciated.
devbrain, that link is from last year, and the link to the West Side Highway entrances page is broken.
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks official site has the pedestrian entrances to the West Side Highway.
It sounds like the About.com folks had a good experience around 45th Street on the west side last year and they recommend arriving before 5pm, bringing chairs/blankets/food, and using the restroom before you leave home.
Note also: Jersey City is not going to have fireworks this year for budgetary reasons, so anything referring to Battery Park/Battery Park City as a viewing area is incorrect.
posted by kathryn at 12:22 PM on June 30, 2010
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks official site has the pedestrian entrances to the West Side Highway.
It sounds like the About.com folks had a good experience around 45th Street on the west side last year and they recommend arriving before 5pm, bringing chairs/blankets/food, and using the restroom before you leave home.
Note also: Jersey City is not going to have fireworks this year for budgetary reasons, so anything referring to Battery Park/Battery Park City as a viewing area is incorrect.
posted by kathryn at 12:22 PM on June 30, 2010
If you don't want to be crowded to death, I recommend Riverview Park in Jersey City. After years of staring at the back of people's heads at various NYC sites, I decided not to put up with it anymore and gave JC a try. And you don't need to worry about staking out a spot or not being able to walk to a bathroom for 6 hours, it's popular but not crowded. Ice cream vendors, pizza, etc., without all the stress.
posted by zvs at 1:17 PM on June 30, 2010
posted by zvs at 1:17 PM on June 30, 2010
(On reading kathryn's comment: my recommendation is for the NYC fireworks, not the JC fireworks, so it will still be OK)
posted by zvs at 1:18 PM on June 30, 2010
posted by zvs at 1:18 PM on June 30, 2010
I went last year, or maybe the year before. They were over the Hudson, so that's the important part. I ended up around West 24th-26th area. Really great views, but insanely crowded.
My friends and I arrived at around 4:30pm for 9pm-ish fireworks and it was absolutely packed. Most of the side streets toward the river were blocked off and the police were guiding people to the next block, and the next, and so on.
It was pure luck that we made it through the barricades and found a spot to sit. We brought a small blanket (no chairs) and latecomers pretty much encroached on our space until we called it to their attention.
I suggest you bring: water bottles you have stored in the freezer until you leave, light snacks that travel well, a blanket to put on the asphalt, and stuff to pass the time (handheld games, cards, books, music, anything.)
It was fun, but I don't know if I'd do it again. Then again, I don't deal well with large crowds or heat, so if you're okay with those and hanging out for a while before the fireworks, it could be a great time.
posted by rachaelfaith at 2:41 PM on June 30, 2010
My friends and I arrived at around 4:30pm for 9pm-ish fireworks and it was absolutely packed. Most of the side streets toward the river were blocked off and the police were guiding people to the next block, and the next, and so on.
It was pure luck that we made it through the barricades and found a spot to sit. We brought a small blanket (no chairs) and latecomers pretty much encroached on our space until we called it to their attention.
I suggest you bring: water bottles you have stored in the freezer until you leave, light snacks that travel well, a blanket to put on the asphalt, and stuff to pass the time (handheld games, cards, books, music, anything.)
It was fun, but I don't know if I'd do it again. Then again, I don't deal well with large crowds or heat, so if you're okay with those and hanging out for a while before the fireworks, it could be a great time.
posted by rachaelfaith at 2:41 PM on June 30, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you're willing to pay, you might also check places like eventme.com for other options. I know there are a few cruises that will have good viewing. Newyorkology also linked to a firework viewing/dinner combination from the deck of the intrepid ( http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2010/06/macys_july_4th.php ; http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/4th-of-July-Fireworks-at-Intrepid.aspx )
posted by devbrain at 11:59 AM on June 30, 2010