Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
Viewing Information
Tuesday July 4 2006 9:00P
FDR Drive from 23rd to 42nd Streets 3
barges
South Street Seaport 2 barges
Statue of Liberty 1 barge
Information 212-494-4495 |
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
Boating Info 212-494-5243 | Transit
Info 718-330-1234
Broadcast Television WNBC Ch 4 |
Radio
1010 WINS AM New York City's 4th of July
Fireworks is one of Macy's great gifts to the people of NYC.
This year's celebration is in honor of Skitch Henderson, the
founder and artistic director of the New York Pops Orchestra,
and the man who for so many years led folks to sing along by
following the bouncing ball To mark the country's birthday the fireworks will take place
at three locations this year:
East River
To see the fireworks all you
need is an apartment with a view of the East River, or a friend
who has one. Just kidding, any place in Manhattan, Brooklyn and
Queens with a halfway decent view of the East River will give you
loads of enjoyment. In Manhattan, the southbound lane of the FDR
Drive will be open to the public from 14th to 42nd Streets. If
you're not going to one of those great Manhattan parties this is
your best bet. Areas under and around the FDR that are normally
open to the public are restricted for this event
Be sure to go before you go.
There are no public facilities provided on the FDR Drive and the
crowds make it impossible to hop over to 1st Avenue to pick up
something with which to quench your thirst. Once you are on the
Drive you are there for the duration; be sure to make a rest stop
beforehand and to pack along a couple of bottles of water. If it's
convenient, bring folding chairs and a small cooler. Public access
to the FDR will be at 23rd, 38th and 42nd Streets. Access to many
blocks around the area is restricted, so be sure to give yourself
enough time to get a good spot, try to arrive about 7:00P
Pedestrian access to the FDR
for the Midtown part of the show is at 23rd
Street, 38th Street and 42nd Street only
My favorite location to
view the fireworks is on the FDR Drive at 34th Street. You have
a barge to the left of you, a barge to the right of you, and a barge
directly in
front of you. The shells burst right over your head; you feel the BOOOOM!
way down in your stomach. The best way to get to this location is
not the 34th Street entrance -- though many people assume so,
there isn't any! Instead, leave early and use the 38th Street
entrance to the FDR. From Grand Central walk east towards the
River. If you're on 42nd Street, be sure to cut off over to 38th
before hitting 2nd Avenue or you might get caught up in the
crowd. The security entrance to the 38th Street ramp is on 1st
Avenue -- all persons, bags, etc, subject to search. Crowd control measures change from year-to-year
and specific street openings and access points might change. If
you can't get to where you want to go don't try to buck the
crowd; go with the flow and make the best of the situation
Once on top of the FDR drive at
38th Street you'll hit a pretty big crowd. Besides people getting lazy and
stopping at the first available spot, the police corral folks in
areas marked off with barricades. They fill one area, then open
the next one along the line. If you time things right -- I
usually try to get up on the FDR at about 7:45P or so -- you
might get there just as they open the area above 34th Street.
This is the promised land, with a view of the fireworks most
people never get to see. Sit back, watch the fireboats spew
their colored sprays as the barges move into position, chat with
your neighbor, then get ready to enjoy the show. Don't hurry after
everything is over, you are not going to get anywhere quickly. Relax and wait
until the crowd thins enough to stroll off the Drive
In Queens the best bet is in
the Hunter's Point - Borden Avenue areas. Try to sneak in as close
to the shore as possible, preferably down towards 54th and 55th
Avenues (Don't trespass!). And Don't Drive! If you arrive
early and happen to find a parking space, please believe us --
through hard-learned experience -- that it will take you at least
an hour to get out of the area after the show is over
In Brooklyn try to get near
the old pier areas between Kent and Eagle Streets in Greenpoint.
Even better, try for a spot in the small park at the head of
Newton Creek
South Street
For the Downtown show we've
been told that any place south of the Brooklyn Bridge would a view
of the sky should do. Prime locations on the Manhattan side should
be Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, and anywhere along the water
as far down as Pier 6, opposite Coenties Slip (though we don't
know how limited the access is going to be in those areas)
Pedestrian
access to the FDR is from Pearl
Street only
In Brooklyn, we'd probably just head
for the Esplanade or try for a spot down along Furman Street
Statue of Liberty
Liberty State Park is the
place to be. If you're from Jersey, you better know how to get
there ('cause we sure as heck don't) |
