Looking for information on the best spots to view the NYC Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks in New York? Here is a local expert's guide.
When: July 4th at approximately 9:20 pm and lasting 25 minutes (rain date July 5th). For best seats, plan to arrive before 7 pm.
How to get there: Due to various street closures and parking restrictions, viewers are strongly urged to take mass transit. For information on watching NYC Macy's Fireworks from Manhattan, please visit the official Macy's 4th of July Fireworks website. If you are watching from New Jersey, your public commute options include PATH, NY Waterway Ferry, NJ Transit, and Hudson Bergen Light Rail.
Where: The NYC Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show will be set off from six barges positioned on the Hudson River, stretching from 18th to 43rd Streets in Manhattan. This corresponds to the city of Weehawken, which is directly across from the barges, and north Hoboken.
Where to stay overnight: If you are planning to stay at a hotel, the W Hoboken should provide fantastic views of the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks as it is a waterfront property and the highest building in Hoboken with unobstructed views stretching from George Washington Bridge to Statue of Liberty. It is within walking distance of the PATH and downtown Hoboken ferry. The other option the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel, which would provide a more close up view of the Macy's 4th of July fireworks. The Lincoln Harbor ferry (from 38th Street Pier in Manhattan) gets you to the doorstep of the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel.
Manhattan
Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to New York City to witness the largest fireworks display in the USA--The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. According to the official Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks website, the best views from New York City are on the West Side Highway (12th Avenue) below 59th Street, which can be entered through access points listed on the website. The actual barges from where the Macy's fireworks go off are located between 18th Street and 43rd Street on the Hudson River. The Macy's NYC fireworks are not visible from the East River, Long Island City or other points in Queens, Battery Park, or the Hudson River walkway north of 59th Street.
However, crossing the Hudson River and coming to New Jersey will help you not only get front row seats to the fireworks show along the miles of public waterfront walkways on the NJ Gold Coast, but also the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline behind it.
My top picks for watching the NYC Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are, not surprisingly, in Weehawken. The best views should come from JFK Boulevard East on top of the cliffs. However, Kennedy Boulevard East is closed for traffic beginning early afternoon, and open to pedestrians from then on. New for 2012 is a waterfront walkway that now connects Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken with North Hoboken. This gets you front row seats right in front of the fireworks barges.
JFK Boulevard East (from Highwood Terrace to about 50th Street)
Waterfront walkways from 19th Street onward
Lincoln Harbor Park (Weehawken residency proof required)
Hoboken
Sinatra Drive from First Street to 15th Street is a waterfront road with public walkways along much of it. New for 2012, this walkway now connects to Weekhawken's Lincoln Harbor. This stretch will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians for viewing the NYC Macy's 4th of July fireworks. A portion of the street is generally reserved for food vendors, although the famed Washington Street with many restaurants is only three blocks away. As a reminder, north Hoboken, especially around 10th and 15th Street has unobstructed viewing of the fireworks on the Hudson. In 2011, the newly opened Pier C Park, a $25 million park on the Hudson River was closed off for security purposes. Do not plan for it to be open. Some other spots in Hoboken to watch the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks on Hudson River include:
Hudson Tea Maxwell Place
Pier A Park
Jersey City
Since the cancellation of the fireworks show in Liberty State Park, Jersey City officials have been urging visitors to go to Weehawken or Hoboken instead. However, since many of the fireworks should reach up to 1500 feet in height, you will probably get a decent view of the New York city 4th of July fireworks from Exchange Place, which has a fantastic pier and walkway, and amazing views of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
Restrictions
The cities of Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City typically impose a variety of restrictions for the 4th of July fireworks. Street closings, no parking areas and a zero tolerance toward barbecuing, public consumption of alcohol, and in some cases, rooftop viewing, apply. Due to safety issues, several of the best Hudson River waterfront parks in Weehawken and Hoboken that should provide great views to the Macy's fireworks are also expected to be closed. Chief amongst these are: Hamilton Plaza, Weehawken Stadium, and the new Waterfront Park in Weehawken, and the new Pier C Park and Sinatra Park in Hoboken. For a complete list of street closures and restrictions, and hours of service of mass transit, please check the links below.
NY Waterway Ferry
Hudson Bergen Light Rail
Google Maps
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