Fourth of July 2013 Fireworks NYC: Where to Watch Bombs Bursting in Air; Usher Hosts Display with Nick Cannon, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey and Tim McGraw.
Fourth of July 2013 Fireworks NYC will ignite over 40,000 fireworks in the sky above the Hudson River when Macy’s hosts its 37th annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show. The explosive will be synced to a 25-minute score that was hand-picked by Usher. The singer is directing this year’s fiery display. The Fourth of July celebration will also have live performances by Nick Cannon, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey and Tim McGraw.
The Macy Fourth of July Fireworks Show starts at 9 p.m. The explosives will be shot from barges on the Hudson River between West 24th and 42nd streets. Crowds are already jockeying for positions on 12th Avenue to hold a spot close to the action. But that’s not the only place to watch to celebrations. Here’s a list we grabbed from DNAinfo New York that has some suggestions for the best places to watch:
The best free spot to watch the fireworks are along 12th Avenue, between West 24th and 59th streets. But because it’s such a good vantage point, it is already getting mighty crowded. Access is limited to a few streets, but you can enter from 11th Avenue at 24th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 33rd, 34th, 40th, 42nd, 44th, 50th, 52nd, 54th, 56th and 57th streets.
One of the best places to watch may cost a bit, but the Historic Ships Gala at Pier 66, which is on West 26th Street, right on the Hudson River. The rooftop party at Pier 66 is now in its fifth year. It is next to the Frying Pan restaurant. It features food, an open bar and table seating and benefits from the North River Historic Ship Society, which is where the $225 ticket prices go. It only has room for 100 people and youhave to buy your tickets in advance. But it’s comfortable and it won’t have a huge crowd. You can get tickets online.
Soaked at Mondrian SoHo is a 2,500-square-foot rooftop on the tallest building in SoHo on 150 Lafayette St. It offers a panoramic view of the city and the fireworks. The open beer and wine bar has a Red, White and Juice party with artisanal popcorn and music by DJ Brooklyn Dawn. The party starts at 7 p.m. General admission is $95. Table packages are priced between $2,500 to $6,000. You can buy your tickets online.
Sky Terrace at the Hudson Hotel at 356 W. 58th St. is a more affordable rooftop hot spot. The open bar runs from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the party runs until 11:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Rawse, J. Schott and Brandon James. Tickets will run you $40. Table prices range from $400 to $1,200, but you get bottle service. Tickets can be bought online.
Plunge Bar at Hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking on 18 Ninth Ave has a rooftop bar that can be covered up if it rains, and air conditioning if it’s hot. The boutique hotel is close to the Hudson and offers a guarantee of an unobstructed view of the festivities. They also serve red, white and blue cocktails. Tickets are available for $250 a person. General admission starts at $50 per person. You can make reservations by calling 212-660-6736 .
Classic Harbor Line Boat — Pier 62 is on West 22nd Street and the Hudson River. Watch the fireworks explode above you while you sit in a luxury yacht. They also have two schooners which will push off from port right before the fireworks begin. The cruise includes an open bar of beer, wine and Champagne and comes with hors d'oeuvres. The cruises start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $326 to $426 per person and are available online.
Top of the Rock - 30 Rockefeller Plaza is in a landmark building, the setting for NBC’s 30 Rock. It’s cheap and will probably be crowded, but for $27, it’s probably the most cost-effective. Grab the online quckly though. It’s going to be crowded.
by Tony Sokol