West Side Highway
Choose from one of the many entrances below 59th Street along Twelfth Avenue, and be sure to get there early to snag a good spot.
Pier 84
West St. and 44th St.
Pier 84 is open this year for public viewing (Pier 54, open to the public last year, is not available for the Macy’s show). Get there early because NYPD will be monitoring Pier 84 and will close the pier to the public when they deem it’s reached capacity.
Note: A fundraiser for Friends of Hudson River Park will take up the end of Pier 84 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $100 to $200.
Private Pier Party at Pier 83
One pier over, get the full fireworks experience starting at 4 p.m. with grilled food, beer, and music from DJ Ani Quinn. Plus there’s carnival games and Uncle Sam stilt walkers. Tickets are $89, and food is à la carte.
NEW JERSEY
Hoboken
The fireworks are launched just north of Hoboken, so Maxwell Place Park on the northern waterfront from 11th Street to 14th Street provides a spectacular view. It’s also a great spot to hang out, with a small beach, playground, and picnic tables, but be prepared for strict security checkpoints. Take the PATH to Hoboken, walk north along the waterfront to 11th Street.
Weehawken
Get a birds-eye view of the show from the top of the cliff at Hamilton Park or watch from almost directly across on the water at Waterfront Park. Take N.J. Transit Bus 165 to Weehawken Blvd. East, walk five minutes along the river.
Jersey City
Take the elevator off the 9th Street-Congress Street Light Rail Station in Hoboken for an up-top view from Jersey City Heights. Take the PATH or N.Y. Waterway Ferry (Pier 79: 39th St. & Hudson River) to the Newport or Hoboken PATH stations, connect to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line.
World Yacht Dinner Cruise
Pier 81, W. 41st St.
When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Dance under the stars and watch the Macy’s fireworks from a boat while dining on a five-course dinner including crab cakes and filet mignon. Oh, and there’s an open bar.
Price: $350; Tickets available online.
Rocks Off Concert Cruise
Skyport Marina, 23rd st. and FDR Dr.; 646-397-7660
When: 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Rock out on board the Half Moon to the sounds of DJ Buffalo Bill, spinning rock, indie, and electro. Plus, take your pick from a feast of appetizers and a three-hour open bar.
Price: $125 in advance, $150 day of show.
Frying Pan
Pier 66, at 26th St.; 212-362-4453
When: Doors open at 6 p.m.
What: Get up close and personal with the fireworks on Pier 66 Maritime and Frying Pan. The café will be open, but get there early because admission is first-come, first served.
Price: $25 general admission tickets for sale at Pier 66’s bar only; $225 premium rooftop tickets available online.
IndepenDANCE Cruise
Skyport Marina, 23rd St. and FDR Dr.; 646-397-7660
When: 6:15 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Let loose on this 21+ booze cruise, which includes a live D.J. spinning the eighties, nineties, and pop.
Price: $125-150; Get your tickets here.
Hudson Terrace
621 W. 46th St., nr. Eleventh Ave.; 212-315-9400
When: 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: Front (and top) row seats to the fireworks show at the biggest bash of them all with a BBQ and four-hour top-shelf open bar.
Price: $135; Tickets available online or at 212-724-3900.
The Sky Room
Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites Times Square, 330 W. 40th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-380-1195
When: 6 p.m. to 4 a.m.
What: Your typical July 4th picnic will be 34 floors above Times Square—complete with burgers, pigs in blankets, chicken tenders, potato chips, and a five-hour open bar. Plus, groups get deals like bottle service, watermelon skewers, and mini American cupcakes.
Price: $100 general admission, $150 VIP.
Press Lounge
Ink48, 653 Eleventh Ave., at 48th St.; 212-757-2224
When: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: This kid-friendly rooftop bash includes hors d’oeuvres, food platters, and desserts till 10.
Price: $325, reservations@printrestaurant.com, 212-757-2224.
XVI
251 W. 48th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-956-1300
When: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What:The Fourth gets a French touch at this luxe rooftop fête. Aptly named Red, White & Booze, tickets start at $15, with uppity booze packages over $2,000. Get there early—the open bar ends at 7.
Price: $15 - $2,105.
YOTEL
570 Tenth Ave., at 42nd St.; 646-449-7700
When: 5 p.m. to midnight
What: Party on the terrace without breaking the bank. DJ Uri Dalal provides your soundtrack, and for $20, get two drink tickets plus one dish from either the hot dog, sushi, or taco stations. Wings, ribs, and burgers and fries available à la carte.
Price: $20; Tickets are available at YOTEL starting July 1, or call 646-449-7790 for reservations.
STK Rooftop
26 Little W. 12th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 646-624-2444
When: 7 p.m. on
What: The official July 4th party starts at 7 p.m. with a DJ, party favors, food and drink specials, and more. Reservations taken until 10 p.m. with a $100-per-person food minimum. A sit-down July 4 dinner is available at STK Meatpacking.
Price: Starting at $100.
The Waterfront at Pier 92
711 Twelfth Ave., nr. W. 52nd St.
When: Noon to midnight
What: At the terrace party with possibly the most to keep you occupied, there’s a Lil Jon concert plus music from D.J.s, a beachy sand pit, tanning decks, VIP terraces, and air-conditioned cabanas. Plus, food is available from Virgil’s Real Barbecue and a slew of food trucks. Some of the proceeds go toward the Hudson River Park Trust.
Price: Starting at $55; snag them here.
PH-D at Dream Downtown
355 W. 16th. St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-229-2559
When: Doors open at 6 p.m.
What: This twelfth-floor terrace will become a 21+ fireworks observation deck and lobster boil hot spot with one-and-a-quarter-pounds lobster, andouille sausage, potato, corn, and cornbread from Manuel Trevino, all for $32 bucks.
Price: Free to go up (doorman’s discretion). Reservations are highly recommended.