The United States of America is celebrating its 250th birthday this weekend. New Yorkers wishing to mark the occasion by watching the fireworks can do so in historic locations synonymous with the Revolutionary War that birthed a nation.
There’s no better example that the East River, where the storied Macy’s 50th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks show gets underway Saturday at 9:25 p.m.
It was here that General George Washington’s forces made a daring nighttime cross from Brooklyn to Manhattan to escape British troops and save the Continental Army during the Battle of Long Island in August of 1776.
New Yorkers who entered a lottery for free tickets to see fireworks from Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Seaport will be notified by Thursday if they won. Lottery winners can bring three guests.
The city is providing non-ticketed viewing locations along the FDR Drive in Manhattan. Numerous hotels and hospitality venues are offering viewing opportunities from their decks and rooftops. Private cruise lines are also available to take sightseers close to the action for a price while availability lasts. Classic Harbor Lines’ offerings ranging from $576 to $776 are sold out.
Pedestrians along the waterfront in Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights should also be able to enjoy Macy’s exhibition. The fireworks show promises 85,000 shells exploding in more than 30 colors.
Independence Day fireworks will also light-up Coney Island around 9:45 p.m. with help from Garden State Fireworks, Inc. The free show over the Atlantic Ocean will be visible from the Boardwalk and the beach.
But first, Coney Islanders will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a Friday night pyrotechnics display. It’s the first of nine fireworks shows scheduled to take place every Friday through Aug. 28.
Jersey City, N.J. is also celebrating the Fourth of July with help from Macy’s. It all starts at noon with family-friendly activities including beer gardens and a bounce castles at Exchange Place. The night winds down with attendees gazing across Hudson River to see fireworks lighting up the sky over Lower Manhattan.
Those who won’t be around this weekend, but want to wish America a belated Happy Birthday can trek to Long Island for Long Beach’s July 10 display starting around 10 p.m. Organizers say fireworks will be visible from “anywhere along the boardwalk and beachfront.”