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Katie Sagal

Things to do on 4th of July Weekend in NYC, Fireworks and More

One of the best days on the summer calendar is Independence Day. If you want to have a really special 4th of July, head to the Big Apple. Take advantage of one of the many New York Attractions that the city is famous for. If you’re looking for New York 4th of July Weekend ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things to do in New York in July, including...

Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island
Luna Park at Coney Island
Macy's 4th of July fireworks
NYC Harbor Cruise
and more...

Save on Admission to Popular Attractions

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available with the New York City Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from dozens of New York attractions & activities and save up to 50% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and New York attractions – Learn more. Please note, some of these special July and 4th of July weekend events may be separately ticketed and not available on the New York City Explorer Pass.

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show

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Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show is an annual event that takes place in New York City. Each year, millions of people line the Hudson River to watch the spectacular display of fireworks and celebrate Independence Day with friends and family. This year, Macy's will be launching more than 75,000 shells from seven barges located between 24th Street and 40th Street along the Hudson River. The show is expected to last for 25 minutes and will feature a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, effects, and other surprises!

The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show has been around since 1958 when it first began as part of the city’s celebration of its 350-year anniversary. Over time it has become one of America’s most beloved holiday traditions with over 3 million viewers each year!

As you can imagine there are plenty of activities taking place throughout Manhattan before the start of this amazing show including live music performances on four different stages set up along 12th Avenue near 34th Street. Be sure to get there early if you want to secure your spot amongst all these festivities!

Insider tip: Pack a picnic, beverages, a football, and some games to play with friends and get there early to score a good spot. Getting In: The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are free to watch.

Fireworks on the 4th and Other Times of the Year

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The Fourth of July is a special day for many Americans, and there's no better way to celebrate the holiday than with beautiful firework displays in New York City. On this day, NYC puts on an incredible show that lights up the night sky over iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. Visitors can expect to see dazzling colors and patterns as they take in some of America's most beloved fireworks shows.

As if that wasn't enough, many locations also feature food vendors selling delicious treats such as Nathan’s Hot Dogs or classic carnival games where you can win prizes!

But New Yorkers often enjoy watching spectacular fireworks shows at other times throughout the year too. Some of these displays happen around major holidays like Halloween or Christmas while others are put on by world-renowned organizations like Disney or Universal Studios.

No matter when these events take place, they always bring joy to spectators from near and far who come together to experience something truly magical. Whether it be colorful bursts lighting up Central Park during summertime festivities or a winter wonderland illuminated by twinkling lights - NYC firework shows never fail to amaze!

The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

Image of Art, Sculpture, Statue, Landmark, Statue of Liberty, Boat, There's no better way to celebrate Independence Day than visiting one of the most iconic symbols of American freedom. Visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty up close and explore the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. These activities are likely to be extremely popular during the holiday season. Be sure to make any reservations you might want to make for pedestal tickets, etc., far in advance. Getting In: Statue of Liberty Ferry tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Coney Island

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The 4th of July is a special day for many Americans, and it's even more special in Luna Park at Coney Island in New York. On this day, thousands of people come together to celebrate the holiday with fun rides, delicious food, and plenty of entertainment. The park has been open since 1903 and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States. Visitors can enjoy classic roller coasters, carnival games, fireworks displays over the Atlantic Ocean, and so much more. Luna Park on Coney Island provides an exciting atmosphere that makes celebrating Independence Day even better!

At Luna Park on Coney Island during the Fourth of July celebrations, there are numerous activities to take part in throughout the entire day leading up to midnight when fireworks will light up the night sky above Brooklyn’s iconic beachfront area. During the day, visitors can enjoy thrilling rides like The Cyclone and Thunderbolt roller coasters, which offer breathtaking views from their heights as well as thrills like no other ride in New York City.

There are also carnival-style games where guests can win prizes ranging from stuffed animals to unique souvenirs from their time spent at Luna Park during the Fourth of July festivities.

Don't forget to visit Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs, a beloved staple of Luna Park at Coney Island. Nathan's hot dog stand is one of the oldest places to eat at Luna Park. It first opened in 1916 and has become a tradition for people looking for a bite to eat during their 4th of July celebrations. While it serves up classic hot dogs with all the fixings, it also offers a variety of other tasty items like fries, burgers, and more.

The iconic restaurant also has roots that extend beyond just its location at Luna Park on Coney Island - in 1972 they began hosting the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where competitive eaters from around the world come together to battle it out for the coveted championship title.

Getting In: The fireworks are free to watch. Luna Park tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Image of People, Person, Helmet, Adult, Male, Man, Bicycle, Vehicle, Cycling, Shoe, Handbag, Road, A great way to see the city -- from big ticket attractions to hidden gems -- is to hop aboard your very own bicycle. You'll get a local's perspective on the city and be able to tailor your explorations to suit you interests. Check out a New York bike rental, strap on a helmet, consult a map, and start exploring the city like a true New Yorker. New York has expanded their bike lanes in many parts of the city, so getting around on two wheels is easy in many areas. Many New York attractions are bike accessible, so as hang onto the lock that comes with your rental. Then, stashing your bike during a visit to a museum or restaurant will not be not a problem. Getting In: New York City bike rentals are available as an option with the New York City Explorer.

New York SummerStage

Image of Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Scenery, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Land, Tree, Vegetation, Woodland, Grove, This popular free NYC event is beloved by locals and visitors alike -- those who know about it, that is. Taking place in Central Park, SummerStage offers a wide variety of music and dance performances that everyone will enjoy. On the weekends around the 4th of July this year, you'll see performances that run the gamut from contemporary Jamaican to house music to soul and more. Keep in mind that although most events are free, some do require tickets. If you want to explore the park after enjoying a bit of these free performances, consider a guided walking tour, which will highlight the most important landmarks and sites of this iconic urban park. Getting In: SummerStage events are free to attend. Central Park Walking Tour tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass.

Annual Freedom Fest @ South Street Seaport

Image of Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Landmark, This amazing musical event is the perfect way to really immerse yourself in local NYC happenings. Featuring an expert DJ who'll provide a variety of musical stylings, plus a full summer barbecue buffet and an open bar (!), this is the place to party this 4th of July. Keep in mind that it's a bit pricey, so you may want to consider this event if you have a hefty budget.

This event actually kicks off an entire season of music in the Seaport District, so if you're visiting later in the month, be sure to check out their schedule as well. If you want to explore the area more at another time, a must-see attraction in this neighborhood is the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Take a guided tour across the bridge to get some fresh air and exercise, too. Getting In: Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Tour tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. The Freedom Fest is separately ticketed and is not included with the Pass.

NYC Cruises

Image of Boat, Ferry, Vehicle, Person, For those looking to celebrate the Fourth of July in a unique way, why not take a cruise around New York City? NYC cruises during this holiday weekend offer visitors an incredible opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective. From luxury yachts with open-air decks for sightseeing and dancing under the stars, to more intimate dinner cruises featuring delicious food and drinks overlooking some of the most iconic landmarks in Manhattan, there's something for everyone when it comes to 4th of July cruises in NYC! Getting In: Landmarks Cruise tickets are both available as options with the New York City Explorer Pass.

America's Favorite Summer Pastime

Image of Office Building, City, Convention Center, Urban, Shop, Shopping Mall, What better way to celebrate our nation's birthday than with an afternoon enjoying America's favorite summer sport? Though the Yankees don't typically play on the 4th itself, they do have scheduled games throughout June and July. Love baseball, but simply don't have time for a game? Take a guided tour of Yankee Stadium to see this the many facets of this historic arena -- including Derek Jeter's retired number. Getting In: Yankee Stadium Tour tickets are available as an option with the New York City Explorer Pass. New York Yankees ball games are separately ticketed and are not included with the pass.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

There you go - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in New York in July to help you plan your 4th of July weekend itinerary. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the New York Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. We really hope you consider adding a few of these popular options to your upcoming plans. Enjoy!

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