The best 4th of July events in NYC

Ladies and gentlemen, we're pleased to announce that, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are back on Monday, July 4, beginning at 9:25pm. Over 65,000 shells (almost 2,000 per minute) are launched off five different barges on the East River. The extravaganza lasts 25 minutes and features, according to Macy's itself, "dozens of colors and shapes, creating dramatic effects a mile across the river and from 1,000 feet in the air to the water's edge." This year, look out for Whistling Jellyfish, Little Snakes, Blinking Smiling Face, Swimming Chrysanthemums and more shapes!

Head down to Coney Island Beach on Fridays between now and August 25 to catch a spectacular fireworks display. The Alliance for Coney Island presents its Friday Night Fireworks each week to light up the sky. The best seat in the house is on a ride at Luna Park or on Deno's Wonder Wheel! The free show begins at 9:45pm.

Hold on to your guts—Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2022 is upon us! During the competition—which is now more than 100 years old—Frankfurter-eating legends race the clock and chow down on as many Nathan’s Famous dogs and buns they can swallow in ten minutes. It’s certainly one of the most beloved traditions and best NYC events in July, so here’s everything you need to know about watching and entering the competition. You won’t want to miss a single bite.

Celebrate Independence Day at the Coney Art Walls (3050 Stillwell Avenue), which will have live music, performances, and a rotation of DJs spinning throughout the day. Meek Mill will headline the show this year along with sets from DJ Spade and DJ Chase B. There will be showstopping fireworks to follow the event, which is 18+ and will go from 3pm-midnight on July 4. Food and drinks will be available to purchase on-site from a range of vendors. Tickets begin at $39.

Start off your holiday celebrations with "fireworks" and dance all night long with residents The Carry Nation and old-school Battle Hymn favorite Hex Hector at Rumi on Sunday, July 3. Get your tickets before they sell out! $25-$35 per person.

Enjoy the Macy's Fourth of July Firework Show from the panoramic view of the Riverpark patio with live music, Chef Big Herm's barbecue, specialty drinks and a prime view of the fireworks display. In case of inclement weather, there will be an indoor space available with floor-to-ceiling windows. Tickets ($250-$325) include open food stations, ice cream by A La Mode, open beer & wine plus a sangria specialty cocktail and more. DJ Jeronimo will spin from 8pm through the end of the fireworks.

If you're looking to spend the big bucks for an unforgettable 4th of July, the Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue, can hook you up. It is making its Penthouses, located on the 27th, 26th and 25th floors with unparalleled city views all the way east to the East River and of the Empire State Building, available for one night only. The penthouses will be set up for up to four guests who want to have a mini-party set-up to pay tribute to America’s birthday in the grandest possible style, including a limousine pick-up, a Champagne cart with Champagne Laurent Perrier Brut and Rose, a variety of sweet and savory snacks from the culinary team, a $500 credit to enjoy dinner in your suite courtesy of Private Kitchen, patriotic décor in the suite provided by the hotel and breakfast from Private Kitchen the next morning. Of course, since you'll be partying all night, there will be a 2pm late check-out. The price? $22,000 USD + tax.

Watch New York City light up to the backdrop of Lady Liberty with Brooklyn Grange, which will provide classic summertime eats by 1:1 Foods, all-you-can-drink beer & wine, specialty cocktails, live music, aura photographs, tarot readings, games, and a stunning 360 rooftop view of NYC’s fireworks at its Sunset Park rooftop farm. Tickets are $165 each.

Get the best views of the 46th Annual Macy’s Fireworks show at the East 34th Street Heliport (499 E. 34th Street). This special experience includes exclusive access to the highly limited East Riverfront area where guests will be front and center for America’s most renowned fireworks show. Not only that, but there will be life-size versions of Jenga, ping pong, chess and more, from NYC’s beloved venues Clinton Hall and Slate, as well as live music, gourmet barbecue food, beverages and more! This event is family-friendly and will run from 6-9:30pm. Tickets begin at $35.

Take a Staycation at The Summer Club, a new day club located in Long Island City, that encompasses delicious food, refreshing cocktails and patriotic partying. Enjoy the long weekend with a day pass or rent private lounge chairs or a VIP cabana. Enjoy frozen cocktails like the “Slice of Summer” and “Ghost Your Ex” all day and menu items including ceviche and chef’s omakase. General admission is $60.

Celebrate the Fourth of July with endless rosé, fresh, off-the-grill bites, tropical cocktails, frozen drinks, and a rotating lineup of DJs under palm trees and cabanas along the East River. The menu includes burgers, footlong hot dogs, chicken tacos, lobster rolls, tropical cocktails, frozen rosé, beer kegs, and bottle service all day before the fireworks begin. Tickets begin at $20 per person (noon to 5pm or 6pm to midnight).

Celebrate Independence Day with a waterfront dining experience at Industry Kitchen situated alongside the East River in the historic Seaport District, boasting unobstructed views of the Brooklyn skyline and the evening’s fireworks displays. Chef Jonathan Haffmans has created a specially curated menu for the day, including Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Braised Beef Short Rib Sliders and Farm Stand Fresh Watermelon in addition to their daily menu favorites. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations are encouraged.

The Rockaway Hotel + Spa will be hosting a fun-filled picnic on The Rooftop, featuring a live DJ, classic American dishes and unobstructed views of the fireworks across the Atlantic Ocean, Jamaica Bay and NYC skyline. Adult tickets are available for $55 which includes food, beer & wine for 2 hours. Kids Under 12 tickets are available for $25 which includes food & soft drinks for 2 hours.

Somewhere Nowhere, a two-level indoor lounge and open-air rooftop pool venue located on the 38 and 39th floors of the Renaissance hotel is offering guests captivating views of New York fireworks as well as delicious cocktails and barbecue, including burgers, jerk chicken, hot dogs, and music by Walshy Fire of Major Lazer by the pool (starting at 6pm).

A.R.T Soho located on the rooftop of Arlo Soho offers sweeping views of the New York skyline, perfect for enjoying the New Jersey fireworks. The party begins with a rooftop cookout with burgers and fries by Chef Carsten Johannsen, a themed Blue Margarita with Cherry Garnish, refreshing frozen cocktails, mini bottle service paired with in-house mixers and Avant-Garde cocktails inspired by the arts. 4pm-midnight. 

On the 4th of July, Graduate Roosevelt Island is hosting an exclusive celebration at the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Panorama Room, which has an incredible 360-degree view of the city, making it the perfect spot for an unforgettable firework show. Tickets range from $200 to $1,500 and include a three-hour open bar from 5-8pm, passed hors d’oeuvres from Executive Chef Megan Brown, live DJ Performances throughout the evening, and a cash bar from 8pm to midnight. For those looking to make their July 4th evening into a staycation, Graduate Roosevelt Island is offering a Stars, Stripes + a Show package. The limited-time experience includes an overnight stay at Graduate Roosevelt Island and two tickets to the exclusive Panorama Room event. Guests can even enjoy the show from the comfort of their accommodations with stunning skyline views and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 2 to skate with a beautiful view of the city for the 4th of July.

New York City beaches are now open for swimming and sunbathing. A visit to one—if not all—of the best beaches NYC has to offer is needed when temperatures become hot and sticky. Whether you’re planning weekend getaways, a camping trip or just looking for ways to cool off or with friends, these beaches in New York are a quick subway, ferry or bus trip away. If you have a car and want to venture further out, we’ve also included off-the-beaten-track sandy shores that are less than two hours away. 

The Seaport District has a ton of festivities planned for the 4th of July. The Garden Bar opens the seasonal Sapphire Lounge on July 1, when from noon to 8pm, you can sip on seasonal cocktails. Then on July 3 and 4, Cobble & Co., the Seaport’s gastropub-style dining concept, will be offering a special all-American Burger & Beer Pairing package which includes the Cobble Burger and a Heineken, plus a package featuring Buffalo Chicken Wings, select signature burgers and ice-cold beer for $35.

You can also take a break in Seaport Square and relax in a pop-up hammock garden through July 5 and see Pier 17's lightband glow red, white and blue all weekend long.

There, Helene Henderson’s California inspired farm to-table restaurant Malibu Farm will be offering a special All-Day menu on July 3-4 that features Fourth of July classics like watermelon feta salad, bbq chicken sandwich, potato salad and banana splits.

Those dining at The Fulton will enjoy live jazz music on July 3-4 from The Milkman & Sons with Marcus Milius and the Garrett Manley Trio.

The Greens on The Rooftop at Pier 17 will also continue to offer al fresco dining at its 32 personal mini lawns, as well as themed food and beverage packages on July 4 such as the all American with marinated short ribs, and the choice of a bucket of canned Bacardi cocktails or beer/hard seltzer. Make a reservation here.

Many of New York City's cruise lines, touring vessels and party boats are open for business and ready (or getting ready) to take on passengers for the summer. But your excursion out on the water will still involve masks and social distancing. 

Cruises with Fourth of July trips include: Hornblower Cruises and Events, Empire Cruises, Statue Cruises, and Classic Harbor Line.

Acting like a kid again is never a bad idea, and these amusement parks near NYC are the perfect places to get your adrenaline pumping. Good ol’ Coney Island is right in your backyard with one of our fave Ferris wheels and the famous Cyclone wooden roller coaster, but it’s also worth venturing to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut for a fun day out. Whether you’re looking to cool off at a water park or scream your lungs out on a roller coaster, these amusement parks have something for every type of thrill seeker. These day trips from NYC take five hours or less, so start planning now—and get ready to hang on for dear life.