Watching the fireworks from Riverside Park.
Macy’s decided to hold the fireworks on the Hudson once again this year, to the delight of West Siders and New Jerseyites but the detriment of Brooklynites and East Siders. Enjoy it while you can, because it sounds like Macy’s will be shifting the festivities to other waterways in the years ahead as political pressure mounts.
Watching the fireworks from the West Side is a blast. You can trek down to the West Side Highway between 14th Street and 59th street to get the closest seats, or head to Riverside Park to watch. The park will be open tomorrow; people tend to set up blankets in the various fields and huddle on the concrete path next to the Hudson. Remember, the ramp at 72nd Street to go down into the park is still closed so you’ll either have to lug your stuff down the stairs or find another entrance. The show doesn’t start until after 9, but people start arriving a couple of hours before (in past years, you could arrive after 8 and not have a problem finding a spot to watch the festivities).
The West Side Highway will be blocked off starting around 4:30 p.m. until past midnight. There will be extra 1 and 3 train service. Here’s the MTA guide.
Starting at 6, the West Side Community Garden is holding a barbeque at the garden on 89th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam.
Eater has a full July 4 dining guide, but unfortunately it doesn’t include any Upper West Side locations.
Send us your pictures of the fireworks and other festivities!
