Fun Things to do for July 4th in NYC
Fun Things to do for July 4th in NYC
Not heading out of town for the 4th? There’s plenty of fun ways to spend the day right here in the city. From fireworks and parties to contests and cruises, we’ve rounded up just a few.
NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOT DOG EATING CONTEST
Will this be the year Joey Chestnut gets his buns kicked? You’ll have to head to Coney Island to find out. Last year, the reigning hot dog guzzling king once again took home the prize, chowing down 63 hotdogs and buns. The annual contest goes down, as per tradition, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, where 20 or so contestants will compete to see how much encased meat they can consume in 10 minutes. Gross? Kinda. Entertaining? Absolutely.
CONEY ISLAND 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Come for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, stay for the fireworks. The annual display isn’t as highly produced as the Macy’s show, but the iconic Coney Island boardwalk is a pretty prime spot to catch pretty lights in the sky when they kick off around 7 pm.
MACY'S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS
Pretty much everyone loves fireworks, with the exception of our canine friends, and the Macy’s display is one of the best around. Held each year near the Brooklyn Bridge, their 4th of July show comprises more than 60,000 fireworks which light up the night sky for a dazzling 30 minutes. Grab a spot anywhere along the East River and post up with a blanket and some adult beverages to score prime views when it all goes down around 9 pm.
FOURTH OF JULY NYC DINNER CRUISE
If you’re looking for a slightly more elevated dining experience than the usual backyard burgers, book your passage on this 3.5-hour dinner cruise, featuring DJs and panoramic views of the evening’s various fireworks displays. A ticket gets you a 3-course dinner menu featuring fare like oysters and steak, along with an open bar. Tickets start at $289.
4TH OF JULY WATERFRONT BLOCK PARTY
This “block party” actually takes place at the Skyline Drive-In in Greenpoint (so technically more of a parking lot party), but with the drive-in’s prime waterfront location, it’s still set to be a blast. Tickets (starting at $36 for GA) grant access to a bash featuring more than six bars, a pop-up beer garden, live music, yard games, various food trucks, and more. VIP ticket holders can pony up for shaded lounge seating and a private bar.
Written by Alexandra Cavallo