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Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
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There are so many great activities happening downtown for July 4th, you don't need to make plans -- it's the kind of day that just wandering between the Seaport, Tribeca, and the Battery will lead you to fun, diverse summer events.
Here's a rundown of Sunday's happenings:
Great Fourth of July Festival
10 a.m., Water Street (Fulton to Broad Streets), free
This year's Fourth of July Financial District street festival opens up Water Street for a cornucopia of food, crafts, exhibits, and entertainment. Call Mardi Gras Productions at (212) 809-4900 for more details.
Art & Appreciation: A Celebration of Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Conversation
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Street Seaport (Pier 17), free
Winners of an AT&T-sponsored art contest will be revealed at this free event. The contest challenged New York artists to decorate a life-size, dense Styrofoam ampersand over four weeks at the South Street Seaport artists' studio space. Come for the art and the conversation -- stay for the Seaport's shopping, dining, museums, and incredible harbor views.
Battery Park 4th of July Concert with Lyle Lovett
4 p.m., Battery Park lawn, free
Singer/songwriter and four-time Grammy winner Lyle Lovett picks up the tempo downtown under the shady trees of Battery Park, hosted by the Alliance for Downtown New York. Tucson-based band Calexico will open the stage for Lovett's distinctive country/gospel/jazz twang. Visit www.downtownny.com for more information.
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Enjoy Your Freedom: Leave the Car at Home
The city is doing its best to keep traffic moving during its annual Fourth of July festivities, and in doing so recommends that everyone use a combination of public transportation, their feet, and patience to get around -- especially in downtown's narrow streets.
The FDR Drive will close to vehicles from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday, with pedestrian-only access to the Drive at Old Slip and Water Street, Pearl and Frankfort Streets, Houston Street, and several other locations through midtown. If you plan to catch the show from the FDR try to arrive by 7 or 8 p.m., as the city will close the highway to foot traffic once it's full.
And don't look to the East River bridges for a better vantage point -- they will be open only to vehicles on Sunday; likewise, Staten Island Ferry service will be suspended from 7:30 p.m. until after the fireworks.
Other unobstructed downtown sky views will be from Battery Park, the South Street Seaport, and East River Park -- and just like everywhere else along the shoreline, get there early.
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The TriBattery Pops Concert
5 p.m., Washington Market Park (Greenwich and Chambers Streets), free
Gear up for the evening's fireworks with the music of the TriBattery Pops, a fun, all-American brass band that's sure to get your patriotism flowing with rousing red, white, and blue tunes. The band is led by lively conductor Tom Goodkind. Check www.tribatterypops.com for more on this and future shows.
Fireworks and Dinner Sail
5 to 11 p.m., South Street Seaport Museum (Pier 16), $200 per person ($175 for museum members)
Celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way, aboard the Pioneer, an 1885 schooner that's part of the South Street Seaport Museum's floating fleet. A three-course meal and wine, beer, and soda will be served, while New York City dishes out its spectacular skyline and Macy's annual fireworks display. Call (212) 748-8786 for information and reservations.
July 4th Fireworks Package
Overnight stay, Battery Park Ritz-Carlton, Two West Street, $420 per couple
You and your sweetheart can mark this year's Independence Day with a luxurious night at Battery Park's Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The package price will get you a room with a view to take in the fireworks, tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a picnic basket lunch, and themed chocolates. Contact the hotel to book your stay: (212) 344-3800 or www.ritzcarlton.com.
Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks
9 p.m., East River/New York Harbor, free (also broadcast live on NBC)
Macy's once again puts on the nation's biggest birthday bash with this year's dazzling pyrotechnics display. Titled "Beneath a Summer Sky," more than 120,000 bursts of color and light will illuminate the harbor from barges parked near 34th Street, the South Street Seaport, and Liberty Island.
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