Things To do on the 4th of July in New York

Some of the most exciting events in New York are held on the 4th of July; this is arguably the most joyous time of the year in the city, perhaps even more than Christmas. If you are wondering what to do with yourself this Independence Day, our limo service in Long Island has got you covered; we have lined up several great activities you can partake in with your family and friends on this glorious day.

We recommend contracting the services of a reliable car service such as our Bronx car service for all your transportation needs during your Independence Day excursions. As much as it may be exciting to have other patriots out and about, all celebrating their freedom, the vehicle, and human traffic can, quite frankly, be a nightmare. With a car service like ours, however, all you need to do is relax in the back of one of our luxury vehicles and enjoy the company of your friends and family as our professional chauffeurs transfer you to and from any one of these amazing events.

Now, let’s have a look at some of the most highly anticipated events for this year’s Independence Day in the Big Apple.

This is an annual event you absolutely can’t afford to pass up if you are in New York on the 4th of July. Every year, New York celebrates the 4th of July by illuminating the sky with a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Macy’s department stores in the city. The 2019 fireworks show will mark the 43rd of its kind, lighting up the sky from several points on the East River. This is the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the country, launching over 70,000 shells to light up the night. The event is only rivaled in grandeur by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, also held in New York. Do not miss out on this once-in-a-year opportunity to witness the biggest light show in the country.

Head over to Coney Island on the 4th of July and attend this annual event. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a tradition that has been practiced since Independence Day in 1972. Contestants here are challenged to consume as many hot dogs as they can in only 10 minutes. The current record holder is Joey Chesnutt, who ate a whopping 73 hotdogs, earning himself the coveted mustard-yellow belt. On the other hand, the women’s record holder is Miki Sudo who racked up a massive 37 hot dogs.

You do not need tickets to attend this event, simply make your way to Coney Island on the 4th of July and join 30,000 patriots in witnessing these iron-willed competitors chow down as many hotdogs as they possibly can. However, if for some reason you cannot make it to the island, you can watch a live stream of the event on ESPN in the comfort of your home or hotel room. 

As many people make their way to the outskirts of the city to celebrate their Independence at various locations and events, you could seize the opportunity to get some shopping done. Stores do not close on the 4th of July, meaning that the only difference from any other day is that there will be a lot fewer crowds inside your favorite shopping spots. Manhattan is a great shopping option for this day. We also recommend trying Elizabeth in New Jersey as well as the Central Valley region in New York. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of fireworks displays in and around the city, so you don’t really have to worry about missing out on any action while you are busy shopping.  

Enjoy this 5-hour cruise, which is arguably the best in the city for the 4th of July. Tickets range between $250 and $450 but we guarantee that you get value for your money once you are on board. Boarding begins at 5 pm on Pier 83 in Hell’s Kitchen and the ship sets sails at exactly 7 pm, so don’t be late. Once you are on board, you immediately start to appreciate views of the Lower Manhattan skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty. On the cruise, you will get to enjoy live DJ entertainment, as well as a buffet dinner before the Macy’s fireworks show finally begins.

Make your way to Staten Island for the oldest 4th of July Parade in the country. Once you are on Staten Island, head over to Travis, a small village that was existent even before the Declaration of Independence. The Travis Parade is an annual parade that has been held on Independence Day since   1911. We recommend taking a ferry to the island for a chance to pass by the Statue of Liberty on a day when all that it symbolizes is so apparent. The parade will begin on Victory Boulevard and make its way down to East Service Road.

Roosevelt Island will be hosting this annual family-friendly event on, you guessed it, the 4th of July. Here, you and the gang will get to enjoy numerous family-friendly entertainment activities including bouncy castles, various food options, and spectacular fireworks. Roosevelt Island is conveniently located on the East River, meaning you will get to witness the famous Macy’s fireworks display. You will get to the island on the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which is in itself a great experience, especially for the kids. If you have a metro card with an unlimited pass you don’t have to pay a thing to get on the Tramway, making this a pretty cheap excursion for such a busy day. The event is absolutely free, but tickets are limited to only 2,500, so we recommend that you claim your free tickets online for you and the gang as soon as they are released in June.