nytraveler

For anyone planning on watching the July 4th fireworks sponsored by Macy's, it has just been announced that there is a new venue. Rather than the East River the display will now take place in the Hudson - meaning the best viewing areas will be along Manhattan's lower west side and the Jersey coast. They haven;t shown an actual map of the site, but I think the views from Brooklyn may no longer be prime territory.,

Centralparkgirl

nytraveler - Someone posted this last week or mentioned it on another thread.

ellenem

http://www.macysinc.com/pressroom/ma...p?mediakit=318

Barges will be located between 25th St and 50th St. Lower part of Manhattan will not offer optimal viewing--best viewing in midtown.

SueNYC

Interesting -- Wonder if there will be a viewing party on the Intrepid -- FYI - Great night to get Broadway show tickets!

One of the few shows that I needed to buy a full price ticket for is West Side Story since I have never seen it live and I have a long history with the movie - long story - another time.

I picked up tickets for 7 of us last week for Friday night July 3rd - Rear Mezz and we got the best seats in that category. I'm sure the 4th has good seats as well.

missypie

Still looking for a nice cruise at a reasonable price. I thought of Circle Line but it sounds like a nightmare.

nytraveler

Major event NYC, millions want to see it - and you want a cruise at a bargain price.

this does not compute.

You can have two of the 3 - you won;t find all. (If you really have to have a bargain price take the cruise another night.) Or - watch from the shore with a million other people.

djkbooks

missypie: Have a look at the Spirit of New Jersey cruises which look identical to the Spirit of New York cruises, but are priced signficantly less. Due to the relocation of the fireworks, the Spirit of New Jersey cruises will depart from Chelsea Piers.

missypie

nytraveler, what an offensive answer. I didn't say "bargain price." I said "reasonable price." I thought I could get a cruise for the price of a Broadway ticket (around $125 each). Those all tend to be "open bar, must be over 21" cruises. The ones that don't have this restriction tend to be in the $300 per ticket range.

missypie

djkbooks, excellent suggest on the Spirit of New Jersey...there is the "adults only" cruise for $299, but there is a family dinner cruise for $149. Sounds perfect, except that it boards at 5 pm and we are seeing a matinee of Billy Elliot at 2 pm. I'm sure we could get to a ship by 6 pm (lots are boarding at 6 or 6:15) but I we couldn't get there by 5. I may have to give up on the cruise, but you did have the otherwise perfect suggestion.

djkbooks

missypie: Yes, it would be a rush to board following Billy Elliott, but you could hop on the subway at 42nd/8th (C,E) to 23rd Street, then walk three blocks to Chelsea Piers.

You might want to phone them (866-211-3805) Dana x 77023.

Our printed instructions are to allow lots of time for getting there and boarding, but if they board between 5 and 6, you should be able to make it okay, since you won't be driving/parking.

missypie

djkbooks, you overestimate our ability to get on the correct subway line, going in the correct direction! However, I might call Dana and ask about it. They say they board at 5 pm sharp and leave at 6 pm. If we arrive more like 5:30 or 5:45, will we end up sitting somewhere in the center of the boat, not able to see a thing?

djkbooks

missypie: I think you're right about Circle Line. We love those cruises, but the boat has never been more than half full. I can't imagine enjoying that long a cruise with a full vessel (which it will probably be July 4th).

I just got off the phone with Spirit of New Jersey. The dinner cruise is 21 and over, whereas children are welcome on the Family cruise. The woman I spoke to assured me that if you're at the boat by 6PM, you're on! She said they start boarding at 5 to allow folks plenty of time to pick up their tickets and get on the boat. On the family cruise, seating is first come/first served. But, you'll only be at the table to eat. It's a long cruise and there's plenty of room to wander all over after dinner. I know we plan to be outside as much as possible!

ellenem

Keep in mind that you will be stuck on these boats for quite a while. The fireworks don't begin until about 9:20 pm and go on for half an hour.

missypie

Yeah, that is a problem....on a boat for 5 or 6 hours for half an hour of fireworks...

mp

Not to be a bummer, but the way this spring has been going . . . do you really want to spend that amount of money on a weather dependent experience? Last year on the 4th it was rather misty/rainy/cloudy, we were on a rooftop watching the fireworks as we always do - trying to see beyond the umbrellas through the clouds was a challenge . . . and that was free!
Just a thought

missypie

If you haven't seen my other 4th of July thread, you wouldn't know that my two Ds can't agree on what to do the evening of the 4th of July. One hates heat and crowds, so she wants to see another show that night. The other really wants to see fireworks. So I thought a cruise might diminish the heat and crowds for the one D and make viewing fireworks more enjoyable for her. (This disagreement has been going on for some time.)

djkbooks

missypie:

http://www.nywaterway.com/Home/Takea...7/Default.aspx