We haven't given up on trying to see the fireworks on July 4th. We are staying at the Salisbury so seeing them from out hotel is not an option. I noticed today when viewing Google maps that Golden Unicorn in Chinatown is an 8 minute walk to FDR highway with no tall building to block the view. We have eaten and liked Golden Unicorn and the are open til 11PM so I am thinking this may work Is it a good idea (safe) to be in that area at night? Looks like we would have to walk down Bowery then Canal to get to the subway. Would this subway stop be less likely to be as crowded as other ones? What is Chinatown like at night?

Chinatown is safe at all hours.

For details on how to mist easily get from your hotel to anyplace in the city via a transit mean you choose go to hopstop.com and just put in the addreses.

Any subway in the area will be mobbed since streets will be closed, some starting as early as 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

Something in Chinatown is always open. The only problem with Golden Unicorn is that they might have a wedding that night. If all else fails Wo Hop is open.

Maybe I will call and see if I can get a reservation and ask about a wedding.
Will we be able to see the fireworks from standing outside of the restaurant or on the streets in Chinatown since there aren't very tall buildings? Just wondering if we even need to walk to FDR? Maybe we can stand somewhere close to the subway stop and immediately do down to get the subway after the fireworks.

nytraveler - already have that App. We used it last trip and it was great.

I doubt you will be able to see the fireworks very well from Chinatown unless you go down to the river. And there will be the bright neon lights of Chinatown as well.

If you walk across Chambers St or Canal St. and take the A,C,(E at Canal) uptown to a station near your hotel and walk a few blocks there will be less people.

In any event if you have that hopstop thing there are many alternatives.

I would not fixate on one particular restaurant in Chinatown, as there are many equally good.
So if there is a wedding planned (not likely on the 4th for several reasons) we can recommend someplace else nearby.