Hi- my g/f and I are going to be in New York, staying at The Bentley Hotel in Manhattan during the week of 4th of July. I found out the big fireworks display has moved over to the Hudson River this year, and I was wondering if you guys could help recommend some restaurants, roof-top bars, or locations to best view the fireworks? It's our first time being in town for the 4th, and I want it to be memorable. But on the other hand, don't want to get caught up in traffic nightmares and congestion. . . Any ideas?

There will be at least a million other people trying to get a good view of the fireworks. And I'm sure any restaurant or bar with view of the fireworks will have special, extremely expensive packages for that night. Also roads into the viewing area stat to close around 3 in the afternoon - so you need to enter by subway to foot.

I know the Ritz Carlton downtown has a great roof bar - but it's extremely expensive at the best of time - can't begin to imagine what they would charge for the 4th. Or how far in advance you would have to get reservations. Perhaps if you had an early dinner in the hotel you could get preference for reservations for the roof bar - it might be owrth while to call and ask.

Check with the cruise lines -- Circle Line and New York Waterways are two that come to mind, to see if they are offering harbor cruises with fireworks watching. They'll likely be pricey but it would also be memorable.

Or at arpund 7PM you could walk west from the West Village-down Christopher St for ex,-cross the West Side Hwy and try to find a place on the river to watch from. I say 7PM bec. even tho the "works" dont start till like 9:15 there will be millions crowding in there to watch.

Checked Circle Line, they're offering cruises at $75 per person, food and drinks extra. Boarding time is 6 p.m., cruise starts at 7 p.m. and lasts 4 hours. New York Waterway didn't seem to have anything special.

West Village will be okay viewing . . . fireworks barges will be located between 25th St and 50th St.

Imo, the best views will be from the New Jersey side in Weehawken, NJ. There are a number of restaurants on the water there. What I don't know is how easy it will be to get there from Manhattan. Normally, nywaterway.com runs ferry service b/w midtown Manhattan and Weehawken but they may be using the ferries for specials cruises that night. There should be bus service from Port Authority over to Weehawken, but it could be a zoo getting through the Lincoln Tunnel.

Capsuoto Freres - located in the northern end of Tribeca and near the river is offering a dinner special for the fireworks night - check out their website. Their food is first rate with service to go with that.

Hmm. I may have to take back my West Village suggestion. Didnt realize that the barges would be so far "upriver". May have to change you to Riverside Park farther up the West Side.

Awesome experience

Wanting to do something different on the Fourth of July, I decided to try the fireworks sail on the Shearwater. This was far, far better than any party or barbeque I’ve ever been to. Watching the fireworks show from the water was absolutely incredible. It was like looking up and just seeing tons of colors going off right in front of me. The crowd on board was great and the crew members were so attentive, going out of their way to provide excellent service. Although the evening wasn’t cheap, it was definitely worth the money. You got an open bar all night long, great views, and an unforgettable experience.

Geez at $450 I DON'T THINK SO

Adults: $450.00

http://www.shearwatersailing.com/Jul...works_Sail.cfm

Me no love america that much

How about at $70 per person?

http://www.sailthehudson.com/4JulyFireworks.htm