It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in New York City without the annual Macy’s fireworks show, which made its debut in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial. The iconic display will return to the East River this year; fireworks will be set off from the Brooklyn Bridge and from barges in the water below. 

Best viewing location: Broad Street and/or Old Slip at Water Street, Brooklyn Bridge entry from St. James Place (Pearl Street) & Wagner Place, Montgomery & South Streets: From the north (viewing along the FDR between Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Bridge Promenade.