The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show attracts huge crowds to the city’s waterfronts every year, and there are always places saying they have the best views for the spectacle — and plenty of people claiming to know the secret spots.
But where precisely are the places NOT to go? That question is very important this year, especially considering the location of where the fireworks will be shot off from is different from years past.
Typically, the Long Island City waterfront is one of the most popular destinations for those hoping to get the perfect view. But this year, skip the trip on the 7 train.
Signs up and down the LIC waterfront essentially warn festivity-goers not to come there in droves. That includes Gantry Plaza State Park, Malt Drive Park, and anywhere along the East River in that area. The NYPD posted on social on Thursday that “there will be no Macy’s 4th of July fireworks viewing locations on the LIC waterfront this year.”
The same goes for WNYC Transmitter Park across the Newtown Creek in Greenpoint, as well as Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg and the East River Promenade in Manhattan.
Similar signs were posted two rivers over, along New Jersey’s Hudson River towns. From Weehawken to Edgewater to West New York’s Boulevard East, all boasting stunning views of the NYC skyline. But this year, none of those locations will do crowds any good if they’re hoping to catch the fireworks.
The fireworks will be south of the Brooklyn Bridge, and viewing areas will be in lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn only. For those looking for viewing areas in lower Manhattan, the NYPD said to enter near Pearl Street at Robert F. Wagner Place and head toward the areas along the water along the FDR Drive. Crowds can also enter at the corner of Broad Street and Water Street, at the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field, or on Montgomery Street at Madison Street.
🚨Reminder!!! There will be no Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks viewing locations on the LIC waterfront this year. The fireworks displays will be south of the Brooklyn Bridge and all viewing locations will be in Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn only. pic.twitter.com/TyF1nG5wb6
— NYPD 108th Precinct (@NYPD108Pct) July 3, 2025