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Where to see the fireworks

amNY.com staff

3:52 PM EDT, June 26, 2008

Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show in the East River. (Handout)

By Matthew Sweeney

msweeny@am-ny.com

The Fourth of July fireworks display on Friday expands past year's shows with a new launch site below the Brooklyn Bridge, allowing for more people to have a great view.

The show, with the theme "America Dances," starts shortly after 9 p.m., when the first of more than 30,000 shells will be fired from barges in the East River between 23rd and 42nd Streets and off South Street Seaport.

Some recommended viewing places include:

--FDR Drive. Pedestrians can enter starting at 7 p.m. at 23rd, 34th, 38th, and 42nd streets, or at the Pearl Street/Brooklyn Bridge ramp in Lower Manhattan.

--East River Park, between the FDR and the East River, from Montgomery Street to East 12th Street.

--In Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO, or Greenpoint close to the waterfront.

--In Queens, along the waterfront in Long Island City or Hunter's Point .

Keep in mind, East River bridges will be closed to pedestrians. Also, on Friday subways will be running on a Saturday schedule; buses will run on Sunday schedule.

The fireworks will be broadcasted on WNBC and 1010 WINS.

MACY's FIREWORKS ON THE EAST RIVER

WHEN: The big show -- with its 35,000 shells -- gets underway July 4 at 9:25 PM.
WHERE: There are six barges in two locations in the East River: the first is between 10th and 24th streets, the second is at the South Street Seaport, just south of the Brooklyn Bridge.
WHERE TO WATCH:
Manhattan:
Southbound lanes of the FDR Drive, which will open to the public at 7:00 PM. Access points are: Manhattan Civic Center (Brooklyn Bridge/Pearl Street exit ramp); 23rd, 34th, 38th, and 42nd streets.
Lower FDR Drive, which will be closed from Broad Street to the Brooklyn Bridge; enter at Manhattan Civic Center (Brooklyn Bridge/Pearl Stret exit ramp).
Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Heights Promenade