Independence Day 2023

Americans carry their patriotism in their hearts, they always carry the flag with them, they are proud of it and they are moved by singing the anthem. The truth is that any occasion is a perfect excuse to air your flag and we can say that in every corner it is palpable to know which country we are in.

On July 4th, the Independence Day party is celebrated, it is a typical American holiday, but its celebration serves to honor and extol a very important historical fact, an act in which the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. This moment signified the birth of the American nation.

In different localities of the country, competitions are held to eat hot dogs at high speed, throwing watermelons, where the one who throws it the farthest possible wins. Other places organize decorated wheelchair races, dance challenges or even cake contests. The truth is that all these eccentric traditions create a festive atmosphere in every corner. Families celebrate Independence Day by organizing cookouts and barbecues or taking short trips of a couple of days.

What happens during Independence Day in New York?

It is important to know that the streets of Manhattan are quite empty on the 4th of July. In fact, New Yorkers take advantage of this holiday to spend it with the family and leave the city for the beach on Long Island or Coney Island.

Most restaurants and shops close that day. However, museums and other tourist spots like the Empire State Building are still open to the public.

For those who are in the Big Apple and want to make the most of this day, these are the recommended activities:

Enjoy the fireworks

Since 1976, the spectacular fireworks display at the iconic Macy’s store in New York City has not stopped growing. To the point of becoming the most outstanding Independence Day celebration in the country where more than 65,000 fireworks are launched.

The show begins at approximately 9:15 pm – 9:30 pm on the East River around Midtown Manhattan. The show can best be viewed from Long Island City, Greenpoint in Brooklyn, or from Midtown Manhattan, between 14th Street and 50th Street.

This is a completely free event and it is suggested to go well in advance as people start arriving very early to find a good spot. The fires last approximately 25 minutes, ending around 10 pm

It is recommended to go on foot or by public transport because the event usually gathers a lot of people and it becomes difficult to move around the streets.

For those who want to enjoy the show from the comfort of their homes, the event airs live on NBC starting at 8 pm prior to launch.

Another good option to see the fireworks is taking a boat ride enjoying the Manhattan skyline, there are all-inclusive options that include dinner, a bar and a DJ. Added to this are the privileged views of the fireworks show, undoubtedly an unforgettable alternative.

Barbecue or picnic in a park

One of the favorite activities for New Yorkers to celebrate the 4th of July is to take advantage of the day off and the heat to have a barbecue or picnic in a park.

One of the parks that attracts the most is the emblematic Central Park and the truth is that the 4th of July is one of the only 3 days of the year in which barbecue is allowed there. This is why hundreds of people gather at Sheep Meadow (the main green area of ​​Central Park) to enjoy it.

Other options are also Bryant Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Washington Square and Hudson River Park among others.

As a curious fact, there are some stores that sell single-use barbecues (disposable grill or BBQ).

Take a picture next to the Empire State Building

On the night of July 4, Independence Day, the Empire State Building is lit up in the colors of the American flag: blue, white and red. It’s a great excuse to take a completely different picture of the building.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island

This is a peculiar contest organized by the Nathan’s chain, which has been organizing it since 1972 in Coney Island.

The challenge is to eat as many hot dogs as possible in just 10 minutes. The women’s contest starts around 10:45, and the men’s, around 12 noon. All information is available on the Nathan’s website.

Attending the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and cheering on the contestants is completely free, but it’s important to go early as thousands of people attend.

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