Seeing the Fireworks From Brooklyn (Updated for 2011)

This is a compilation of Brooklyn fireworks viewing research we've done since the city started showing the fireworks in the Hudson River. UPDATED for 2011, see below. (Link to 2012 here.)

So this year New York City's Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will take place over the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan, instead of over Brooklyn (the East River) as usual. We are told that this is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's journey up the Hudson, but we all know by now that darker forces must be at work.

New Jersey, nearly paralyzed with the thought of huge, roving bands of revelers, has prohibited almost everything (rooftop parties, barbecues, small, wimpy-looking dogs) and New York City has banned viewing from Battery Park, the Hudson River Park Promenade and bike path, along with all the piers.

We've decided it's safest to just stay put in Brooklyn.

Macy's claims that their new fireworks can go up to 1,000 feet high, which would still be visible here, so as a public service we scouted out some Brooklyn viewing locations that, while half-assed, might still be better than going to Manhattan.

• The obvious first choice for viewing the fireworks from Brooklyn is to find some friend who lives in a tall building not too far from the water. Below is the field of vision viewable from a friend's 27th story apartment on Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights. The barges will line up in the Hudson from 23rd to 50th Streets, so if you can see the Empire State Building, you're in the right ball park.


• This next view is what you'll see from the north end of Fulton Ferry-Empire State Park in Dumbo, just north of the Manhattan Bridge. It's hard to tell what we're looking at here -- we suspect the sky viewable from here may be a bit north of the fireworks. You may have to try heading a bit north of this spot to get a better line of sight.


• When the fireworks were in the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway was closed. We called the city and asked if the walkway was open this year -- the most they could tell us was that they had no information about it. We take that as meaning the bridge is fair game.

This next view is from the east end of the Brooklyn Bridge. You can see the right section of sky, but the cables are annoying.


• Here's a nice patch of clear sky right near the east tower on the Brooklyn side of the bridge. You can see the Empire State Building so you know you're looking the right way.

You can walk over to the west tower viewing area as well, but that, technically, puts you in Manhattan.

• The bike path on the Manhattan Bridge is another possibility. (The bike path is on the north side of the bridge while the pedestrian path is on the south side. We're thinking you want to be on the north side.)

• Even better: East River State Park in Willliamsburg offers a straight across view, unobstructed by tall buildings or bridges. Here's what you'll see (that's the Empire State Building right of center):

If you live near Williamsburg this is probably the best place to be.

Any more Brooklyn fireworks viewing ideas?

- Yassky: Fireworks Should Remain At Their 'Rightful Home'

Photos by MK Metz
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