Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July

This year, on that day, NYC was muggy and hot, in terms of weather.
I didn’t really have the energy to go out and stay under the sun for a long time just to get the beat spot to see the fireworks.
Besides, my hubby and kids were in Indonesia, so I'm kind of sad here.

But I managed to go out with the girls at the office and watched the fireworks from in front of the United Nations Headquarters. 

Right in front of the UNHQ

We went out around 8 PM and the streets were already packed!
As always, the city is heavily guarded by the police and you can see them here and there.
Some roads were closed and the access for spectators like us has been arranged.

As the fireworks began at 9.25, we pretty much had enough time before it started but of course, you have to come much earlier to get those spots.
Around the Midtown Manhattan area, people tend to flock on the FDR or the along the promenade from 23rd st. to 48th st.

Last year, my family and I watched it from Gantry Plaza in Long Island City, right across the UNHQ on the other side of East River. 




It was indeed a great spot but we were there since 3 PM in the afternoon, under the scorching sun.
We went picnic from noon and stayed until approximately the same time.
It was super tiring but it was really an experience for us.
For sure, the view was spectacular as well.

Well, the UNHQ is probably  not the best spot to watch the fireworks but we could enjoy some parts of it. I had some friends coming and joining us as well that night and we all enjoyed the fireworks and the crowds.

This year, Macy's 4th of July fireworks was 25 % larger than the one in 2017. It has around 75,000 shells and effects, where 3,000 fireworks were fired per minute.
It was beautifully displayed around 1,000 feet in the air.

Here are a few photos I took with my phone  before and during the fireworks.

How do you spend your 4th of July here in the States?

Do you like watching fireworks as well?

Light Up the Sky - 4th of July Celebration at NYC

Happy 4th of July, USA.

I know it's been quite some times from the celebration itself but I haven't shared our story about how we celebrated the Independence Day of the US, here in NYC :).

Fireworks.

Fireworks.

Fireworks.

That's what we have in mind when it comes to the 4th of July celebration.
The blinding sights of bursting colors and shapes, coupled with thundering sounds, always captivate people's attention.
Well, it seems like enjoying fireworks during the 4th of July has been a long tradition here.
It's great indeed, because it's the official holiday where the UN is also observing and we can have a family picnic. So no complaint :).

Since 2014, the first year we lived in NYC, July is always in the middle of the holy month of Ramadhan. As much as we wanted to see the fireworks, long days of fasting and coming earlier to get the best spot is not the perfect combination. So by the time the 4th of July in 2017 is no longer celebrated during Ramadhan, we were thinking of getting to the best spot available. If we can.

As part of the annual celebration, Macy's 4th of July fireworks have been lit up and displayed on top of the East river for the last couple of years. 

We have several options for the designated areas for the fireworks.

Most of them are in Midtown Manhattan, particularly on the 42nd, 34th, 23rd and 16th and FDR. There are a few in Brooklyn as well. As for Queens, the Long Island City, particularly the Gantry Plaza State Park, was the designated spot. For sure people flock there and that's exactly where we're going :).

We know that we have to come early in order to get the good spot.
Judging from our previous years' experience, we really had to come early to ensure we have a great place to sit down and take pictures. Ton of pictures :).
So we have set our hearts on going at 2 PM and arriving on the spot at 3 PM at the most, before the police close the area. We have been reading and listening about all those street closure for that day.
And the fireworks started at 9.25 PM, so we had to wait for at least 6.5 hours.
Yes, 6.5 hours.
Under the sun.
Mind you :).
For sure it's no-pain-no-gain-game #whyamiboldingthis.

waiting for the bus :))

So we took the bus to go to Gantry Plaza. 
The 15 minutes ride by car became 1-hour trip by bus, due to the road closure.
Packed with 2 portable seats, our photo gears, food and drink, picnic mat and sunscreen, we went to Gantry Plaza. By the time we got there, it was not that packed yet but the prime spot for photos were almost gone. 

cheers..

Good thing we got the spot at one of the piers, got the wristbands and we had to stay there from 6 PM until the fireworks started at 9.25 PM. 
we were standing right across the UN headquarters, with Empire State Building in the background. Happy!

the wristband :

We waited for 6.5 hours indeed.
I bought books, fidget spinners (yes, the kids made sure they put them in the bag), games, tablets and 3 power banks.
Just in case LOL.
But our friends joined us at around 4 PM so 6.5 hours passed just like that.

With Habib's family :))

And it was hot, hot, hot!
Fully packed!
And such a loooong line to the toilet.
Although the officers in charge said we cannot get out of the pier after 6 PM, but they did understand that the line at the toilet was super long so we sneaked out at 5.45 and came back at 6.15.
Still have around 3 hours to go. 

the view from my corner

As the time came, we spent beautiful 25 minutes full of fireworks.
Light up the sky for the 4th of July celebration at NYC.
And I have to say, after 6.5 hours waiting and have the experience on seeing wonderful fireworks in Geneva and Melbourne, Macy's fireworks are awesome!
They said it was the country's largest fireworks by the numbers, with 2,400 burst and effects!
They also have performances actually, but we can only watch it live on NBC.

the pictures are taken from macys.com

Here are some of the photos we took.
Some were taken by iPhone 7 plus, some with our Canon 5D, taken by me or my husband :)

Here's a little video of our adventure to see Macy's 4th of July celebration fireworks

So that's how they light up the sky for the 4th of July celebration at NYC.
How do you celebrate your 4th of July?

Hope you enjoy it!  

4th of July Fireworks

The sky was beautifully lit up during the 4th of July celebration here in NYC!

Even before the show :)

Happy birthday, USA

Join us on Skywatch Friday and enjoy the magnificent sky from all corners of the world!

Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

I hope everyone has a great summer and 4th of July Celebration.

After a little warming up at Astoria, we decided to see the fireworks in NyC as well.

At Brooklyn Bridge, to be exact. Or, perhaps, near our office, at the 34th street Midtown Manhattan, one of the official sites of Macy's 4th of July.

Meanwhile, we had a great summer indeed, kicking of with a day in the pool here in Astoria and strolling around Rockefeller Center to see the giant ballerina :).

How do you start your summer?

Let's party with me and #OMHGWW with tons of great linkies!

“Welcome to our Oh My Heartsie Girls “Wonderful Wednesday” Linky Party of 2017 is an opportunity for us to feature other #Bloggers and #Blogwriters and for you to share what you have going on your blogs!

All Features Are Pinned-And Shared on Social Media!!

❢:Be Notified When This Party Starts Each Week Click Here You Can Unsubscribe Anytime:❢

Our Hostesses Share Our Party On Their Blogs~ Hope You Will Visit and Get To Know Them!

♥ Susan B. Mead | Susan // Renee-Kinlaw-God-has-a-Scrub-Brush | Tw | Bl | Fb | In | Pin

♥ Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl // There’s More Uses for A Cucumber Than a Salad-I Have 13 Ideas Tw | BL | G+ | FB | Pin | In

♥ Indah Nuria Savitri | Celabrate Independence Day at Astoria Park | Tw | Fb | Pin | In | BL

♥ Evija Roberts | Evija With Love // From Evija With Love-Sideboard Makeover | Tw | Bl | G+ | Fb | Pin | In

Feature Chosen By Indah // My Purple World Sew Travel Inspired Celebrate Independence-Hall-Fireworks in Philadelphia Feature Chosen by Susan // SUsan B Mead Becoming Press // Bible Study Everyday-Obedience  

Feature Chosen by Indah // My Purple World Strength and Sunshine // Grilled-Chicken-Shawarma-with-Yogurt Tahini Sauce-Marinated-Veggies-Gluten-Free-Paleo  

Create With Joy // Large Print Inspire-Bible  

Feature Chosen By Susan B Mead Narrow Minded Woman // Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs  

Feature Chosen By Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl The Scrape Shoppe // DIY Flag Planter Very Patriotic"  

Feature Chosen by Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl Mandatory Mooch // Patriotic Porch Decor  

Feature Chosen by Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl Simply Stacie //Cherry Chocolate Brownies

 

You Are Welcome To Link your DIY Projects, Garden Ideas, Tablescapes Outdoor Decor, Recipes, Reviews, Giveaways or Challenges, Blog Parties!! As Many Links As You Would Like To Share Only One Rule ~ All we ask is that you Use #OMHGWW in Your Comment or add #OMHGWW to a Tweet Tweet Our Party To Help Us Grow! And Thank you!

[Tweet "I just shared my post on #OMHGWW #Linky party, Join Us! :) @RT_Bloggers "]

❢: Click » Be Notified When Our Parties Start Each Week Click Here Unsubscribe Anytime❢

Join Us Thursdays For Friday Features at 11:00 AM PST Each Week

But Now......Lets Party........

Two Places To Comment Below a Google Comment or a Blog CommentUse #OMHGWW in Your Comment or add #OMHGWW to a Tweet So Many Parties I Have Moved The List Here«

[Tweet "I just shared my post on #OMHGWW #Linky party Join Us! :) @RT_Bloggers"

An InLinkz Link-up