4th of July in New York City

4th of July celebrations are by nature extravaganzas. Everything done in New York City is also by difinition an extravaganza. When you add up these two to put togther the 4th of July festivities in New York City, what you get is big blowout party with tens of thousands of fireworks, a hot dog eating competition unlike anything else you'll ever see, and a parade bigger and better than anything else, anywhere in the nation.

And these are just the highlights. There are concerts, music festivals, art and food exhibitions and street fairs and all kinds of stuff going on in every corner and borough and island in and around NYC. Here's a brief description of the highlights, along with the best ways for you to enjoy the show, if you happen to be, or want to be, in New York City on the 4th of July.

Photo by lightningbaron via Flickr (Creative Commons). The Macy's July 4th fireworks display begins around 9 p.m. from two seperate locations - Over the East River between 10th and 24th Streets and the South Street Seaport - and will feature over 35,000 fireworks. The approximately 30-minute display fires over 1,100 shells per minute and will be coordinated from 6 barges at two locations on the East River in New York City. Macy's Fireworks barges will be positioned at the East River between 10^th and 24^th Streets in Manhattan, featuring a center double barge configuration flanked by two single barges. At the South Street Seaport, a double barge configuration will be positioned just south of the Brooklyn Bridge for the show.

The fireworks can be viewed from FDR Drive which will be closed off to traffic between the Houston and 63 Streets from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Other viewing spots include Hunter's Point, Queens, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and anywhere with an unobstructed view of the East River between 23rd & 42nd Streets. One more viewing spot is Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Over 3 million people will be watching the firworks, but if you're unable to make it, the fireworks are broadcast live on NBC. More information available on Macy's hotline - (212) 494-4495.

In addition, Roosevelt Island is holding its own 4th of July festivities. So it might be a good idea to enjoy the East River fireworks from the island, and as a bonus, enjoy the live jazz, other fun activities, and the food and drinks from Dinosur BBQ. You'll need to take the tram to Roosevelt Island and get a $20 ticket. More details here.

Photo by Eddie~S via Flickr (Creative Commons). Also high up on the list of things to do in New York on the 4th of July is the hot dog eating contest at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island. Nathan's Famous is where hot-dogs were first served in New York City, and the annual hot dog eating contests have turned into an international tourist attraction, drawing competitors and visitors from all over the world, along with a crush of New Yorkers.

Simply put, its one big party and extravaganza, New York style. The competitors wolf down hundreds of dogs, buns and all, which heaped high onplates. Its an amazing spectacle, and a must-visit if you are in NYC on the 4th. More details about the contest, participants, its history and directions to Nathan's Famous can be found here.