Happy July! If you're venturing outdoors to see the annual Macy's 4th of July fireworks on Tuesday, public transit is the way to go.
Some service changes to note for Tuesday, July 4:
- Subways and buses will run on a Saturday schedule.
- Long Island Rail Road will operate on a weekend schedule. Montauk Branch trains will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- Metro-North will operate on a Sunday schedule with two extra trains on the New Haven line and one extra train on the Port Jervis line.
Additionally, on Monday, July 3, LIRR will operate on a summer Friday schedule, and the Cannonball will run.
Check the TrainTime app for more details on extra LIRR and Metro-North trains ahead of the 4th of July holiday.
Where and when to see the fireworks
Macy's Annual 4th of July Fireworks happen Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 9:25 p.m.
This year, the fireworks display will take place on five barges along the East River between 23rd and 41st streets. There will be viewing areas along the FDR Drive in Manhattan and at parks in Queens and Brooklyn, with access points along the waterfront.
Public viewing areas
Manhattan: The official viewing areas are located along First Avenue, with entrances at 23rd, 34th, and 42nd streets.
There will be an ADA accessible entrance at 34th Street.
Queens: The official viewing area is located at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City.
Brooklyn: The official viewing areas are Transmitter State Park and Newtown Barge Park in Greenpoint; and Bushwick Inlet Park and Marsha P. Johnson State Park in Williamsburg.
Check the Macy's website for up-to-date information.
How to get to the 4th of July Fireworks
If you're planning on scoping out a spot near one of the official viewing areas, here are the best subway stations to use:
Manhattan
- 1 Av, 3 Av
- 14th St-Union Sq
- 23 St, 28 St, 33 St
- Grand Central-42 St
Brooklyn
- Bedford Av
- Greenpoint Av, Nassau Av
Queens
- Court Sq
- 21 St
- Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av
Buses that will serve the viewing areas include the M9, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, M15, M21, M23-SBS, M34-SBS, M34A-SBS, M42, M50, M101, M102, M103, B24, B32, B43, B62, Q24, Q32, Q59, Q60, Q66, Q67, Q69, Q102, and Q103.
What to know before you go
Some subway stations may experience crowding after the fireworks are over. Plan alternate routes in case your station is too crowded.
There will be extra service on the and 42nd Street Shuttle to accommodate fireworks crowds.
The FDNY will not allow backpacks, umbrellas, chairs, or other large items into the viewing areas. Plan accordingly.
Need help?
For up-to-date information on service changes, check @NYCTSubway and @NYCTBus on Twitter, the MYmta app, or the MTA website. You can also reach us through WhatsApp.
You can also check our live subway map to see the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, and accessible stations near the fireworks viewing points.