The city is giving away 10,000 free tickets to prime July Fourth fireworks viewing spots on the West Side — after the NYPD previously landed in hot water for roping off areas for private parties.
The tickets — distributed on a first-come first-serve basis — will provide access to one of two key Manhattan viewing locations for the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks: Pier 45 in Hudson River Park near West 10th Street and Pier 84 near West 44th Street, Mayor Eric Adams told reporters Tuesday.
While watching the famed fireworks show is technically free, snagging a great viewing spot hasn’t always been an easy process.
In recent previous summers, the NYPD roped off some of the best public viewing locations for uniformed service members and their families and pals, turning away members of the public without law-enforcement connections and creating outcry.
Other viewing hot spots, such as the swanky Fulton Restaurant on Pier 17, have only been able to be accessed by spectators who could afford to pay as much as $492 per ticket.
Members of the public can register for the free city tickets starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at NYCJuly4.com.
Each person is allowed to register for a maximum of two tickets.
Other non-ticketed public viewing spots along the West Side Highway will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis, the city said.
The fireworks will start Thursday, July 4, at 9:25 p.m.
New Yorkers can expect multiple barges positioned in the Hudson River to launch tens of thousands of fireworks shells in an array of colors and shapes.
For the past decade, the fireworks were launched from barges in the East River.
