fireowrk view on the roof

where would be the best place to see the fireworks from. i wanted to go to river cafe for dinner, but alas i waited too long to call and the wait list is very long. i am trying to find a cool lounge on the roof of SOMEWHERE that will have a great view. HELP!!! a restaurant would be nice, one on the water would be even better THANKS!

fireowrk view on the roof

That%26#39;s a tough call. Premium viewing for the fireworks comes at a price, and sometimes not even money will help, you have to be friends with Donald Trump!

Here is a link to general info on the viewing areas for the fireworks. Expect them to be extremely crowded and with restricted view, don%26#39;t even think about watching from the FDR drive unless you get there by 4pm:

鈥bout.com/od/鈥ycjulyfourth.htm

Here is a photo of people crowded up onto the Empire State Building. I%26#39;d assume they have restricted access to the roof closer to the time of the fireworks. i really have no idea how they organize how and when people are allowed up on the 4th July. I am quite sure you won%26#39;t be able to show up at 8pm and go up to the roof, i%26#39;d assume those people are there since 5pm:

www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen2/full28.html

A good bet is to pay for one of the water cruises (if any tickets are still available). NY Waterway is slightly more expensive but is better quality than Circle Line and they don%26#39;t crush as many people onto their boats as Circle Line does:

www.circleline42.com/index.ihtml?page=holiday

July 4th Cruise

Make summer in the city extra special with a festive Fourth of July Cruise. Enjoy a close-up view of Lady Liberty and see the awesome fireworks light up the night sky as you create your own sparks dancing to our dynamite DJ. Food and drink available onboard for purchase.

Tickets: $65

Boards at 4:30pm. Sails from 5:30pm - 11:00pm.

Reservations required.

nywaterway.com/tour/鈥uly4.shtml

Last year the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Battery Park advertised a 4th July reservation package boasting great views of the fireworks downtown. I don%26#39;t see the same ad this year but you could call:

ritzcarlton.com/hotels/new_york_battery_park/

Also reported to be good is the viewing facilities offered on Roosevelt Island. I believe someone reported on it in the forum last year, again you have to pay and show up early for best seating:

http://www.rioc.com/fireworks.htm

fireowrk view on the roof

Not that I suggest doing this...

But you would be amazed how easy it is to crash rooftop parties on the 4th of July. Basically, all you gotta do is look for a tall residential building with people streaming in and out. (If they are carrying plastic cups; it%26#39;s usually a very good sign.) More often than not rooftops will have more than one party going on, so no one will second guess what you are doing up there.

The only reason why I know this is not because I am a party crasher, but one year I accidentally ended up on the wrong roof amidst all the firework activity. My friends roof was actually the one across the street. But the party I accidentally crashed had these great frozen margaritas. Aye...what a tough decision that was.

i actually booked the rise bar at the ritz before i checked back here! its $125/pp, guaranteed table inside with champagne and chocolate display. i am sure it won%26#39;t be anything like the choc feast they have for february. but they have the outside patio with tables that are first come first serve. this will be fine, overpriced of course, but they have a good drink menu and its cheaper than the cruise i wanted to take for $278/pp, although it had open bar, 5 course dinner (but who knows what the quality would be, for $556 you could have a meal for two at most of the top restaurants in the city WITH WINE! (a moderately priced bottle of course)

i am going to check out the links though, bcuz i made sure i can still cancel in case something better comes aong. i really wanted to go to the river cafe. oh well. i waited too long. i must admit, the idea about the party crashing does sound very tempting, as long as there isn%26#39;t a doorman with a guest list, ha!!! i might have to check that out after rise.

Any of the restaurants at the South Street Seaport should have a view but the better ones may already be full. Look at Harbor Lights.

The Water Club should have great views, but again, may be fully booked.

None of the cool lounges on roofs will have views of the fireworks on the east river. Some might have views of the fireworks at the Statue of Liberty (in the Hudson River on the west side).

nymag.com/urban/guides/summerfun/july4.htm

Is Battery Park any good for watching the fireworks? We were there last August, and I was thinking it might be a nice spot, near the statue of liberty? Would we be able just to turn up with a blanket and a picnic early evening? Or will it be chocca by then?

Thanks

Battery Park and the Rise Bar at the Ritz will have views of the fireworks in NJ and at the SOL. They won%26#39;t have views of the those on the East River. I%26#39;d imagine Battery Park will be mobbed by ';early evening.'; I%26#39;d guess one of the least crowded areas for fireworks views this year will be Roosevelt Island. Without the tram from Manhattan, you%26#39;d have to use the subway to get there and only the F train stops there but views should be good and plenty of picnic areas I%26#39;d think.