Epic Waterfront Views: 9 Best Spots in Brooklyn and Queens to Watch the Fourth of July Fireworks

We obviously don't have enough lights in New York City. You know, and we're totally lacking on some astounding views.

That was clearly a joke, but if your beauty threshold hasn't been on overload from living in this city, it's time for you to gear up for Independence Day.

Raise your hand if you have really sweet memories of laying out on a blanket when you were little, watching magic explode in the sky.

Or maybe you were the little kid who hid behind the bushes because you were scared of fireworks. To those kids who became adults and are now reading this: it's time to overcome your fear, and keep those 4th of July traditions going strong.

And since everyone knows Queens and Brooklyn have the best views of Manhattan's skyline, and the most epic waterfronts facing the East River, these boroughs are obviously the best for watching this year's fireworks.

Find out the 9 best spots in Queens and Brooklyn to watch the 4th of July fireworks below.

And if you don't want to take any of our suggestions, find a rooftop on the East Side facing the River and revel in Macy's Fourth of July fireworks all on your own.

But don't be late-- the show starts at 9 p.m. sharp.


1. Z Hotel (11-01 43rd Avenue - Long Island City)

dayandnightny Tonight get ready to rock out @ Z Hotel Rooftop, the 5,000 square foot rooftop lounge located in Long Island City, one of New York's most interesting and up-and-coming neighborhoods. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the most famous skyline in the world and rock out to music by DJ Finesse along with Lupo. Say DAY & NIGHT NY GUEST LIST @ the door for the hook-up. Z Hotel is located @ 11-01 43rd Ave, Long Island City, New York 11101. #rockingout #tonight #djfinesse #zhotel #saturdaynight #zhotelrooftop #rooftopbar #rooftop #rooftopparty #rooftopseason #rooftopview #nycrooftop #instacool #queens #longislandcity #newyorkcity #newyork #igers #housemusic #dancemusic #edm #instagood #ighub #bottlegirls #bottleservice #dance #music #ezoo #electriczoo #edclv

The Z Hotel's rooftop has a killer view of the East River, and, you guessed it, that means a killer view for the 4th of July East River fireworks.

Their rooftop party will be family-friendly, and the $232 price of your ticket will include your choice of dinner, from hot dogs and burgers, to assorted vegetables, chicken, and BBQ-style ribs.

You'll also get ice cream, soft drinks, and two alcoholic drinks per adult. There will also be a cash bar when two drinks is inevitably not enough.

Buy your tickets here.


2. Berry Park (4 Berry Street - Brooklyn)

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This is hands down the best rooftop bar in Williamsburg. They have a dope menu, creative summer cocktails, and will be airing the Women's World Cup quarterfinals from 4 p.m. on.

Can you imagine a more intense cacophony of patriotism than colorful, combustible chemicals exploding spectacularly in the sky behind the TV screens where the U.S. Women's soccer team kicks the ball through a net?

Combine this with drunk adults screaming. Yeah, we didn't think a better atmosphere existed. There is no cover price to drink here on the night of July 4th, either, which is a plus.


3. The River CafΓ© (1 Water Street - Brooklyn)

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This upscale cafΓ© is cradled right under the Brooklyn Bridge, and offers a more than stunning view of the NYC skyline-- and the Statue of Liberty.

So if you choose to hit up this bar on the Fourth of July, you will watch the sky explode beside the penultimate denotation of U.S. liberty.

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They have a tight dress code here, so make sure you check it out before you arrive. Hint: sweatpants will not cut it.

With amazing food, high quality wines, and romantic piano music, The River CafΓ© might just be worth the heap of pennies you'll have to shell out for this event.

You'll need reservations for this event, which you can make here. Make them as close to 9 p.m. as possible.


4. Brooklyn Bridge Park 

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Around 9:20 p.m. on July 4th, Macy's fireworks will explode into the NYC sky right off the Brooklyn Bridge.

Does the view get better than this?

Are there prettier landmarks in NYC than the East River, Jane's Carousel, and the Brooklyn Bridge?

Well, we'll leave that up to you to decide, but this is a golden, free spot to witness NYC's 4th of July carnival of light. There will be no buildings obstructing your view, and you'll definitely be able to get a good spot.

There will also be a concession stand with snacks and refreshments, and enjoying the fireworks here is completely free.


5. Grand Ferry Park (Grand Street - Brooklyn)

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Starting at 9 p.m., this show's fireworks won't be the city's brightest, but the mood will be. And you'll definitely still be able to see explosions coloring the sky.

Watching the fireworks at Grand Ferry Park has one very obvious perk: it's free.

It also won't be packed, and will be gorgeous. Find a spot on the Park's north side to lay out your blanket and revel in the glory spinning around in the sky.

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6. Penthouse 808 at Ravel Hotel (8-80 Queens Plaza)

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Tickets are required for this rooftop bash, so snag 'em here.

There are indoor and outdoor bars on this slammin' rooftop, and plenty of 360 degree views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Which does mean this party will be an awesome spot for firework views.

They will also have live DJs jamming until the sunrise.

Early bird tickets are sold out, so get your observation deck tickets now before they sell out too! They're $125, which we know is hefty, but it comes with a dynamite view and a gourmet BBQ that will likely be delicious.


7. Brooklyn Cyclones Stadium (1904 Surf Avenue - Brooklyn)

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The Brooklyn Cyclones are taking on the Williamsport Crosscutters on Saturday evening, and yes, fireworks will ignite the stadium's skies right after the game.

So if you love baseball and you want to avoid the psychotic hustling for space to watch the fireworks along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts, you should purchase tickets to this baseball game.

Head to Coney Island and rejoice in America's Independence by taking yourself out to the ball game. Also, it's Country Music Night at MCU Park, if that peaks your interest any more than we already have.

Tickets are under $20 too, and you can get them here.


8. Gantry Plaza State Park (4-09 47th Road - Long Island City)

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If you were planning to head to Hunters Point South Park to watch the fireworks, redirect your viewing plants to Gantry Plaza State Park, as NBC is cordoning Hunters Point South Park off so they can film the lightshow.

Never fear, though, because Gantry Plaza State Park is slated to be a gorgeous spot to view the show. It's a beautiful, large park, which happens to be home to the iconic Pepsi-Cola sign.

The view of the Manhattan skyline and the Queensboro Bridge from this park is amazing, and a perfect front row spot to watch the fireworks. Head to this park with a blanket and some sneaky wine on the earlier side to assure you snag a seat.


9. Brooklyn Heights Promenade

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Commonly heralded as one of the most romantic spots in NYC, Brooklyn Heights Promenade is nestled between flower beds, trees, benches, playgrounds, and of course the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Which means that yes, it will be an all-star spot to watch this year's fireworks. Seeing the vibrant colors exploding beside the Statue of Liberty will be all too iconic, and so representative of America's Independence.

The surrounding area has amazing cuisine to snag dinner in beforehand, too. We recommend Dellarocco's Pizza (214 Hicks Street) and Clarks Corner (80 Clark Street).

Check out Staying Local? 7 Incredibly Epic Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in NYC.

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