4th of July in NYC

So my boyfriend throws this crazy idea of going to see the fireworks in NYC.  Of course I agreed to this insane idea.  When we arrive in NYC we walked straight to Lombardi's for lunch.

 

Neither of us were there before, but we've heard very good things about their pizza so decided to try it.  We ordered some fresh mozzarella and tomatoes with red peppers as appetizers (after Matt suggested bread sticks... before eating pizza on a very hot day.)  For our main course, sausage pizza.

 

Delicious! 

After Lombardi's we traveled to another destination neither of us have been to: the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

We did not make it to the other side... but we were on it.

Around 4:30 we made it to our first destination (around 23rd St.) where we thought we'd be able to watch the fireworks.  We got moved.

So we walked down a few blocks and found an open bench at the end of Chelsea Piers (17th St.,) sat there for a good 2 hours, talked to a slightly crazy lady, and got moved again.  We asked where we COULD go and they answer, "Between 56th and 63rd is open."  So, frustratedly we took the subway up to 59th St. and found home on the highway at 57th St.

The sunset was very gorgeous.

The crowd was vast with a wide variety of people... I encountered many French people that day... I wish I knew some French other than bon jour.  We had a really nice family next to us with three adorable little girls.  The youngest two started cheering "Fireworks! Fireworks!" when they saw police lights across the water in Jersey.  Their mom replied, "Oh honey, that's just New Jersey."  I suppose disappointment of that state starts young.  (Just joking.  I vacation in Jersey every year.  It holds a special place in my heart.)  

The real fireworks were fantastic!  6 different stations simultaneously shooting fireworks.  Very cool!  Here's a little video.  Including crowd sound effects... and some from me.

One of the coolest points of the day was when we got to walk in the streets of the city.

 (Epic blurry crowd scene.)

I highly suggested seeing these fireworks at least once.  The crowd is gargantuan, but fairly polite (at least the people I encountered.)  Be sure to bring something to pass the time like a book or DS or cards.  A blanket or something to sit on is another good thing to bring... I had to use my jacket.

4th of July in NYC = success!  :)