Categories: Travel & Events; Local & Entertainment

Celebrate Fourth of July in New York City

By Chelsea
updated 3 months ago

When I was younger Fourth of July was all about; obnoxious red, white and blue outfits, hot dogs, and SPARKLERS! As I got older not much changed, the outfits got a little less obnoxious, the hot dogs were accompanied by a beer and the fireworks got bigger. Fourth of July has a different meaning in New York City, ever since 9-11 people have bonded together in an entirely different way and Fourth of July is the chance when they all come together and celebrate their country and the tragedy they went through together. People are relaxed, busting out the grills and banging pots and pans (wait- is that New Years?) some may think it's tricky to celebrate without the huge backyard and space to set stuff on fire....I'll show you a way!

It can get tricky........

When you live in an apartment. I think people generally associate Fourth of July with SPACE. Space where they can run about, (very unsafely) half inebriated, with matches. The layout of New York doesn’t really give you that option, that is why you must make friends with those who have rooftop decks. Oh yeah, I’m shallow like that…..lighting a sparkler in my apartment would blow the whole thing to pieces. That being said, when there’s a party on the rooftop you better be prepared to bring something. Pot Luck style baby!!!

Even if you and your friends are just meeting in the park to have a Fourth of July picnic, here are some patriotic recipes that will have people thinking you’re Uncle Sam.

PEACH COBBLER

I have a friend, (who happens to be one of my favorite friends due to her cooking) who always brings peach cobbler to EVERY BBQ, and every single time, without fail, it goes faster than the liquor does. And my friends know how to drink. Courtesy of Paula Deen (my favorite Southern woman) here’s a cobbler recipe that will make everyone your new best friend.

Ingredients
4 cups peeled,
sliced peaches
2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup water
8 tablespoons
butter
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Ground cinnamon,
optional

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the peaches, 1 cup
sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer
for
10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Put the butter in a 3-quart baking
dish and place in oven to melt
Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour
mixture over melted
butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring
in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon,
if using. Batter will rise to
top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.
To serve, scoop onto a
plate and serve with your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice

cream.

FIREWORKS

Since it’s illegal and all to set off your own, you must leave it in the hands of the professionals. Or, you could break the law and talk about “that one Fourth of July where you ended up in the clinker” that would be a good story to tell the kids.

Fireworks have been used long before the American Revolutionary War as a mean to CELEBRATE and then on the very first INDEPENDENCE DAY! George Washington used them for his inauguration and now, they’re a popular staple at Disneyland (I had to throw that in there.)

The point; fireworks are entertaining, and we’d like all of you to keep your phalanges, so PLEASE don’t try this at home.

HOT DOGS

ONE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS. That’s right and yes, I know that is disgusting…..but if somewhere were to make a bet with me about competing in a hot god eating contest, I would gladly compete.

Also knowns as a frankfurter wurst, or a weinerwurst, obviously these delicacies didn’t originate from America, where exactly is arguable but I’m gonna go with Germany or Austria. Germans brought them to the ballpark and to Coney Island and WE have since claimed them as ours.

Nathan’s Famous is probably the most well known hot dog in the states and since 1916 Nathan’s has held a hot dog eating competition, on July 4th. The contest attracts people from all over the world (who are willing to risk their health and vomit in public) and in 12 minutes they are to consumed as many hot dogs as humanly POSSIBLE.

The current record- 66 dogs.

Bring it.

If you want to get SUPER fancy

BOOK A CRUISE!

Rather than staying in the city, amongst the madness you can jump on a ship and watch the skyline explode with color in peace and quiet. Pretty romantic eh?
There are a variety of ships, for small groups or large parties depending on how CRUNK you plan on getting. Maybe you want a romantic evening or maybe you want all of your friends to get together, drink champagne and risk going overboard. Whatever you decide, as long as no one gets hurt….it’s a good option.

Fraunces Tavern Museum

54 Pearl St, Manhattan, NY 10004

The Fraunces Tavern Museum is housed in the oldest building in New York, built in 1719, which served as a meeting pla...

The Fraunces Tavern Museum is housed in the oldest building in New York, built in 1719, which served as a meeting place for the Sons of Liberty as well as the offices of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War. Artifacts in the museum are drawn from the colonial, revolutionary and early federal times of American history and include antique weapons, paintings and historic documents. The building, which also contains a restaurant and bar, is located a block east of Battery Park and the Clinton Castle Memorial.

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island, New York, NY 10004

The Statue of Liberty, a world famous American icon, was originally gifted to the United States by France in 1886 as ...

The Statue of Liberty, a world famous American icon, was originally gifted to the United States by France in 1886 as a symbol of the friendship, freedom and democracy the two world powers shared. Today, visitors to the 151-foot high statue can take an elevator to the observatory ten stories up, which offers amazing views of New York City. The second floor offers a series of exhibits on the statue and includes the original 1886 torch. The statue is located on Liberty Island, south of Ellis Island, and is only accessible by taking a ferry ride.

MAKE THE FLAG CAKE!

Oh the simple pleasures, this always makes me smile.

Ingredients
Margarine
Flour
1 package (2-layer size) white cake mix
(plus ingredients to make cake-listed on box)
1 package
(4-serving size) JELL-O brand gelatin, any red flavor
1 cup
boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
3 1/2
cups (8-ounce container) Cool Whip brand whipped topping, thawed
1 pint strawberries, washed and sliced
1 cup
blueberries, washed
1 cup Kraft miniature marshmallows

Tools
13 x
9 baking pan
Large fork (two-pronged type)
Medium mixing bowls
Mixer
Measuring cup
Rubber scraper or large
spoon
Large tray or cutting board (must be larger than 13×9
pan)
Table knife
Aluminum foil

DirectionsGrease 13×9 pan with margarine and dust lightly with flour.
Prepare, mix and bake cake mix according to package directions. Cool cake for 15
minutes. With large fork, make holes in cake about every 1/2 inch. Pour gelatin into mixing bowl. Add cup of boiling water and
use scraper to mix thoroughly until gelatin is completely dissolved. Use
measuring cup to pour gelatin over cake. (It will run down into holes, making
sliced cake have red stripes.)

Chill cake in refrigerator 3 to 4 hours.
Cover tray with aluminum foil.
Put about one inch of warm water in kitchen sink. Take pan
out of refrigerator and dip bottom (don’t let water come up over sides) into
water for about 10 seconds. Put large tray on top of cake, and invert.
Frost sides and top with whipped topping. Arrange
strawberries and marshmallows in alternating rows for stripes, leaving upper
left for field of blueberries. Chill again until time to serve.

MacY's

New York, NY 10001

For years Macy’s has put on a fireworks show from different locations around 9pm accompanied but a U.S. Air Force flyover!

More Fireworks and excitement

You can also catch the pretty little explosions here:

The East River- off of 34th st around 7pm.

South Street Seaport- The Pearl St. ramp will allow pedestrian access and FDR will be closed around 7pm.

Roosevelt Island- This show ain’t free folks, $20 bucks is the fare! Though, you are paying for the whole extravaganza; face painting (you could be a tiger or see if they can pull off a Presidential look), BBQ, etc.

Crif Dogs ENT Inc

113 Saint Marks Place, New York, NY 10009

Crif Dogs takes the standard dog and gives it a twist. You can order them with a variety of different toppings and make it more like a sandwich than a dog. If you aren’t as adventurous, there’s still ketchup and mustard- you wuss.

Celebrate the History....

IN A TAVERN, naturally.

Fraunces Tavern Museum was one of the first taverns built in 1762. Samuel Fraunces became good friends with out first President, George Washington and hosted George with dinners and drinks frequently at the tavern. In 1783 George made his farewell address to his officers.
The tavern became a meeting place for those who opposed the crown.
Now you can go to the tavern, celebrate it’s history, have a pint and nice meal….maybe with the ghost of GW?

Balloons To Go

212 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011

If you’re having a 4th of July shindig, you’re going to need some fancy decorations. Centerpieces, patriotic balloons and any type of NOISEMAKERS! Peopl really dig having their own flag to wave about as well….consider it.