Sunday, July 6, 2008

4th of July Celebration and Waterfalls Art Project in New York City

My husband and I went to downtown Manhattan on the 4th of July to enjoy some of the holiday festivities, and to watch the Macy's fireworks display from his office building that evening.

After we parked our car we saw some of New York City's police receiving their orders for holiday crowd control. (all photos click to enlarge)

We walked along the East River towards South Street Seaport. The building on the left is where my husband works, and the elevated structure in front is part of the FDR highway that will be closed to traffic to allow the large crowds to gather on it to watch the fireworks that are launched from a large barge in the East River.
Already crowds are gathering at South Street Seaport, one of the viewing areas for the two different locations for the Macy's fireworks displays.
We also viewed a new public art project called "The New York City Waterfalls," which are four man made recycled water waterfalls conceived by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, which range from 90 to 120 feet in height, and will run from June 26 to Oct. 13, each day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Below is the one between Piers 4 and 5 near the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

The next one is located near the north shore of Governors Island.
The next one we saw was at Pier 35, just north of the Manhattan Bridge.
The next three photos are of the waterfall located at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge.


The waterfalls look so refreshing, don't they?

We then walked along a holiday street fair at Water Street, where there were many food vendors and concessions.

We decided to have dinner at Carmine's Italian Seafood restaurant on Front & Beekman Street.

This little restaurant is over 100 years old and has an unpretentious, old time ambiance.

Their zuppa di pesce (fish stew) served over linguini was delicious!

Here are some different views of the seaport as the evening approached, and the crowds grew.




Luckily, the building where my husband's company is located was open, and we were able to go inside to view the fireworks from a company conference room whose windows faced the East River and the fireworks barge.

This was our view looking east towards the South Street Seaport piers and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is about 7:30 PM, and already the crowds are amassing on the elevated street to get a good viewpoint of the fireworks barge.
The fireworks began at almost 9:30 and lasted a half hour. They were spectacular, although my photos taken through the conference room windows came out blurry If you'd like to see some more views of the 2008 NYC Macy's fireworks you can go to the
New York Times fireworks slide show, or watch a nice YouTube video of them here

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy and safe holiday!

39 comments:

Alexandra MacVean said...

I enjoyed reading your blog this morning. This was the first year that I/we were not able to make the fireworks and it was tough! But, I've been terribly sick all week and haven't had the strength to get out and about. (more tests tomorrow). Anyway, I loved scrolling through and reading about the beautiful waterfalls and seeing a glimpse of this year's fireworks. Thank you very much for sharing.

Baby Vagabond said...

What a wonderful day you had! And, a VIP spot to watch the fireworks. How cool!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Pat!
Wow! You had the best seat in NYC for the fireworks!
The waterfalls are so unexpected. It's a very refreshing sound, I love to see them.
Great post! I love how you take us with you since you are in such a fabulous city. Thanks Pat!
HUgs, Sherry

Tara said...

Hi Pat

Wow--were you all busy! I feel like I was with you for the whole thing! Carmine's is so wonderful!

:0)
Tara

Beverly said...

Pat, I was watching those fireworks with you, but I was watching them on telelvision.

The fireworks were just amazing, but I was disappointed in the telecast. They need to cut off the speakers in the crowds because you can't hear the accompanying music because of the crowd noise. I love the way the fireworks are synchronized to the music, but the audio needs tweaking.

I told my husband that it must be incredible to be there watching. We used to go to a building where I worked to watch the fireworks, too.

Anonymous said...

Ahh! The city! Fireworks, great Italian food, and the waterfall is spectacular!

Dorothy said...

Awesome post Pat..thanks for dragging us along through your beautiful city...the fireworks I know were fantastic...good blessings...Dee Dee

Joanne Kennedy said...

I have been waiting for this post! I knew you wouldn't let me down! Thanks.

I love seeing all the people out and about to celebrate being an American. It's so heart warming.

What a PERFECT spot to watch the fireworks. You guys had it made it that office. I don't think you could have asked for a better location.

Tell your husband I want to come with him next year. LOL

Those waterfalls are pretty. At first it was strange to see a waterfall out of no where but then the more I looked at them the more I liked that fact. I think that is what makes them so special. You would never expect to see them where they are placed.

Oh you always make me long to live there. If you only knew how misplaced I feel. I so belong in New York.

Hugs to you.
Joanne

Vee said...

Now that's something I've always wanted to do...see the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade; do Christmas shopping in NYC; and see the fireworks over the Harbor. Ahhh! Thanks, Pat!

(Yes, I think we do have similar hair and we may even have similar figure types, though you're the svelte one!)

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
I enjoyed your pictures and comments on your 4th of July in NYC! You have a way of writing that helps you readers 'exerience' the event first hand!
Thanks for your visit to my blog, and your sweet comments. So you think I need the hall tree??? Hmmmm....maybe your right!

Betsy Brock said...

So fun...thanks for letting us all tag along! :)

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Looks like you two had a great day of it!! Carmine's looks yummy!!

Grand Life said...

We've already added the "Waterfalls" as a must see on our trip in September. Also the Fairway market looks great. My friend in Greenwich goes to Fairway up on the Upper West Side and is always talking about how great it is. Two years in a row I've had to buy a sweatshirt at Seaport because it was colder that I thought when I left the apartment. You'd think I would learn. Have a great week.
Judy

steviewren said...

Pat, as always your blog is so much fun to read. Your picture of the Brooklyn Bridge is my favorite. Love the waterfall art. Beautiful. Your conference room seating for the fireworks was probably one of the best seats in the house. You and hubby had it made! Thanks again for taking me along.

p.s. What exactly is zuppa di pesce?

Elizabeth said...

Cool pictures of the fountains!
I took some today but haven't looked at them yet.I enjoyed the picture of the cops too - always so many of them.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

HI everyone!
Thanks for all the nice comments! It was a lot of fun, and I hope to do it again next year!

StevieWren -- "Zuppa di Pese" is a Italian fish stew -- it can be made with many types of fish and shellfish this had clams mussels,shrimp, calamri(squid), and scallops. It is usually cooked in a tomato sauce and served in a bowl over thick toasted Italian bread or on a platter with linguini. I love it -- thanks for asking!

Willow said...

Oh, the water falls are amazing! Thanks for sharing your NYC fireworks!

Heidi said...

Hi Pat...Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!...I just thoroughly enjoyed your post about the Macy's fireworks!!!!As I said before, we LOVE Manhattan, so it was extra special to see all your photos! Thank you so much for sharing your day with us!....Heidi XO

Strider said...

Interesting post as always! Thanks again for the tour.

PAT said...

Wonderful post as usual, Pat.

What a great vantage point for viewing fireworks!

The waterfalls are amazing, just simply amazing!
I enjoyed all the photos. Have a wonderful week!
Pat

Unknown said...

Hello Pat, so many wonderful pictures and so many people too. Glad that you had a wonderful time! You seem to be travelling around New York very often, how fun! Hugs always :)

Just A Girl said...

Hi Pat,
How wonderful to be able to be in the thick of it. We spent the 4th with friends from church and I asked if anyone knew if we had parades in this part of the U.S. I guess they do in south county. I don't think I've evr been to a 4th of July parade, but thanks for sharing yours. I'll bet you had a great view.
:) Cori

Kathy said...

Pat, it looks like your had a great time to, with an equally good viewing point. Carmines looks great and the food my husband would love, I really like the waterfalls to. hugs, Kathy.
Oh and I just saw the YOUTUBE video, Macy's firework display was stunning. K. Hope the policemen had an easy night to.

K.C. said...

I live in a small town in Mississippi, so the music along with your pictures was so wonderful to show the scenes of the celebration in New York. You really gave us a great sense of the day... Thank you.. Kayce

nanatrish said...

Great post! I love it when you show us the sights of your wonderful city. I think the waterfalls are great. It looks like you had a fun day. You had a special view of the fireworks. Fun memories!

Anonymous said...

Once again, I just adored your NYC post----oh, to be in the conference room looking at the wonderful fireworks display!!! You lucky duck, you! THE STONE RABBIT has an award for you, Pat. He's waiting for you to hop on over!!

steviewren said...

Although I heard about it from you first, I thought you might like to know that there is a write up in our Sunday Paper about the Waterfalls Art Project. The article features a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge that looks as if you might have taken it.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Great post, great food, great view!! What a fun night you and your Hubby had. I've been seeing those waterfalls on tv, they look so cool! You have such a dynamic city! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That's a lot of folks. I stayed close to home, which was practically empty because everyone went out of town for the holiday weekend. Nice to see you had a nice celebration. Enjoyed looking at your photos.

Paz

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat glad you had a lovely weekend. Those waterfalls look wonderful -great that you captured them. And then on top of all that the fireworks. Thanks for sharing a beautiful day and night.

Tess Kincaid said...

Hey Pat...it's another meme...want to play some tag? You're it!!

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your Summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

Barb said...

Hi Pat,

What a wonderful 4th you had. I watched the macy's fireworks on tv and then went out in the yard to watch our local fireworks.

The waterfall is incredible. What a sight that must be in person.

Thank you for a fun visit.

hugs,
Barb

Alexandra MacVean said...

Pat, hope you are having a good day!! =)

Nana Trish is Living the Dream said...

Thanks for coming by. That was a hoot about your husband and mother and the accordion war. As Lavinia said earlier, accordion players were geeky. Yes, that is probably why I really didn't want to play it. Oh well, a-one and a-two!

Rue said...

Hi Pat :)

Hey what is Rich doing there in his uniform?! Do you see him on the balcony?? ;)

Wonderful pictures! You certianly had the best view :)

Have a great night!
hugs,
rue

Louise said...

It looks like you enjoyed the 4th of July celebrations. I'd love to have these events on my doorstep. Nothing as huge as this happens here outside the city. You had a great viewpoint from your husband's workplace. I would say the best seats in the house! x

Gina said...

Glad you both had such a special time.. can't get over that crowd though!! Great that you could escape the masses and have the best view of the fireworks..what an awesome display! Enjoy your week :D Gx

Picket said...

Morning friend...wow looks like you had a fantastic 4th!!! Hope all is well with you and yours this day and that you are having a great week!

katylinvw said...

oooo i'm so jealous! we watched the macy's fireworks - from the couch in iowa :) hopefully one of these days i'll see them up close and personal