| Travellers heading to the United States to experience | | | | snakes through the city. Just make sure you're not |
| the nation's unique celebrations on the Fourth of July | | | | planning on driving through the crowded New York |
| should look no further than New York City, where | | | | streets, as 22nd to 59th Street are all closed to |
| the spirit of independence is passionately celebrated | | | | traffic earlier in the day to prepare for the big event. |
| with an inimitable festival of fireworks, carnivals and | | | | This is the second year in a row that the Hudson |
| feasts. | | | | River has been favoured for the event, having |
| The island of Manhattan is transformed for the annual | | | | switched last year to celebrate the 400th |
| festivities, making a welcome change of pace for | | | | anniversary of the river's discovery by Henry Hudson |
| New York residents and visitors alike. Whether you're | | | | as well as being selected for the superior view it |
| looking to take part in traditional celebrations at | | | | offers to gathered crowds, compared to the East |
| time-honoured locations or for something decidedly | | | | River. This year's explosive event is set to feature |
| different to put a modern spin on the events, visitors | | | | around 40,000 fireworks, synchronised to an eclectic |
| of all ages and backgrounds are sure to find much to | | | | selection of music as diverse as symphony |
| entertain in the City That Never Sleeps. | | | | orchestras and barbershop quartets. |
| Visitors looking to find themselves at the centre of | | | | Those favouring the quirky side of celebrations can |
| the action should consider it a necessity to head to | | | | always find a variety of off-the-wall events to |
| Macy's as the sun sets over the distinctive Manhattan | | | | celebrate Independence Day in New York, one of |
| skyline, when the nation's biggest fireworks | | | | the most notorious being the International Hot Dog |
| spectacular launches at 9.20pm. | | | | Eating Contest at Nathan's on Coney Island. While |
| Launched from six dedicated barges over the Hudson | | | | perhaps not the wisest or most commendable |
| River, onlookers won't be stuck for vantage points | | | | activity, the popular contest is certainly a sight to |
| to take in the spectacular display, which can be seen | | | | behold, and makes for a light-hearted interlude |
| clearly in the skies above the winding river that | | | | between the more serious celebrations. |