Ladies!! July in New York is absolutely amazing🎆
This summer in New York perfectly coincided with a huge year—the 250th anniversary of the United States, the World Cup final, and the 50th anniversary of the Macy’s fireworks show. The whole city was insanely lively, with celebrations everywhere on the streets. I had an absolute blast‼️
First, how to get from the airport to the city🚕
Newark Airport (EWR) is the closest to Manhattan. Taking the AirTrain and transferring to the NJ Transit train to Penn Station costs only $17 and takes 30 minutes. From JFK Airport, take the AirTrain and transfer to the E subway line to Midtown, which takes just over an hour and costs $11.15. LaGuardia has no direct subway access; you can take the Q70 bus to transfer to the subway or take an Uber, which costs about $35–60 depending on traffic. I personally found Newark the most hassle-free👌
🏨The place I stayed this time
📍Located in West Village near the Hudson River side. The window view overlooks the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline across the water. At sunset, the whole river turns golden🌅
📍It’s a one-bedroom with a terrace facing west. In the evening, I laid out a mat and watched the sun slowly set across the river. The silhouette of the Statue of Liberty faintly appeared in the distance. That scene still comes to mind when I close my eyes✨
📍Right downstairs are the cobblestone alleys of West Village, surrounded by independent bookstores and boutique coffee shops. A few steps away is the south entrance to the High Line Park. The location is truly unbeatable
July 4 | Independence Day | 250th anniversary + Macy’s fireworks show
July 4 this year was the highlight of highlights🇺🇸
The 250th anniversary of the United States and the 50th anniversary of the Macy’s fireworks show were celebrated at full scale! Fireworks launched simultaneously from both the East River and Hudson River sides. Official recommended viewing spots include Brooklyn Bridge Park, the East River waterfront walkway, and Hudson River Park.
I arrived two hours early at Brooklyn Bridge Park and secured a spot facing Midtown Manhattan. When the fireworks exploded between the Empire State Building and One Vanderbilt, tens of thousands around me screamed at the same time. The shock was beyond words😭😭😭
⚠️Key point: The subway runs until 2 AM that night, but with the huge crowd leaving, walking back across the bridge to Manhattan is actually faster
July 19 | World Cup final day
This year’s World Cup final was held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, right next to New York🏆
No tickets for the game? No problem! Central Park’s Great Lawn hosted the city’s largest public viewing party with three huge LED screens streaming the match. There was a DJ warming up the crowd and local New York food stalls. About 50,000 people watched the game together⚽
Times Square and the Hudson River waterfront also had giant viewing screens, creating an incredible atmosphere. I chose Central Park, and the feeling of cheering with tens of thousands of people is unforgettable
Brooklyn deep walk route🚶♀️
Day 1: Williamsburg → Bushwick → Prospect Park
Bedford Ave in Williamsburg is the hub for New York’s artsy youth, full of vintage shops, vinyl record stores, and independent designer studios🎨 The weekend Smorgasburg outdoor food market runs from April to October with over 70 stalls. The longest lines are for Mighty Quinn’s barbecue and Red Hook lobster rolls—definitely try them
Take the L train two stops from Williamsburg to Bushwick, which is like an open-air graffiti art gallery🎨 The walls along the streets are covered with world-class street art. Every photo looks like a masterpiece
In the afternoon, picnic at Prospect Park. This park is much less crowded than Central Park. The Long Meadow lawn by the lake stretches nearly a mile and is a local secret summer retreat🌿
Day 2: DUMBO → Brooklyn Heights → Red Hook
After taking the classic shot of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street in DUMBO, walk south along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade riverwalk🚶♀️
This walkway is built along a cliff and offers a full view of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Walking here in the evening with the river breeze is incredibly relaxing
Continue south to Red Hook, a hidden gem neighborhood often overlooked by tourists⚓ It has New York’s best Italian handmade ice cream shop, Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie, and an IKEA built inside an old warehouse—yes, the only IKEA in New York is in Red Hook, and it’s the smallest IKEA in the world, very quirky and photogenic
Metropolitan Museum deep visit guide🏛️
Tickets are $30. Closed on Wednesdays. Open Sunday to Thursday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday extended to 9:00 PM
My tested best route: head straight to the Egyptian Dendur Temple on the first floor (the entire temple was moved inside, very impressive) → pass through the Greek and Roman galleries → go upstairs to see Chinese Buddhist art and the Ming-style Suzhou garden pavilion → European oil painting galleries (Monet’s Water Lilies and Van Gogh’s self-portrait are here) → finish at the rooftop garden, which features contemporary art installations in July and offers a panoramic view of Central Park🌳
⚠️Friday and Saturday evenings are half as crowded with amazing lighting and atmosphere, highly recommended!
How to choose an observation deck❓
I visited all three major New York observation decks. Here’s a direct comparison👇
🔸Empire State Building 86th floor: from $44, open-air platform with strong wind but unbeatable classic vibe. Open until midnight in summer. Best for night views
🔸Top of the Rock: about $55, offers a direct view of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Best spot for full Empire State Building photos
🔸Summit One Vanderbilt: from $48, all-glass space with glass floors, the most modern and photogenic, but long lines in peak season
If I had to pick one, I’d choose Top of the Rock at sunset to watch the sun set over New Jersey and see Manhattan change from gold to blue-purple. That image is etched in my DNA💜
🔑Additional tips:
1️⃣There are many free outdoor events on New York streets in July. Bryant Park has weekly concerts and movies. Governors Island is accessible by free ferry
2️⃣Walk the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn for the best unfolding views
3️⃣Same-day discount tickets for Broadway shows can be bought at the TKTS red booths, up to 50% off. There’s one in Times Square and one at Lincoln Center
4️⃣The American Museum of Natural History tickets are $30. The new Gilder Center’s immersive experience is perfect for photos
5️⃣July in New York is humid and feels hot. Bring plenty of water daily. Fire hydrants spray water to cool off, a classic New York summer scene💦
This summer in New York gave me so much—the once-in-250-years celebration, the World Cup final, and nights watching fireworks with tens of thousands of people… every moment shines brightly in my heart✨
14°
