How do you Americans celebrate the 4th of July?

Question

> What is a typical 4th of July day for a normal family or person in the States?

> Is the Forth of July considered a family celebration where relatives and family get together? or is it normal to celebrate it together with other people such as friends etc.

> As a foreignor comming to visit the states during this time, in New York, what would you suggest him to to or go on this?

:: Thankz fr any help I can get on this! :)

Answer 1

In New York we love fireworks!
There are different places to go see the fireworks.
Here are some places you can see the fireworks from in New York City:
East River -- FDR Drive
You can see the Macy's fireworks from any place in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens with a view of the East River. In Manhattan, the FDR Drive will be closed to traffic for public fireworks viewing from 14th to 42nd Streets. Pedestrian access to the viewing area will be at 23rd, 38th and 42nd Streets.

It gets crowded, so get there early (by 7 pm if you want a good spot) and bring chairs or a blanket to spread out and whatever other supplies you need to enjoy the wait (water, food, iPods, etc.). The FDR Drive will eventually turn into a giant New York City block party. Just make sure you hit the loo before you get there – there are no public facilities on the FDR drive. And be prepared to spend some time getting home. It takes a while for the crowd to thin out.

South Street Seaport
Join the River to River Festival for a special fireworks viewing party at the South Street Seaport. You'll be able to see the pyrotechnics from all three fireworks locations. Pedestrian access to the FDR at the South Street Seaport is from Pearl Street only.

Roosevelt Island
Enjoy smaller crowds and a fabulous fireworks view on Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island July 4th Fireworks Festival offers guaranteed seating, with chairs provided for all ticket-holders. You’ll also find a food court and pre-fireworks entertainment (including music and face-painting). Tickets are $18 and available online. Remember, the Roosevelt Island tram is currently out of service, but you can take the F train to Roosevelt Island (take the Queens bound F one stop from 63rd St./Lexington Ave.)

Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park in Jersey City offers terrific views of the fireworks. From the North Cove Marina, directly in front of the World Financial Center, you can take the Water Taxi to the Liberty Landing Marina located in Liberty State Park.

Long Island City
Long Island City hosts an annual Fireworks Festival featuring music, food, games, and a great view of the Macy’s Fireworks display. The Festival takes place at the Hunter's Point Pier (Borden Ave & 5th St). Find out more about viewing the Macy's fireworks from Queens.

Empire State Building
Watch the Macy's Fireworks from the top of the Empire State Building. Tickets are $175 and are limited to the first 150 people. Admission includes an open bar and snacks. Purchase tickets by calling 212-736-3100 or 877-NYC-VIEW.

The Circle Line
On the Circle Line's July 4th cruise, you'll get a close-up look at Lady Liberty, then anchor for an awesome view of the fireworks from the river. A DJ will provide entertainment, and a cash bar and buffet dinner will be offered. The ship departs at 5:30 pm from the South Street Seaport at Pier 16 and returns at 11 pm. Tickets are $65. Call 212-269-5755 or 866-9CLINE1 for reservations or more information.

But PLEASE go very early! It can get very very very crowded!You could also see the fireworks on tv but nothing is better than seeing them in person.

People also get together with family and friends (no preference really) to have barbeques. Most people have a fourth of July party where they'll have a barbeques in their back yard, drink beer and relax.

Some people also like to use the day to go to the beach but it can get crowded.

Enjoy your first 4th of July!

Answer 2

There are a lot of different ways that people celebrate the fourth of july. What I would consider a typical celebration is that the family will get together at some sort of gathering, like a picnic, often with the extended family - or just some good friends (I suppose it depends on where your family lives - for extended - mostly its just spending time with people you care about, which can vary from group to group). Some people choose to have games, or hold other traditions.
There is also often a parade that happens earlier in the day, and the town/city will have some sort of fourth of july celebration events going on throughout the day. One city that I lived in had a sort of flee market going that day, as well as a mini carnival.
There is almost always fireworks at night, usually starting at around 9 o'clock, but that depends on when the sun goes down. This doesn't happen in every town, usually the small towns in one area will gather together for a single fireworks celebration. The fireworks (the different places that I have gone) usually take place where the people are sitting on a hill by a body of water (usually a lake) and the fireworks "explode" over the water.
I am not from around New York, but I suppose that they have a fairly similar set up. I would recomend going to a parade if they are hosting one (free candy, plus something to do for a while) and going to the fireworks (some displays are really fascinating, I think more so if you know the science behind them).
there is usually a lot of different activities going on during the fourth of july, so I don't suspect that a visitor would be lacking in things to do.

Answer 3

Most Americans celebrate the Fourth with their families, but it isn't necessarily like Christmas or Thanksgiving, where the activity is focused around their home. Instead, many families go camping, swimming, boating, or go on "small vacations" over that weekend. If you are going to be in New York City, one of the really "american" things you could do to get a taste of American culture is to make the short trip to Boston, and try to catch the annual July 4th Concert of The Boston Pops Orchestra on the Esplanade. There are thousands of people who attend this, and just bring a basket lunch and blankets to sit on....it is an outdoor concert. Or, catch a baseball game in either of those two cities. Good luck, and hope you have a great (and safe) time

Answer 4

Personally I like to set off fireworks in celebration of the 4th of July! Either that or go somewhere to view a large show of them. Typically there's cook outs, where you cook BBQ on a grill and family get togethers outdoors. Normally it's celebrated with at least a few friends. However if that's not possible, then proceed to celebrate in any fashion you want to. Some only dress in red/white/blue for work or when they go out and that's their way of celebrating.

Answer 5

The typical 4th of July holiday is spent enjoying time with family and friends at a barbecue. Followed by watching a spectacular display of fireworks that evening. Many people also head out to the beaches and celebrate there. It just depends on what you want to do...either way just have fun and enjoy! :)

Answer 6

I think celebrations vary greatly by region, age, etc. etc. Tons of factors. If you're going to be in NYC, look for some nice fireworks displays. I am sure there will be some.

To hit your specific questions.

My family has been at a beach in North Carolina the past 8 years for the fourth. We cook out (I usually smoke up some pork, ribs, etc). We drink a lot. We sit on the porch till it gets dark and people all up and down the beach start shooting off fireworks. Sometimes people out in boats shoot some off as well. It's always a real laid back and relaxing evening.

I don't think this is necessarily typical, but is fairly common. family. food. fireworks.

Answer 7

The usual practice is to get together with friends and/or family, have a big barbecue in the back yard, drink too much, and then set off fireworks (or go watch a fireworks show, as fireworks are often banned in residential areas).

Alcohol and explosives -- what a combination!

Personally, when I lived in California, I liked to use the holiday to visit amusement parks like Disneyland -- if everyone at home grilling hamburgers, the lines are usually a lot shorter for the rides!

Answer 8

a typical 4th of july day for families is basically just hangin out all day and then at night the fireworks start, usually theres a lot of huge parties were rich people buy a ton of fireworks and light them off. its a lot of fun.

4th of july isnt like christmas, its not really a familly holiday

Answer 9

be sure to find a local lake that will be havind a fire works display. Either barbeque with your family or set up a big shin_dig for your friends. you will see as you begin to envite people they will also envite people so have some fun yard games ready like horseshoes and to make it more fun ,make the game a short tournament with a prize at the end you can have the prize being a potluck that every one has pitched into results ending up that the winners usually split 100 dollars. you will have so many people turn out that nexy years you will want to print up fliers. we ended up having over 500 and had a blasy especially finding all the loot they left behind while we were cleaning up the next morning. Have funn Welcome to America

Answer 10

we celebrate with everyone...it is usually a family and friends celebration, where everyone is welcome. Oftentimes this involves grilling food and drinking beer! It is usually very festive and often the celebration will go all night.

I can't say too much about what happens specifically in Ney York, but i'm sure they will have fireworks displays all over the city....I know Chicago does(thats where I live)

Have fun when you get here, i'll shoot a bottle rocket for ya.