New York City's Fourth of July festivities: a celebration like no other

The Fourth of July may only be celebrated in the United States but America's Independence is well known throughout the world. Over the years, the Fourth of July has morphed into one of the world's most dazzling celebrations, with cities and towns across the States embarking on ambitious firework displays that draw visitors from across the globe.

Almost more than any other city, New York is well practiced in holding breathtaking Fourth of July festivities. Macy's fireworks are, without doubt, a main fixture in the city's calendar of annual celebrations. The display incorporates over 80,000 separate stunning explosions - from bursting comets and glittering gems to giant silver swallows and more. Traditionally lit from the East River, the celebrations usually begin at 7pm and last for hours. Moreover, New York's unique cityscape means that there are a variety of great locations from which the fireworks can be viewed.The FDR Drive in Manhattan is one of the most popular viewing spots, while smaller crowds can be found on Roosevelt Island and Liberty State Park.

New York's Fourth of July celebrations aren't confined to the day itself; in fact, the days leading up to Independence Day offer both New Yorkers and visitors to the city a range of interesting attractions and opportunities for revelry. For instance, the Brooklyn Independence Day Parade takes place every year a few days before the event and incorporates marching bands, pipe and drum players and a crowd of patriotic New Yorkers! The event usually ends with a ceremonial flag presentation and a salute to the parade's Grand Master.

You'll also be able to take a pre-fireworks presidential walking tour through Greenwich Village and the Gramercy Park area. This guided tour explores locations associated with Presidents Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Wilson and Washington and traverses the city. The New York Philharmonic Orchestra also poses a yearly tribute to New York on the days leading up to the Fourth of July, with rousing renditions of musical pieces related to New York.

Ultimately, of course, New York's Fourth of July celebrations would be incomplete without one of its 'tastiest' attractions: Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest! Thousands of spectators flock to Nathan's famous Coney Island hot dog stand every year to see which of the competition's brave contestants will be able to gobble down as many hot dogs as possible in the 12-minute time frame. In 2007, Joey Chestnut beat Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi, the competition's previous winner for six consecutive years, setting a world record of 66 hot dogs eaten - so viewers at Nathan's hot dog eating contest can be sure of an entertaining spectacle every year!

With so many regular flights to New York departing from airports across Britain, there's plenty of opportunity to visit the city over the Fourth of July celebrations. Moreover, with a flight time of little over eight hours, there's no need to make your holiday a long one. A three or four-day city break in New York over the Independence Day celebrations is sure to provide ample time for you to enjoy a unique holiday experience - one that you won't be able to encounter anywhere else!

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.