Seaport Fireworks, Dining Deals & Island Oases this July

Above photo courtesy of Pier 17
Main photo courtesy of Waterfront Alliance

By: Kristin Heise

Lower Manhattan’s cobblestoned streets are perfect for “anytime” summertime explorations, but we especially love it when you can pair your Downtown adventure with seasonal events as well! From this year’s Fourth of July celebration to restaurant deals and new art installations, our neighborhood is brimming with something fun and new to try this season.

Bookmark the Downtown NYC’s official Events calendar to keep track of additions throughout the summer season 🎇

Fourth of July Celebrations including the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® – July 4
We’re thrilled that this year’s Macy’s Annual Fourth of July Fireworks® show returns to the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in five years! Pier 17 has one of (if not the best) fireworks viewing vantage point. There are two official entry points for access to the FDR Drive in Lower Manhattan to watch the fireworks: Broad Street & Water Street and Pearl Street & Dover Street.

Lower Manhattan Historical Association Independence Day March and George Washington Letter Reading – July 4,  Various times
The Lower Manhattan Historical Association’s (LMHA) fifth annual Independence March through Lower Manhattan starts at 11:45a with an opening ceremony behind Castle Clinton. The march kicks off at noon. City Council Member Margaret Chin will serve as Grand Marshall.

At 3p, the LMHA, along with the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, American Sephardic Federation and the Temple of Universal Judaism, will host a ceremonial reading at Fraunces Tavern of George Washington’s 1790 letter to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island. Considered one of the most important documents in American history, Washington wrote that the U.S. will “give no bigotry, no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Get Low 2019 – Every Tuesday night
Our summertime dining deal provides 20% off dinner for two at a new restaurant within our district each Tuesday until Labor Day. This month’s lineup boasts 5 weeks of good choices, beginning with Blue Smoke BPC (7/2), followed by Temple Court (7/9), MarkJoseph Steakhouse (7/16), Cobble & Co. (7/23), Blue Park Kitchen (7/30).

Tepkik by Jordan Bennett at Brookfield Place NY – July 9-Sept. 6 @ 8a-10p; Free
Jordan Bennett is a Mi’kmaq visual artist from Stephenville Crossing, Ktaqamkuk (Newfoundland). His new site-specific art installation at the Winter Garden in Brookfield Place combines Mi’kmaq ancestral and contemporary traditions with a powerful depiction of the Milky Way. We recommend visiting a few times during the course of its run to fully enjoy the celestial centerpiece in every light and weather.

Summer events on Governors Island – Various times
Events on Governors Island are in full swing and well-worth the 5-minute ferry ride. All month long there’s an impressive line-up of outdoor, creative and interactive events—not to mention a great sunset scene thanks to their extended weekend ferry schedule and Island Oyster’s viewing vantage point. Program highlights for this month include:

• Rite of Summer: Sandbox Percussion (July 6 @ 1-4p) – A powerful visual and aural concert with music composers and performers, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum and Terry Sweeney.
• Outdoor film: After Hours (July 12 @ 6-11p) – This month’s outdoor film screening features Martin Scorcese’s After Hours, a dark comedy classic that follows the NYC based protagonist’s misadventures while making his way home.
• The 9th Annual New York City Poetry Festival (July 27-28 @ 11a-5p) – The annual festival features poets from over 75 poetry organizations on three main stages, a Vendor’s Village comprised of local booksellers, artists and craft makers, food stations, a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery, poetry-inspired installation art throughout, and other poetic festivities.

CITY OF WATER DAY on Piers 16 & 17 – July 13 @ 10a-4p
From cardboard kayaks to musical performances, our friends at the Waterfront Alliance and Seaport District will be hosting a variety of free, all ages waterfront activities to celebrate our region’s 1,600 miles of coastline and raise awareness for the importance of preserving and protecting our city’s waterfront resources.

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