If you’re spending the 4th of July in New York, a fireworks cruise may be the best way to celebrate it. NYC’s 4th of July cruises guarantee you a relaxed evening with unobstructed views of the fireworks. No need to go through the hassle of securing a spot in the crowded areas. 

Are you in a hurry? Here you can 👉 compare all 4th of July cruises, these are 👉 my personal recommendations and here you find 👉 all details of the 4th of July cruises.

The 4th of July cruises are very popular and the number of seats are limited – the tickets sell out very quickly!

All 4th of July Cruises in NYC at a glance

Want a quick overview of available 4th of July cruises? Then check out my comparison here:

My recommendations

Which 4th of July cruise in New York is the best?

We have tried many cruises over the years. Some, unfortunately, were disappointing and way too expensive for what you got (so these are not represented in my best list).

We can personally recommend these three 4th of July cruises:

We always had a great time on these 3 boat tours.

Details on each 4th of July cruise in NYC

If you are still unsure of which 4th of July fireworks cruise is the best pick for you and your party, you can find more information on each 4th of July Fireworks Cruise in NYC below. Please note that the fireworks are typically launched around 9 pm.

1. 01

   Bateaux New York 4th of July Fireworks Dinner Cruise

   Cruise
   in
   Chelsea

   Our Highlight

   

   Come aboard the Bateaux New York, a fully glass-enclosed, luxury dining cruise for your Fourth of July celebrations! A five-hour upscale dining cruise on the Hudson River includes a delicious three-course plated dinner with attentive table side service. Take in the panoramic, breathtaking views of the infamous New York City skyline and the Fireworks Display (weather permitting). Sit back, relax, enjoy your spectacular meal and the live acoustic quartet musical entertainment, and celebrate the United States of America!

   • Live Music
   • Dinner
   • Alcoholic Beverages

2. 02

   July 4th New York City Fireworks Cruise

   Cruise
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   Celebrate July 4th on this New York City Fireworks Cruise. Depart for the evening to the beats of a live DJ. Enjoy a buffet style menu featuring pasta, finger foods, chicken, salad, desserts and more! Sip on an alcoholic beverage from our onboard cash bar. Grab the festive party favors provided as the firework show begins. Your cruise will return once the fireworks end.

3. 03

   4th of July NYC Fireworks Cruise

   Cruise
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   Aboard Liberty Belle to celebrate this Independence Day in New York City. Celebrate sailing the waters and enjoy the Macy’s Spectacular Fireworks Show. All tickets include open bar and a delicious dinner. Live DJ playing top hits will keep you this Independence Day memorable along with your favorite drink. Enjoy the show of the July 4th fireworks. This is a NYC Dance Cruise. Aboard and sip your favorite drink, eat delicious food, dance and enjoy! You will get a 3-Hour premium open bar, food, and complimentary party favors. VIP Tickets include priority boarding and a reserved table at private lounge with a bottle of MOET to cheer this Independence Day. Enjoy the views of Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center and more! This is a great experience to celebrate in style. Treat yourself into this unforgettable experience.

4. 04

   July 4th New York City Fireworks Cruise with Buffet and Live DJ

   Cruise
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   Celebrate July 4th on this New York City Fireworks Cruise. Depart for the evening to the beats of a live DJ. Enjoy a buffet style menu featuring pasta, finger foods, chicken, salad, desserts and more! Sip on an alcoholic beverage from our onboard cash bar. Grab the festive party favors provided as the firework show begins. Your cruise will return once the fireworks end. What’s Included:

   • July 4th New York City Fireworks Cruise 
   • Buffet Style Menu featuring pasta, chicken, salad, finger foods, dessert and more! 
   • Live DJ Music

5. 05

   Circle Line 4th of July Evening Cruise

   Cruise
   in
   Hell’s Kitchen

   

   Circle Line is a very well-known sightseeing cruise operator in New York and also offers one of the best 4th of July cruises. The cruise includes a light dinner with classic summer dishes and great drinks. Most importantly, however, you will enjoy guaranteed views of the fireworks, particularly from the outdoor deck space.

   What you’ll get:

   • light dinner
   • drinks
   • live DJ
   • guaranteed views of the 4th of July fireworks

6. 06

   4th of July Fireworks on Clipper City Tall Ship

   Cruise
   in
   The Battery

   

   See New York City’s 4th of July Fireworks from the deck of a tall ship for the ultimate visibility and photo ops. Help the crew raise the sails and navigate the ship, or just sit back and enjoy the show. Each year’s fireworks show consists of more than 40,000 shells exploding above the East River for a brilliant display celebrating the nation’s birth. Buy tickets in advance to avoid the last-minute scramble for 4th of July plans!

   • Food and beverages included
   • Best possible vantage point for fireworks show
   • See the NYC skyline from the water
   • Open bar throughout the cruise

7. 07

   New York City Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise with Lobster Dinner

   Cruise
   in
   Hell’s Kitchen

   

   Grab a front row seat for New York City’s fireworks display on this Fourth of July cruise with lobster dinner. Get an up-close look at the Manhattan skyline while digging into a buffet-style dinner with an open bar. A DJ will spin tunes on board to keep the party mood going.

   • New York City Fourth of July fireworks cruise with lobster dinner
   • Delight in superior views of the fireworks display on this fun, casual cruise
   • Enjoy an open bar and gorgeous vistas of the Manhattan skyline
   • Dance the night away as DJs spin the latest hits and quintessential party songs

8. 08

   NYC July 4th Macy’s Fireworks Family Friendly Festive Boat

   Cruise
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   Your cruise will have a live DJ on 2 floors and 2 dance floors. There will be 4th of July giveaways, a light buffet, a cash bar, and fun toys for the children. While waiting for this spectacular show in the sky, you’ll see famous landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the NYC skyline. As the boat docks getting ready for the show, the DJ will have music to dance to for full family fun. 

   Macy’s has been hosting a 4th of July fireworks show in NYC since 1958. The Brooklyn Bridge and the East River are the new stars of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, the largest fireworks show in the United States. You’ll have front-row seats to the fireworks show, as special firing platforms will be set up along the span and about 50,000 pounds of fireworks are set to launch!

9. 09

   NYC 4th of July Brunch Cruise

   Cruise
   in
   Lower East Side

   

   This 4th of July brunch cruise is one of the newest boat tours where you can celebrate the Independence Day of the USA in a wonderfully relaxed way. The ship has three different decks where you can combine sightseeing with brunch. The icing on the cake is the live DJ on board who will entertain you on this tour from George Washington Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge.

FAQ

What is the route of the boat tours?

The number of 4th of July cruises in New York can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we have created a table for you that features the best 4th of July fireworks cruises in NYC. This way, if you want to spend the country’s birthday on a cruise, you can easily make a decision. The location for the 4th of July fireworks has not yet been confirmed. The fireworks cruises, however, will all adjust their route according to the locations of the fireworks!

Which 4th of July cruise in NYC is the cheapest?

The cheapest cruises start at around $199.

Where do the 4th of July cruises depart from in New York?

The departure point depends on the operators: the three main ones depart from Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River at Pier 61/62, from Battery Park and from Pier 36 in the Lower East Side. However, there are also Queens and Jersey City as departure locations.

Is there a dress code?

No. Only the Bateaux 4th of July Cruise requires an elegant or dressy-casual attire (cocktail wear or dressy-casual attire is appropriate and dressy jeans are acceptable although casual jeans, t-shirts, athletic shoes and foam flip flops are discouraged).