Cheap and Free NYC Fourth of July 2011 Guide

Hi all! Looking for a cheap and free way to celebrate our nation's birthday here in NYC? Well you're in luck, here's my cheap and free guide to events happening in the Big Apple for your Fourth of July weekend! Stay tuned for additional weekend picks including BBQ events and my July 2011 Summer Guide!

Enjoy and Happy Fourth! Have I forgotten a Fourth of July-related event? Feel free to comment below!

Cheap Chick NYC Fourth of July Guide

Friday July 1, 2011

Feed your fireworks fix before the Fourth with a fireworks show along the boardwalk! 9:30 p.m., on the boardwalk bet. 10^th and 11^th, long the boardwalk between 10th and 11th streets, free!

Saturday July 2, 2011

Sing along to classic American tunes at this patriotic Stars and Stripes Forever outdoor concert performed the Community Wind Ensemble! 8 p.m., Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd at MacKenzie St, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, free!

Saturday July 2, Sunday July 3, and Monday July 4, 2011

Discovery Walking Tours invites you to participate in their Pre-Fireworks Presidential Greenwich Village and Gramercy Park Walking Tour! “A historical walking tour of both neighborhoods, with special stops at places associated with some early presidents, including Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, JFK, Wilson and Washington. Stops include the Washington Square Arch and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace.” 2:30 pm and 5 p.m. all days, Call 212-465-3331 for meeting place, $18! Please Note: Monday’s 5 p.m. tour ends at the West Side Highway at 7:30 pm in time to secure a spot for fireworks viewing.

Sunday July 3, 2011

Join in some old-fashioned, historic fun at Historic Richmond Town’s Independence Day Celebration, including a pie baking contest, homemade churned ice cream, and a pinwheel parade, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island, 441 Clarke Avenue, Take the S74 bus from the terminal to Richmond Road and St. Patrick's Place, included in regular admission, $5!

It’s an alliterative Fourth of July celebration at the Bell House: BBQ, Beer, Brooklyn, Brass Bands, and Burlesque at its America: F*ck Yeah! Party! Enjoy hot dogs, burgers, live music, a burlesque show as well as that soon-to-be all-American tradition, the Show Us Your Patriotic Underwear Contest! 8 p.m., The Bell House, 149 Seventh Street bet. 2nd/3rd Avenue, $10 (psst, it’s free if you dress up as Wonder Woman!), buy tkts here: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3760935

July 4, 2011-Happy Fourth of July from the Cheap Chick!

Set that alarm for an early wake-up call this morning to go on a special Nighttime Walking Tour of Revolutionary War New York. James Kaplan will lead you to sites including Fraunces Tavern and the tour ends with viewing the sunrise over Trinity Church, 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., meeting place revealed when you make a reservation-go to http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org for more info, $20!

How many hot dogs can you stuff in your mouth during one sitting? Definitely less than the entrants in Nathan’s annual 4^th of July hot dog eating contest, I’m sure! 12 p.m., Nathan’s (Coney Island), Surf Avenue (at Stillwell Ave.), free!

Celebrate the Fourth in film with a road trip movie celebrating America, Easy Rider, a classic flick starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper! The movie is screening tonight at Bryant Park (film starts at dusk), where you can have the perfect 4th of July picnic before it starts! Bryant Park, Dusk (around 9 p.m. starting time, but come early to get seats!), free!

Learn about the city’s roots during Big Onion Walking Tour’s Immigrant New York Walking Tour! “A walking tour through the many layers of the multi-ethnic Lower East Side to see the historic and architectural landmarks associated with African, Chinese, German, Irish, Italian, Jewish and Latino immigrants. Stops could include: The "Tweed" Courthouse, Five Points, the African Burial Ground, and sites associated with Dr. Sun Yat Sen, Jacob Riis, Abraham Cahan, Pierre Toussaint, Emma Goldman, and many others,” 11 a.m., meet at the southeast corner of Broadway and Chambers Street, at City Hall Park, $15!

Listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence at historic St. Paul’s Independence Day celebration. Music, speeches, and refreshments will also be included! 10:30 a.m., St. Paul’s Church, 897 South Columbus Ave. (Take the 5 to Dyre Ave Station), free!

The Staten Island Philharmonic is giving a free concert at the Alice Austen House today, 6 p.m., Alice Austen House Museum, 2 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, take the ferry over, At the ferry terminal in Staten Island #S51 Bus to Hylan Boulevard (15 minute ride). Walk one block east to water and house, free!

Wish Louis Armstrong a posthumous birthday today at the all-American Jazz Party at his Corona home (now a museum)! 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., 3456 107th Street, Corona Flushing (take 7 train to 103 St-Corona Plaza), $10 admission includes free b-day cake!

Dance the night away with Gelber & Manning and the Star-Spangled Orchestra during the Liberty Belle Spectacular! Cool cats are encouraged to dress in vintage attire that’s the cat’s pajamas! The evening will also feature burlesque performances and views of the Hudson River fireworks, Empire Hotel Rooftop, 44 West 63rd St at Broadway, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., $20 in advance, $25 at the door! Buy tkts here: http://www.libertybellespectacular.com

Of course you can always join the masses on street level to watch the Macy’s fireworks. The fireworks start around 9:20, but you should head out earlier to get the best and least-crowded viewing spots, Here are some Cheap Chick Cheap Tips:

The Westside Highway will be closed from 22nd Street to 59th Street beginning at 4:00 pm, as will the Highline and many waterfront parks.

For the best views, head to 12th Avenue below 59th Street Here is a list of places where you can to access 12th Avenue: 24th Street
26th - 30th Streets
34th Street
40th - 44th Streets
47th - 52nd Streets
54th - 57th Streets

You can also head to the Boat Basin Café (http://www.boatbasincafe.com/) or the Pier 1 Café (http://piericafe.com/) to catch the fireworks, but I hear that the view isn’t that great tho both restaurants are open for free!

Plus the Met (http://www.metmuseum.org/), the Museum of the City of New York (http://www.mcny.org), and Belmont (http://www.nyra.com/index_belmont.html) are all open today!

And the Cooper-Hewitt (http://cooperhewitt.org/calendar/#/?i=1) is free today as well!