If you are planning to celebrate the 4th of July in New York City, you will face a difficult task. With thousands of events scheduled for the date, your options are many. From daytime activities, historic tours, to finding the best spot to see the magnificent fireworks scheduled, you will have to plan carefully, considering the size of NYC and the crowd the day will attract. New York Walking Tour Before the evening fireworks start, you can visit the buildings of Manhattan dating back to the Revolutionary Era. This historic tour is led by expert historian guides, and the size of groups is limited to 10 people, so you need to get your tickets quick. The tour lasts for 2.5 hours and costs $40 on the 4th of July. You can see the Trinity Church, listen to the Declaration of Independence and original first-hand accounts, and witness the arrival of the Armies. Gaze across the Brooklyn River where some of the most important battles took place. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. more Macy's Fireworks The event will kick off at 9 p.m. and is free of charge. You can watch the fireworks overlooking the East River. Your best spots for viewing he display are Houston Street in Houston, Broad Street in Lower Manhattan, East Broadway, and Clark St in Brooklyn. You can listen to live music featuring Craig Campbell, Jamie Barton, and the West Point band. If you would like to plan your visit for the fireworks ahead, you can check out Macy's viewing spot map that shows the best spots, official viewing points, and the location of the fireworks. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest If you are seeking a fun family event before the evening entertainment, this huge free contest in Brooklyn with a tradition dating back to 1916 will be a great choice. Held at Nathan's Famous Restaurant, this is a great event attracting 40,000 spectators and some very hungry contestants. There will be loads of entertainment and plenty of hot dogs and burgers to share. IndepenDANCE Dance Cruise This event is created for those who would like to celebrate the 4th of July with friends and see the fireworks while dancing the night away. You can get your tickets for just $99, and see the display from close-up. The dress code is casual and you will get an Open Bar included in your ticket price. If you get hungry after all that dancing, you will also find a Yacht Buffet. The cruise starts at Pier 36, 299 South Street. New York Harbor July 4th Dinner Cruise You can choose between the World Yacht Classic and the World Yacht Adventure cruise. Enjoy the view of the city's river banks in true luxury On the 7th of July, you will get a 5-course dinner, and a premium Open Bar included in your ticket price. The cruise starts at 6 p.m. and finishes at 11 p.m. You can also choose the July 4th Lounge with standard open bar and buffet. Image by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0
When you have time off work, there is nothing more relaxing than going out for a family breakfast to enjoy great food without the hassle. If you are planning a road trip cross country, you might decide to pop into one of the family-friendly traditional breakfast restaurants in Ocean Township. Choose from a wide selection of bagels, cooked breakfast, waffles, croissants, or even stay for brunch. Pick your favorite spot on the list of the best Ocean Township restaurants below. The Domesticated Dad This family favorite is central Ocean Township and serves freshly prepared food. Apart from barbecue plates and salads, there is a huge selection of breakfast menus for the picky and the very hungry. You will find a cold and hot breakfast buffet for kids, including muffins, oatmeal, hash browns, French toast, fruit, and yogurt. You can also opt for the Continental breakfast buffet, featuring homemade jams and fresh juice for only $9.95. If you happen to sleep in and skip breakfast, there is a great brunch service here. more Amazing Bagels Fill up before your road trip with homemade bagels or choose the breakfast special, eggs, omelets, or try the scallion cream cheese. You will get much more than bagels here: choose from cold cuts and cheese plates on the menu. If you are really hungry, you can even order a cheese steak with an egg. If you love bagels, you will absolutely fall in love with the texture and flavor of the ones served here made fresh in the restaurant. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or specialty tea on a lazy morning. Frank's Deli Restaurant Those who are expecting the best quality meat and fresh ingredients will not be disappointed in this Deli restaurant in Asbury Park. Get your freshly squeezed orange juice, enjoy a tasty salad, or try the crab cakes. This family-owned restaurant has a great selection of fruits, juices, cold cereals, and breakfast sandwiches. If you feel like you have some space left for trying Greek cuisine or Mexican specialties, you can order rice pudding or ice cream soda for dessert. Those who need the energy for the rest of the day can try the overstuffed club sandwiches with chicken, corned beef, or turkey. Let the kids try the special peanut butter jelly overstuffed jelly sandwich to keep them going. Sunset Diner for a Quick Bite If you are after fresh food and fast service, you will need to drop into this family diner that serves breakfast all day. You can indulge in giant cookies or bacon sandwiches for a quick bite any time of the day. Missed breakfast? Get it at 4 p.m. Fancy an omelette? No problem. This family-friendly restaurant is close to downtown and offers mini meals for children. Get a strong coffee, followed by whole wheat pancakes and fresh fruit. If you feel like a healthy option, try the authentic Greek salad and orange juice. Enjoy the small diner atmosphere at the Sunset Diner. Image by Zach Copley is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Developed in 1871 as a resort-style residential community on the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park became known as a place where people went to relax and take breaks from their everyday routines. It still has that reputation today and is going through a period of major development. The current growth is largely due to the continual popularity of the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Keep reading to discover some attractions you should definitely check out while you're strolling the iconic, action-packed boardwalk. The Stone Pony Known around the world as an energy-filled rock club where many now-famous bands and solo artists got their starts, the Stone Pony is a place for people truly passionate about music. Enjoy live performances every night and even some daytime concerts during the high season. Also, if you are a musician and want a place to record during your time in Asbury Park, dedicated spaces are available to rent. more The Ashbury Park Galleria If you're interested in Asbury Park's history, this attraction is well worth your time. Filled with local memorabilia of the area itself and the community's rock and roll scene mentioned above, this point of interest also has a section devoted to changes that the area has gone through associated with the African-American community. Big Spoon Little Spoon Naturals Maybe you're trying to find a locally made item for a friend who only likes to use all-natural products. Or you could just be looking for some soaps that don't have unnecessary additives. In either case, Big Spoon Little Spoon Naturals has you covered. By visiting this shop and buying merchandise from it, you're directly supporting local commerce, since the products are made by hand in Asbury Park with ingredients and raw materials that also come from this area of New Jersey when possible. Betty's Icebox When you're feeling a little warm from all the exploring along the boardwalk, rejuvenate yourself by ordering a treat from Betty's Icebox. This specialty food truck serves shaved ice and popsicles made with all-natural ingredients. Shaved ice flavors range from root beer to peach and even green tea. Forth Union Skate and Culture Organization Whether you like to roller skate or prefer to just watch others zip around on wheels, the Forth Union Skate and Culture Organization is a themed attraction that proudly carries on the exciting tradition of roller rinks and derbies. Get a day pass so you can use the facility to skate to your heart's content for only $5. If you need a little help before you'll feel confident on skates, sign up for a lesson or two during your time spent discovering all the Asbury Park Boardwalk has to offer. There is also a shop, so if you're hunting for Forth Union stickers, posters, or clothing to enjoy long after memories of your visit begin to fade, make sure to leave some money in your budget. Some of the posters available are limited-edition designs, so they make especially cool souvenirs. This is just a sampling of the fun activities you'll find on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. To explore these and other awesome things to do, plan a visit soon. Image by Shinya Suzuki is licensed under CC BY 2.0
