The Best Spots for Watching Macy's Fireworks

Organizers of Macy's Fireworks decided West is best this year, and for the first time since 2000 the display will be launched from the Hudson River. The move is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the river's discovery by Henry Hudson.

The best views will be from Manhattan's West Side between 23rd and 59th Streets, and some spots on the New Jersey Waterfront.

Public Viewing areas fill up quickly, so arrive early (well before 7pm) if you want to be sure of a good spot.

Here's a selection of some of the best places to watch the pyrotechnic spectacular:

MANHATTAN

West Side Highway and Surrounding Area

12th Avenue and the northbound lanes of the West Side Highway between 23rd and 59th Streets will be closed to traffic for public fireworks viewing. Pedestrian access to the viewing area will be via the following streets: 24th, 26th through 30th, 34th, 40th through 44th, 47th through 52nd, and 54th through 57th.

South of 42nd Street along the pier by the Circle Line.
Dewitt Clinton Park (access from 11th Avenue)
Pier 54 (limited access from 14th Street)
Pier 84 (limited access from 44th Street)
Selected side streets between 11th and 12th Avenues.

According to Macy's, the following West Side spots will NOT be open for public viewing of the fireworks: Battery Park, Battery Park City, Hudson River Piers (except Pier 54 and Pier 84 as described above, the Hudson Park Promenade between West Houston and 59th Streets, and the Hudson River Park Bike Path between West Houston and 59th Streets.

NEW JERSEY

Great views of the Macy's 2009 fireworks from Hoboken and Weehawken.
Decent views from Jersey City and North Bergen.

TM & Copyright 2009 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO & EYE Logo TM & Copyright 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. TheAssociated Press contributed to this report.

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