This year’s Macy’s Fireworks display will not be the traditional extended show over the East River as seen here. Instead, the City is planning on several smaller unannounced displays to discourage large crowds from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image Credit: Diana Robinson/Mayoral Photography Office

The Macy’s Fireworks announcement comes on the same day as the creation of an illegal fireworks task force. On June 23, 2020, Mayor de Blasio established a task force to investigate illegal fireworks sales following a large increase in complaints about the increase of illegal firework use across the City. All types of consumer fireworks are prohibited in New York City.  (more…)

Sparklers are prohibited in NYC. Image credit: Maxpixel.

All types of fireworks are illegal throughout New York City and any person who violates the law could be subject to fines and/or jail time. There is something special when a firework is lit and sent into the sky, exploding with a beautiful array of colors. Each firework is unpredictable. The noise can be too much to bear for some, but for others it is like you are a kid again when you see fireworks light up the sky in unimaginable ways. (more…)

Coney Island, along with the City’s other public beaches, opens for Memorial Day weekend. Image Credit: NYC Parks/ Malcolm Pinckney

The full opening of beaches follows last year’s limited and restricted summer season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 28, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that eight public beaches across the city will be open for swimming starting Saturday, May 29 and will be open through Sunday, September 12, 2021. Swimming will be permitted when lifeguards are on duty between 10 AM to 6 PM and is prohibited when lifeguards are off duty. (more…)

The COVID-19 pandemic brings many changes to the NYC holiday season, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year, balloons will be operated by specially rigged cars instead of handlers like here at the 2017 parade. Image Credit: Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NYC’s holiday season will look different than prior years. Some events have been outright cancelled, and some have been altered, with many opting for a virtual experience to prevent crowds to limit the spread of COVID-19.  (more…)

Ross Sandler

November 15, 2015 marked the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The tunnel is an indispensable link between Manhattan and Queens, the Long Island Expressway, and JFK and LaGuardia airports. Its four lanes carry 80,000 vehicles a day. Few drivers in these 80,000 vehicles, however, were likely among those breaking open champagne bottles in celebration. Drivers are more concerned with getting in the tunnel, creeping through the tunnel, and getting out at the other end, at a toll of $8 per trip.

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