Travel Tips for the Macy's Fireworks

Getting to Hoboken to watch the Macy's fireworks on the Hudson River can be half the fun. New Jersey Transit urges patrons to plan ahead, arrive early and purchase round-trip tickets in advance of travel. 

With tens of thousands of spectators expected to gather along the New Jersey Waterfront to view the annual Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks display over the Hudson River, NJ TRANSIT is offering travel tips to customers planning to attend the big show.

Here's what you need to know:

New Jersey’s Hudson River Waterfront is accessible by NJ Transit rail, bus and light rail service to Hoboken Terminal.  NJ Transit operates six rail lines and five bus routes with direct service to Hoboken, as well as the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.  

 By Train:

On July 4, the following rail lines will provide direct service to Hoboken:

• ·         Main Line
• ·         Bergen County Line
• ·         Pascack Valley Line
• ·         Port Jervis Line
• ·         Morris & Essex Lines
• ·         Montclair Line (from Bay Street Station and points east only)

On the Morris & Essex Lines, NJ TRANSIT will supplement existing weekend service with eight additional trains to and from Hoboken Terminal, including four trips between Dover and Hoboken, three trips between Summit and Hoboken, and an additional trip from Newark Broad Street to Hoboken.  Additional trains to Hoboken before the event will operate between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  After the show, extra Morris & Essex trains will depart Hoboken at 10:05 p.m., 10:40 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:25 a.m.  

Visit njtransit.com/fireworks for rail schedule details.  All other rail lines will operate on a regular weekend schedule.

Customers traveling from New York City or stations along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast or Raritan Valley lines can transfer at the Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction to reach Hoboken Terminal or take PATH service to Hoboken from stations in New York, Newark, Harrison or Jersey City. 

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail connects the waterfront communities of Hudson County, including service to Hoboken Terminal and Liberty State Park.  On July 4, light rail service will operate on a regular weekend schedule (trains every 20 minutes).  Light rail tickets can be purchased at Hoboken Terminal or any other light rail station.  Visit njtransit.com for details.

By Bus:

On Monday, July 4, between 4 p.m. and midnight, many streets along the Hudson Waterfront will be subject to closure and traffic congestion due to the Macy’s Fireworks Display over the Hudson River. 

• NJ TRANSIT bus service along the Hudson Waterfront may be subject to detours and delays before, during and after the fireworks.
• In most cases, buses will be detoured to roadways farther west from the Hudson River.  Bus stops near fireworks viewing areas may be inaccessible.   
• Customers should allow extra travel time.  

Several bus routes may experience service impacts as follows: 

• No. 22 North Bergen-Union City-Hoboken:  Possible service delays expected between Weehawken and Hoboken Terminal, and detour as follows: 
  • From Hoboken Terminal - Northbound:  Buses will operate via Observer Highway, Jackson Avenue, Newark Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and 12th Street to Willow Avenue then via regular route from that location.
  • To Hoboken Terminal - southbound:  Buses leaving the regular route at Willow Avenue and 14th Street will operate via Willow Avenue and Observer Highway to Hoboken Terminal.
• No. 80 Newark Ave (Exchange Place):  Possible service delays and additional ridership heading to Exchange Place.
• No. 84/86 Service Nungessers-Newport Mall:  Possible service delays, along the Bergenline Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.
• No. 85 Mill Creek- Hoboken:  Possible service delays expected between Paterson Plank Road and Observer Highway into Hoboken Terminal.
• No. 87 King Drive (Hoboken Terminal):  Possible service delays and additional ridership expected between Paterson Plank Road and Observer Highway into the terminal.
• No. 89 North Bergen-Hoboken:  Possible service delays expected between Weehawken and Hoboken Terminal, and detour as follows:
  • From Hoboken Terminal - Northbound:  Buses will operate via Observer Highway, Jackson Avenue, Newark Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and 12th Street to Willow Avenue then via regular route from that location.
  • To Hoboken Terminal - southbound:  Buses leaving the regular route at Willow Avenue and 14th Street will operate via Willow Avenue and Observer Highway to Hoboken Terminal.
• No. 126 Hoboken-New York:  Possible service delays expected between NY PABT and Hoboken Terminal, and detour as follows:
  • From Hoboken Terminal - Northbound:  Buses will operate via Observer Highway, Jackson Avenue, Newark Avenue, Clinton Avenue, and 12th Street to Willow Avenue then via regular route from that location.
  • To Hoboken Terminal - southbound:  Buses leaving the regular route at Willow Avenue and 14th Street will operate via Willow Avenue and Observer Highway to Hoboken Terminal.
• No. 158 Fort Lee-New York:  Service will be detoured between Gorge Road in Edgewater, Port Imperial Ferry/Port Imperial Light Rail Station and Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken.
• No. 159 Fort Lee-New York:  Possible service delays, along the Bergenline Avenue and Park Avenue corridors.
• No. 165 Westwood- New York:  Service via Bergenline Avenue, 48th Street, Broadway/Park Avenue and 30th Street/North Marginal Road to/from Port Authority Bus Terminal.
• No. 166 Dumont-New York:  Service via Bergenline Avenue, 48th Street, Broadway/Park Avenue and 30th Street/North Marginal Road to/from Port Authority Bus Terminal.
• No.168 Paramus-New York:  Service via Bergenline Avenue, 48th Street, Broadway/Park Avenue and 30th Street/North Marginal Road to/from Port Authority Bus Terminal.
• No. 181 Union City- G.W. Bridge:  Possible service delays along Bergenline Avenue.
• No. 188 River Road- G.W. Bridge:  Service will be detoured between Gorge Road in Edgewater and 60th Street in Weehawken.