I had been in Coney Island all day with the Hot Dog Eating Contests’ at Nathan’s in the morning and just walking around the amusement area and the Boardwalk. It was a perfect day to be in Coney Island. The Boardwalk and the beach area by the amusements were packed with people. I got to see Miki Sudo defend her title and then the return of Joey Chestnut and his return to claim the crown again. That was a lot of fun.
I had gotten there in time to watch the entertainment before the competitions. This is why it is fun to come early. Plus you want to get a good viewing location.
Video of the entertainment at 9:45am. You have to get here early to see everything.
By the late afternoon, I had toured the whole area and visited the Aquarium. After a long walk on the Boardwalk and beach I wanted to head home. I had gotten so much sun and must have walked two miles in the sun. I took a long walk along the shore and walked through the waves to cool down. The water felt fantastic.
Enjoying a long walk along Coney Island’s famous beach
I passed Nathan’s where the contest had taken place hours before and it still had lines of people waiting to get their delicious hot dogs and French fries. The sign was up from the contest earlier in the day.
The sign just outside of Nathan’s
Nathan’s in the late afternoon
My blog on the Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest:
Video on Joey Chestnut’s return
(This made the crowds bigger)
Once I got on the subway, I started to get hungry again. I thought, why not just get some dumplings in Chinatown before I head home. I could tell that the tourist season was really in swing as Chinatown was packed with people. I realized that I really didn’t want just dumplings but a full meal. I know where I wanted to go so I headed to Wonton Noodle Garden on 23 Pell Street (not to be confused with the one on Mott Street) for dinner.
Mei Lai Wah/Wonton Noodle Garden at 23 Pell Street
https://postmates.com/store/mei-lai-wah-%7C-wonton-noodle-garden/4fOxm-haWwKrTQUwGZwSQQ
My review on TripAdvisor:
My review on LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com:
I have been enjoying both restaurant locations since 1978. I took the advice from the waiter and ordered the General Tso’s Chicken and an order of the House Fried Rice., which is a ten ingredient dish. The meal was excellent and was the perfect way to end the afternoon.
My meal that night General Tso’s Chicken with an order of House Fried Rice
The General Tso’s Chicken
The House Fried Rice
What an excellent meal
After dinner, I noticed crowds of people walking south down Catherine Street towards the Brooklyn Bridge area. I had thought that the fireworks were on the other side of the island but they were on the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, so I decided to stay and watch the fireworks. I had not planned on doing this but it was a nice evening and I thought it would be fun to see the fireworks again. I had not seen them live since 1994. What a show when it got dark!
Walking down Catherine Street in Chinatown just below Canal Street
The crowds gathering just as it was getting dark
Then the fireworks began around 9:30pm
The crowds were packing in just as the fireworks started. It was such a fantastic display. Some people got really rude as they pushed themselves and their families through as the fireworks were going on. Thank God I am so much taller than most people because I could see them from the fence in the park.
The display started at the top of the Brooklyn Bridge
New York City still leads the holidays
It just started to dazzle everyone from where we were standing
It was dazzling for the next forty-five minutes
Here is a preview of that evening as the fireworks really got started
The middle of the display
The grandest part of the show
Then started the finale
The finale
I read recently that the residents from Brooklyn were put through hell trying to see the fireworks. That was pretty sad to hear considering this is one of the free events in the City that people anticipate and I heard the lines were like chaotic. I had just walked into the Public Housing parking lot and stood my ground. I was not moving from the spot by the fence.
Chinatown after the fireworks display was over
Chinatown at the end of the evening.
The Brooklyn Bridge at the end off the evening
It was the perfect day and the perfect night what a way to end the evening. This is why I love New York City so much!
Happy July 4th!
Things to do:
Both on July 4th day:
Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest
Coney Island, Brooklyn
https://nathansfranks.sfdbrands.com/en-us/promotions/hot-dog-eating-contest/qualifiers/
Advice: get there by 8:30am to get in front of the stage area. If you get there by ten, you will have to view by Jumbotron outside the viewing area.
Macy’s Fireworks Display:
https://www.macys.com/s/fireworks/
Check the Macy’s website and get to the location at least an hour before it gets dark. Then plant yourself in your location because last minute people will try to squeeze their way in front of you.
Places to Eat:
Nathan’s Famous
1310 Surf Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 333-2202
My review on TripAdvisor:
Mei Lai Wah/Wonton Noodle Garden
23 Pell Street
New York NY
(212) 966-4033
My review on TripAdvisor:
The old restaurant on Mott Street:
The new restaurant on Pell Street:
My review on LittleShoponMainStreet@Wordpress.com:
mywalkinmanhattan 