With Lady Liberty looking on, fireworks will burst over New York City’s skies this Independence Day. Macy’s is once again sponsoring the annual fireworks display, which will begin at 9 p.m. on Monday.

New York is just days away from learning whether or not it will host the Olympics, and Macy’s is celebrating in advance with a salute to the Olympic spirit. “We wanted to support New York City’s 2012 Olympic bid,” a spokesman for Macy’s, Orlando Veras, said.

And how will the department store chain show its support for the Big Apple’s bid? With red fireworks in the shape of apples – which should look good against clear skies that are forecast for Monday.

This year, seven barges will launch the 36,000 firework shells from three locations. Four barges will fire from the East River, between 23rd and 42nd streets. Two barges will fire across from South Street Seaport. The remaining barge will fire from the Statue of Liberty.

Ideal spots to view the show for free are the FDR Drive between 14th and 42nd streets, the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO, or Jersey City’s Liberty State Park.

Although the public viewing has advantages of tradition and price, there’s also a luxury option. The World Yacht offers an up-close view of the show with a five-course meal, open bar, music, and dancing for $278.75 a person. (For tickets, call 212-630-8100.) But if that price tag doesn’t suit your budget, there’s another, less expensive way to watch the pyrotechnics from the water. New York Waterway is offering a cruise with a cash bar and a similar view for $70 for adults and $60 for children. The boats will depart from six locations ranging from Midtown West to Lower Manhattan to New Jersey. (For reservations and information, call 1-800-53-FERRY.)

To watch with drink in hand – on land – you can head to the al fresco bar the Patio (located in Dag Hammarskjold Park at 47th Street, just off First Avenue). For the occasion, the Patio is offering a new cocktail: Born on the Fourth of July, a mix of Blue Curacao, sloe gin, and cream for $9. Also on offer are all-American hot dogs for $4, as well as sangria, margaritas, and punch cocktails. From this venue, spectators will be just 150 feet from the fireworks.

One of the most popular spots for a clear view of the show is South Street Seaport, which regularly attracts 35,000 spectators. But if you prefer a little distance from the action, not to mention a little elbow room, there’s always television and radio. NBC will broadcast the display live, along with a musical performance from Mariah Carey. For the first time, the hour-long show will be shot using high definition technology.

If you’re stuck in traffic, be sure to turn on 1010 WINS-AM radio while the fireworks burst. It’s perhaps the best way for agoraphobes to hear the New York Pops perform “American Medley,” the score to which the fireworks display will be set.

“‘American Medley’ is unlike those from past years in that there is no narration,” the creative director of Macy’s Fireworks, William Schermerhorn, said. “We’re letting the 30-minute collection of favorite American standards and composers speak for itself.”

And no doubt, the explosive fireworks that symbolize our country’s independence will do the same.