New York City Affordable Places

America sure looks good for being 232 years old- think she’s had some work done?

If you waited for the last possible second (like moi) to plan how you’ll be celebrating the home of the brave this year, fear not. Here are some fool-proof ways to get your fourth on.

Food. . .

. . .Because the Nathan’s hot dog champ can’t be the only one indulging. Celebrate the U.S. and the N.Y. with a good old fashioned chow down. The Great July Fourth Festival is a down-home American birthday party with a global twist. The street fair showcases 600 international food vendors, as well as arts, crafts and merchandise exhibitors like Indonesian Jewelry and Chinese Pottery. The fun ends at 8, just in time watch. . .

Fireworks!

Because what would today be without a little pie in the sky? There are breathtaking views of the Macy’s Fireworks Extravaganza*, which start at 9pm, from all points of the vogue city. The very best are:

Manhattan: Southbound lanes of the FDR drive from 14th to 42nd Street will be open for the public from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.The FDR Drive will actually be closed to vehicular traffic between Houston St. and 63rd St. from 7:00pm until 1:00am. Dancin’ in the street!

Brooklyn/Queens: Great views from Hunter’s Point, Queens, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and anywhere with an unobstructed view of the East River between 23rd & 42nd Sts.

***Be sure to tune in to 1010 WINS AM to hear the muscial accompaniment

Happy Independance Day New York!!!

Pay whatever you wish Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Whitney Museum of American Art (800-WHITNEY [944-8639]; whitney.org ); Thursdays from 5 to 9 at the Jewish Museum (212-423-3200; thejewishmuseum.org ); and Fridays from 6 to 8 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (212-423-3500 ; guggenheim.org ). Pay what you want every day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters (212-535-7710 ; metmuseum.org ). The Museum of Modern Art (212-708-9400 ; moma.org ), meanwhile, is free from 4 to 8 on Fridays.

Cumin
 3549 Johnson Ave Bronx, NY 10463(718) 432-2481This Indian restaurant doesn’t have absolutely rock-bottom prices, but it is certainly less expensive than Manhattan, and the great food more than makes it worthwhile. Cumin is right in the middle of Riverdale, one of the nicest areas in the Bronx, and is easy to get to by car or public transportation. Their chicken biryani is some of the best you’ll get, and their pistachio ice cream is wonderful. Anna Bristow, Contributor