This weekend, America is turning 232, making it just slightly older than the Columbia College website. Traditionally, Americans celebrate their country's birthday by cooking meat on grills outdoors and then watching fireworks. For this week's Guide to the Weekend, we've consolidated a few events that will give you the opportunity to do just that.

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular; 9PM
Prime Viewing Spots: Manhattan: East River Park, South Street Seaport, FDR Drive between 14th and 42nd Streets; Brooklyn: Greenpoint, Empire Fulton Derry State Park (in DUMBO), Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Independence Day Parade; Between 66th and 86th Streets on 13th Ave in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Head to 66th Street in Dyker Height's for the 103rd Annual Independence Day Parade! Who knew Brooklyn had a 66th Street? Featuring classic parade staples like floats and veteran marching bands.

Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest Noon; Nathan's on Coney Island

Water Taxi Beach Party; the grill gets lit at noon; Optimal firework viewing and BBQ buffet including wine, beer and patriotic tropical drinks.
Hunter's Point, Long Island City at 2nd Street and Borden Avenue

The Great 4th of July Festival; 10AM -- 6PM Water Street from Fulton to Broad Streets
Nothing says festival like fried food. Nothing says America like foreign street
vendors.

Candlelight Walking Tour of Revolutionary War New York; 2AM to 6 AM
Betcha can't think of a better way to spend your day off than traipsing from one
downtown historic site to the next with a bunch of geriatrics in black socks and sandals. This has Columbia history major written all over it. Meet at Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl Street.

And for our friends in Washington, D.C.:

4th of July is going to the Mall by the Washington Monument and the Capital from 9:10 - 9:30 p.m. DO NOT DRIVE unless you have a death wish, take the Metro's Blue/Orange Line to Smithsonian. UPDATE: That subway stop is closed for the 4th, you must walk from afar. There's also a parade starting at 11:45 along Constitution Ave. moving west between 7th and 17th Streets, NW.

All 4th of July celebrations take place tomorrow, the 4th of July.