This weekend I experienced all types of fireworks, as well as my first trip to Coney Island. I met my brother and sister-in-law at the Brooklyn Cyclones game (one of the Mets’ minor league farm teams) on Friday night.  The stadium is on Coney Island, just a subway ride away from Manhattan.  I brought a friend from Austria who was not familiar with baseball. We arrived at the top of the 7th inning, so he experienced just enough baseball for his first game. I certainly enjoyed trying to explain the game . . .  and, of course, convincing him the Mets are the best team to support! If you are a baseball fan, I would recommend going out to Coney Island for a game — no matter which major league team you support. The most expensive ticket in the 8,000-person stadium is $15, and the crowd truly loves the home team.  The Brooklyn sense of community is felt throughout the whole place, and you leave with a smile on your face. Fireworks, in honor of July 4, were shot off at the end of the game. They were fun to watch, but nothing could top the fireworks display on Saturday. As Courtney mentioned in her blog on Thursday, this year the NYC fireworks were held on the Hudson River (instead of the East River) in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson first sailing into New York. Six barges were set up to shoot a 40-minute show of synchronized fireworks, which were the most amazing fireworks I have ever seen. They lit up Manhattan from 59th Street all the way down to the tip of the island. I hope this 4th of July weekend brought some spark into your lives and everyone enjoyed! –Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher Global Traveler has joined the world of social marketing. For breaking news, special offers and much more, fan us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @Gtmag!