I've never been, but will only be going next week after work... I live close enough that I can just walk down or take the L for 2 stops. I don't really like crowds either and told the BF last night that there was no way in hell I was going to be on the beach for July 3rd. That I'd be happy watching the fireworks from somewhere else that we can just go, stand, watch, and get the heckity doo dah out of there