Touring Boston – What to Know About Celebrating the 4th of July in Boston

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Boston is an amazing place to celebrate Independence Day!  There is so much going on around the city that it’s hard to narrow down just a few of the things to do in Boston over the 4th of July to highlight in this post, but I’m going to try.

Let me just say Boston Harbor Fest. There are literally hundreds of events that take place in the city and really all throughout New England during this time, walking tours, historical reenactments, concerts, the USS Constitution sailing it’s yearly nautical mile, the Boston Pops and of course fire works.

Things to Note: 

1) Bostonians Take the 4th of July Seriously 
Honestly the whole city seems to be parting in the days leading up to the 4th of July and if you walk through the city I can guarantee you’ll find some amazing event to help you celebrate the 4th.

2) USS Constitution
This is the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy and it only gets to keep its title by sailing at least one nautical mile every year. So each year, on the 4th of July the USS Constitution sails half a mile into the Boston harbor and half a mile back to its port.  If you want to see this awesome ship sailing just show up to the harbor.

3) Boston Pops
The Boston Pops play a free concert every year on both the 3rd and 4th of July.  They don’t do fireworks after the dress rehearsal on the 3rd, but you also have a slightly better chance of squishing into the Hatch Shell area and actually getting to enjoy the show on the 3rd.  If this is something your interested in be prepared to get there early as things fill up fast!  Their shows are amazing and during the 4th of July celebrations they end the 1812 overture with actual cannon blasts (which is apparently written into the score?) and makes for a wicked awesome finish.

4) Fireworks
On the 4th of July thousands upon thousands of people line the Charles river to see the amazing Boston fire work display.  We’ve always watched the fire works from the Cambridge side and we’ve heard it’s a lot less crazy than the Boston side. Also if you don’t care about hearing the music from the speakers that goes along with the firework display then you can get a front row view just about anywhere west of the Harvard Bridge, even if you show up as the fireworks are beginning. It’s still an amazing view and yes, you can see the fireworks glittering off the water.  Also the Boston Firework show is constantly ranked one of the best in the nation.  Boston and New York both make the top five every year… I’m just saying…

5) Transportation
This is going to be a mess just about anywhere you go.  If you can walk to the fireworks I would suggest doing that since driving and public transportation are pretty much in grid lock once the fireworks stop.  All I can say here is “Good Luck.”

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  I live in Boston!  One of the key founding places of our nation, how could I rate it any less? Yes it puts the city in chaos, but it’s a fantastic celebration and the firework show is not one to miss!  I love being able to walk along the Charles and celebrate our nations birthday with so many great people every year!