July fourth sugestions

Hi all

We are going to be in Boston on the fourth,My wife and two kids 12,14 would like to see the fireworks with the boston pops, any sugestions on best way to see them as far as location and timming? We plan to be in a hotel in downtown anduse th T as much as possible. Thanks

David

July fourth sugestions

The most obvious answer is to get a blanket and pack some food and go sit on the Esplanade. To get a good spot, get there by 3pm. Some people get there early in the morning, but I think that%26#39;s excessive. We%26#39;ve never had any trouble getting there later, but you really don%26#39;t want to be showing up at 5pm or later expecting to get a decent spot.

July fourth sugestions

Hi,

First, you should be aware that you really can%26#39;t see the concert and the fireworks at the same time. By that, I mean that the seats on the Esplanade which afford a great view of the concert, are very poor for watching the fireworks.

Usually, there are a couple of JumboTron TV screens set up for people to watch the concert outside of the Esplanade, in areas where the Fireworks-watching is much better.

For best viewing of the Fireworks, you want to either be in the Cambridge side of the river, along Memorial Drive, or, my personal favorite spot is on the middle of the Longfellow bridge, on the Boston-bound side. You are looking straight at the fireworks barge, with nothing to obstruct the view. Also, you get beautiful reflections off of the John Hancock tower as well.

Check out this website, for more information:

http://www.july4th.org

What time does the firework display usually start ?

Taken from the July 4th site to answer peoples question regarding the Fireworks Show, it starts at 10:30 PM.

The event for 2007 will again be held on the Esplanade in Boston, along the Charles River, which includes the Hatch Shell and Oval.

July 3rd Concert

4:00 pm – Oval Opens

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm – Concert

July 4th Concert %26amp; Fireworks

9:00 am – Oval Opens

8:30 pm - 10:30 pm – Concert

10:30 pm – Fireworks Show

July 4th Broadcast Information

8:00 pm – Local broadcast on WBZ-TV

10:00 pm – National broadcast on CBS Network

Go to the concert on July 3 and then go to the Charles River on July 4 to see the Fireworks

The concert is the same each night except for the Fireworks on July 4

Less Crowds on the grass to enjoy on July 3

I%26#39;ve watched from a few different spots, the Cambridge side of the river has more room, so you can find spots later, but for some silly reason they don%26#39;t turn off the bright traffic lights along Memorial Drive, which runs along the river, so that can kind of kill the feel of nighttime, and trees also obstruct a good deal in the two spots I%26#39;ve been there- 1 near Mass. Ave Bridge and another down near Longfellow.

Take a look at the map on the official website when they have it up closer to the event, it shows where the fireworks barge is, and that will give you an idea of what direction you%26#39;ll be looking and you can keep an eye out for trees and such in your line-of-sight.

The best spot I%26#39;ve had for viewing the fireworks was actually the alley behind Beacon Street, right at the fence next to Storrow Drive at Exeter Street. We went out 15 minutes before the fireworks start. Once the esplanade fills up, people start hanging out on the pedestrian bridges that go over Storrow Drive to the Esplanade and then the bridges fill and then people hang out in the alley! We had a very clear view of the fireworks- this is not to say it%26#39;s the spot to hang out and have a picnic ahead of time, but it%26#39;s a great view- and you%26#39;re the first ones out to head for the T.

The major bridges over the river are similar- they have a good view, but they are also not the nicest spot to spend hours-- sitting on cement instead of grass, and people are constantly filtering through.

The fireworks display itself is somewhat unimpressive to me. I grew up in small town with an awesome fireworks display tho, so I%26#39;m kinda spoiled. But I think what makes Boston special is the atmosphere and the concert- so I%26#39;d choose getting a enjoyable spot to spend the afternoon/evening and picnic over having the best view of the fireworks.

Also, there is a rehearsal concert on the 3rd at the Hatch Shell and that doesn%26#39;t require getting there nearly as early to get a spot, so you might want to consider that too, especially if it%26#39;s very hot or rainy.

And if you%26#39;re not busy guarding your spot at the Hatch Shell, you can check out the various other 4th of July events including the USS Constitution turn-around, and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the old State House.

Have a great trip!

burts bees