My husband and I are leaving for Boston on Saturday, staying at the Marriott Copley Place, and will be there over the 4th. What activities do you suggest for the 4th and where would be a good spot for us to see the fireworks? Thanks for all the good advice we've been reading from earlier posts.

Traditionally on the evening before the 4th, there have been fireworks in Boston Harbor, so anywhere near the Marriott Long Wharf or Boston Harbor Hotel would be ideal. The morning of the 4th, Old Ironsides (the USS Constitution) will be turned around, and you will be able to see it from the same locations. Because of 911 and the new security put in place for the 4th, there will be a new procedure for entering the Esplanade for the Pops concert. You can check www.bostonchannel.com for information about all of the festivities, and best locations to view the fireworks. But the best place to see the fireworks on the 4th is at the Esplanade or on either side of the Charles River. Also, the Pops will have a concert on the 3rd at the Esplanade, which is not quite as crowded as the one on the 4th. I would think that you would also be able to see the fireworks from Copley Square. Lastly, the Pops concert will be shown simultaneously on WCVB and A&E.

The events that leslie described are the highlights of a week-long harbor festival in Boston that focuses on Boston's role in early American history, with tours of old landmarks, recreations of historical characters (Ben Franklin et al.), special events for kids, etc etc:

http://www.bostonharborfest.com/

Great place to be on the 4th of July ! I just got back from visiting family & friends up in New England.

For a lovely view, have lunch or dinner outside at the Boston Harbor Hotel. I had lunch there last Monday (Jun-17th); weather was beautiful, 70 degrees, sunny; overlooks the harbor. Made me think about moving back to the old stomping ground --- that quickly evaporated once I got into the 'T' and had to wait, wait, wait for next Braintree train. Is Charley still lost on the MTA ????

I'm not sure you can see the fireworks all that well from the Marriott unless you are up on the roof (or upper floors) and even that may have an obscured view.

Depending on the new security provisions, you may well want to consider walking from Copley over toward the river toward the time of the show because you will almost certainly end up walking back after the show, and you might as well have a straight shot (shortest distance). Trying to ride the T after the show is insanity.

we did this trip about 2 years ago
we stayed in the fairmont copley
very very nice
we also did a trip by ferry to Provincetown which was great
i would do this trip again in a heart beat
it was fantastic
this year we'll be in Ireland
have a great trip and be sure to do a ferry trip

You should check out the Boston Pops 4th of July extravaganza on the Esplanade - free and hugely popular! You can walk from your hotel - only a few blocks away. Bring a picnic! It's going to be mobbed, but it's always a great time. So much to do in Boston ...great restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. I live in Boston and have LOTS of ideas. Send me an e-mail if you'd like some specific dining and entertainment suggestions. I also have ideas as to evening entertainment, i.e. places to hear great, live music; theater, etc.

Security is going to be extra-tight at the Hatch Shell this year for the July 4 concert. Entry will be through secure checkpoint; wristbands will be issued. I think I even heard that blanket size will be limited! (I suppose this is to ensure equitble allocation of the enclosed space.) So if you want a spot right on the Hatch Shell lawn, you'll probably have to get there at the crack of dawn.

Concert on Esplanade with fireworks is wonderful - but don't go. Even before increased security this year, a picnic would have to include breakfast, lunch and dinner that day - any part of Esplanade from which you could sit and hear concert fills up by breakfast time. There are places you can squeeze into later in the day, but only go if you love huge crowds.

Many more 7/4 things going on that week. In addition to website listed above, check out Boston Globe this Thursday )6/27) - they should have complete detailed listing

Thanks everyone! I hate to waste a whole day in Boston to save a spot for the concert. Maybe we'll just walk down by the river before the fireworks start, and try to see the concert on the 3rd. I'm also going to check out the websites that were suggested. Usually I research our trips way in advance, but this time we're not going to have everything planned out before we go. We're looking forward to it.

Yes, you'll never get a spot right by the hatch shell unless you are there when it opens in the morning. However, if you want to hear the concert and have a great view of the fireworks, walk down towards the river and sit on Storrow Drive (they close the street for the afternoon/evening of the 4th). You won't be able to see the concert, but you will hear it as they have speakers set up everywhere. This is also a great place to view the fireworks from.