would like to experiance boston w/ 2 boys
12/14.don't know anything about the area.
read alot from this site.what is the duck
thing[tour/walk??]any info regarding the firework show,where to see it?ect.thanks alot

Duck Tours are tours of the city in a WWII amphibious vehicle. It takes you by all the major sites and then "splashes down" in the river for a short tour up the Charles. The drivers are entertaining and you'll learn interesting bits of trivia. Buy the tickets in advance - they sell out very fast. http://www.ducktours.com/ You can buy tickets online for pickup at the departure point, or at the ticket booth at Prudential.

As for the friewarks, those are launched from down by the Charles and are part of the celebration at the Hatch Shell. Unless you're willing to camp out all night & all day, you won't get a good vantage point for the free concerts at the Hatch Shell, but you may be able to find a good vantage point for the fireworks. From my house we can hear them but not see them due to the trees. If you're staying at a hotel, find out it they have aroof deck or can recommended a place to watch the forworks. In past years we've hung out on friends' roofs.

You can walk up to the Longfellow Bridge around 7ish and get a nice view of the fireworks over the river.

The Duck Tour will cover the major points but you'll probably want explore Fanieul Hall, Newbury Street between Dartmouth & Mass Ave, and/or take the Redline subway to Harvard Square. Considering the ages of your kids, they'd probably like those areas.

Maybe your boys would enjoy a tour of Fenway Park? There are no home games around the 4th but you may be able to go for a tour www.redsox.com. The New England Aquarium is also fun. There are Whale Watches that leave from right next door and a 3D IMAX theatre.

I highly recommend the duck tour - even adults will find it enjoyable. As was already mentioned, the tickets sell quickly.

I've only attempted to see the fireworks once, and it does take a bit of work to find a good place. Grab a blanket and just head to the river to find a spot. I agree that you should ask the hotel for recommendations about the best places.

The museum of science will probably be interesting for you boys. It also has an IMAX, but I don't think it's the 3-D one like at the Aquarium. Alot of people also enjoy touring the Constitution. I've never done it though, so I'm not sure what it's like. Weather permitting, you can also hop on the blueline subway and head to Revere Beach.