Need help planning a 3-4 trip to hear the concert and visit Boston for the first time. Has anyone planned a trip this late to the Boston Pops July 4 concert? Which hotels are closeby? Any tips will be appreciated.

Mary, I'd first suggest that you do a text search on this forum for Boston. You will find lots of previous posts on hotels, july 4th, etc. Great way to begin.

Then, I'd have to say good luck on finding a hotel in Boston for the 4th. Be flexible and as long as you're on public transportation, consider staying. The Holiday Inn in Newton is on the Green line of the T, for example. Boston is no city to drive in for tourists, and especially on the 4th! Another family on this forum is planning on staying in Somerville and using public transportation. I'd be sure to be on the T rather than on the commuter train lines though, as they can be irregular on holidays.

Feel free to email me directly for more specific info (I think I've bored too many people here on the forum with this topic) but it's a totally exciting place to be over the 4th. Be persistant and do plan to attend.

Extra info for you...the Pops play all week, and have a dress rehearsal the 3rd. You can hear them more than once while you're here.

The group that organizes this incredible event has a website: www.july4th.org. Hotel reservations are not easy to come by, especially at that time of year. You should do a "search" of this site (see top of page) because there's a lot of good information on Boston and its hotels.

Mary,

I doubt you can get reservations, but the Hyatt Regency Cambridge (617-492-1234) and the Royal Sonesta Hotel (617-806-4200) are right on the Charles River - where all the action is.

Elsa

Mary, I planned a similar trip a couple of years ago, and at a similarly late date.
We ended up at the Sheraton Tara in Newton, which is not that close to the T, as far as I know - we took a bus back to the hotel one evening. Otherwise, we drove into Central Sq. in Cambridge, parked on the street (it was the holiday weekend, and we got lucky,) and walked or caught the T to our destination. This worked on the 4th, too, to our surprise.
As you may have gathered, you can probably expect to find lodging some distance from the concert, whether it's in Boston, Cambridge, or further out. If you can find a place near public transport (as Ann advises,) you'll be in good shape. Good luck.

One word of warning...if you haven't been to the concert, here's the deal. You may not ever be able to see the stage, and you may only be watching from large screens they have all over the Esplanade (where the fireworks are). If you plan to 'camp out' there all day, you will be able to get a decent seat. I live in Boston and walked down to the fireworks after dinner out last year, and was amazed at the crowds - we were VERY far away and couldn't even see the stage or a screen (which was fine - we didn't expect to and just wanted to see the fireworks).

I don't mean to be a downer, just trying to set expectations. To get a seat (i.e. a plot of grass) in front, you have to start out early in the morning and stay there all day.

One thing you may want to do (and I'm not sure of the details, but citysearch.com might have them as the time gets closer) is go to the Old State House on 4th morning - they re-enact the first reading of the declaration of independence from the balcony of the state house (where it was first read in public).

Second piece 0f advice...get there in the middle of the night or very early a.m. for the rush for front row seats.. Many people have been doing it for years and you'll be surprised at the way they camp out...Have fun...

I should have mentioned that we go to the Cambridge side of the Charles to watch the fireworks. It's impossible to get a spot on the Esplanade, as Jen mentioned, unless you're there early in the morning with the hordes of other people. If you get to the Cambridge side by 6;30 (concert I believe starts about 8pm, fireworks 9:15 or so), there's ample time to get a spot sitting on the curb. You can bring sandwiches or whatever to pass the time. It's fun to people watch. You will wonder where some of them ever came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elsa

The concert is alot of fun and of course Boston does a great job with the Fireworks.

Good advice posted here, and I would also contact a travel agent and see if they have any hotels that might be available.

We often stay at the Sheraton which is a bit out of Boston right over (and I mean RIGHT over the Mass Pike)

Also as you are traveling on the pike stop at one of the rest areas and pick up a discount booklet at one of the McDonalds on the pike it will also give you more info on the area. There are also discount coupons for some of the attractions in Boston at the local hotels.

A must do is the Freedom Trail, which starts at the State House and you walk all over the Boston area.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy your trip.

tweedy