4th of July Fireworks and the Pops

I am considering heading to Boston for 2 nights over 4th of July. This would be my first trip to Boston and I will be traveling with my 5 yr old daughter. I have looked at previous posts for the 4th... but I am trying to get a true sense of how crowded it is at the Esplanade. When do people start camping out? I really would prefer not to make a whole day of it. Also, where is the best place to view the fireworks?

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I found this information:

http://www.july4th.org/esplanade.htm

Once the Oval reaches capacity, usually around 7PM on July 3rd and mid-morning on the July 4th, no additional wristbands will be distributed.

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Also, I am considering staying at the Omni Parker House (because I have a weekend voucher). How far is this from the festivties and is public transportation an option?

AND has anyone been in the Omni since the renovations?

Sorry for all of the questions! I would appreciated any information.

4th of July Fireworks and the Pops

Hi,

If you have a voucher for the Parker House, I would definitely use it. She%26#39;s a grand old dame, built in 1896 or somewhere around there. It was renovated in 2003. It%26#39;s a beautiful hotel in the public areas while the rooms themselves are definitely on the small side. Service is good. As far as location, it%26#39;s VERY good. Only blocks to Fanueil Hall and the wharf area which your 5 year old will like. It%26#39;s not too close to the Esplanade but the T stop is a very short walk where you can subway it there or anywhere else in the city that interests you. The T is both efficient and safe.

The Esplanade will be PACKED. Figure around 750k to 1 million in a very small area. If you want to be at the Oval for the Pops, you would have to get down there in the early morning. Cambridge side of the Charles River provides some nice views of the fireworks, but you don%26#39;t get the Pops experience. I would definitely recommend putting your daughter on a leash. I know it sounds weird but ALOT of families do this. It is very easy to get separated in such large crowds. The event itself shouldn%26#39;t be missed. It%26#39;s definitely top 3 in the U.S.

If you decided not to stay at Parker House, I would recommend staying at the Marriott Cambridge. This hotel has a front row seat to the fireworks and has far less people, maybe around 150k. It%26#39;s a HUGE event obviously but one you%26#39;ll never lose memories of. Hope this gets you started. Have fun if you come.

4th of July Fireworks and the Pops

If you don%26#39;t want to camp out, you can park yourself on one of the bridges or on the esplanade a fair distance from the hatch shell. They have jumbotrons, so you%26#39;ll still see/hear the concert. Just a warning - if you listen to the concert from the longfellow bridge, you%26#39;ll hear the music from both sides of the river and it will sound oddly echo-y. I%26#39;d suggest coming in mid-afternoon, taking the time to get your fried dough and scope out a place along the river, and settle in. I was never a fan of squashing myself in front of the hatch shell, where your view of the fireworks is obscured by trees. If you want to see the pops, I%26#39;d suggest going to their rehearsal the day before.

One way to do it with a 5 year old would be to show up early on the 4th and have friends stake out a spot and take the child away and come back later using cellphones to locate one another. it is VERY crowded... very... and at the end, it%26#39;s baby-steps off the esplanade. If you don%26#39;t like crowds, forget it.

That said, it%26#39;s WONDERFUL to see the fireworks and hear the Pops play...nothing like it.

If you don%26#39;t get there early, it can feel like musical chairs, walking around (getting yelled at for blocking someone%26#39;s view of the fireworks), moving along and not really able to stop anywhere. Did that one year. Won%26#39;t do it again. I either view them from outside the city (there are vantage points that offer convenience in exchange for a lesser view) or get in early and get a spot and guard it.

The other alternative is any number of harbor cruises that offer vantage points, but many of these aren%26#39;t really that family friendly (most serve alcohol).

I am also considering a trip to Boston for the 4th Weekend... and IIRC from the last time I was in Boston the Charles St station on the Red Line is elevated... does the platform of that station provide decent views of the fireworks??? I know it sounds a little odd, but what I%26#39;m really after is an uncrowded location with a decent view (probably not likely but it never hurts to ask!!!)

That%26#39;s a good question about the platform...Most of it is shielded by an overhang, but there is an open part that would have a great view.

The question is whether the T cops will let folks hang out there...or how many they%26#39;ll let hang out there... (i.e. if the platform is too crowded I can see them wanting to broom it.)

The best times I%26#39;ve spent on the esplanade have been when I%26#39;ve had a spot on the grass by the river. When you%26#39;re up and walking aruond, jockeying for a look... that%26#39;s never worked for me. Maybe it has for others out there. It%26#39;s always been a case of getting yelled at to keep moving... blocking views, etc.

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