How to Have a Great Time at the Boston Pops 4th of July Concert

I have attended New Orleans Jazz Festival, Central Park Concerts and I recently went to Boston Pops July 4th celebration. Going to all these festivals you learn some new ways to have a more enjoyable time. Here are my suggestions so you can also.

First, if you want to bring food then get a tote ice cooler storage bag that you can carry on your shoulder easily. I brought a foam storage container and with heavy ice, it broke. Plus, from the subway to the Boston Common Grounds area it is quite a hike to try to carry a heavy ice chest. If you buy a foam ice chest you can use a luggage cart that you can strap the ice chest to prevent it from falling and breaking. Also, think about buying a cooler or bag with wheels. If you staying in a hotel use their ice machine to get enough ice to keep your food cool. In the hotel, fill your cooler and then place your food near the air-conditioner. Think about getting a bigger hotel room that includes a kitchen and a refrigerator. Then you can prepare some easy picnic food like pasta salad without any worries that it will spoil.

If you go to the Boston Pops you have two options. You can see the dress rehearsal the night before and see the fireworks on July 4th or sit all day wait for the live concert. You cannot sit on the esplanade and watch the fireworks at the same time as the fireworks It's either one or the other. If you hurry up and leave the concert area when it finishes, then you still can catch the fireworks on your way of the park area. If you choose to sit and wait for the concert try to get there early and get a spot to picnic under a tree. Don't forget the sun screen and water. If you bring any drink containers then bring empty plastic ones. If you bring some powered drink mix you can mix it up with water, from the water fountain, and then you can make a great lemonade or ice tea. The security for this event is very tight and well organized. They will open your fold up chair and look inside of it.

Also, when the event is over don't leave right away unless you want to watch the fireworks. The subway was so crowded that you could not get on for at least an hour after the event was over. The Boston T is free after 10pm on July 4th.

When the concert is over is the best time to visit the restrooms. If you need to use the public toilets bring hand wipes, a flash light and your own roll of toilet paper.

Bring a sweater for when the temperature drops at night.

Boston Pops lets people carry tents into the concert area. But the tents must come down at 6pm. You can wait on line to get a good spot and then leave your blanket on that spot for a few hours unattended if you can't stand waiting in the heat all day.

There are bright stadium lights that are used for the July 4th television broadcast so you don't need to bring any candles. Also, bring some plastic forks and plates rather then buying paper. It's better for the environment. Plus, Target offer such nice plastic plate sets for picnic use.

Remember to carry extra bags to carry out your trash at the end of the night.

Book your holiday travel as early as possible. Mega Bus prices went up just a few days after the July 4th date was posted on their website. The cheap tickets always go fast but during the holiday season they really go fast. Also, if you can't make a commitment to Mega Bus so far in advance, then the Chinese buses charge 15 dollars each way and there is no reservation required.

There will be many great concert and entertainment events to choose from especially during the summer months. I hope my tips can help you enjoy these special events even more.