Travel Experiences: Celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston

Recently, I reconnected with a childhood friend of mine. She went to university in England and I in Boston, and one summer, she came to visit me. That summer was almost thirty years ago. I didn't take any pictures, so I could not recall what we did when she visited. When I asked what she remembers most about Boston, she said it was the Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks. Indeed the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a sensational event, and one of Boston's biggest celebrations. To this day, I haven't found a fourth of July celebration quite like it. And I have been to quite a few, from the north (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) to the south (St Petersburg, Florida) to the deep south (Atlanta, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee).

Held at the Esplanade, a waterfront park that stretches for 3 miles along the Charles River, the Boston Pops July 4^th concert is a legendary event, complete with pyrotechnics and musical scores synchronizing to the breathtaking fireworks. For this event, big-screen TVs and speakers are planted all along the Charles River so you can get a good glimpse of the Boston Pops Orchestra and their special guests, and listen to their beautiful music and songs.

The year 2000 was my most memorable Fourth of July Celebration in Boston. I went to the Boston Pops July 4^th concert with a bunch of friends by boat. It was our first experience going through the Charles River Lock. The Charles River was a zoo, with tons of boats anchored closely together, and dinghies zipping back and forth. We were smack in the middle of all the action, and had a fabulous view of the fireworks. Returning home was a different story; we had to wait in line to go through the lock, and travel in the dark, and hence did not get home until the wee hours of the morning.

Anyone who has been to Boston will no doubt be familiar with the infamous Boston drivers, the horrendous traffic and parking situation, so it is best to take public transportation. You can get to the Esplanade via the subway: Copley or Arlington station on the Green Line or Charles station on the Red Line. Get there early and bring a picnic basket. Click on the Boston Pops FIreworks Spectacular link to get the latest detail on the event.

If you are traveling to Boston for the Fourth of July Celebration, be sure to join in the festivities at the Esplanade for a memorable and fun holiday!

Sources:
http://www.esplanadeassociation.org/park/parkfacts.html
http://www.july4th.org/