<p>I have an opportunity to accompany my H who is going to a conference in NE in the beginning of July. We are thinking about making a stop in Boston on the way back. What are some good places to watch fireworks in Boston? Are there any special holiday festivities that we should not miss? Many thanks in advance for your advice!</p>
<p>The Boston side of the Esplanade is too crowded day of the fireworks. If you must watch them and you don’t have a friend with a Back Bay rooftop, then go to the Cambridge side - much better room there.</p>
<p>Ideally, you would see the Boston Pops orchestra (if you like orchestra) on the day before (July 3rd) than the messy July 4th.</p>
<p>^ Agree. Used to live in Brookline, on the Boston side, but always (after the first year) crossed to Cambridge, usually near the MIT library. </p>
<p>It is much easier to get a decent view, not too blocked by trees, from the Cambridge side. The crowd is also a pretty mellow one, which adds to the fun. Don’t count on great seating or great views, though, because the good spots go first thing in the morning. Does not matter, though, because the show is great no matter where you sit. </p>
<p>Other festivities? Quite a few, but we saved our energy for the fireworks. Frankly, anywhere in town will be festive - Common, Quincy Market, Harvard Square - you name it.</p>
<p>We were in Boston over the 4th a few years back while doing college visits. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Cambridge and were able to walk (albeit a long walk) over to the river to watch the fireworks (I think we sat somewhere near a boathouse). They were magnificent, especially with the city skyline in the background.</p>
<p>On the 4th itself, we did the Freedom Trail - there were guides in costumes everywhere. It was a wonderful experience. Here’s the link for the weeklong festival: [url=<a href=“http://www.bostonharborfest.com/]BostonHarborfest[/url”>http://www.bostonharborfest.com/]BostonHarborfest[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Slightly pricey, but if your H is on an expense account (does anyone still have these?), you can’t beat the view from here:
[Spirit</a> of Boston | July 4 Weekend Lobster and Fireworks Dinner Cruises July 4th](<a href=“Boston Cruises, Ferry Rides & Harbor Tours with Boston Harbor City Cruises”>Boston Cruises, Ferry Rides & Harbor Tours with Boston Harbor City Cruises)</p>
<p>Top of the Museum of Science.</p>
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<p>Completely agree. The road is totally shut down so there is a bunch of elbow room no matter how close you get. Great view of the fireworks and up-close. It will be LOUD.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the suggestions! Very helpful.</p>
<p>Agree about staying away from the Boston side. We were there a few years ago and were amazed at the crowds…no elbow room at all.
I also seem to remember them playing a selection of pop songs during the show…and i didn’t like that. The display was good though…from what we could see through the trees.<br>
The best show I ever went to was a small fw display in Princeton, where they had a orchestra playing patriotic songs while the display went on. Awesome. Philly was good too but I love that small town feel with the live music.</p>
<p>Yeah, if you want to get a good view from the Boston side, you pretty much have to stake out a spot before 6am and keep it the whole day. The Cambridge side is generally not too bad. There’s usually some room near the Mass Ave bridge. If you have any MIT connections, you might be able to get onto the upper floors of an MIT building (or even a roof - probably technically illegal, but I’ve seen whole families up there on the 4th with the doors to the roofs propped open and the cops not caring).</p>
<p>Well, this is the Boston POPS orchestra playing, so there will be pop music!</p>