If you want to go the "wristband" route to get into the ellipse nea the Hatch Shell, it's an all-day affair. You have to get there early in the morning and plan on spending the entire day there. While it's the best place to see and hear the concert, it's not necessarily the best place to see the fireworks, as the trees in parts can interfere with fireworks sightlines. So it depends on your priorities. I personally never wanted to commit to spending the entire day there and have "winged" both the concert and fireworks. What that means is that you don't get to "see" the concert except while walking. The other alternative is to go to the rehersal concert the night before and just concentrate on the fireworks for the Fourth.

AlanM

Hi,

You need to understand that the Esplanade area is small, and it attracts upwards of 500,000 people each year for the concert. Many families have had a July 4th ritual for years, where they show up at 4am that morning, to claim a spot when the grounds open at 7 or 8 am (I believe that's when it opens).

By 12 noon, it's packed to capacity and there's no more space to sit. I agree with Alanm that it's never been something I've wanted to do. Usually, it's also blazing hot that day and they actually have hosing stations where they will hose people down with cold water to keep them from getting heat stroke from sitting in the sun.

My solution is to bring a portable TV with me to watch the fireworks. Then, I can arrive at my favorite viewing place about an hour beforehand, watch the end of the concert on TV, and then see the fireworks. By that time, the sun is down and it's not so horribly hot either.

The night of the 3rd the taping for the show is done, you get to see everything except the fireworks. It is like a dress rehersal. If its the show you want to see go then; we went last year and then spend the 4th doing other things in town like the reading of the declaration on the steps of the court house and walking the freedom trail with the costumed people. Then we went to find a spot to watch the fireworks - in this way I got to see both. We had tickets that my friend got because of the company that she worked for but many others just sat on the grass on the edge and got to see the same show. Hope that helps .

Thanks so much everyone. This gives me a better understanding of the set up.Think we will skip the concert and see the other great thinks Boston has to offer. Thanks again!

For all the Boston experts out there, I am hoping to get a little more help on the 4th. I'm terrible with big crowds, so we are hoping to find a fun restaurant for dinner, then walk toward Back Bay to see the fireworks. Can anyone recommend a good "standing place" in the Back Bay (or Commons area) that we'll be able to see the fireworks? I understand that there are lots of trees and tall building in the City, but we're just not sure of where a good "space away from the crowds" may be. Thank you!

There is no good space "away from the crowds" for the fireworks. You may as well get that thought out of your head. The best "last minute" spot to see the fireworks is the Longfellow Bridge. If any sized crowd really bothers you, there's always tv I guess.

AlanM

There are views from several hotels: the roof of the Lenox has a view, I think the Cambridge Hyatt? Check out YouTube: there's a bunch of Boston 4th of July fireworks videos and the one from the Lenox has an okay view but different music.

Wherever you go, there will be crowds. Anything with a view of the fireworks will be crowded...including the Longfellow bridge.

My opinion: It's better to get a spot early than to be wandering around last minute (when you'll be blocking someone's view or forced to keep moving---you really don't want to be blocking people who have staked out a spot all day... Don't get me wrong: it's a very positive, upbeat peaceful crowd (and cops are everywhere), but if you get there last minute and then stand blocking someone's view, you'll get yelled at. Doing that is considered inconsiderate. It's a crowded event and proper planning is expected. Some of my best memories are of getting there early afternoon with friends, staking a spot, hanging out all day and seeing fireworks at night. Nothing like the view from the river's edge. BUT it IS crowded.

So...maybe a hotel venue would be less crowded but it won't have the same feeling as being at the Esplanade.

The only real way to see the fireworks and still avoid the crowds downtown would be to stay in your hotel room and watch on TV. There are uncrowded parts of town that night but anything with a view will have a bunch of people gathered.

...I should add...if you're not that concerned about really seeing the fireworks, you'll know they're there if you're walking through the Common, etc. One year, I had to leave early and was walking by Park Street Station and saw a glimpse of some fireworks. There are totally obstructed views in the Common and Back Bay but it's kind of weird to be in those places...kind of spooky...most people are where they want to be (viewing fireworks) and the Common is relatively empty ... every cop in the city is on the Esplanade...

Maybe if you walk Marlborough Street or something but it would be a weird feeling of being apart from the big thing that's happening. Maybe that's what you're looking for.

Hi Remote,

As mentioned, you will need to deal with crowds if you want to take part in any of the July 4th festivities.

I usually tell people to decide beforehand if they are more interested in the concert or the fireworks, because the best views of each are in different areas and you can't get from the concert area to a good fireworks viewing area in time when the concert ends.

My personal favorite place to watch the fireworks is the Longfellow bridge. It's closed to traffic that night and if you climb up on the Boston-bound side, you have a perfect, unobstructed view of the fireworks, with some glorious special effects of the reflections off of the Charles river and the John Hancock Tower. It's always crowded, but not claustrophobically so. There's plenty of room to move around.

Alanm and Beantownman,

Can I jump in with a question? I see your comments about best last minute place to see the fireworks is the Longfellow Bridge. We are staying at the Hilton Backbay - can we walk from there to the Longfellow Bridge?