boston in july

we will be visiting boston for five days. what are the sights to see also what celebrations do they have on 4th july. anybody stayed at the hilton back bay. if so would you recommend it.

boston in july

Boston is a wonderful place to visit in the summer. We have a huge celebration on the Boston Esplanade for July 4th featuring fireworks and the Boston Pops. There are activities throughout the city including the Boston Harborfest prior to July 4. Sights to see include the Fenway Park

Freedom Trail

Bunker Hill

Boston Duck Tours

Boston Public Garden

Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory

Boston Harbor Islands National Park

Harvard University

New England Aquarium

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum to name a few. Go to BOSTON.COM/TRAVEL. It is a good starting point.

boston in july

The biggest event is no doubt the Boston Pops orchestra concert at the Hatch Shell, followed by the fireworks display over the Charles River. This is a big deal- last year it was nationally broadcast on TV over the whole USA.

We were there this past July. I haven%26#39;t been to any really big displays in Paris, NYC, London, Sydney, etc, but I have to admit this was the most awesome show I%26#39;ve ever seen!

A few pointers though- it%26#39;s difficult to see both the concert and watch the fireworks together, because the area where the concert is held is blocked by the trees on the Esplanade (the park areas that run along the sides of the river) If you try to leave the Hatch Shell Oval area, not only will you be totally squished by the masses of sweaty, sticky people who have been sitting in the hot sun all day, but by the time you get to an area where you can see anything, the show is over. This is what happened to us the first time we tried this back in 1988. Also, in order to see the concert on the 4th, you must arrive at around 6:00 in the morning to get a seat, and literally guard your place until about 8:00 that night. It%26#39;s usually hot and muggy in July-although it wasn%26#39;t last July-it was beautiful-and by the time everything is over, you%26#39;ve been sitting outside for about 17 hours.

So the recommendation would be to attend the concert for the rehearsal the evening before on the 3rd, when it%26#39;s not as crowded, and bring a nice picnic. Then on the 4th, head for across the river on the Cambridge side with another picnic, and you can arrive as late as 5-7 in the evening. Sit near a tower speaker which are set up all along the river. Then you can watch the sun set on the city skyline, hear the concert broadcast over the speakers, and see the fireworks over the river and the city. It%26#39;s magical!

Harborfest lasts the whole week before the 4th, and you can consult the schedule online a few months before for other things you might find interesting such as a parade through downtown that ends up at the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old Statehouse, the annual USS Constitution turnaround cruise, and much more. Go to bostonharborfest.com for that.

The Back Bay is a great area to stay in. I can%26#39;t give you an opinion on the Hilton as I haven%26#39;t stayed there. I can recommend the Copley Marriott and the Copley Sheraton, though as I%26#39;ve stayed at both numerous times.

July in Boston is hot and humid, so bring appropriate clothing. There%26#39;s lots to do and you%26#39;ll have a great time. If you%26#39;re inclined take a ride on the Swan Boats in Boston Common. My parents took me on them all the time when I was a kid and whenever I come back to Boston I take my kids on them. The Duck tours are lots of fun.

The Trolley Tour is also a nice way to a see a lot of the sights in Boston and learn about them without having to do a lot of walking. (Actually I think I might have told you about this before). Yes, I did. Also, someone asked about hotels in the Back Bay area last week, which you can read about at tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60745-i48-k349332鈥?/a> .

The chowder tasting at City Hall is an option as well as a July 4th harbor cruise to see the fireworks. Trolley tours are a great way to get around to the different sections of the City.

i enjoy an extra barrier