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| *Travel Tips>>>Boston Travel Tips |
What advise do you have for a newcomer to the Boston Pops July 4th experience? |
Travel Info Three of us are going up for that week. What should we expect? What time should we get there? What should we bring? Where is the best spot? How prepared should we be to sit in the park all day? Travel Tips I just wanted to make sure you know you had another choice, which you might want to keep in mind depending both on weather and personal taste. Pretty much you have to be down at the oval at the crack of dawn or you won't be anywhere that you can even see the Hatch Shell. You'll hear it, as speakers are set up along the Charles on BOTH sides of the river (Boston and Cambridge). To me, if you aren't up for spending 12+ hours in the sun, the rain, or whatever we are having that day lol, I'd suggest going to the dress rehersal the night before. Sadly, since the Pops no longer do the full week of concerts as they did for so many years, that is also a mob scene, so you would have to get there earlier than in the past, but late afternoon vs sun rise is a huge difference. Now, pro's and cons. The cons; There won't be all the hoopla that goes with the 4th, or the flyover, and mostly there won't be the Howitzer's & the fireworks. So if you have your heart set on seeing what is always on TV, this isn't quite it. And as with any rehersal, there may be some redo's and getting stuff just right. The Pro's; You'll see the same concert with the same entertainment as the 4th (although sometimes 1 or 2 folks can't make it, but most usually do). Even though a large crowd, you can go much later, get much more room, and it's a more relaxed environment. Now as for the fireworks, keep in mind that while it's an amazing feeling to be there on the 4th, depending where you are the trees can block a lot of the view of the fireworks. And the crowd is so thick you can't move around. But there is a solution to this too! What I usually do on the 4th is go to the Cambridge side. The crowd is manageable, you can go a couple hours before, and the view (esp if you go on Memorial drive where the road goes up, closer to Kendall Sq than say the MA ave bridge) the view is perfect. You see everything perfectly and there are speakers to hear the Pops. So it's a trade off. I don't know if you have your heart set on being there on the 4th or not..don't know if you do ok in insanely crowded situations, port o potty lines, and not being able to leave once you get there (no going in or out after you pass security). BTW as for what to bring, tons of picnic food, munchies, beverages, ICE, and a citronella candle/bug spray is always a good idea. Toss in extra bags for garbage. Depending where you are staying you might want to stop at a market and pick up sandwiches, snacks, lemonaide, bag of ice, cups etc. I used to love to stop at a local Pub and get fried chicken wings (this was midweek when it was easier to just head over). So you can be creative. They is a food stand but it's absurdly expensive so bring what you can. Be sure not to bring anything alcoholic. They now check EVERY bag and they WILL throw it all away (such a waste!). In the past they were more lax in the days before, but I wouldn't risk it now. Also think about what would help you pass 12+ hours--games, cards, ipods etc etc. And if you do make a day of it, be sure to listen to the weather and bring what you need accordingly. Believe me when I say you will see folks with full tents, tarps for the ground, lawn furniture (not just lounge chairs), and pretty much anything they can carry or strap to wheels. Hear if you will need rain gear, light jackets are always a good idea no matter what the weather, etc. To me the 4th has gotten WAY out of control lol..but that's me. I'd rather just go late afternoon, get a nice view in Cambridge, and have a pleasant few hours vs an endurance test lolol. And be sure to check for Harborfest and see if there are any events going on there (the other side of town), that sound like fun to you. There are usually fireworks on another night over the Harbor, and those are always lovely to watch either from any of the waterfront area/docks or the best view is any of the many fireworks cruises that go out on the Harbor. BTW some will advertise for the 4th but the view is lousy from the harbor for those. I'll toss in a link below to check it out. Hope you have a blast no matter what you do! Source(s): http://www.bostonharborfest.com/... Other Travel Tips My cousins live in Boston and I think it's a pretty good city, lots of tourism. All I have to say is that if you're not used to the accent it might be weird sounding. if you want to be close you need to get there early am. water,blankets to sit or lie on.worth the hustle and bustle By early AM the predecessor Answerer really means about 6AM!! If it is sunny bring some large beach umbrellas. And of course food and drinks and coolers. Be prepared for one of you to walk to nearby stores at least a couple of times to restock on victuals and ice. You want to get there before 9am (even then you wont be right on the Hatch Shell. To be honest we always enjoyed ourselves more by sitting to the left the the hatch shell, under a tree. That sun does get hot! You can hear everything perfectly from there - speakers all over the area. Bring a cooler w/food for all 3 meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, and plenty of water. You will be in the park all day. We usually go w/a good sized group, so we'd take shifts so someone is at the blanket while others get to wander a bit. By the time the show begins it will get very crowded, people will walk on your blanket, etc. All part of the experience, best to just go w/it. It is fun, and worth doing at least once in your lifetime! You'll really need to get there early! The earlier the better, people start getting there and preparing to sit around all day basically as soon as the sun is up. Bring a big beach blanket, and umbrella for shade if you can. . . .Either that, or just watch from the distance, where you don't have to prepare practically at all. But for the real experience, go right to the water, hear the pops, and wait out the day. |
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