Boston's "I Hate Fireworks" Guide to the 4th of July
By Susie
updated 2 months ago
If you're like me, you still have no idea what you're doing for the 4th of July. You're almost considering hanging out on the Esplanade, because what else is there to do? But then you remember the scene on the Esplanade last year (massive crowds, torrential downpours) and how you determined you were never ever going back. And you realized fireworks just really aren't all that cool. Now you know you need a plan fast. Well, you can relax because there's actually plenty you can do on the 4th of July in Boston that will keep you far, far from the Esplanade. And all of it you can easily do last minute!
Indoor Beach Party
I’m not exactly sure what an indoor beach party is (Do they have sand? I hope they have sand), but it sounds like fun to me. Especially if it means fewer people and less crowds than the outdoor grass party that is the Esplanade.
And it involves bowling, billards, and other “festivities.” I’m all about hitting up King’s while the rest of Boston is staring at the sky.
50 Dalton Street Boston, Ma 02115, Boston, MA 02108
Marina Bay Beach Club Bash
Honestly, I would normally never, ever recommend you go hang out at Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly known as WaterWorks), but if forced to choose between the Esplanade and a kind of trashy South Shore club, I’d choose trashy any day (come on, you can’t pretend the crowds at the Esplanade aren’t completely trashy).
The party starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. with a cover of $40. Also, there will be “celebrity DJs and guests.” Hmmm I wonder who. Brody Jenner was there a couple months ago.
Wouldn’t you rather be sitting at Dante with these classy people, rather than shoved between hot, sweaty people on the Esplanade?
Amazing food, fabulous view, and classy people. I’ll take that over the Esplanade’s fireworks viewing crowd any day. And you know what? I’m pretty positive that you will get the perfect view of the fireworks from Dante’s patio. But you’ll actually be able to see the fireworks from Dante. Oooh, classy fireworks!
Attending the chef’s tasting will cost you $140, but for a $20 cover, you are welcome to enjoy the patio for some drinks.
OK so maybe the fireworks are kind of pretty. And the music quite nice. And it makes you feel a bit patriotic. But crowds make you angry. And unpatriotic. So why not stay in and watch the show from the comfort of your couch?
Remember the rains last year? Thinking about the ridiculous amounts of rain Boston has been getting the past few weeks? Yeah, your couch is sounding more and more better by the minute, right?
Yes, it’s pretty. Minus the rain and massive crowds. But you can see it from a front row seat without getting wet or wanting to beat someone up if you sit on your couch watching the whole celebration on TV.
Map to Boston on the 4th of July
Just hop from place to place and don’t even think about the commotion going on down by the water!
The Only Reason to Go to the Esplanade
I really, really love Rascal Flatts, but I just don’t think I love them enough to get myself to the Esplanade on the 4th of July.
HarborFest
Harborfest will also be going on during the 4th (from the 1st-6th) and there are several events on their agenda that would be a whole lot more fun than sitting packed in with the crowd on the esplanade the entire day.
Footloose on the Freedom Trail
This tour, which starts at the State House at 9:00 a.m. is a 3 hour walking tour of the Freedom Trail, taking you all the way to the U.S.S. Constitution, stopping often along the way. This tour will prove to you just how much of a walking city Boston really is!
Visit Boston By Foot’s website for more info. on the walking tour.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
At 10:00 a.m., you should stop by the Old State House to hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence read from the balcony…just like on July 18, 1776. Re-enacting history is a whole lot more fun than fighting with people on the esplanade because they’re taking up your space.
Built in 1713, the Old State House is Boston's oldest public building still standing. During its illustrious existenc...
Built in 1713, the Old State House is Boston's oldest public building still standing. During its illustrious existence, it has been a meeting place for a Merchant's Exchange, a rental property of John Hancock, and a center for political activity. Today, the house holds a thriving museum with more than 6,000 artifacts, art works, and military items from throughout the town's history. The House resides on the Freedom Trail, in the heart of the city, near Faneuil Hall.
USS Constitution Tall Ship Cookout
Have a cookout on a piece of history, rather than eating at the gross vendors on the Esplanade, while making sure someone stays back to save your coveted seats. The cookout is from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 and costs $80.
They may not be Rascal Flatts, but the Dan Lawson band is some pretty fun blues-rock vocals and guitar. And you may even get close enough to actually see them (as opposed to trying to get a glimpse of Rascal). The Dan Lawson Band will be playing from 2-4:30 p.m. on City Hall Plaza.
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