When it comes to celebrating our nation’s birthday, there’s no better place to be in the U.S. of A. than our most historic Revolutionary city. Don’t just take it from me, though: up to 3 million tourists descend on Boston every year for the July 4th holiday.
To make the most of your fabulous fourth vacation, be sure to book your seat on USA Guided Tours Boston‘s award-winning guided tours before you arrive! In just one full- or half-day, you can visit the most iconic sights in and outside of Boston on our climate-controlled buses with the best tour guides in the business. Having ticked all the traditional tourist boxes, you’ll then have plenty of time to take advantage of the plethora of 4th of July activities across the city. Even better: we’ve got a 4th of July promotion going on right now, with 40% off all tickets!
You’ll also see plenty of Revolutionary history on our itineraries, of course. On both our full-day “Historic Discovery” and half-day “Preview Boston” tours, we visit both Lexington and Concord. You’ll feel the history under your feet as you stand on these towns’ legendary battlefields. It’s not just colonial and early American history on our tours, though: you’ll also visit the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott, walk through Cambridge’s Harvard Yard, and raise your complimentary bottled water to the original Cheers bar in Beacon Hill.
As fun as those experiences are, however, Boston in July is really about the Fourth. Beantown hosts the nation’s largest Independence Day festival, known as Harborfest. Signature events on the 1st and 2nd that you won’t want to miss include local artisans selling their wares at Downtown Crossing, the Parade of Lights on the Charles River, and my personal favorite, Chowderfest.
Then there’s the main event, which starts early in Boston. At 9AM, you can attend the flag raising at City Hall Plaza and join the parade that heads to the Granary Burying Ground to lay wreaths at the graves of patriots Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and others. Or, you can arrive at Back Bay’s Charles River Esplanade right when the gates for the Hatch Shell open for that evening’s festivities.
Personally, I’d start with the ceremony and parade, then head over to the Hatch Shell for a lunchtime picnic. Maybe bring a frisbee with you to toss around as you wait for the sun to dip—but be sure to take a look at the list of prohibited items before you go (backpacks, fireworks, wheeled coolers, and alcoholic beverages are among the things you can’t bring in).
Queen Latifah and Arlo Guthrie headline this year’s concert at 8PM, with the fireworks—set to the stirring music of the Boston Pops Orchestra—starting at 10:30. It’s the nation’s best 4th of July celebration, so be sure to savor every minute!
So let us at USA Guided Tours Boston show you the best of Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord in just a day so that you can enjoy the Independence Day holiday to the fullest! Happy Fourth!
Sara Murphy | USA Guided Tours Boston Blog Contributor
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