Fireworks and the Fourth, With or Without the Crowds

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people jam the Esplanade for thecity’s Fourth of July concert and fireworks. The 35th anniversary ofthe Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, on Friday,July 4, promises to be no different. But there are other spots in andaround Boston that offer great views of the pyrotechnics — with smallercrowds.

No matter the location, remember to bring water, a lawnchair, mosquito repellent, a picnic basket, and even a radio if youwant to hear the Pops play while you watch.

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
The Esplanade, Boston
The free Pops concert starts at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, butspectators must arrive early in the day to get a good seat.Craig Ferguson, host of the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, willhost the show, and the country band Rascal Flatts will perform the songs Life Isa Highway and Everyday. This year’s fireworks display will feature morethan 20,000 pounds of explosives.

The Esplanade is the traditional gathering spot for the show, and that means crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Here are a few other places to watch the Boston fireworks:

Mass Ave Bridge
Sitting in a boat on the Charles River is probably the best way towatch the display, but the Mass Ave Bridge offers the sameunder-the-fireworks feeling. The bridge will be closed to cars. (TheLongfellow Bridge is closed to spectators this year because ofconstruction.)

Along the Charles River, Cambridge
From theCambridge side of the Charles, particularly on the MIT campus, spectators can still hear the music,and they’ll have less company. They may even have a better view of thefireworks.

Prospect Hill Monument
Prospect Hill Park, Intersection of Prospect Hill Avenue and Munroe Street, Somerville
Prospect Hill Monumentsits high above Somerville’s Union Square and is a great place to watchthe Boston fireworks without the massive crowds. It’s also a fittingspot to celebrate America’s birthday — it’s said to be the spot whereGeorge Washington ordered the first raising of the U.S. flag, an earlyversion later superseded by the more familiar Stars and Stripes. Bestof all, there’s no need to throw elbows to get back on the T after theshow is over.

Larz Anderson Park
23 Newton St., Brookline
Larz Anderson Parkis a popular spot for families to watch the Boston fireworks. More roommeans being able to spread out for picnics and games.

Oakley Country Club
401 Belmont St., Watertown
Park at the entrance of this golf course and follow the crowds to thehighest points of the course.Then make yourself comfortable and enjoy the show.

Some options for fireworks outside of Boston:

Castle Hill at the Crane Estate
Argilla Road, Ipswich
For a different fireworks experience, head north to the gorgeous CraneEstate overlooking Ipswich Harbor. The Merrimack Valley PhilharmonicOrchestra and the Porch Rockers will play, and fireworks will explodeover the ocean. Click herefor more information and ticket prices.

Codman Fields at the Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln
Lincoln’s Fourth of July celebration brings visitors from neighboringtowns and beyond to watch the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.

Nahant Beach
Bailey’s Hill Park, Castle Road, Nahant
Fireworks will be set off from Bailey’s Hill Park, making Nahant Beacha fun place to see the show, starting at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.

Russell J. Halloran Field and Sports Complex, Newton
Albemarle Road, Newton
Newton’s “master of fireworks,” otherwise known as Tony Gentile, hasbeen a fireworks expert for more than 30 years; he promises this yearwill be the biggest show yet. The display starts at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.

Wakefield Common, Wakefield
The town’s fireworks show is in memory of Army Staff Sergeant Joseph P.Bellavia, a 28-year-old Wakefield native who was killed in Iraq.Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Call 781-246-6390 for more information.

Amy Laskowski can be reached at amlaskow@bu.edu.