Friday, July 4th
8:30am-9pm – Whale Watch Cruises
Massachusetts Bay Lines (617-542-8000), and
New England Aquarium (617 973 5200)
Whales frolicking in their natural environment
Times, length, routes and prices vary, reservations required
www.massbaylines.com
www.neaq.org
9am-10am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Parade
At the Flagpole on the Plaza at City Hall
Follow the parade to the Granary Burial Ground where
wreaths are laid on the graves of the patriots and
then to the Old State House
9am-Noon – Footloose on the Freedom Trail
Boston By Foot (617-367-2345)
Meet at the State House Steps, Beacon Street
300 years of Boston’s architecture and history
Admission $15, BBF member $6
www.bostonbyfoot.com
9am-5pm – Shaping up America: JFK, Sports and Physical Fitness
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
(617-514-1600)
Columbia Point, Dorchester
Learn about the Kennedy family’s athletic legacy
and how it inspired young Americans
Admission $7-$10 12 and under free
www.jfklibrary.org
9:30am-2pm – Brunch Cruises
Boston Seaport Boat Charters (617-261-6633, 800-422-8419),
Boston Yacht Charters (617-723-8810), Charles Riverboat Co.,
(617-621-3001), Massachusetts Bay Lines (617-542-8000),
Odyssey Cruises (866-310-2469), Spirit of Boston (866-307-2469)
and USS Constitution Museum (617-426-1812 x108)
View the USS CONSTITUTION as she makes her annual voyage
and fires a 21 cannon salute to the Nation
Times, lengths, routes and prices vary, reservations required
www.bostonseaportboatcharters.com
www.bostonyachtcharters.com
www.charlesriverboat.com
www.libertyfleet.com
www.massbaylines.com
www.OdysseyCruises.com
www.spiritofboston.com
www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org
10am- 10:15am- Whiskers, Fur, and Flippers
New England Aquarium (617-973-5200)
The Seal Pool, New England Aquarium Plaza
Central Wharf
Watch harbor seals frolic with their handlers
10am-10:30am – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
From the balcony of the Old State House, State and Devonshire Streets
Read from the balcony as it was on July 18, 1776
10am-1pm – Boston Light
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Fan Pier at the Moakley Courthouse, Northern Ave, South Boston
A guided tour of Little Brewster Island,
site of the first lighthouse in the nation, climb 76 steps,
meet the keeper and
cruise the outer Brewster islands
Admission $29-$38, reservations recommended
www.bostonislands.com
10am-1:30pm- Cookout aboard a Schooner
Aboard the LIBERTY CLIPPER (617-742-0333)
Central Wharf at the New England Aquarium
Enjoy a cookout while saluting the USS CONSTITUTION
Admission $50-$80, reservations required
www.libertyfleet.com
10am-4pm- Visit an 18th Century Garden
Old North Church (617-523-4848)
193 Salem Street, North End
Discover herbs and flowers behind the 1713 Cough
House, the city's oldest surviving residence
www.oldnorth.com
10am-4pm – Behind the Scenes at Old North Church
Old North Church (617-523-4848)
193 Salem Street, North End
Tour the crypt, bell tower and the 1711 Clough House
Admission $5-$8, times vary, reservations recommended
www.oldnorth.com
10am-4pm – Cove Kayaking at Spectacle Island
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Boston Harbor Islands Ferry Kiosk, Long Wharf
Try sea kayaking in a sheltered cove led by a ranger
Admission $8-$14 for ferry
www.bostonislands.com
10:30am-11am – A Salute to the Fourth
Middlesex Country Volunteers Fife & Drums
(781-4878-3627)
At the Statue of Samuel Adams, Dock Square
Celebrate the glorious Fourth with New England’s
premier fife and drum corps
www.mcvfifesanddrums.org
10:30am-3pm – Explore the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail Foundation (617-357-8300)
Visitor Information Center, Boston Common
A walking tour of the Freedom Trail led by a
Colonial guide
Admission $6-$12, tickets online
www.thefreedomtrail.org
10:30pm-3:30pm – Tory Stories
King’s Chapel (617-523-1749)
Corner of Tremont and School Streets
Join Tory families (Loyalists) as they plan their
escape from Boston to Nova Scotia
www.kings-chapel.org
11am-11:30am – No Tax on Tea!
Old South Meeting House (617-482-6439)
310 Washington Street
Participate in the re-enactment of the fiery debate
that culminated in the infamous Boston Tea Party
Admission $1-$5, under 6 free
www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org
11am-Noon – Oration at Faneuil Hall
The Great Hall at Faneuil Hall
A traditional oration in “the Cradle of Liberty” by a
prominent citizen
11am-1pm- A Flag for the Fourth
Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center
15 State Street
(617-242-5642)
Learn about the flags of the American Revolution
Space Limited
http://www.nps.gov/bost/
11am-3:30pm – Explore the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail Foundation (617-357-8300)
Visitor Information Center, Boston Common
A walking tour of the Freedom Trail led by a
Colonial guide
www.thefreedomtrail.org
11am-Noon – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org
11am-4:30pm – At Home with the Otises
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
Tour the grand 1796 mansion of Harrison Gray Otis,
a congressman and third mayor of Boston
Admission $5, Boston residents and under 5 free
www.historicnewengland.org
11:30am-12:30pm- USS CONSTITUTION Turn-around
Charlestown Navy Yard to the US Coast Guard Base
(617-242-7511)
"Old Ironsides" gets underway to salute the Nation
11:45am-12pm-Whiskers, Fur, and Flippers
New England Aquarium (617-973-5200)
The Seal Pool, New England Aquarium Plaza
Central Wharf
Watch harbor seals frolic with their handlers
Noon-12:05pm- Salute to the Nation
Off the US Coast Guard Base, North End
USS CONSTITUTION fires her 21-gun salute
Noon-12:30pm – Captain Kidd’s Treasure Hunt
Boston By Foot (617-367-2345)
Meet at Samuel Adams Statue, Faneuil Hall,
Congress Street
A self-guided hunt for history with a pirate’s map
Admission per group $10 (up to 10) includes kit
www.bostonbyfoot.com
Noon-1pm – The Art of Change Ringing
Old North Church (617-523-4848)
193 Salem Street, North End
A bell ringer explains the ancient art of change ringing
with the oldest bells in the country
www.oldnorth.com
Noon-1pm – The Royal Hospital School Band
On the Plaza of City Hall (617-227-1528)
60 young English musicians play traditional favorites
Noon-3:30pm – Tours of Fort Independence
Castle Island Association/DCR (617-727-5290)
Fort Independence, Castle Island, South Boston
Tours of this historic 19th century seacoast fort
www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/castle.htm
Noon-4pm- USS Constitution Museum
Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
(617-426-1812)
Enjoy hands-on activities and other special events
Admission by donation
www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org
1pm-2pm –Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org
1pm-4pm- A Visit with Paul Revere
Paul Revere House (617-523-2338)
Courtyard of 19 North Square, North End
Meet Revere, portrayed by David Connor,
who brings him vividly to life
Admission $1-$3, under 5 free
1:30pm-3pm – Discover the North End
A walking tour of the North End led by a Colonial guide
Freedom Trail Foundation (617-357-8300)
BosTix Booth, Faneuil Hall
Stroll the North End along the red line
www.thefreedomtrail.org
2pm-4pm – Boston Light
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Fan Pier at the Moakley Courthouse, Northern Ave, South Boston
as well as Georges Island
A guided tour of Little Brewster Island, site of the
first lighthouse in the nation, meet the keeper and
cruise the outer Brewster islands
Admission $29-$38, reservations recommended
www.bostonislands.com
2pm - 2:45pm - The Battle for Bunker Hill
Boston National Historical Park (617-242-5601)
Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center
A guided walking tour of the famous battlefield
Space limited.
National Park Service - Boston
2pm-7pm – Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
City Hall Plaza, North Stage (617-442-6644)
Music, dancing and traditional games, arts and crafts
Prices vary for delicious kriolu foods
www.cvcunido.org
3pm-4pm –Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org
3pm-4pm-Join the Colonial Militia!
Boston National Historical Park
Battle of Bunker Hill Museum
43 Monument Square, Charlestown
(617-242-5601)
Learn about the life of an 18th century soldier
Space Limited
http://www.nps.gov/bost/
3pm-5pm- Re-enact the Boston Tea Party
Aboard the LIBERTY CLIPPER (617-742-0333)
Central Wharf at the New England Aquarium
Raid a British ship with the Sons of Liberty!
Throw tea in the harbor and fire the cannons!
Admission $20-$35, reservations recommended
www.libertyfleet.com
3:45pm-4pm- Whiskers, Fur, and Flippers
New England Aquarium (617-973-5200)
The Seal Pool, New England Aquarium Plaza
Central Wharf
Watch harbor seals frolic with their handlers
6pm-8pm- Sunset Sail
Aboard the LIBERTY CLIPPER (617-742-0333)
Central Wharf at the New England Aquarium
Sail aboard a majestic schooner in the Harbor
Admission $15-$30, reservations recommended
www.libertyfleet.com
6pm-11:30pm – Fireworks Cruises
Boston Seaport Boat Charters (617-261-6633, 800-422-8419),
Boston Yacht Charters (617-723-8810)
Massachusetts Bay Lines (617-542-8000)
Odyssey Cruises (866-310-2469)
Spirit of Boston (866-307-2469)
Times, lengths, routes and prices vary, reservations required
www.bostonseaportboatcharters.com
www.bostonyachtcharters.com
www.massbaylines.com
www.OdysseyCruises.com
www.spiritofboston.com
8pm-11pm –Fourth of July on the Esplanade
Boston’s Fourth of July (888-484-7677)
Keith Lockhart conducts the Boston Pops Orchestra.
Fireworks Spectacular to follow
www.july4th.org
