From Castle Island to the Esplanade—Boston on the Fourth

July unfolds with clear skies over Boston, and the Fourth marks its presence early. Marching bands move into place near the Old State House, a flag rises at Fort Independence, and later, music fills the Esplanade. Crowds begin to gather long before sunset. Getting around takes planning. A private car avoids long walks and detours, linking morning ceremonies with evening fireworks in one uninterrupted flow.

The day starts on Castle Island. Visitors arrive early to catch the flag-raising ceremony by the waterfront. A car drops passengers close to the entrance and leaves before traffic forms. The route continues toward downtown. At the Old State House, the Declaration of Independence finds its voice once again, just as it has each year. From there, the pace of the day picks up, with the city opening up its streets and stages.

Midday often draws hunger and heat together. Quincy Market vendors answer one, the air-conditioned comfort of the waiting sedan answers the other. A short transfer across the river positions the group at the Museum of Science lawn, where early setups claim prime riverfront real estate for the night’s fireworks. While chairs unfold, the driver continues to CambridgeSide for pickup runs—coolers, blankets, or that forgotten phone charger—returning without anyone leaving the shade.

As dusk settles, the Boston Pops rehearsal drifts over the Charles, and the final leg carries the party to a reserved spot near Massachusetts Avenue. No circling for parking, no missed countdown. When the last spark fades, passengers step straight into the cooled cabin, avoiding post-show gridlock along Storrow Drive.

In a city that invented modern Independence Day traditions, the route matters as much as the rituals. A single Boston Town Car reservation ties those moments together—flag-raising, history walk, riverside concert, and fireworks—so the holiday stays stitched into one unbroken celebration.