Growing up, I always thought that the D.C. Fourth of July celebration was pretty good. You could hear the Declaration of Independence read from the steps of the National Archives; there was a parade; and the National Symphony Orchestra had a concert at the Capitol Reflecting Pool prior to the start of the fireworks. Finally, I always felt like the pyrotechnics above the Washington Monument was a fitting location. In general, the National Mall felt to me like the proper place to celebrate our Nation’s birthday, since it honors all the soldiers, presidents and patriots who gave so much to preserve our freedoms.

My feelings were a bit reinforced when I learned that New York City doesn’t display their fireworks over the Statue of Liberty, and I’ve heard that Philadelphia doesn’t display theirs over Independence Hall ( though I might be wrong about this). Fireworks not being the essence of Independence Day, I’m probably not giving Philadelphia enough credit, but after last year’s visit to Boston, I’d like to submit the argument that Independence Day in Boston is the most patriotic Fourth of July that you can experience.

Start off with the official flag-raising at City Hall Plaza at 9 AM. Then follow the parade to the Old Granary Burial Ground where there’s a 9:45 AM wreath-laying at the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, and Peter Faneuil, complete with color guard and militia.

Then follow the parade as it makes it way through the streets of Boston–with the reenactors firing their muskets into the air–until you reach the Old State House. The Boston National Historic Park visitor center, where you can get your muffin stamp, is adjacent. Stand on the site where the Boston Massacre occurred and at 10 AM, listen to a reading of the Declaration from the balcony where it was read back in 1776.

Afterwards, maybe you can go to the Old South Meeting House, and participate in a reenactment of the Stamp Act debates, which culminated in the Boston Tea Party.

Another suggestion would be to follow the Freedom Trail to the Charlestown Navy Yard to see the USS Constitution, although between 11:30 PM – 12:30 PM it makes a trip out to the U.S. Coast Guard base at the north end to fire a 21-gun salute at noon. While on that side of the Charles River, visit the Bunker Hill Monument and the relatively new Battle of Bunker Hill Museum (Maybe this hill would be a good place to see the salute). Another muffin stamp should be available here, too, I believe. On the way back, stop by the Old North Church, where the lanterns were hung in the steeple on the night of April 18, 1775 to warn the Sons of Liberty that the British were going by sea to capture the powder at Lexington and Concord, and spurred the ride of Paul Revere.

Go back to your hotel room, get cleaned up, rest awhile, maybe have dinner someplace where they charge you $8 for a bottle of water, and then head down to the Charles River to see the fireworks.

Seeing the Boston Pops might be wishful thinking if you take part in other activities during the day, since it’s first come-first serve at the Hatch Memorial Shell, and I think people rabidly camp out there for lawn space.

For Mom and I, our miserable experience at the fireworks almost ruined our Fourth and the trip. First of all, it had started to rain in the evening and even though it was a light rain, it made the ground muddy; slowly soaked you through; and made the atmosphere muggy. Second of all, we found a little spot on the James J. Storrow Memorial Embankment on the Charles River, a little ways upstream from the Hatch Memorial Shell where the Pops were playing, and sat looking out between the trees at a spot in the middle of the River halfway between Longfellow Bridge and the one upstream, only to discover that the fireworks were launched from a barge close to the latter bridge. As a result, all of the trees obstructed our view. Mom settled for an obstructed view but that made the fireworks not worth watching to me. In my version of events, she wasn’t moving and I wasn’t staying, so I picked a location where we would meet afterwards and I moved to a better location. Afterwards, because of the crowds, we didn’t find each other and she went back to the hotel while I waited on the island until no one was left except the clean-up crew. I was so mad at her, I didn’t speak with her until some time the next morning.

Because of that experience: part of me wants to do it right; part of me never wants to go back.