Here's a rundown of what's Open & Closed in Boston on Monday, July 4th, 2013 and changes to MBTA schedules. Plus parking, street sweeping, trash, recycling and other useful links.
This is an old post. Here's a link is the 2015 resource page for July 4th:
We publish these reminders before a holiday to help you make your plans, and we update the information as more official word is released. Follow us on Twitter to be notified of updates or save this page for future reference.
We suspect that there will be new security measures that will change the way many of us have taken part in the July 4th celebrations. We will continue to update this post with links to new notices as they become available.
Update on Security Measures & Road Closures.
IMPORTANT PARKING UPDATE 07.03.13: Here is a link to the City of Boston Street Closures and parking restrictions. Move your cars now!
There are two places to go for the latest on Security Measures and Road Closures.
The state's page on the topic where you can download pdfs of the information.
The official Boston's July 4th site's Event Information Page.
Photo: John Schinker used under this creative commons license. Here's a link to his wonderful July 4th photostream!
Restaurants, bars: Open
Update 07/01/13: From Eater Boston a great list of specific restaurants that are open or closed on July 4th. Thanks to Eater Boston editor, Rachael Leah Blumenthal for putting this together for all of us.
Convenience stores: Open
Supermarkets: Open
Retail stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners choose.
Liquor stores: Open
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities: Closed. This includes: Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.
Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a "Bank Holiday" with both banks and the stock markets in the United States closed. Some international markets are open. Also, some banks may open certain branch offices– often those inside supermarkets. Check with your own financial institution for details.
Photo: John Schinker used under this creative commons license.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. There will be some temporary parking restrictions and some street closures in the areas surrounding the Charles River Esplanade on July 4th. We'll add updates as they are published.
Towed Cars: The City says, "If you believe your vehicle was towed in Boston, then call either the Boston Police Tow Line at 617-343-4629 or the Boston Tow Lot at 617-635-3900 to locate the vehicle, or search the online towing database by license plate" at the City's Towed Car page. Update: the city says the tow lot will be open on July 4th.
Here's a screengrab from www.cityofboston.gov. Click for a larger pop-up view.
Street Sweeping: The City says, "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."
Boston Trash: from the City Site:
"Thursday July 4, 2013, Delay trash and recycling collection a day only if you live in South Boston, Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury AND your trash and recycling is normally collected on Thursday or Friday.
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
Here are some of our related posts about July 4th, the Charles RIver, and the Esplanade
How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston ( see the new access points at the links above)
Once Grand, Now Unnoticed
Charles River Clean Up Boat Update
MBTA Schedule Changes- They say, "Fares will be free after 9:30 p.m."
The MBTA website has July 4th schedule information posted on their events page through the holiday. Follow us on Twitter to be notified of updates. "Fares will be free after 9:30 p.m."
Subways and the Silver line will "…operate a Sunday schedule with rush-hour levels of service beginning at 2 p.m. to accommodate holiday ridership and will operate extended late-night hours as Fourth of July is on a Saturday.
Details for the Commuter Rail will run on a Saturday schedule. The last trains to leave Boston are on the MBTA Events Page and in the download below.
Buses and trackless trolleys will run on a Sunday schedule. This means some buses will not operate.
You can download a pdf copy of the schedule details here:
Download MBTA July 4th
MBTA tips for those attending the Esplande Concert and Fireworks:
Customers are urged to take public transportation to and from Fourth of July events and advised to check T-Alerts for the most up-to-date service information during the holiday.
As a reminder, bicycles are not allowed on any subway lines for the entire day on the Fourth of July. Bicycles are also prohibited on inbound Commuter Rail trains from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on outbound trains after 4 p.m.
Beginning at 2 p.m., subway service on all lines will operate at rush-hour levels to accommodate increased holiday ridership. Fares will be free after 9:30 p.m.
Customers should also note that all MBTA parking garages and the Wellington Station lot will be pay-on-entry and cash-only on the Fourth of July in order to ensure all customers exit in a timely manner. Due to heavy parking demand, some MBTA parking garages and lots may fill more quickly than normal. Customers planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot should plan accordingly.
Save storage space with these collapsible coolers
. They're perfect for small city homes. We have an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model, and it's amazing at keeping things chilled! We not only use it for picnics but grab it to go grocery shopping.
Details:
Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: By John Schinker used under this creative commons license. Here's a link to his wonderful July 4th photostream!