Why it is worth attending
Wrapped around Independence Day, Harborfest extends July 4 into a multi-day civic festival billed among America's largest Fourth-of-July celebrations: historical reenactments on downtown streets, Freedom Trail programming in period dress, visiting vessels and harbor activities, Children's Day events, and the USS Constitution's traditional July 4 turnaround cruise in the harbor (public viewing free from waterfront points; program and dates at bostonharborfest.com - verify annually). For families already visiting in early July it is pure bonus: most events are free, daytime, and layered onto the sights this guide already routes - the reenactors outside the Old State House make the history week children remember. Combine with the Pops fireworks entry for the full Independence package, and book the week's hotels early; the city fills.
