Everyday activities and services get shifted here and there to celebrate America’s Independence.
The following is a list, according to the City of Boston’s website, of what is closed and what is active in the streets of the Hub, prior to the July 4 celebration on the Charles River.
Parking & Driving:
If you can find a spot somewhere in Boston, keep your quarters in your pocket. Parking meters are free. Other parking rules remain in effect. So don’t go moving some Dorchester resident’s milk crate.
Trash Collection:
Trash collection is delayed by one day except for Boston Proper, Roxbury, Charlestown and South Boston.
Tow Lot:
If you’re car got towed Friday night because you partied a little too hard and didn’t drive home, your vehicle is going to have to sit in the tow lot until Tuesday. Tow lots are closed for the holiday.
Street Sweeping:
Streets will stay dirty Monday, because daytime neighborhood posted sweeping isn’t happening. But downtown overnight sweeping is on schedule and enforcement in effect. So watch what the street signs say.
City Hall & City Offices:
Sorry, you’ll have to wait to pay that bulk of parking tickets in person, because the offices are not open.
Libraries:
If you’re looking to get all the background on Whitey Bulger but don’t want to pay the cash for a copy of “Black Mass,” you’re going to have to wait until Tuesday, because the public libraries in the city are closed.
Community Centers:
Centers are closed. Outdoor pools (Clougherty and Mirabella) are open 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Shopping and Reatil:
Depending on the store, you may still have a chance to buy yourself an “America is Awesome” t-shirt, or some earplugs to drown out the noise of the fireworks.
Liquor stores:
It’s up to each individual owner when it comes to liquor stores being open, according to Boston.com. But our guess is that if they want business, today is a good day to keep the doors open.
Supermarkets:
Get your hotdog buns and hamburger patties ready. Supermarkets are open.
Convenience stores: Forgot to buy some ice for your cooler full of Millers? Convenience stores should be open all day, according to Boston.com.
Taverns, bars: Open.
Banks: Closed.
Stock market: Closed.
MBTA:
There is a special schedule for the MBTA today, July 4.
As part of the celebration of freedom, fares will not be collected from 10:30 p.m. to the end of service Independence Day.
Additional T personnel and Transit Police will also be on hand for crowd service and control.
Trains
-Blue, Green, Orange, and Red Lines will operate on a Sunday schedule on July 4, with an enhanced schedule providing extra service for customers heading to and from the Esplanade.
-Commuter rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule with all of the last trains, but one, departing at 11:45 p.m., 45 minutes after the fireworks display ends.
Buses
-Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule, with extra bus service on key routes
-Route #39 (Forest Hills Station — Back Bay Station via Copley Square)
-Route #57 (Watertown Square — Kenmore Station via Brighton Center)
-Special express bus service between Arlington and Riverside Stations. This service will supplement Green Line service at the end of the fireworks display.
