What's Open, Closed in Charlestown on July 4th

Whether you plan to brave the crowds for the annual Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Shell, stay home and have a cookout or conduct business as usual this July 4, you'll want to know which locations around the city are closed for the holiday.

Boston's July 4 concert is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on the Esplanade, with fireworks to begin around 9:30 p.m. Entrance to the Hatch Shell area will be allowed beginning at 10 a.m. Check out this article for a complete look at rules and restrictions for the 2013 celebration.

Here's a quick look at what's open and what's closed on Thursday, July 4 around Boston:

• Banks: Banks are closed.
• Bicycles: Bicycles are not allowed on any MBTA subway lines on July 4. Bicycles are not allowed on inbound Commuter Rail trains from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or on outbound trains after 4 p.m.
  
• Boats (MBTA): The Charlestown boat service will operate on a Saturday schedule.
  
• Buses: Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
• City offices: All City of Boston offices are closed.
• Community centers: All Boston community centers are closed.
• Commuter rail: All commuter rail lines will operate on a Saturday schedule, with additional service offered after the Fireworks Spectacular. Check MBTA.com for the complete schedule.
• County offices: All Suffolk County offices are closed.
• Fireworks: Looking for fireworks in and around Boston and beyond? Check out this comprehensive list of events from New Hampshire down to Rhode Island.
  
• Library: The Charlestown Branch and all other Boston Public Libraries are closed. Libraries will reopen on Friday.
• MBTA T service: All Red, Blue, Orange, Green and Silver lines will operate on a Sunday schedule. 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. 
• Museums: The Museum of Fine Arts is closed on July 4. The Institute of Contemporary Art is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum of Science is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The New England Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call ahead to verify the hours or to check other locations.
• Parking: Parking meters are free on July 4. Be aware of special parking restrictions and road closures around the city because of the Fireworks Spectacular.
• Pools: Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and Mirabella Pool in the North End are both open July 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  
• Post offices: The U.S. post offices in Charlestown and around the city are closed.
• Restaurants: Up to the owner's discretion. (Know of a Charlestown restaurant that is open for business on July 4? Share it in the comments.)
• Schools: Boston Public Schools are on summer break.
• State offices: All state offices are closed.
• Street sweeping: There will be no Thursday daytime sweeping. Sweeping will resume at 12:01 a.m. Friday as listed on posted arterials. Sign up for sweeping alerts.   
• Tow lot: The tow lot is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Trash collection: There will be no trash or recycling collection on Thursday. For the rest of the week, trash collection will be delayed by one day except for in Charlestown, Boston proper, Roxbury and South Boston. See the full holiday collection schedule for more information.

See something else that's not open today, or know about a great July 4 activity or deal around Charlestown? Share it in the comments or via Twitter to @CharlestwnPatch.