Hatch Shell, Boston

On the Charles River Esplanade in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood sits the wooded oasis that is home to the Hatch Memorial Shell. The current iteration of this outdoor concert venue was constructed in 1940, and has since been home to dozens of yearly shows, including the Boston Pops Orchestra performance on July Fourth.

At the Hatch shell, there is no seating — just an enormous oval lawn able to hold as many as 10,000 music fans from around the Boston area. Depending on the show, patrons will either stand shoulder to shoulder, or lounge on the grass with their blanket and Frisbee like a miniature Woodstock. Even when sitting at the back of the lawn, guests can see the action on stage from one of the video screens set up on either side of the stage.

© Isaac Kulka | Flickr

The elevated stage lies under the enormous half dome structure, or “shell.” The shell’s telescoping sections, with their zigzagging wooden pattern, create an interesting reverberation that echoes throughout the park.

Unlike the cramped, confined feeling offered by the indoor concert halls of Landsdowne Street and throughout the city, the only restriction at the Shell are the rows of trees that make up the perimeter. The Hatch Shell has its faults, of course — the dirty porta-johns and occasional rowdy guests — but it is, without exception, the best concert venue in the Boston area.

Hatch Memorial Shell

47 David G Mugar Way

Boston, Mass. 02108

617 626 1250