I usually go to Boston for a week in October every other year. We stay at the Fairmont Copley across the square from the Boston Library. Check out the Hop on - Hop off Trolley tours. I think there are 2 different companies and I buy a 2 day ticket. The tours make stops all over the city and allow you to see most of the tourist spots.

Here's one of them:

http://www.trolleytours.com/boston/?phta=bntrolley&gclid=Cj0KEQjwuLKtBRDPicmJyvu_qZMBEiQAzlGN5s90rkHHOzrBe8Y2wbc8e14roCdkuul_VEW617HwCGcaAtM28P8HAQ

I like the Duck Boats tours too - a little silly but fun.

mare_cate - I've rode on a Duck Boat in Victoria, B.C. You're right, a little silly, but fun.

Just make sure your hotel isn't too much out of the way. We walked or took public transportation everywhere. We stayed right on Copley Square (I think it was the Fairmount too, Maire), and even tho' it was pricey, it was great to be within walking distance of so much.

Here's what I liked:

Copley Square. I believe this is where the Marathon ends; check out the rabbit and tortoise statues, Boston Public Library, Trinity Church

JFK Library & Museum (interesting, and a beautiful setting)

Old North Church

If you have any interest in children's literature and the book Make Way for Ducklings, you must see the little duck statues in the Public Garden.

Here's Trinity Church reflected in the modern building across the street.

Have a fantastic trip, and be careful. Let us know how you enjoyed it, Sephia.

P.S. I agree with Maire above on the hop-on-hop-off tours. It's a good way to see a lot.

I'll be watching this, as Boston sounds like another good choice for me and my son.

That's something to think about. Will being farther away from everything make the cost of transport + cheaper hotel===equal to a more expensive hotel and less transport? I have to say I loved that we stayed close enough to walk to everything in DC, but if we wanted, we could take the Metro. But we also had a reasonable hotel cost. Best of both worlds. I hope you find it!

I think the hotel location is going to be challenging - I'm going with a friend and don't plan on spending much time in the hotel. Of course, I want a nice hotel at a reasonable price within walking distance of everything. I know I'm asking for the moon! I'd expect the hotels that are closer to the attractions to be more pricey.

So here's what I did. I went to Google maps. It showed me where all the attractions where. I put in "hotels" for nearby. If you click on each, you get their prices. I had a better idea after that. Here's what works in "Boston", hope it helps! Shows the Four Seasons is $635 while, an 0.8 mile away, Chandler Inn is $209. For instance. Then, I researched the hotels I found that were less expensive, to see the reviews.

The Copley square area is very convenient. We've stayed there and also stayed out of town and taken the train into the city. The T in Boston is very convenient, so could stay in a less expensive area and hop the train to wherever you want to go. I do have to say that my DH grew up outside Boston, so he does know his way around. Boston is a fun city - don't forget to eat at the Union Oyster House - it's been in business since 1826 and is a tradition. The Hop On, Hop Off is good also

You can buy train/bus passes at the airport to get around Boston. I think my son bought a week pass for $12 or $20.

lol...ds2 and pals were just driving thru and got lost!

FYI, there's not a lot of public restrooms in downtown Boston. Ask me how I know!

Yes, there's a lot to see and do in Boston! I've visited a couple of times and loved it, apart from the summer heat. Sign up for Travelzoo and see if they might have a deal on a hotel. I've done this and not been disappointed.

check out vrbo.com and find a private home/condo to rent. Here's a nice looking place on Beacon Hill, which would be a wonderful neighborhood in which to stay.

http://www.vrbo.com/285427

Plymouth Rock is a possible venue, but don't expect too much. Local historians will tell you they do not know if that is the actually rock the Pilgrims stepped on when going ashore. It was a possible choice and once chosen, tourists chipped away it carrying pieces away until it was half gone. It is now protected by a fence around it.

However, moored nearby is a replica of the Mayflower and that is worth a visit. Pay a fee to go aboard and look around. Docents will explain life aboard. I found the navigation tools interesting and learned that the navigator was one of the most important members of the crew because he kept track of where the ship was. His job was hard due to primitive instruments. The clock was an hour glass. Time was adjusted at noon each day the sun could be seen. He periodically measured speed of the boat with a rope tossed overboard with a drag board attached. The rope had knots in it at measured spacings and he counted the number of knots that played out during a time period and then made the speed calculation. That's where the term, knots, came from. These measurements had to be taken continuously, day and night, to track the ship's progress.

The ship is small. I could imagine how difficult and dangerous that a crossing of the Atlantic must have been.

One other thing: Look up the punctuation of the word, Quincy. It is not pronounced the way mid-westerners or westerners say it. Folks around the Mayflower exhibit are quick to correct your pronouncement if it does is not meet the accepted local standard. Think "Quinzy".