visiting boston for the 1st time?

It depends on what you want to see?

Boston is a city - but lacks the New England thing for the most part. The leafs are just starting to turn now, to see color you will want to head north of Boston, not south. I live in S. NH, the leafs are turning in my area. I work just north of Boston, leaves are in mid-summer form outside my window right now.

For Boston I'd recommend walking the freedom trail, it will hit all the historic places that you probably want to see (vs me listing them all here). See link below. I'd also recommend the Duck Tours, you catch those at the Prudential Center. If you can't do the Duck Tour, the trolley tour should be available.

For museum type places, there is the aquarium and the museum of sciense and the Kennedy Library. In three days you won't have time to do all of I've just listed.

Outside of Boston, and you are here at the perfect time of year - go to Salem, MA. Salem is where all the witch trial stuff happened and Salem is crazy the whole month of October.

To do the New England thing - continue past Salem up to Rockport, just past Gloucester. You could get your picture taken by the famous Gloucester fisherman's statue. Take route 127 from Salem to Gloucester - fantastic/scenic drive for a tourist.

Going to Rockport would, in my humble opinion, be just as good as going to Kennebunkport, ME. The scenery is more or less the same. They both have rocky shores and lobsters, what more do you need?

If you want to do the lobster/seafood thing, take Rt 133 from Gloucester up to Ipswich, MA and get a lobster roll and some fried clams at the Clam Box restaurant in Ipswich. Keep driving past Woodmans regardless of how quaint it looks or how long the line is. Trust a local on this. A local TV station recently rated the lobster roll at Clam Box number 1 in the area. A lobster roll is the lazy mans way to eat lobster - think tuna sandwich on a hot dog roll - only made with lobster instead of tuna. Also, in New England we have a different kind of hot dog roll then ya'll have out west.

Going to Salem/Rockport/Ipswich would be a whole day adventure. I would go to Rockport first, Ipswich for lunch then hit Salem on the way back to Boston - spend the evening/night there. The witches only come out after dark ya know.

Go to the Public Garden, and if they're still running, take a ride on a swan boat. It's a little cheesy, but really fun anyway. And if you've ever read the book "Make Way for Ducklings," you'll recognize them (there's also a statue of the ducklings).

The aquarium is neat, as is Quincy Market/Fanuil Hall, especially if you're interested in little shops.

There are "food tours" you can take--one in the North End, the Italian neighborhood, and one in China Town, where a guide will take you around to all the interesting little food shops and point out neat things you wouldn't ordinarily find. I recommend the North End one. There are some great Italian restaurants in the North End, too. Plus the Old North Church, famous from Paul Revere's ride.

Keep your eyes open for a line of red bricks or a painted red line on the sidewalks. This is the Freedom Trail, and it will lead you around Boston to all the historic sites you remember (or don't) from history class. It's also a helpful way to find your way around the city. If you get lost, just keep your eyes open for the FT, and follow it until you get to someplace you recognize.

I don't know if it's the right season for whale watching or not, but you should think about doing that, if it is--a great experience, espcially for someone from "the interior."

A new modern art museum has just opened. I haven't been, but it's supposed to be neat. Oh, you can also tour the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides." If I remember correctly, it's free, though a bit out of the way.

The Cape vs. Maine depends on what you're looking for. As someone else mentioned, Plymouth (on the Cape), is worth going to--see the Mayflower, and check out Plymouth Plantation. Really neat. Maine has picturesque little villages along the coast. If you go up far enough, there's L.L. Bean, of course. Freeport is a nice shopping town--in addition to LLB, there are lots of outlet stores, and the LLB store is fun, if you're into that kind of thing. But it's a pretty long drive from Boston.

Have fun! Boston is very walkable--it's a pretty compact ciy--and the "T" (the subway system) is easy to use.

actual around the nook from the O'Neil (no longer O'Neal) is the Bulfinch lodge - upscale type. interior of a 7 minute stroll, throughout from Fanueuil corridor on the industry, is The Bostonian - luxurious type. interior of a 2 minute stroll is The Shawmut hotel - downscale ecu-like conversion (may well be a a million-enormous call or maybe a 2-enormous call in Paris). An 8 minute stroll to the different area of Fanueuil corridor will beget you The Devonshire Oakwood - area of an workplace skyscraper - luxurious. A minute after that gets you to The club Quarters - yet another ecu-style conversion yet a 5-enormous call one; I even have not been there yet I hear no longer something yet great things approximately it. throughout the time of the industry on the waterfront is a Marriott. interior of a 7 minute stroll in direction of Cambridge is a miles better high quality holiday hotel. between those and the O'Neil somewhat some positive eating places and bars and golf equipment to maintain you chuffed, and the famed North end is likewise interior of walking distance. by way of the way, while you're a lager lover between them is Boston Beer Works, between the U. S.'s ultimate brewpubs/eating places. there is likewise a youth hostal purely 3 minutes from the O'Neil in case you may like the exciting of roughing it. (exceptionally much each and all the places stated by way of Answerers until eventually now me are placed interior the Uptown back Bay that's the choice area of the city - i won't understand why they did so).

Enjoy your time in Boston. There are many things for you to do. The New England Aquarium, The Museum of Science. You could check out Boston Common and the Arts District, go to Landsdowne Street for a drink and some clubs, check out the historical places too. Faneuil (sp?) Hall is a nice place to visit for some shopping and food. The Cape is nice, but I would suggest for you to head to Maine. Eat some "lobsta by the habah", and notice the heavy accent in the speech. Once again, enjoy your trip.

Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower (between Boston and the Cape) is really quite fun. The colonists take on roles of actual people who came over from England. They interact with visitors, often poking fun at risque dress and things.

You must have lobster, seafood and of course new england clam chowder!

The folliage should be peaking then so if you drive down to plymouth you should see some foliage.

Boston Common/Public Gardens, Quincy Market/Fanueil Hall, Take a duck tour if they are still on, the NE Aquarium is good, walk the freedom trail, have an italian meal in the North End.

Have fun

hey well i grew up in boston and im really into the originall stuff nothing fancy...

if you want a nice plc to walk or sight seeing..downtown boston..has alot of shopping stores...theres boston harbor...longwharf right by the aquarium...or down parkstreet you can stop bu the theater.. or just Fenway

shoppin?..the best plc for shopping for tourist is cambridge side galleria...right by charles river...on your way there yo get to see historic plc..like bunker hill!..the new brigde and the fleet center!...might see the bruins or celtics..LOL...quincy market also theres alot of music shows and al that

for eating...you cant leave boston without eating PAPA GINOS!!!!....best thing ever...Pizza, subs..past..Boston Market and if you got to quincy market..try reginas pizza they have good stuff too

awww IM homesick..LOL...