irve Loc: Southern CA

I am travelling to Boston May 24-31st. Never been there and would like travel, tourist suggestions.
I love walking the cities I visit, and I am looking for photo ops to capture... Like the WOWS of the city.
Please advise,
Thanx,
Irve

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Best advice, take a cab unless you are a masochist and have really good insurance.

geclevel Loc: Springville, Utah

I was there on business a few years ago. The Cheers bar is there which is fun to walk down those famous stairs.
Cape Cod is close which has an awesome light house on the tip.
Downtown has some great opportunities to take some photos of some old buildings.

Other than that I was tied up with training.
Have fun.

Neddick

I have and still spend a lot of time in Boston. That's about a span of 30 years.
Boston, by the way it's laid out, is the most Walkable city. Maybe only Florence, Italy comes close.
As for Wow! sights--the whole city is Wow!
Old Boston alone will keep you busy. There are marked walking tours all over the place. Also tour buses and Duck rides on Charles River.
Start at Boston Gardens; from there walk to Quincy Market. That will take you thru Old Boston (ask for the best way at one of the Tourist booths. Won't take too long for you to see where the the interesting/historical places are.
Not sure what the op had in mind in suggesting to get 'enough' insurance. Probably safety. Maybe it was luck but i never ever sensed a whiff of danger in Boston. Still, be alert as you normally would when in a new place. Common sense is a good guide. Enjoy the Bean Town and bring some pictures for us. neddick

steveo52 Loc: Rhode Island and Ocala Florida

You're in for a treat. I work 8 miles from downtown, live 50 miles away. We have spent many days and hours in Boston enjoying the sites. Hope you have plenty of time!

My suggestion in order of favorites:
1.The North End best Italian section for food and nearby water front where there are photo ops in both locations
2.Top of the Prudential Center, great birds eye view of the city, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Charles River, Logan Airport. That time of year you're bound to see athletes rowing sculls on the Charles River.
3.For lots of history visit Beacon Hill.
4.Then there's ther famous Faneuil Hall Area an interesting marketplace
5. For up scale dining with a view 60 State Street at the restaurant called State Room haven't been there in years but during the day it was a private, club evenings it was open to the public.

I'm with Neddick, Boston has always been a safe city, never have we ever felt intimidated or unsafe there.

irve Loc: Southern CA

Thanx... I will post images on our return

irve Loc: Southern CA

Thanx, I will do most of that.

barr Loc: Massachusetts

If you like history be sure to walk The Freedom Trail. You follow a 2.5 mile red brick path which takes you by many historical sites like Paul Reveres's, the Old Ironsides, The Green Dragon pub where the revolution was planned, the Old North Church where the lanterns were hung "one if by land two if by sea, and many other historical sites.

barr Loc: Massachusetts

If you like history be sure to walk The Freedom Trail. You follow a 2.5 mile red brick path which takes you by many historical sites like Paul Reveres's home, the Old Ironsides, The Green Dragon pub where the revolution was planned, the Old North Church where the lanterns were hung "one if by land two if by sea, and many other historical sites.

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

:thumbup: :thumbup: Did that myself many years ago, really enjoyed it, don't forget old Ironsides!

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Go online and get a map of the subway system. Be sure to visit the public gardens next to the Boston Commons. Quincy Market and the North end (the old North church). There is a waterfront walk extending from the North End to the aquarium.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

The Freedom Trail, as others have mentioned, has tons of old graveyards, churches, etc. and ends in the North End - the Italian section of town with lots of great shops - and Paul Revere's house. Tons of potential.

Having lived in Boston for eight years, my favorite place of all in May is the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. While you can get nice park picture lots of places, this Olmsted-designed arboretum has been where Harvard botanists have planted their collections for 150 years. The lilacs (over 120 varieties) may be a little past their prime, but the flowering crabapple trees (some the size of a house!) may be stunning! I miss walking there in the springtime. It is hugely popular with people who live nearby - lovers of all ages strolling hand-in-hand, Tai Chi classes on the lawn, people throwing Frisbees to their dogs. A peaceful place.

And as others have said - take the taxi a lot. Boston is a small city, and although you can get anywhere on "The T", if you have more than one person, it is often no more expensive to take a taxi. We were just there, and rarely spent more than $10 on cab fare.

Other thoughts: Harvard Yard (the campus) - very picturesque, as are the crowds in Harvard Square (don't miss "The Coop" - one of the better independent book stores in the country). The stroll a few blocks to the Charles River, where you will find the Crew teams rowing in the mornings.

Have a great trip!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

One of the places I enjoy most in Boston is going to the basement of the State House (big gold dome, can't miss it) and seeing the archives. You will find displayed there the original Mayflower Compact, the charter for Massachuseetts Bay Colony, among other things. Real American history.

Definitely worth doing the Freedom Trail and taking the tour of the Constitution in Charlestown Naval Yard. The Bunker Hill Memorial is another spot within walking distance. The Zakim Bridge is gorgeous and very photogenic, particularly at night, tho no foot traffic.

Go to the top of the Hancock Tower--amazing views of the city.

I've always felt safe in Boston, but I do watch the news every night, and it's not all peaches and cream. Like any other city, Boston has its share of miscreants and dirtbags. Don't be afraid to walk around, but be aware of where you are and what's going on around you.

Heritage Gardens in Sandwich also worth seeing that time of year, about a hour's drive away. Extensive rhododendron collections in bloom. Lexington and Concord are also an easy drive (well, there's Boston traffic) if you don't mind a bit of travel and like Revolutionary War history. Even Plymoth Plantation in Plymouth--a great living history exhibition. Plymouth Rock, well, it's a rock under a Greek temple. But it's THE rock, too. Maybe forty minutes driving time from downtown.

Hope you have a great time!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lots and lots to see. I'll be visiting there again in a couple of weeks, and I plan to go on Old Ironsides. I haven't been on it in over forty years.

The House of the Seven Gables isn't too far from Boston. Maybe this link will take you to some pics I shot in January when it was about 10°. Indoor photography is not permitted. http://plus.google.com/photos/102525747947168462721/albums/5838622056444018481?banner=pwa&authkey=CJfl8bik5J_Vfw

Also - http://www.massvacation.com/greaterBoston/

barr Loc: Massachusetts

Tomorrow they run the Boston Marathon so in today's Boston Globe is an article about what runners from all over the world want to do during their visit. Link to story below.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2013/04/13/elite-runners-share-their-experiences-and-wish-lists-for-touring-boston/x2zuIUi35KBTuIKAbe9mEL/story.html