It sounds like you are not just making a "business trip" and that you may have some extra time to vacation and enjoy new places. Cape Cod, Woods Hole, and Martha's Vineyard are famous places in their own right. You can do them as a day trip from Boston or you might want to look into spending a day or two down (it's south of Boston) there.
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I'm not up on "the business" along Boston's South Shore, but accommodations on the mainland (Wareham, Plymouth, ...) might be easier than on the Cape during the peak vacation months. You may be able to host some visitors and you'll still be able to check out the tourist places, beaches and eateries on the Cape.
Hello All!
I have never been to Boston before and may add it to my summer tour. What are some must see spots that really highlight the city? I love art museums, national parks, shopping spots, etc. Please let me know! Thanks.
The Museum of Fine Arts would top the list, along with its neighbor, the Gardner Museum. Down by the waterfront there is the Institute for Contemporary Art that is also very worthwhile.
It's not a National Park, but the Boston Garden and the adjoining Public Gardens are wonderful to see in the spring when all the plants are in bloom, ditto for the Arnold Arboretum a few miles south.
The Newbury Street area is a decent place for high end shopping, as is the nearby Copley Place Mall.
This is only for starters. I'm sure others will add their favorites to this list.
I second the Gardner Museum. It's really a gem. The Boston Public Library has some beautiful nooks & crannies with great murals & architecture in the old building. It's right by Neiman's at Copley Place, so you can shop in the glitz and then go back in time. Beacon Hill is a pretty stroll, especially on a warm night with the gas streetlights burning.
Downtown, the Greenway is fun too - ride the carousel and run through the sprinklers. Boston Public Market, on the Greenway, has great local food. It reminds me of the Ferry Building in San Francisco.
http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/
is the predecessor of Museum of Fine Arts, a paid/member only library, they offer free tours several times a week, and the volunteer tour guides tell wonderful stories of what it means to be a "gentleman" in Boston
http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/08/06/after_105_years_bso_to_enter_a_new_stage/
Boston Symphony Hall is rich with history and sound, also a U.S. National Historic Landmark
https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/john_f_kennedy_birthplace.html
JFK's birth place is another historic place located in Brookline, within a short t-ride from city of Boston
Duck boat tour, Boston Harbor Island Tour (also under National Park Services), Freedom Trail Walk, Harvard Square
Boats leave Long Wharf for 20-45 minute ride to one of the Islands.
If you don't want to spend time on one of the islands there are harbor tours.
It sounds like you are not just making a "business trip" and that you may have some extra time to vacation and enjoy new places. Cape Cod, Woods Hole, and Martha's Vineyard are famous places in their own right. You can do them as a day trip from Boston or you might want to look into spending a day or two down (it's south of Boston) there.
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I'm not up on "the business" along Boston's South Shore, but accommodations on the mainland (Wareham, Plymouth, ...) might be easier than on the Cape during the peak vacation months. You may be able to host some visitors and you'll still be able to check out the tourist places, beaches and eateries on the Cape.
I'm really into American history and there's so much of it around Boston. After watching John Adams the drama series I think I'll hardly have time for business there's so much I want to see!! Hotels seem so expensive in Boston though!! Anywhere near that's accessible for guys but not so steep??
There are a couple of hotels in the burbs and close to major highways that offer both parking and access to public transportation (known as "the T"). The last think you want is to be stuck on a highway, with no access to anything. I think you'll find a split between guys who play (and work) in the suburbs (like me) and those who are denizens of Downtown, Back Bay & the Seaport.
Regarding sites, I agree with the suggestion of the Harbor Islands. They combine natural beauty and history.
Some suburban hotels have free shuttle buses to downtown, the airport, or other important (for their guests) points, maybe even a convenient T stop. I don't know who offers what these days, but maybe recent tourists can post.
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The shuttles will (or used to) get you to downtown for your touring, site seeing, shopping and back again. Call or email to ask the hotels what they offer in that regard.
I would say the Museum of Fine Art, the Kennedy Presidential Library, JFK's birthplace in Brookline, the Common, and hit up the Boston Public Library - it's a beautiful building in an of itself.