asdaven, know you'll have a good trip no matter what you do. However, the MFA is indeed "something special" - even if you rank it after NY and DC. Here's what that expert web resourse Wikipedia says about it: "The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest museums in the United States attracting over one million visitors a year. It contains over 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas. The museum was founded in 1870 and its current location dates to 1909."

But if it's not your cup of tea, it's not your cup of tea. Do what's fun, not what you feel obligated to see -- which means, for certain visitors, skipping things like the Paul Revere house or the Bunker Hill Monument, which can make some say, "whah?" And I've known a number of people who "do" the Freedom Trail only to wonder what the point was.

Do stop by the Museum of Science, however (and frankly, the Duck Tour, which splashes down in the area, is fun too!)

ktmc, it's true that Boston's Museum of Fine Arts isn't as large as Washington's National Gallery or New York's Metropolitan Museum, but am thinking it's one of the major art museums in the US and therefore very much a Boston must-see if you're an art lover. And it's still a sizable museum, large enough that you can't see the whole thing in a day and boasting a very good quality-to-quantity ratio.

The Gardner Museum is a small and wonderful house-style museum akin to the Frick in NYC or the Taft in Cincinnati. Also a must for those who love art.

Most importantly, the holdings in art museums (unlike other types of attractions, such as science museums or zoos) are unlike each other in a fundamental sense -- for me, each painting by Rembrandt, Titian, Monet, Turner, etc., is unique and seeing one does not equal seeing all.

And there's of course no reason why the OP needs to see any Boston art museum unless that's of interest to them.

Oh dear.

Well I am a big fan of Cape Cod, especially the areas (from Eastham to Provincetown) on the lower/outer cape where the National Seashore provides more open space with fewer crowds. In addition to the world-class beaches there are interesting historic house tours, ranger-guided or self-guided walks, kayak tours, whale-watching, dune tours, sailing tours, natural history museums as well as scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean, salt marshes and Cape Cod Bay. We routinely spend a week on historic Fort Hill (part of the National Seashore)in Eastham and take day trips to Provincetown, Chatham, Wellfleet, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and have even taken the ferry from Provincetown to Boston for an overnight excursion. The beaches in Eastham provide variety (ocean, bay, pond) and relaxation but we find plenty to do other than lying in a hammock or on a beach! You can bike, bird, shop, attend great theater (several in the immediate area of Eastham), and dine to your hearts content so don't feel like the Cape is JUST a beach vacation! Let me know if you want more specifics on the outer cape and I'll try to help out.

Hi all- Sounds like there is three places i want to visit on this vacation. I am planning on doing a week or week and a couple days. I want to goto Newport, Rhode Island, Cape Cod (especially the National Seashore), and Boston. So, im thinking maybe a couple days in Newport, 3-4 days at Cape Cod, and 1-2 days in Boston. In Newport, I just want to see the town, do the cliff walk, etc. At Cape Cod, Im mostly interested in the National Seashore, Outer Cape like Provincetown,Wellfleet, Eastham and the beaches, lighthouses, and towns. One of the people in my party has a problem with seasickness and therefore can't ride on boats, so the Ferry to Boston from Provincetown is not an option, so we will drive to Boston if we do that. In Boston, I want to do the Freedom Walk, Old Ironsides, Bunker Hill Mounment, some of the old buildings, maybe go up in the skywalk. In addition, I may want to goto Minuteman National Historical Park. Whats a good area to stay on the outskirts of Boston that is not city as I have pets?
Thanks-

You have more issues with pets - whatever they may be - than just a hotel on outskirts of Boston. Dogs are not allowed on most beaches during the summer season. If you stay on the outskirts of Boston, what are you going to do with the pets for the inevitably long days you are away from lodging. Most places in Boston are not going to let you bring a pet along while you sightsee inside buildings. Think this thru - there are plenty of posters here who travel happily and successfully with pets, but it does require some additional thought and planning.

I plan on staying at the national seashore section of Cape Cod, which the national seashore beaches not the town beaches allow pets on leash. For Boston, they can stay in the hotel room. They are usually fine doing that and don't disturb anyone.

We don't have pets so we do appreciate that folks who do have them stick to the rules. Please do not take your animals where they do not belong and pick up after them. Following those guidelines, you should find that leashed dogs are welcome on some National Seashore beaches. You can check out the details at http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisi...ograckcard.pdf

I think the National Seashore and its environs will end up being the high point of your trip. Don't forget to drive through the pretty little towns of the Cape such as Falmouth, Harwich Port, Chatham, and Wellfleet. You have to visit Provincetown to believe it. Newport is a great place to explore. It's possible to get an overall feel for Newport in a day even if you decide to tour one of the mansions. Boston is unique and you'll be so close it would be a shame to miss seeing it. The comparison between the Gardner and the Frick is a good one. There's terrific Italian food to be found in the North End. I think the ferry from Boston to Provincetown is really expensive, so just as well you're all not sea-worthy.