Mother-daughter trip to Boston - plans include Quincy Market, historic North End section, Copley Square and Newbury St., Filene's basement, Beacon Hill, and Public Gardens. Are we missing out on another section that would be a must do? Would also like recommendations for places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (atmosphere is very important) keeping these areas in mind?
Would like places be "local favorites" not so much tourist traps. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The culinary tour of Boston's North End is great if you both cook or both like to eat. Lots of tastings but not enough to ruin your appetite. The pushcart vendors in Haymarket (next to Quincy Market) are there on Fridays and Saturdays. Not too crowded on Friday but mobbed on Saturdays. Good place to buy some fresh fruit and observe the traditional hubbub of an old fashion open market (this is NOT a flea market). Last year we went to Durgin Park for lunch and old times sake ... went there on a school field trip eons ago. Serves New England style food like grandma used to make. It's been there forever. Lots of tourists visit but it's one of the oldest restaurants in Boston.

Where are you staying? May help with some of the dining recommendations. Also, what kind of food do you like?

I wouldn't bother with Durgin Park - I know lots of people insist on going when they visit, but I let them go on their own if they're my guests!

Also, Filene's Basement is really nothing to get excited about.

Do you two like museums? The MFA and Gardner museums are lovely and near each other - not far from Fenway, so another possible area to add to your list.

In the North End, there are tons of places to eat and you really can't go wrong there. Some of my favorites - Sage and Neptune's Oyster. For seafood, I'll admit to liking Legal's and McCormick & Schmick's. For other types of food, tell us what you like and I'm sure there will be many recommendations. If you like Indian, head over to Harvard Square for Tamarind Bay - it is fantastic. Would recommend for dinner rather than lunch, although they do have a lunch buffet.

I'm wondering the age of your daughter, which might affect some recommendations. If you headed to cambridge area on day, she might prefer The Garment District depending on her age - clothes by the pound and sometimes great finds on vintage designer -
also some other restaurant recs, but again I would recommend different ones if she is a teen vs young adult, etc.- whether she is looking for 'chain stores' like many in Faneuil Hall area or boutiques - of which there are some cute ones on Charles St and tucked along Newbury St and in the North End too.

So, age and what types of clothing/ price range would help for shopping recs and eating recs, and if you two would take the T or not.

If you have the time you should do the freedom trail tour (free, given by park rangers). It's wonderful.

I am in my early forties, my mom in her early sixties - the culinary tour sounds great, puscart vendors in Haymarket - great, - we are staying in Cambridge and will take the T into Boston - love the boutiques and unique shops, - we like any type of food - just not too fancy - like the more casual places with things like outdoor dining or lots of atmosphere. A museum would be a possibility but probably only one so I would need to know which one is a "must do." Keep the suggestions coming - they are terrific!

Based on the ages and interests, I would choose the Isabella Steward Gardner museum - it's gorgeous, easily doable in the morning and you can lunch their also in the cafe if you choose to. You can check it out online at : GardnerMuseum.org
Isabella was a fascinating woman with an eclectic collection, the home is beautifula and the courtyard lovely especially in season. Or do the museum in the morning, and then walk the Newbury/Copley/Boston Public Garden area.

What time of year are you coming?
Outside dining is fun on Newbury Street - I like Parish Cafe (actually on Boylston St just around the corner from the Newbury end at Arlington St. )
Also Stephanie's on Newbury Street. If you walked through the Beacon Hill/ Boston Common/ Public Garden area you could also walk down Charles Street (you'll see on a map) which has some lovely restaurants and cute shops.

Then you can stroll down Newbury and Boylston runs along side for your shopping day ending up at Copley Place/Prudential Shops and the Copley Square area: (The Boston Public Library in Copley Square is worth looking at in my opinion) - Prices on Newbury/Boylston are not Filene's Basement, but I agree the basement is not what it used to be and for me the downtown Washington St area doesn't have much to keep you busy in that regard.

If you google 'shopping in Boston' you can look thru a variety of web pages and find the types of stores that interst you, also same for Cambridge area.

The North End Market tour sounds perfect for you.
Cantstayhome gave you some good ideas for north end dining and seafood - we love Sage, and I would also add either Rabia's or Piccolo Nido to the mix.
You can check out many restaurants on opentable.com with links to their menus and also make a reservation at the same time. Piccolo Nido is not on opentable, but it is a small place with good food that several of my friends who live in the North End frequent which is how we found it.

The Garment District I mentioned I find geared more to the younger set, college age kids etc love it for the prices and the digging - I think you and your mom would enjoy the boutiques and stores more.

We are coming at the beginning of August - your suggestions are exactly the things we were looking for. You have helped our planning immensely!
Thanks!