Boston Sightseeing in May...
 

I will be in Boston over the Memorial Day weekend and have never been there before. What are the highlights for sightseeing and the "must sees"? I will be staying at the Ritz Carlton Boston Common.

What do you like? If you like history, or want to walk, explore plus see history, think about walking part or all of the Freedom Trail. You can do it on your own with or without an audio, but audios are available and you can move at your own pace - at the Boston Common Visitors Center, where you could also pick up info, maps, etc.
www.thefreedomtrail.org

A nice overview of the city, with a history 'exhibit' is the Prudential Center Skywalk observatory, on a good day you can see the entire city and more - day and night two different views:
http://www.prudentialcenter.com/play/skywalk.html

If you'd like to take a boat on the harbor, see Boston from that side, and some of the islands, Georges, etc. look on www. bostonislands.com to see if that interests you. If you still want a better harbor view, when you walk the waterfront, there are observatories for free at Independence Wharf and Rose Wharf Boston harbor Hotel but you'd need to check thehours.

Definitely get to the waterfront even if just to walk and from there into the North End, perhaps at least see Paul Revere's House and Old North Church and eat in the North End and have some pastry at Mike's.

Even if you aren't in the city long enough to make this card worth your while, it is a good site to look through for ideas about museums, etc
www.gobostoncard.com and www.bostonusa.com

Aside from the MFA, ICA, an often overlooked one is the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum,, which is a unique spot, I think. www.gardnermuseum.org -
the building and courtyard are wonderful.

consider walking through Boston Common, Boston public Garden, onto Charles street, and across to the Charles River.

Other good streets to walk are Newbury and Boylston, and a fun cafe to sit outside and eat at is Parish Cafe on Boylston or Stephanie's on Newbury Street (latter also great for dinner) - and athe Boston Public Library is a gorgeous building, near Copley which has shops and restaurants.

You an also look in to the Duck tours, if that type of thing would interest you.

If you post whether you like art, architecture, shopping, types of restaurants, nightlife, theater, etc people can give more specific ideas; and if it is just you or are you with a group, ages, preferences, etc. and many full days, 2, 3, etc - and woudl you venture to Cambridge or want to?

But some of the above web sites are a good place to start.

escargot has given you some great resources and recommendations. I can only add: don't forget to do a search of the Fodors boards; just enter Boston in the search box above!

On Fridays and Saturdays, the produce vendors have their push carts in Haymarket Square (near Quincy Market). It's a great opportunity to pick up some fresh fruit and enjoy the historic area. From there you can walk across to the North End Italian neighborhood. If you are interested in Italian cooking, sign up for a culinary tour with Michelle Tuppar. She also talks about the history of the neighborhood.

Take the Old town trolley.paul

ttt

You are very close to Chinatown, try the Taiwan Cafe if you get a chance, cheap and authentic.

You are also a block from the theaters.
Check out www.artsboston.org to see what's playing.

Just remember Boston is a walking city. Walk down Charles Street and Newbury Street and browse around.

IF you don't know the city to well the best bet for staying out late is hanging around in the North End and Quincy Market. Although there are a number of lounges in the theater district.

Must sees- Escargot has excellent suggestions, I also agree about the Go Boston Card website/card. It's a great product for sightseeing and it's on sale until the end of the month--that card will get you into the must sees like freedom trail attractions, museums, tours like the Duck Tour, Whale watch, Beantown Trolley tour and also will get you into some lesser known attractions too.

I want to add that you should also visit the Beacon Hill area, perhaps even eat dinner there since you are so close (just walk through the public garden or around it and turn right on Charles Street)