We are going to visit Boston and just found that the Democratic Conv is occurring the exact days of our visit. Is it nuts to try to tour during the convention or will it be too crowded?

First things first: If you don't have a hotel room yet, you're probably out of luck with finding accommodations.
And, yes, the city will be crowded.

I'm sure there's freak shows closer to home

LOL, 2kb, the answer to both your questions ("Is it nuts" and "will it be too crowded") is "Yeah, probably."

Dont even think of coming close to Boston that week. The commuter rail will be restricted out of North Station and I-93 will be shut down. Getting around the city will be near to impossible. Not to mention the absence of Hotel rooms. All that for a losing cause.

DO NOT COME TO BOSTON THAT WEEK..it is going to be chaos for transportation...hotels are booked as are restaurants..We love visitors, but please do yourself a favor and wait a few weeks...

I disagree with those who tell you not to come, especially if you already have hotel reservations (which will, indeed, be difficult to come by).

The city will have a terrific buzz to it because of all the hoopla, and I think it'll be a memorable trip. No matter where you go, especially during the daytime (much of the convention stuff is at night), you can be on the lookout for both politicians and tv people.

The road closings and public transportation changes will mostly affect commuters and not tourists.

I would go another week. I can't imagine the post 9/11 security concerns caused by the party conventions. Both Boston and NYC are in for a very inconvenient few days, I'd guess.

If you have a hotel in downtown Boston - already reserved and guaranteed and you do not plan on driving anywhere, you should be fine.

Restaurants will likely be more crowded - but summer months in Boston have very high hotel occupancy rates anyway - so they can only hold so many people.

If you have reserved a hotel on outskirts of Boston and plan to commute in, or if you are planning on relying on a car to get around, then reschedule.