Welcome to Boston, THURSDAYSD,

Glad you decided to visit "the Hub of the Universe" (according to Oliver Wendell Holmes) before your trip to London. I will really be looking forward to that report.

You are getting some excellent advice on this thread. I would only add a few more. Have you followed TDUDETTE (another intrepid, mature female solo traveler) who wrote a great trip report about her recent stay in Boston? She was following the trail of John Singer Sargent, teamed up with other Fodorites, and described several venues very well including the Boston Public Library.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rt-mission.cfm

I would strongly recommend a look-see at the BOSTON ATHENAEUM, a magnificent private lending library at 10 BEACON STREET, a few steps across the street from the STATE HOUSE and the SHAW MEMORIAL. I believe that visitors are allowed to browse around (without touching anything) on the first floor. Not sure about their regularly scheduled tours.

http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/

Also regarding SALEM, I would suggest taking the SALEM TROLLEY around town. The eight mile ride really gives you a great sense of this beautiful city, including the gorgeous SAMUEL MACINTIRE mansions on CHESTNUT STREET and environs - one of the most famous residential enclaves in the US.

You would also get a good view of the waterfront, the CUSTOM HOUSE (where Hawthorne "found" the Scarlett Letter), the neighborhood of the House of the Seven Gables.

http://www.salemtrolley.com/

So much to see and do in Boston/Cambridge/ Salem! :)

You'll Love the Gardner Museum
and the restaurant at the MFA is good
Also the Gardner's.