I'm planning a trip to Boston in early September. So far our only scheduled event is seeing Vampire Weekend; I'm looking for dining suggestions (raw bars) and other must see attractions. Although touristy, I still want to see Fanuel Hall, Freedom Trail, Harvard, the Aquariam, Chinatown...so what else should be on the itinerary?

South End, North End, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, and Cambridge are all musts.

 

There's a famous pizza place in the North End "everybody goes to" but I haven't been there yet so I can't judge and I forgot the name lol

thnx CDM

Pizza place CDM speaks of is Pizzeria Regina (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-regina-boston-4)

 

...and it's actually quite good...

 

For a nice panoramic view, walk over the Mass Ave bridge between Cambridge and Harvard.

The Freedom Trail is good in spite of the touristiness. It takes you through enough of downtown, the North End, and Charlestown (if you have enough energy to continue to Bunker Hill) to give you a good taste of those areas.

 

While you're in the North End, besides the pizza the usual obligatory stop is Mike's Pastry for cannoli.

 

Raw bars aren't my bag so I can't say much there, but the Union Oyster House is right in the thick of touristland near Fanueil Hall and all that, and it's famous as the oldest extant restaurant in the country. It must be decent to have lasted so long, right? I'm not much good for food recommendations as I don't eat out much, but could probably name a few places if pressed.

 

CDM mentioned good neighborhoods to check out. It's easy to hit Beacon Hill and the Back Bay by making your way from the Common to Copley Square. Beacon Hill first is adjacent to the Common and Public Garden on the north—it's ridiculously charming, if intimidatingly wealthy. Depending on your company the swan boat ride in the Public Garden is a quaint and cheap little diversion; I think they've been doing that for about as long as the park has existed, 150 years or so. Then walk down Comm Ave, or Newbury Street if anybody's into shopping.

 

The Boston Public Library at Copley Square is pretty much my favorite place lately. No need to devote a ton of time to it, but it's just damn nice. Make sure to check out the reading room on the second floor (Bates Hall I think it's called) and the courtyard.

 

Agree on the Mass Ave bridge... if you have the energy it can be nice to walk from the Back Bay to Cambridge. Just over the bridge is MIT, and if you press on for a bit you'll get to Central Square, which is more "authentic" Cambridge than something like Harvard Square (which itself is farther down Mass Ave).

 

Aaaanyway, besides all that I could probably come up with other suggestions depending on your length of stay and particular whereabouts. Not sure if I'll be around in early September, but if you are interested in meeting for a drink or even a bumbling tour guide, by all means PM me or something. I live in the Harvard-ish area of Cambridge and am generally bored and unoccupied. And I'll be glad to try to provide more recommendations. There are plenty of other good places to just wander around if you want to explore the city.

 

There's a famous pizza place in the North End "everybody goes to" but I haven't been there yet so I can't judge and I forgot the name lol

 

Is it this place? http://www.pizzeriaregina.com/

 

Last time I was there, this is where I ate.  I decided to only pick the places that had a line out the door.

Yes!

Excellent suggestions PigBoy, I'll definitely work this into the itinerary.