Too often people go away and stumble around trying to determine what there is to do and where to do it. What a waste of precious time! We tell you what there is to do and with whom to do it. Whether it is the best golf course, where to charter a boat, what museums not to miss, you’ll know what you want to do and where to do it before you ever get there.

My favorite places are the Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens followed by the Esplanade, across Storrow Dr. along the Charles River. Beautiful in any season.

Another way to get some exercise and a bit of history is to follow the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail, marked by a red line on the sidewalk. It includes 16 historical sites of early American history.

Boston Bike Tours, McCormack Station has a host of fun bike tours available for very reasonable rates, or they will rent you a bike (with a prior reservation) and deliver it to your hotel

Freedom Trail. One of the best ways to become acquainted with Boston and its history is the 3 mile Freedom Trail. It is a walking tour (guided or self directed) that encompasses 16 historic sites and is easily followed by the red brick line painted on the pavement. The Freedom Trail Foundation offers guided tours with guides in colonial dress and other self-directed audio tours. Old Town Trolley. We’ve had good luck with this company in other destinations. Inexpensive, very complete and you can get on and off when you want. If you are a “foodie”, Michele Topor’s North End Market Tour is a must in Boston. The informative three hour tour provides historical insights into the North End Italian community, tips on food selection, preparation and preservation, new restaurants and tastings of many authentic foods. You’ll visit a 70 year old coffee and spice shop, an Old World candy store, an authentic pastry shop, a wine store and a salumeria in search of the best olive oil, balsamic vinegar, olives, salami, cheese, prosciutto and pasta. Michele is amazingly informative and lots of fun. Do you know why Italians eat their salads at the end of the meal? Or how to select a balsamic vinegar? You will after this tour.

Another good way to see and learn about Boston and have lots of fun doing it is to take a Boston Duck Tour. Hosted by a “ConDUCKtor”, wacky characters in costume, you’ll travel in an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle and learn everything you need to know about Boston before the vehicle plunges into the Charles River for a view of the City like none other.

Boston Your Way. Private tours with your own guide. Plan your own itinerary or customize one of theirs. This is sightseeing in style with real knowledgeable people. $200/hr. driving, $100/hr. walking.

Walking Boston. Recently came across a wonderful book called Walking Boston, by Robert Todd Felton and published by Wilderness Press. $13.46 at Amazon. It features 34 walking tours of Boston that you can take yourself, most 2 miles and under in length. It is a great mix of history, gossip and architectural trivia with tips on cafes, bars and nightspots. This is an opportunity to really get to know the City and its history at your own pace. Choose from familiar places like Beacon Hill and the North End to less familiar spots like Bay Village and Columbia Point. I wish every city had one of these books.

Lots of choices from traditional art museums to science, sports, beer, historical, children's and ethnic museums. While there are numerous museums in the City and surrounding areas, there are three you shouldn’t miss if museums are your thing; Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, (280 The Fenway) designed after a 15th century Venetian palazzo and featuring European and American art. Sundays from September to April at 1:30pm, there is a chamber music concert. $17 gets you admission to the museum and the concert. The Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave.) is right around the corner from the Gardner housing as they say, “mummies and Monets” and the JFK Library and Museum (Columbia Point), which is even interesting to Republicans.

Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, where Robert Newman hung the two lanterns that started the Revolutionary War. Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown, Granary Burying Ground, Tremont Street, (you'll recognize many of the names here), Paul Revere House, 19 North Square in the North End, USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides", Charlestown Navy Yard

The Boston Symphony Orchestra plays from September to May and the Boston Pops from May to July 4th. Performances at www.bso.org. Try the Ballet at www.bostonballet.org.

Outdoors concerts at the Hatch Shell on the Charles are legendary. It's where Arthur Fiedler made the Boston Pops famous. (www.mass.gov/mdc)
(image at right supplied by Boston Tourism Office)

Three primary shopping venues. Any Boston shopping list has to start with Filene's Basement, 426 Washington Street, world renowned for upscale bargains. From there it's on to Copley Place, a full scale urban mall, perhaps a stroll through the boutiques of Charles Street and finally to the Boston shopping mecca — Newbury Street, with its upscale shops and galleries. Some interesting shops; Pratesi fine linens, 110 Newberry, Red Wagon, unique children's fashions, 69 Charles Street, Bromfield Pen Shop, amazing pen selection, 5 Bromfield Street, Jasmine Sola, men's & women's trendy clothing, 344 Newberry, Louis Boston, amazing traditional clothing for men and women, 234 Berkeley St., Flat of the Hill, 60 Charles St., interesting knickknacks

The Boston Marathon, held in April on Patriot's Day (www.bostonmarathon.org) Also, Harborfest, Chowderfest.

Boston Arts Festival. Mid-September (www.cityofboston.gov/arts). Head of the Charles Regatta. Mid-October. Hundreds of thousands line the banks of the Charles for this two day rowing event which draws over 7000 athletes from around the world.