Hm, glad I checked the forums out. Looking forward to getting what I can signed. See all you folks there, I guess!
I live in Seattle and the closest I have ever lived to Boston was Arkansas, so it is not entirely surprising that I have never been there. I am really looking forward to it. Although I was thinking of having lobster for my birthday. I mean really, how can I go to New England and not have lobster? I am definitely open to suggestions about sights to see while I am there though. I know next to nothing about Boston.
Been living in the Boston area my whole life and served as a tour guide for several summers. I suggest that you start off with a Duck Tour (
http://www.bostonducktours.com/tickets_main.aspx) It's the best way to see the town as an overview; you can then pick a few places that you see on the tour to come back to visit. Definitely get an MBTA pass too (details:
http://mbta.com/fares_and_passes/passes/). It's the best and least expensive way to get around town and catch the sights. Definitely check out the North End as it's sort of a mecca for good Italian food (Mike's and/or Modern Pastry for cannoli should be a must). I like visiting the New England Aquarium personally but that can be a bit pricey. The Back Bay is one of the trendier spots in Boston...sorta like Boston's version of Fifth Avenue. That's a nice pleasant street to walk on to check out some really cool/unique shops. I also suggest checking out Harvard Square (just off the Red Line).
If you're feeling extra adventurous, take a ferry up to Salem and explore that town for a day as well.
If you're looking for good seafood, check out Legal Seafoods. There are several locations. Personally I like The Daily Catch, which is in the North End. If you can somehow make it out to a Kelly's Roast Beef (there's one in Allston, which is on the Green Line), definitely do so as they have good, well-priced seafood. I'd say that Kelly's is very much a restaurant that represents the local flavor.