It's a journey to get to Salem, Ma from Boston, I wouldn't recommend it. There's so much to see and experience in town, that I would not use up most of my day getting there. I lived in Salem, Ma whenI was in college. Have you been to Boston before? What are your interests?

Personally, I love the North End. Dinner at Giacomos (cash only, might have to wait outside in line), the Daily Catch is good too, depending on.... The catch of the day. To go pastries, Modern Pastry Shop, nighttime cappuccino or after dinner liqueur, the old side of Cafe Vittoria. All of these on Hanover Street.

theres so much more....

if you are a first timer, I recommend booking the duck tour, you get a great sense of the layout and history, then revisit sites after in depth for your interest.

Oleana in Cambridge is wonderful for creative and delicious Middle Eastern/Mediterranean. We also really enjoyed Row 34 for oysters and craft beer.

Oh yes, plenty to see and do in Boston and Salem is too far. A lot depends on what you like to see and do. So here are some suggestions.

Walking: Freedom trail is great as it takes you by historical landmarks and gets you a good view of the city, but so is just walking ... along the Charles River, on Beacon Hill, Newbury Street, Commonwealth Ave. The courtyard inside the Boston Public Library was always a lovely place of refuge for me when I was there. Quincy market is fun for shopping and quick bites to eat and tchotchkes and souvenirs.

By T you can get to Harvard Yard to check out some of the university, and the coop. Harvard has a number of museums to see. The glass flowers are absolutely incredible.

You can also reach the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by T. The latter being one of my favorite museums by far.

They also have a Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium. You can see the USS Constitution, old Ironsides if you have an interest in that.

If you want super pizza, go to Regina's in the north end...even better than what they serve at quincy market. I'm reluctant to suggest restaurants as it's been so long since I was there, but Legal Seafood was always a very popular seafood place.

Ooh, these restaurants all sound great. We pretty much like anything, but definitely want to have Italian and seafood. Our mom's name was Regina, so maybe that is an obvious choice.

I went to Boston about 10 years ago with a friend who also had her conference there. I did the duck boat, but I know DH would say no way given their recent accidents. Yeah, I know that's rare given the number of trips they do.

I think they would all love the USS Constitution.

I've never been to Cambridge either.

If they have never been to Boston I'd suggest the hop on hop off trolley tour. A full day, pick the attractions where you want to spend time.

Trolley tour

Regina Pizzeria in the North end is an institution. Great suggestion.

The USS Cassin Young is also in the Charlestown Navy Yard if WWII destroyers are your thing.

The Boston Convention Center is convenient to the Seaport area, which is one of the new hot spots in Boston. I would concentrate the time you have in Boston and skip Salem this time. Walk the Freedom Trail, eat in the North End (Fiore is excellent), stroll down Newbury Street, go to the Museum of Fine Arts, and if time allows, either the Museum of Natural History, The Fogg Art, or the Museum of Science-all in Cambridge. So glad you're going to see a Red Sox game! I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the Boston you will see now-ever changing, providing lots of new activities. Enjoy!

OK, I should mention I am at Hynes convention center at Copley place,not the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). I didn't even realize there were two convention centers. I've only been to conventions at the Hynes. Not that it makes a huge difference for getting around.

Ahh yes at the Pru. The fountain that my GFs tossed me into before we graduated is alas no longer there....but the new mall is nice.

Hynes! Easy walk to Comm. Ave., the Gardens and Commons, Beacon Hill/ Charles Street, Newbury St....

OK, being at the Hynes is a total game changer. I'd still recommend the Freedom Trail and Newbury Street AND the North End. I attend a convention yearly that once was held at the Hynes, until we outgrew it and now are at BCEC. We all lament the fun had at the Hynes! GREAT location.

I think Legal Seafood was once quite good, but to me since it became a big chain it has gone wayyyy down hill. As far as the North End, I have had some wonderful meals in Boston. Not one of them in the North End, sorry to say. I think it depends on whether or not you are a foodie. The North End has kind of a fun vibe on a summer night, but IMHO the cuisine is lacking.

I find Chowhound to be very reliable in that area.

ETA: If you want something foodie, here are some ide below. Boston has a very vibrant restaurant scene! I used to like No 9 Park a lot and see it is still highly regarded.
http://boston.eater.com/maps/best-boston-restaurants-38