What cool things are there to do in Boston M.A. apart from the usually touristy stuff?

I have been to bos. a few times on day trips from the airport. I did a lot of walking. I enjoyed the part of town called "little italy" I think its just north of faneull hall area other side of Interstate 93. I recommend the "boston common" big park but the part on the west side of charles st. where the garden and lagoon are nice.
On beacon st. there is "Cheers" which called something else. This is just across the street to the north side of the park. Probably not worth going in unless you were a fan of the show. Then I walked along commonwealth ave to Fenway Park and Boston University. On the north side of the campus you can walk along the river for a little bit.
Also I recommend the Harvard campus and surrounding area is nice area to walk around. Hope this is helpful.
I took the subway out there.

Actually a lot of the touristy things are pretty cool in Boston as well. But non-tourist...I'd suggest walking around Newbury St. and Boylston, lots of cute shops and restaurants. Check out Harvard Square in Cambridge. Take a walk along the Charles River on the Esplanade...it's gorgeous especially in the fall. As the previous commenter said, get some dinner in the North End (it's not called Little Italy in Boston), any of the restaurants on Hanover Street are delicious.

If you like more action, try renting a canoe or kayak and check out the city from the river (paddleboston.com). The Common is nice, as is the Public Garden. Always good for a nice daytime stroll.

We have lots of museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) on Huntington Ave, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Fort Point area, but especially the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. That one is very cool even if you aren't big into art.

Get the latest copy of Improper Bostonian for poetry slams, art happenings, author readings, gallery shows, concerts, events, etc. You can find it for free on many street corners. It's essential.

The MIT museum is quite fun, and not on most tourist lists. Subscribe to Goldstar.com for discounted tickets to plays and events. Wander around the South End and the North End for shops, restaurants, architecture. Sign up for a one-day class at www.bcae.org. Some of the Irish bars have sing-along nights.