i went to boston university and i must say that i LOVE boston. for the categories you listed....
shopping:
- newbury st. (start at the hynes convention center t-stop): a long street full of all kinds of boutiques and restaurants. near the end of the street you have the high end boutiques like chanel, burberry, armani, etc.
- copley and the prudential: nice small malls with boutiques and shops
- wrentham outlets: outside of boston. amazing outlet mall with a
coach, juicy, lacoste outlet amongst many others.
restaurants:
- legal seafood: great seafood. they have many locations all over boston.
- newbury st.: lots of restaurants on this street. most of them are pretty pricey.
- fanueil hall: food court with LOTS of different kinds of cuisine.
nightlife:
- lansdowne st. has a few night clubs.
- jillian's: its at the end of lansdowne st. lots of fun.