Hi Greg,
I agree about the recommendations above to go to Montserrat.
Recently in Barcelona I have stayed at the Atrium Palace, a small 4 stars hotel located in the Eixample area , not too far from Plaza Catalunya. Website:
http://www.hotel-atriumpalacebarcelona.com/en/ .
One place I visited last time and loved is the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a concert hall from the early 1900's. They offer guided visits , and also feature concerts. Unfortunately there was no concert when I was there, but that would have been a great experience, it's a gorgeous building.
And of course, La BoquerÃa market as well as the Gaudà buildings as well as Parque Guell are a must.
If you are there on a Sunday, at noon in front of the Barcelona Cathedral in the Barri Gothic you can see people doing the "Sardana", the typical catalonian dance.
Regarding restaurants,two very good tapas places near Plaza Catalunya and the Atrium Palace hotel are Ciudad Condal :
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_directory/restaurants/tapas/ciudad_condal and CervecerÃa Catalana:
http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/barcelona.asp?restaurante=cerveceria-catalana Enjoy (just watch out for your wallet, unfortunately Barcelona is Europe's pickpocket capital)!
