Ok, I've been reading posts, books etc...eyes beginning to glaze over. Here's my deal. Been to BWCA once 20 freaking years ago (I know, how did that much time go by?) and did none of the planning and remember nothing about the route, only that it was a fabulous time. Would like to take my high schooler kid on trip for a week this or next Aug. Route planning is very difficult to judge for me. Entry points all look the same on paper. Where to pick? Coming from Madison WI. Then what? What city to base? I'm assuming ELY would be easiest. What EP? What route? How do I actually find an EP and park car? I've got all my own gear so don't really need to rent or purchase from an outfitter. I'm in reasonable shape. Solid camping skills. Backpacked for 20+ years before having kids. Kid I'm taking is a swimmer and strong as ox. Is it appropriate to post such a basic question? Just want to disappear from civilization for a week and have a great time doing the voyager thing before not a kid anymore.

I would suggest reading posts and threads here, trip reports to get an idea of what a specific route is like and maybe even check out a couple of books." Boundary Waters Canoe Area" by Beymer might give you a couple of ideas.
The more specific your questions - the better answers we can give.

A couple of general guidelines - determine if you want a travel trip or a base camp.
Moving daily means you see more country, work harder and may have less time to fish. Base camp is more leisurely, more fishing / day trip time and in general, less work.

Travel time - most of us travel at about 2-3 miles per hour depending on number of portages, wind and willingness to push.
Daily - about 8-15 miles a day is normal depending on your route - less portages tend to allow more miles. Longer "work day" means more miles. Weather is a big factor.
Where do you want to go - Ely, Grand Marais, Echo Trail, Sawbill Trail? Each have advantages. Looking for high bluffs, steeper portages? shorter drive, fish?

Think through your "trip goals" (hard work, miles, leisure, fish, day trips) and start planning and asking questions.

Do you remember what landmarks you saw 20 years ago? Do you want to repeat any of them?

Personally, I would suggest that you contact one of the many reputable outfitters for route suggestions and to make sure that your gear is complete. They are generally more than willing to help you even if you only plan to use partial outfitting.

Do you remember what landmarks you saw 20 years ago? Do you want to repeat any of them?

Personally, I would suggest that you contact one of the many reputable outfitters for route suggestions and to make sure that your gear is complete. They are generally more than willing to help you even if you only plan to use partial outfitting.

You have mail.

Hex

Quit reading so much stuff. Anywhere you go will be great. If you're not going through an outfitter, than just head to Ely stay the night in town. Use Entry Point 25 on Moose Lake as this is a big public access to park your vehicle in. Bring your McKenzie maps and go voyageuring. Travel where and when you want based on how you feel that day. Keep it simple, skip a rigid route plan.

Grandma L is right on having trip goals and on average travel speed.

There are no bad areas in the BWCA that I know of.

Soundguy0918 makes a good point about using an outfitter. Unless it is really busy and they are full they will provide parking in a protected area, a hot shower on exit, route planning, a tow to drop off points, and many other specific services. I have self outfitted but used outfitters for most of my trips. And Grandma L is right on with decide your general objectives such as travel or base, fish or photo, etc.
Generally I think we would discourage people who do not feel confident of their paddle skills to stay on smaller lakes as big wind can really create big risk on big water.
Beyond those basics there is no better place in the BWCA, there are terrain variations and such, but it is pretty much all just awesome. Go anywhere, it's all good.