Lester Harry's
The atmosphere at this Newbury Street store is more gallery than Gymboree. The precious collection of baby- and kidswear is set against a backdrop of chandeliers and hardwood floors. The tiny down jackets and cashmere cardigans will cost you, but it's important to spare no expense when outfitting tomorrow's Ivy Leaguers and tycoons. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, lesterharrys.com.
Tile Showcase
Planning a back splash in your kitchen? A mosaic in your bathroom? Tiling your entryway or looking for flagstones for your patio? The selection might be overwhelming, but the consultants are adept at navigating you through the many lines such as Country Floors, Grazia, Emil Ceramica, and Tagina. They'll also help answer any design questions. 1 Design Center Place, Boston, MA .
Vapor
The owners of Chaps were so excited about last summer's renovation that they gave their club a new name. Reincarnated as Vapor, the space has a new floor plan, a beefed-up sound system, and an amplified light show. Already the high-energy dance hall is a hot scene, complete with Manhattan deejays on the weekends. 100 Warrenton Street, Boston, MA .
Bombay Club
There are other Indian restaurants in town, but none present top-quality food as consistently as the Bombay Club. Check out the Chicken Tikka Masala, and try the garlic and onion naan as an accompaniment to your meal. The lunch buffet is easy on the taste buds and the wallet, and the restaurant's top-floor view of Harvard Square doesn't hurt, either. Harvard Square Galeria, 57 JFK St., Cambridge, MA .
Tiger Home Inspection
Tiger was putting its inspectors through a comprehensive training course even before it was required by state law (legislation the company's cofounders helped craft, by the way). The 60-odd inspectors—overseen by president Carl Pucci—are renowned as the region's most thorough, whether they're probing floor joists for termites or expounding on repointing a chimney. 969 Washington St., Braintree, MA 2184, .
Avalon, Sunday nights
Many area nightspots sponsor weekly gay nights, but none satisfies the masses quite like Avalon Sundays. Beautiful players sip cocktails and get groovy in superlative style to pumping tunes spun by local DJ heavyweights, while drag queens take advantage of the airline hangar of a dance floor to strut their stuff. 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, MA .
Buzz/Avalon
A toss up between Buzz on Saturday nights and Avalon on Sundays. If you've got the bod, doff the shirt and work up a sweat with the hotties on the dance floor. In button-down mode? Slink over to the bar, grab a Tanqueray and tonic, and savor the eye candy. You won't be alone for long. 67 Stuart St./15 Landsdowne St., Boston, MA .
Bolt Beranek and Newman CEO George Conrades
Harley rider and former senior vice president at IBM, Conrades cruised into town and flouted conventional wisdom by selling off the company's profitable LightStream subsidiary. Now, he says, profits for the company that virtually invented the Internet are just around the corner.
Faber Rug
This multigenerational family business in Wellesley Center has beautiful selection of wall-to-wall, but the real deals are found on its second floor, where there's a wide selection of high-end remnants such as wool Bebers, imported patterned wool carpets, and high-quality nylon piles and loops. 9 Central Street, Wellesley, MA .
Lord & Taylor
If the idea of swimwear shopping conjures feelings usually reserved for the dentist's office, fret not: Lord & Taylor's selection should soothe even the most reluctant buyer. Make a beeline for the first floor, where you'll find Trina Turk bikinis and anything-but-boring Diesel men's board shorts. Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, lordandtaylor.com.
Louis Boston
Praise be: Louis now has a registry. You still have to sign up for practical presents (serving pieces, glassware, cookware, towels, linens), but the gifts you'll get are guaranteed to be over-the-top cool, luxe, and fabulous. The registry focuses on first-floor items, but feel free to sneak in a dreamy fashion design or two. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Wayland Golf
With the selection of a warehouse but the intimacy of a pro shop, Wayland Golf is the next best thing to being on the links. In addition to a practice cage and a second-floor putting green that overlooks Commonwealth Avenue, Wayland also has an impressive stock of children's equipment, left-handed clubs, shoes, and custom grips. 890 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA wayland-country-club.com.
The Red Inn
With its wide windows and incredible vistas, this circa-1915 inn offers a clam's-eye view of Provincetown Harbor and the lighthouse at Long Point. Hardwood floors and beamed ceilings set the mood for platters of fresh-off-the-local-boat cod, lobster, and oysters. The only thing missing is sand between your toes. 15 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA theredinn.com.
The Red Lion Inn
The Red Lion's lure as a hangout is potent, and has been since 1704. The rustic, cozy bar inside has an original old beam ceiling, huge brick fireplace, wide plank floors, and outdoor patio seating. And if you've had one too many, there are 15 gorgeous suites upstairs, all with fireplaces and Jacuzzis. 71 South Main St., Cohasset, MA redlioninn.com.
New Repertory Theater
During its first season, 1984-1985, it had 50 subscribers. Now it has about 3,300, treated to contemporary as well as classic drama. this year's season will include Jar the Floor, Death and the Maiden, and I Hate Hamlet. P.O. Box 418, Newton Highlands, MA .