Crane Beach
The long, winding boardwalks and grassy dunes at Crane Beach can magically readjust the tired mind of even the most citified creature. After sinking your toes into the beach's soft white sand, you may decide to trade in your power suit for a bathing suit—permanently. Bird lovers, bring your binoculars—Crane is home to more than 200 aviary species, including wild turkeys. Getting there a problem? For those without wheels, take the commuter rail to downtown Ipswich, and then bike five miles to the beach. For those who drive: Stop to go antiquing in nearby Essex on the way. For kids of all ages: Don't miss Crane's annual sand-sculpture competition on August 12. Beach amenities: ample parking, refreshments, clean bathhouses, and outside showers. Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA .
Boston and Cambridge Appliance Repair
In five short years, Tony Ginewicz's firm has garnered a citywide following with its same-day service and knack for curing what ails all major brands. 66 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, .
Arthur & Pat's
It simply isn't summer in Brant Rock without the smell of crab cakes and eggs—and the epic brunch lines it attracts—pouring from Arthur & Pat's. And it isn't Arthur & Pat's without Aerosmith blaring through the salty air, waitresses in tie-dyed shirs slamming groaning plates onto the granite tables, or ridiculous cartoons illustrating the killer daily specials: shrimp florentine omelettes, gloriously crispy fried clams, and the aptly named "Artie's Orgasmic Lobster Roll." 239 Ocean St., Marshfield, MA .
O Ya
It's been two years since chef Tim Cushman's refined sushi operation made a stealth entrance onto the scene, gradually picking up buzz until being 'discovered' by gobsmacked foodies whose praise launched it to the national stage. Now, even as O Ya's new-kid glow has faded (and despite its stunning price point), the wait list remains impressively long. And we'll tell you why: Visit after visit, the hypnotic beauty of the food, seemingly simple but layered with clear flavors (white soy and yuzu glazing a sweet scallop, Thai basil and Szechwan pepper on sweet-salty eel), never fails to catch jaded palates off-guard—and has even been known to make some diners blush with delight. 9 East St., Boston, MA 2111, oyarestaurantboston.com.
Tresses & the Day Spa
Still feeling stressed from nearly missing the ferry? Have a knot in your neck that needs professional untying? Get yourself to Tresses, where the firm yet gentle hands of well-trained masseurs will work out whatever ails you. Don't be surprised if it becomes the highlight of your island stay 117 Pleasant St., Nantucket, MA nantucketspa.com.
Francesca Woodman's Photographic Works at the Wellesley College Art Museum
An astonishingly mature and profound exploration of female identity from a young artist who committed suicide at the age of 22.
Ares Shoe Repair
Boston streets are hell on heels. Case in point: the heel of a favorite Stephane Kelian pump, chewed by cobblestones. But Ares came to the rescue. After its ministrations, we couldn't even tell which heel had been broken. 84 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Brookline Liquor Mart
Recently expanded. Roger Orman is extremely helpful, regardless of how much you have to spend. 1354 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, MA .
Speed's hot-dog cart
You've got to taste them, preferably with the special sauces, to believe them. Exra "Spee " Anderson is one of the Hub's great culinary treasures. Somewhere in the corner of the Newmarket parking lot, corner of Massachsuetts Avenue and Newmarket Square, Boston, MA .
Speed's hot-dog cart
If you haven't had a Speed Dog (with these special sauces), you don't know from hot dogs. Ezra "Speed" Anderson is one of the Hub's greatest culinary treasures. Somewhere in the Newmarket parking lot, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Newmarket Square, Boston, MA .
"Elvis and Marilyn" at the ICA. Pop art that didn't pop.
Pop art that didn't pop.
Brookline Booksmith
Well into the Kindle era, Boston still hits out of its weight class when it comes to bookselling, and we treat big-name authors like visiting royalty. The Booksmith is where our memoirists, like Andre Dubus III and Gail Caldwell, and our suspense gurus, from Hank Phillipi Ryan to Joseph Finder, come to tell their tales. It’s where Atlantic columnist James Parker throws a celebration of his literary magazine the Pilgrim—the one produced 10 times per year by the city’s homeless population. And it’s where Barney Frank turns up to talk baseball. In sum, it’s the kind of place you keep going back to, because you never know what they’re going to think of next. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, brooklinebooksmith.com.
Crane & Co. Paper Makers
Most people don't give stationery a second thought. Then they get engaged and suddenly need an expert opinion on a forest's worth of papers—invitations, save-the-date cards, programs, thank-you notes. Dalton-based Crane, manufacturer of the most classic and elegant wedding stationery collections on the finest-quality paper, makes sense of it all. For tastes that veer toward the modern, there's a newer line of invites that don't follow the classic models. An experienced staff helps you find exactly the right paper and style to fit your budget, and even occasionally eschews tradition by letting you in on a little secret: You don't need that expensive second envelope nowadays. (Our saleswoman whispered that it was used to keep the invitation clean back when mail was carried on horseback.) Prudential Center, Boston, MA crane.com.
The Liberty Hotel
The former site of the Charles Street Jail now has the city’s hotel and nightlife scene on lock. Guests can escape to Alibi, the prison’s old drunk tank, to sip themed cocktails like “Jailbait” and “Doin’ Thyme” among brick cell walls, iron doors, and celebrity mug shots. No drab hotel dining here, either: Superchef Lydia Shire runs the better-than-it-has-to-be house restaurant, Scampo. And freshly revamped guest rooms boast herringbone wall coverings, library-style club chairs, wide-plank hardwood floors, and décor—scales of justice, old-key artwork—that recalls the building’s jailhouse past. Freedom never felt so good. 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, libertyhotel.com.
Poor Little Rich Girl
From $40 DVF wrap dresses to funky, quality jewelry to blessedly organized racks, the charms of this Davis Square shop are well docuented (as are its occasional annoyances: yes, the label says Marc Jacobs, but they're still '90s-era power-blue capris). This past year, though, it's Poor Little Rich Girl's new-clothing section that's proved extra appealing. Rummage through some Route 66-brand Target cast-offs, for instance, and you might score an on-trend H&M floral blouse marked 30 percent off an already bargain basement price. Bonus: fresh inventory from Forever 21, that fabulous fashion-junk-food retailer that has thus far mysteriously failed to set up shop in town. 255 Elm St., Somerville, MA 2144, poorlittlerichgirl.com.