Frank Phillips, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Beats the Globe with State House stories weekly, despite being outnumbered four to one by the Globe's reporters.
Leigh Montville, <em>Boston Globe</em>
Second year in a row. But listen, Leigh, why don't you take a break on Sunday?
The <em>East Boston Community News</em>
A spunky, provocative weekly that has already spawned a number of the city's better young writers. Was the first to get on Ed King's case, when he was Mr. Big at Massport.
Boston Speed's Hot Dogs
A dog is a dog is a dog—until you get to Boston Speed's little trailer. Speed serves up wolfhound-size hot dogs (specially made according to his secret recipe) in a real roll, with great sauces you'll never find in a supermarket. Somwhere in the New Market parking lot, Boston, MA .
The Bank of Boston Celebrity Series
Last year it brought us Lynn Redgrave in Shakespeare for My Father. This year it will present the Twyla Tharp Dancers, Itzhak Perlman, Victor Borge—the list goes on.
The Holiday Lights on Boston Common
What angry god hurled these strings of multicolored light bulbs down to earth? Was he/she aiming for Coney Island? Boston, MA
Boston Shakespeare Company
Sellars has worked magic, from Brecht to Beckett. Too bad he's leaving.
Boston University Celebrity Series
Despite its including the disappointing Vladimir Horowitz and Luciano Pavarotti concerts.
The Boston Repertory Theater
A solid company displayed to advantage in a well-chosen repertoire. 1 Boylston Place, Boston, MA .
The Boston Sail Loft
Nice location and a casual, friendly atmosphere. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA .
Apley's, Sheraton-Boston Hotel
Over $1 million was spent to make this restaurant the showpiece of the chain. Money talks, nobody starves. 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Boston Public Library
The gurgle of the cast-bronze fountain in the Italianate open-air courtyard. The glow of the green glass lamps on Bates Hall’s long reading tables. Set the scene for your own epic love story at the BPL. With an array of dramatic party spaces and creative, personalized cuisine from the Catered Affair, the Renaissance Revival treasure is less library and more fairy-tale romance in the making. bpl.org; thecateredaffair.com/bpl. 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Hong Kong Boston
After a few beers and Talking Heads covers, nothing’s quite as satisfying as scoring a $1 chicken teriyaki skewer. Dance your heart out at the club upstairs, or just huddle around a scorpion bowl with your pals while some State Street suit croons “Friends in Low Places.” 65 Chatham St., Boston, MA 02109, hongkongboston.com.
Boston Book Festival
The Boston Book Festival is highly worthy of a city that prides itself on its lengthy literary history. It’s a packed weekend of end-to-end panels hosted at the Boston Public Library and other venues, covering everything from young adult novels to memoirs to spy thrillers. The guest list is always impressive; Margaret Atwood and Edwidge Danticat stopped by last year. bostonbookfest.org.
Boston Fire Museum
This museum and working firehouse has become a hot tot birthday spot, and for good reason: Festivities begin on the spacious second floor, where kids can burn excess energy, then move to an exhibit hall, where they can climb, "steer," ring bells, and wind sirens on old-time engines. 344 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, bostonfiremuseum.com.