Hilton’s Tent City
After seven decades in Boston, this iconic outdoor outfitter packed its bags last summer and made the epic voyage across the Charles River, where it set up camp in a huge storefront in the heart of Central Square. Other than the location, not much has changed: The store is still stuffed with a gazillion backpacks, boots, headlamps, and everything else you’ll need for your next outdoor adventure. Go ahead, climb every mountain. 565 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, hiltonstentcity.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
Taking your clothes to this stunning Back Bay space feels less like an errand and more like a visit with friends. Whether you’re a new client or a regular, the Rivas family will welcome you with a smile, a compliment, and calm solutions to your biggest clothing conundrums: a tear in an expensive leather dress, for example, or a panicked need for last-minute tailoring. Thank goodness their work is also impeccable. 324 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Buttonwood
This Newton Highlands restaurant from the team behind Sycamore opened in early 2018 to much acclaim—then promptly shut down after an electrical fire in the kitchen. Now they’re back and better than ever, slinging crowd-pleasing small plates, mains, and craft cocktails (including a spicy draft negroni) for their grateful neighbors. Come in for dinner or just pop by the bar for a local craft brew and the crispy pork ribs with sticky Thai glaze and pineapple—no matter what you’re in the mood for, the friendly vibes here are contagious. buttonwoodnewton.com.
Burnin' by Ray
Typically in large boot-camp classes, enlistees get very little attention or metrics to track progress. Not so at Burnin’ by Ray, where students can geek out on data measuring endurance level and body-fat percentage. A video broadcast system, meanwhile, allows instructors to help those who need it most while more-advanced participants do their thing. After class, everyone can reward their efforts at the juice bar. 157 Seaport Blvd., Boston, MA burninbyray.com.
Timothy Ro, SalonCapri
Psst—you over there with the weekly date at the blow-dry bar. Yeah, you. Tired of getting your locks pulled and your scalp burnt as you’re rushed from sink to dryer to cashier? There’s a better way. Namely, placing your hair in the skilled hands of Timothy Ro. Drawing on his experience backstage at Fashion Week, the SalonCapri stylist confidently (and efficiently) churns out runway-worthy looks—no laminated menu required. 11 Newbury St., Boston, MA saloncapri.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Spend one evening lounging around a fire pit on the water-view terrace with your family, and you just might decide to make a stay at this Brewster retreat, centered around a Victorian-style mansion, an annual tradition. And why wouldn’t you, when there are enough amenities here—a Nicklaus-designed golf course, bar-adjacent private beach, luxe day spa, and full-service tennis courts—to make it so you never have to leave? oceanedge.com.
Mandarin Oriental
Looking to rub elbows with your favorite A-listers? Chances are if they’re in town, they’ve snagged a room at the Mandarin Oriental. It’s no surprise when you consider the hotel’s dedication to discreet yet over-the-top service, helmed by charismatic GM Philip Knuepfer: Whether you’re dropping by the sprawling spa, the on-site restaurant, Bar Boulud, or the check-in counter, you’re bound to get the star treatment. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA mandarinoriental.com.
Lekker Home
You already know this South End boutique for its modern furnishings and home accessories. Now discover Lekker Home’s softer side, courtesy of a luxe linen collection with everything you need for a lifetime of pampering: Sasawashi scrub towels to keep your skin looking fresh, a super-soft Blacksaw throw for movie nights, and a crisp set of Area bed sheets to sink into later. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA lekkerhome.com.
Half Crown Design
With two decades at the company, designer Jodi Robbins combines a deep admiration for the beauty of high-quality wood with a keen consideration for each client’s unique style and vision. The result? Expertly designed, one-of-a-kind pieces—such as a sleek walnut dining table with stainless steel accents and a cherry-and-walnut storage bed—individually bench-made by New England craftspeople to last a lifetime. halfcrowndesign.com.
G2O Spa + Salon
Sure, you could stop by for a quickie body scrub or facial at this recently relocated Back Bay spa, but we wouldn’t recommend it—not when you can spend the whole day pampering yourself between treatments in the flotation pod and salt cave. After 25 years in the relaxation biz, G2O knows exactly what its clients want, and that’s as many blissful ways as possible to escape the chaos outside. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA g2ospasalon.com.
Magic Beans
Local parents, rejoice: Magic Beans more than fills the void left behind when one-stop baby-equipment shop Isis Parenting shuttered last winter. At the Coolidge Corner flagship and various outposts, employees steer moms and dads through the wheeled forest of UPPAbaby and Bugaboo strollers and offer guidance on endlessly confusing car seats, childproofing items, and nursing gear. Parenting may be hard work, but Magic Beans makes shopping for all the necessities as easy as 1-2-3. 312 Harvard St., Brookline; and other locations, mbeans.com.
Angela's Cafe
Owner Angela Atenco Lopez’s rich, complex mole poblano is one of the dishes you must try before you can claim your Boston food-geek merit badge. On second thought, actually, perhaps we meant Lopez’s citrusy, onion-studded guacamole. Or maybe the plate of chilaquiles, with its crisp tortilla chips, fresh tomatillo sauce, and toppings of crema and queso fresco. Erase any doubts by doing what we do: order them all. 131 Lexington St., East Boston, MA 2128, angelascafeboston.com.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth already had a lot going for it—Full-service market! Parking!—but this spring, the Kendall Square restaurant upped its game further with a sprawling, Broad Canal—facing patio. Anything you order—may we suggest the flatiron steak from Maine’s Pineland Farms?—will be a mere warm-up for the serious ice cream menu, with roughly a dozen creative, homemade flavors. 11 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA 2142, commonwealthcambridge.com.
Katrina Hess
This makeup pro has been primping brides from the Back Bay to Bermuda for more than 20 years. During a consultation at her lofty Newbury Street studio, Hess will school you in skin maintenance and eyebrow shaping, and on the big day, she’ll travel to your venue to give you an absolutely flawless look. She’ll even stay through the night to make sure it lasts through the happy tears and cake smears. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, katrinahess.com.
Vows
We can't think of a bigger nightmare than lining up with thousands of grabby, frantic bargain dress hunters à la Filene's Running of the Brides. Fortunately, Vows is packed with designer gowns from the likes of Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, and Pronovias at steep discounts. And with a recently added accessories selection that includes bags, jewelry, and shoes, getting the head-to-toe look for less is a thoroughly civilized endeavor. 130 Galen St., Watertown, MA 2472, bridepower.com.