The Garden in the Woods
Don't dig up that lady's slipper! Come to the annual June plant sale at Garden in the Woods for wildflowers you can take home without fear of eradicating an endangered species. While the June sale is the largest, wildflowers are always available for purchase at the Garden, as well as books and other items in the charming gift store. But don't leave without a tour of the Garden itself, one of New England's unique treasures. Hemenway Road, North Framingham, MA .
The Good Life, Cambridge
The latest addition to Brian O'Neill's growing empire, this new Good Life is perfectly suited to its Central Square location. The decor is, as in other Good Lifes, remarkably similar to your parents' den, only wings this good and spicy were probably not served at home. Wash 'em down with one of many beers on tap, or a tasty cosmopolitan (the bartenders seem to have a flair for this drink du jour). 720 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA goodlifebar.com.
Highland Kitchen
This Somerville hangout's cuisine is probably better described as "global southern" than "down-home." The menu, after all, features coconut-curried goat stew and pork-belly tacos alongside classic grilled pork short ribs and grits, catfish po' boys, and fully loaded jambalaya with cornbread. One bite of the Buffalo fried Brussels sprouts, though, and you'll be more than willing to cast semantics aside. 150 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA highlandkitchen.com.
Tupelo
Down-home, classic southern food is what pulls locals through Tupelo's doors, and the rustic charm and hospitality are what keep them at the table—downing andouille-and-okra-flecked gumbo and plates of fried oysters. Oh, and those folks wandering in after 9 p.m. looking for crispy grits and locally produced brews? Ain't no thang; this is one joint where that kind of behavior is encouraged. 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 2139, tupelo02139.com.
Jumbo Seafood
If lobster was exclusively meant to be served boiled and dunked in butter, God would not have created ginger and scallions. One mouthful of the crustacean at this Chinatown gem, and you'll rethink the wisdom of the clambake. Equally transcendent are the whole, crispy fish; the jumbo shrimp netted live from an in-house tank and fried in a spicy orange sauce; and the (yes, delightful) Seafood Delight. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA 2111, jumboseafoodrestaurant.com.
Sayle's Seafood
No bivalve hut worth its sea salt is pretentious. So don't expect glamour when you push through the swinging screen door. At $35 per person, the Clambak—a bucket of thick chowder, a half pound each of steamers and mussels, corn, potatoes, a whole lobster, and melted butter (optional, and just as well, since everything tastes ridiculously good as-is)—is one of the sweetest bargains going. 99 Washington St., Nantucket, MA 2554, .
Hot Dog Annie's
It's hard to place the exact ingredients that make up the house signature sauce—an addictive barbecue-onion mixture that has led generations to this off-the-beaten-track hot dog stand with its siren call. What is clear is that it tastes damn good on a hot dog, especially on the small and skinny, slightly crunchy ones grilled up without ceremony at this shack behind Worcester's airport. Order three dogs for less than five bucks, and ask for some extra sauce to take home. 244 Paxton St., Leicester, MA 1524, .
The Lobster Trap
The golden whole-belly fried clams are worth an impromptu day trip. Add in the Buzzards Bay and Back River vistas, the newly built bar stocked with local brews, and the overstuffed lobster roll served on buttery brioche (yes, brioche), and what you've got is, quite simply, one of the Cape's best casual seafood joints. 290 Shore Road, Bourne, MA 2532, lobstertrap.net.
French Memories
As if life on picturesque Duxbury Harbor wasn't sweet enough, French Memories steps in with a cadre of top-notch carbs to up the ante. On hand are tiny petits fours and crunchy baguettes that would hold their own anywhere along the Seine. But the standouts are the truly irresistible almond croissants. Their crispy, buttery layers and dense, nutty filling condense into one cakelike bite. 459 Washington St., Duxbury, MA frenchmemories.com.
American Seasons
It's dark in here. That's one of the reasons couples come in to snuggle up. The other is what amounts to a cross-country tour of American cuisine. We suggest sticking close to home with local seafood and cornmeal polenta, or venturing into the West for hangar steaks and Humboldt Fog goat cheese. Whatever you choose—from here, there, or everywhere—you'll get thoughtfully prepared, seasonal food that's somehow also very sexy. 80 Centre St., Nantucket, MA americanseasons.com.
Columbus Cleaners
In a city with dry cleaners on virtually every block, what makes Columbus stand out when it comes to airing your dirty laundry? For one, the eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning process (no perc here!). Second, the delivery app, which lets you get shirts and suits picked up from your home — and dropped back off — with the touch of a button. All in all, it’s a service that fits like a glove. Multiple locations, columbuscleaners.net.
Allandale Farm
Big-box garden centers are famously hit-or-miss — a $40 flowering basket may look lush on one side, but spin it around, and it’s scraggly and brown. That’s never the case at this locally owned farm, which sells picture-perfect planters, vibrant perennials, fresh veggie starts, and heirloom seeds for the DIY gardener to sow at home. Bonus points for the on-site cows and chickens, which can turn a ho-hum errand with kids into a real adventure. 259 Allandale Rd., Brookline, MA 02467, allandalefarm.com.
Burlington Mall
Who says malls are dead? Once a ho-hum suburban shopping center, this overhauled megaplex now stands out not only for its selection of upscale shops but also its destination-worthy dining and drinking spots: It’s home to the only Boston-area Parm (Contessa’s casual little sister); an outpost of Maine’s beloved Bennett’s Sandwich Shop; and Common Craft, a 9,000-square-foot space where you can sip bevvies from your favorite local distillers, brewers, and wine makers after browsing the wares at Anthropologie and Tory Burch. Toasting a new home purchase? A brick-and-mortar Joss & Main store, from local online home-goods purveyor Wayfair, is slated to move in this summer. 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 1803, simon.com/mall/burlington-mall.
The Williamsville Inn
Set in bucolic West Stockbridge, the Williamsville Inn boasts everything a home away from home should: superb service, snowy linens, and cut flowers. Husband-and-wife team Erhard and Kandy Wendt have transformed this once dilapidated 18th-century inn into a modern country guesthouse complete with blond hardwood floors and quaint touches. Erhard also acts as the inn's chief chef, and his German-inspired fare is some of the finest in the county. 286 Great Barrington Rd. (Rte. 41), West Stockbridge, MA williamsvilleinn.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
Looking for the feel of a Vineyard family estate without the squabbles over taxes and when to sell? Welcome to the Winnetu. Built in grand New England style, with summertime clambakes, easy access to South Beach, and a brand-new pool and hot tub, this family-friendly destination is the perfect place to make memories year after year. Whether you curl up in front of the fire in one of the resort’s sprawling two-bedroom cottages or uncork a chilled bottle of pinot grigio in a kitchenette-equipped studio, you’ll feel right at home. 31 Dunes Rd., Edgartown, MA 02539, winnetu.com.