Balans Organic Spa
No need to choose from a menu of froufrou facials at Balans, Boston's first all-organic spa. Here, each 60- or 75-minute session is completely customized to your skin, targeting concerns ranging from acne to aging with a selection of plant-based products from Maria Հkerberg. Need an extra boost? Try the brand-new roseroot-stem-cell treatment, which promises to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles. 216 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonbalans.com.
Cambria Grace
Memories fade, but photographs last forever. Thankfully, you can trust Cambria Grace to be everywhere you are and everywhere you can’t be on your wedding day. The Boston shutterbug’s camera is like an invited friend, bringing unparalleled intimacy to every teary-eyed gaze and loving embrace it captures. These aren’t stiffly posed portraits; they’re art prints meant to be framed, hung, and cherished for a lifetime. cambriagrace.com.
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 .
Pure Glow
One session with owner Lauren Rampello, and you’ll never hop into an automated spray-tan booth again. Her paraben-, formaldehyde-, and retinol-free formula is meticulously applied by hand, leaving no room for streaks or missed spots. Stop into the recently opened studio for a custom color consultation, or let Rampello bring her pop-up tanning station to your home. Either way, 20 minutes is all you’ll need for a subtle glow that lasts for the better part of a week. 176 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, pureglowtanning.com.
Patrice Vinci, Patrice Vinci Salon
Balayage, the freeform process of handpainting dye onto individual locks of hair, requires patience, artistry, and plenty of know-how. Luckily, longtime stylist Patrice Vinci has all of those things in spades, having styled celebrities from Ellen Pompeo to Betsy Brandt for the red carpet. Her sun-kissed, natural looks are so lustrous and dimensional, your only regret will be not having booked the appointment sooner. 91 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, patricevinci.com.
Commonwealth Worldwide
Whether you want your high-profile clients chauffeured around town or simply need a lift to Logan, Commonwealth Worldwide has you covered, stylishly. Founded in Boston nearly 35 years ago, the international car service boasts sparkling new fleets of luxury sedans and SUVs, as well as an app that allows users to track their vehicle, contact their driver, or adjust their itinerary with ease. Move over, Uber. 250 Everett St., Allston, 02128, commonwealthlimo.com.
Shepard
A stock of syrups, infusions, and other mixology gimmicks is unnecessary when your way with the classics is so sound. Such is the case at Shepard, where bar manager Nic Mansur mixes one mean Manhattan, among other elegant, restrained cocktails. Factor in the Francophile wine list and eclectic array of apéritifs, and you’ll want to spend the entire evening at the bar, away from the dining room din. One Shepard St., Cambridge, MA 02138, shepardcooks.com.
Giulia
This lovable Porter Square trattoria specializes in subtlety, right down to its dim lighting, intimate ambiance, and exposed-brick walls. The straightforward dishes—delicate house-made gelato and hand-rolled pastas with simple sauces, almost all available with a dusting of shaved truffles—are best accompanied by one of the restaurant’s dozens of regional wines. 1682 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, giuliarestaurant.com.
Armando’s
The DiPaolo family’s metal-deck magicians continue to churn out crisp yet pliable New York–style pies, all blanketed with house-made red sauce. Grab a cold can of grape soda, bask under the plastic glow of Little League placards along the wall, and raise a greasy slice to a half century of West Cambridge history. 163 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, .
Chatham Bars Inn
Sweeping oceanfront views and luxe accommodations (did someone say spa butler and private beach?) are par for the course at this classic resort. But the Chatham Bars Inn is always a step ahead. Produce is sourced from its 8-acre farm. The spa overlooks Japanese rock gardens. Tired of boating and swimming? Pay a visit to the lush croquet court. And if you ever need to leave the resort, just borrow a house Lexus with unlimited miles. 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, chathambarsinn.com.
White Elephant
Leave your car on the Cape. Nantucket’s iconic harborfront resort, and its well-appointed rooms, are no more than 10 minutes from anyplace you’d want to go: Young’s for bikes, the Juice Bar for ice cream, the beach and ferry, too. And if you’re looking for the best on-island massage, you don’t even have to leave the building. 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephanthotel.com.
20byNine
Martha’s Vineyard is known for many things, from crispy fried clams to breathtaking beaches. But top-notch craft-cocktail bars wasn’t one of them—that is, until 20byNine came along. You can’t go wrong with a Manhattan, which comes close to the classic drink’s platonic ideal. After just one, you might be bold enough to cozy up to your bartender and ask for that day’s “smash,” a rotating off-menu creation. 16 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, 20bynine.com.
Ace Wheelworks
Sure, you can buy a decent bike anywhere, but the friendly folks at Wheelworks make the hunt stress-free. Once you've made your pick—be it a fixed-up second-hander or a brand-new designer bike—cycle easy knowing that anytime you need expert servicing, the team will take care of it. On warmer days, staffers line up the refurbished rides outside the store for easy browsing. 145 Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144, wheelworks.com.
Elisabeth Accardi, Upon a Star Events
With the friendliest vibe in the business, Accardi pinpoints your vision (and budget), creating kid-friendly bashes with unforgettable touches—ice-blue marshmallow fondue, retro toy stations, DIY designer-bag crafts. Employing former babysitters as her high-energy helpers, the Andover mom and former stage actress specializes in birthdays and bar/bat mitzvahs, but can make magic wherever you need to keep a group of kids entertained. uponastar.net.
The Kirkland Tap and Trotter
This mellow gastropub goes beyond carnival fare with nourishing plates like house-made spaghetti with meat sauce, or fish and chips, all accompanied by fresh, organic veggies. The space is so big that yowling tots won't raise brows, and servers happily accommodate the smaller set (in other words, modifications aren't frowned upon). 425 Washington St., Somerville, MA 02143, kirklandtapandtrotter.com.