Harvard Club of Boston
Recent renovations to this Back Bay social club may have added a few modern-day creature comforts, but Harvard Hall remains, blessedly, unchanged: You'll still find the same English oak paneling, Spanish silver chandeliers, and roaring fireplace that have graced the dramatic space since 1913. 374 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02115, harvardclub.com.
New Balance Boston Landing
Located next to New Balance's global headquarters in Brighton, this flagship store has all the apparel you need to run, golf, and hit the tennis courts in style. Boasting a huge selection of clothing and accessories—not to mention a station for making your own custom kicks—the store features a mini factory apparatus where you can watch pairs come together right before your eyes. You'll also find pieces from the brand's all-American J.Crew capsule collection. 140 Guest St., Brighton, MA 02135, newbalance.com.
My Boston Maids
If you need a cleaning service, odds are you don't have the time (or desire) to wrestle with a multi-step quote process. My Boston Maids' user-friendly homepage asks only three questions—number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, and desired appointment frequency—and immediately spits out a flat-rate charge. Select a time, then wait for a crew to carry out its 50-step cleaning protocol. Gleaming countertops and fuzz-free carpets beckon. mybostonmaids.com.
Boston Sports Clubs
Brand-new digs on Harrison include a sparkling 4-lane, 75-foot-long pool. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, mysportsclubs.com.
Boston Bodyworks Studio
Kathy Van Patten's small private gym in the heart of Beacon Hill is the best home in town of the avant-garde exercise technique known as Pilates. An exercise trend since the early '90s, Pilates is actually a system of workouts that incorporates balance, posture training, and muscle toning; it is particularly favored by dancers and athletes for its effects on coordination. Van Patten is a trained professional who studied at the Pilates Studio in New York before opening her own studio five years ago. Her friendly demeanor, enviable physique, and mastery of the unique Pilates equipment ("the reformer" and "the universal Cadillac" are just two of the highly-specialized pieces) make her a stand-out. 12 Joy Street, Boston, MA bostonbodyworksstudio.com.
Boston Sailing Center
Learn to sail in the chaos of Boston Harbor, and you'll be able to sail almost anywhere in the world. Boston Sailing Center has been teaching novices the sport for more than 20 years with instruction from some of the saltiest dogs on the Atlantic seaboard. That includes Scott Ackerman, who teaches beginner and advanced courses at the center and has the keen ability to turn lumpy landlubbers into proficient sailors by the end of the five-week course. The Riverboat at Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Boston Center for Adult Education
Nowhere is there a better selection of outdoorsy activities than at the Boston Center for Adult Ed. Learn safety and with supervision all the invigorating, fresh-air passtimes easily accessible to you in the area: moonlight paddling on the Charles, sea kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, rollerblading, horseback riding, urban biking treks, polo— or for the unrepentantly sedentary, a Polaroid scavenger hunt via limousine. 5 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Boston Common Coffee Co.
Rumor has it, the strong java at this American-style café has found fans even among the traditionalists at nearby coffee-roaster Polcari's. 97 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, .
The Boston Pretzel Company
These large, freshly baked pretzels are terrific from the source, though we seem them in pushcarts around town as well. They come in several flavors, but we like salted sesame best, with a dab of mustard. And they're low-fat, too! 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA .
Boston Sports Club
Cardiofunk, new exercise machinery, high-energy instructors, awesome sound, views of Copley Square. 561 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Boston Health & Swim Club
There is a personalized Nautilus program, introductory fitness testing—even physical therapists on hand to coordinate individual exercise programs. These folks really care. 1079 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Boston Sailing Center
Third year in a row, and they've added to their fleet. Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Boston Sailing Center
Five-day lesson plans with a fleet of 27-foot boats. Large enough to get a sense of sophisticated sailing, small enough for a novice to handle. 54 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Boston Children's Theatre
The BCT could play it safe. Instead, it offers outside-the-box productions, like Reflections of a Rock Lobster, about a gay teen's fight to bring his date to the prom, and Honk!, a lively musical based on The Ugly Duckling. And if your kids like what they see here, sign them up for one of the many workshops the BCT offers. 316 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA bostonchildrenstheatre.com.