Bagelsaurus
More than 24 hours of slow fermentation and a decades-old sourdough starter yield handmade rounds so chewy, crackly-crusted, and flavorful that they’ve helped spark a better-bagels movement in Boston. Bonus: spreads we’d eat with a spoon. 1796 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA bagelsaurus.com.
Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Don’t worry, this isn’t your middle schooler’s violin recital: Rising from the insuppressible enthusiasm of maestro Benjamin Zander—who founded the (senior) Boston Philharmonic Orchestra 40 years ago—this ensemble of fantastically talented 12- to 21-year-olds delivers exactly what you want from a night at the orchestra: to be blown away. Whether playing the notoriously difficult Mahler (one of the maestro’s specialties) or another canonical composer, they deliver youthful energy and just a touch of wonder. bostonphil.org.
REI
With its vast selection of gear from backpacks to headlamps, this chain is the most reliable purveyor of everything you need when setting out in the White, Green, or Berkshire mountains. And whether you consider yourself a novice adventurer or an expert trekker, you’ll want to join REI’s Co-op Program: Just $20 is all it takes to unlock discounts on classes and workshops and access to exclusive “garage sales”—for life. 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA rei.com.
O Ya
Twelve years after owners Tim and Nancy Cushman proved that Boston was ready to pay $20 a pop for sushi served by jeans-wearing waiters, their restaurant empire has expanded to Manhattan and Mexico City, where a third O Ya location opened in April. That hasn’t stopped the original Leather District location from continuing to crank out the kind of dazzlingly avant-garde raw fish that put them on the map—including umami-bomb nigiri like torched hamachi with banana-pepper mousse. 9 East St. , Boston, MA o-ya.restaurant.
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.
Copley Acupuncture
Skilled in both Chinese and Japanese techniques as well as electro-acupuncture, Marcy White has more than 20 years of experience helping clients who are dealing with pain, digestive problems, and infertility. She’ll take the time to determine which method is best for you before you even hop on the table, so you’re ready when the needles approach. 667 Boylston St., Boston, MA copleyacupuncture.com.
The Inn at Hastings Park
Prime location steps from Lexington Center? Check. Front porch fit for a Norman Rockwell painting? Naturally. Sunny guest rooms that are part Mayflower, part modern farmhouse? Of course. Combine that with a proper dining room serving New England standards prepared with ingredients from local purveyors such as Wilson Farm, and you’ve found a pastoral paradise. In other words: If Paul Revere were a 21st-century Instagram influencer, he’d stay here. innathastingspark.com.
Tasting Counter
Unsurprisingly, this 20-seat setup tucked inside a Somerville warehouse excels at the format for which it’s named. Chef Peter Ungár continually catches us off-guard with ingenious touches prepared inches away—think: pads of mackerel brined in fermented daikon broth and crowned with turnip kimchi and herbs from the restaurant’s living wall. Also unexpected: the recent launch of TC Market (a line of house-made condiments), not to mention news that an à la carte Counter will land at a local food hall this year. 14 Tyler St. , Somerville, MA tastingcounter.com.
Le Visage Spa
Let the beauty influencers have their 24-karat-gold facials—at this cozy spa, hard work and expert technique lead to stunning results. With two decades of experience as an aesthetician, French-born founder Anne-Cécile Curot eschews a one-size-fits-all approach to skin care in favor of treatments tailored to each client’s unique challenges, from hormonal acne to changes caused by chemotherapy treatments. 125 Broad St., Boston, MA levisageboston.com.
Kings Seaport
Forget the dive-y, fluorescent-lit bowling alleys of yore: Kings has turned the classic pastime upscale. Lounge on a tufted-leather couch, Manhattan in hand, while waiting to bowl on one of 16 glowing lanes. The 20,000-square-foot Seaport hot spot, which debuted in 2017, also features retro arcade games and swanky gastropub fare—including a bourbon-glazed pork-belly BLT so good you might even forget to bowl 60 Seaport Blvd., Boston, MA kings-de.com.
Jasiel Correia
Typically when a city recalls its mayor, that’s the end of their career at City Hall—but not for Jasiel Correia, Fall River’s leader. While a majority of voters elected to send the 27-year-old politico packing after a federal indictment for allegedly defrauding investors in his startup, enough chose him as his own successor that he survived the ordeal. Even James Michael Curley didn’t pull that trick.
Welch Company
For almost as long as there’s been a Scituate Harbor, it seems like there’s been a Welch Company. What started as a general/hardware store during the 19th century is now a staple for home décor and gifts. Alongside the requisite seashell-patterned accessories, you’ll find locally made Matouk linens, ultra-soft Brahms Mount blankets, and pretty Mariposa tableware ripe for the picking. And with a bridal registry program for the next generation of South Shore denizens, it’s safe to say this local gem will continue to shine well into the 21st century. welchcompany.com.