Faraway Nantucket
If, in fact, we go on vacation to lose ourselves, consider your new identity within the self-described quirky interiors of Faraway Nantucket. The hotel is comprised of six unique properties, each thoughtfully designed to reimagine the lives of historical former residents. Inside the main building on Centre Street lives the in-house restaurant and bar, complete with a gorgeous terrace and patio for savoring Nantucket’s fresh air. The vibe is coastal New England meets Alice in Wonderland, in the best way possible. 29 Centre St., Nantucket, MA 02554, farawayhotels.com/nantucket/location.
Showcase Superlux Chestnut Hill
This is the only place you need to know when it comes to seeing a movie in style. Yes, it offers a full bar, meals, heated reclining seats, and footrests, but it’s not just a place to check out all the latest blockbusters. Special screenings of live shows from the Metropolitan Opera, plus live local musicians in the SuperLux Lounge and private “do movie night like a VIP” theater rentals can make any visitor feel like a bona fide star. 55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, showcasecinemas.com/theater-info/showcase-superlux-chestnut-hill.
Mirbeau Inn & Spa
Hotels should be more than just a place to rest your head. That was the mindset, at least, of Mirbeau founders Linda and Gary Dower, who opened this luxury retreat by the water in Plymouth nearly a decade ago. Whether you’re looking for a weekend away or a weeklong vacation from reality, you’ll find plenty to do here. Relaxing with a candlelight yoga class? Check. Unwinding in a mineral bath? Sign us up. Sipping on a glass of the new hotel-branded vino at the wine bar? Every single night. 35 Landmark Dr., Plymouth, MA 02360, plymouth.mirbeau.com.
Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill
Come October 31, this lively street buzzes with friendly competition as each brownstone decks out its front stoop in spooky décor, creating a spellbinding vibe that’s absolutely infectious. Making for an even more festive Halloween experience? The well-lit thoroughfare closes to traffic during peak trick-or-treating hours — and residents are known to give out full-size candy bars. Boston, MA 02108,
Lego Discovery Center
The best way to keep the words “I’m bored” at bay on gloomy days? Buying a day pass to Assembly Row’s freshly renovated Lego wonderland. Kids can get moving in the Hero Zone, which features a laser maze and climbing wall; rescue a princess on the Kingdom Quest ride; and build, build, build to their heart’s content — without scattering tiny pieces all over your living room floor. 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145, legodiscoverycenter.com/boston.
Kimball Farm
Kimball Farm started as an ice cream stand on a sandy patch of parking lot, a rite of passage for local kids to eat cones as big as their heads. Today, the Westford location has socially distanced family fun down to a science with attractions that rival most theme parks. Here you’ll find well-monitored lines for gargantuan sundaes; an al fresco snack shack with kid-friendly meals (cheesy tater tots, hot dogs) and local beer for grownups; live music; and even mini golf, bumper boats, and batting cages for open-air fun with your pod. 400 Littleton Rd. (Rt. 110), Westford, MA 01886, kimballfarm.com.
Modern Relik
After months of sitting on the couch nearly ’round the clock, we’d say you’re entitled to a refresh. At Modern Relik’s South End showroom, you’ll find sophisticated sofas in an array of styles, from a nap-worthy mahogany day bed to a quilted sectional with eye-catching lines. Grab a cup of espresso from the front-of-store café while you debate your options, and feel free to chat up the in-house design team if you’re short on inspiration; overseen by design director Jon Dransfield and owner Meg Kimball, the group happily consults on scale, color, materials, and more. 485 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, modernrelik.com.
Stephanie Cmar, “My Shitty Little Kitchen”
She just missed the top slot on the recently wrapped season of Top Chef All Stars, but finalist Stephanie Cmar, an alum of Barbara Lynch’s fine-dining jewel No. 9 Park, is still winning over fans on the (even smaller) small screen. Launched during the citywide shutdown, her hilariously titled how-to Instagram series serves big helpings of deadpan, self-deprecating humor. America’s Test Kitchen it’s not—but it’s even more fun to watch Cmar whip up gnocchi or bagels in her cramped South End pad. instagram.com/_myshittylittlekitchen.
Daniela Corte
When the pandemic hit, Daniela Corte quickly went into survival mode, shutting down her Newbury Street boutique and moving the business to her Back Bay residence. But her hibernation didn’t last long: Just six months later, the Argentine-born women’s clothing designer managed to reinvent her shop at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, dress Vice President Kamala Harris’s sister, Maya, for the inauguration, and produce a sold-out, day-long fashion seminar. Needless to say, Corte is back (as if she ever left). 15 Marlborough St., Garden Unit, Boston, MA 02116, danielacorte.com.
Madequecham
Although you may not be able to pronounce the name (it sounds like “Mad-ah-ka-sham”), you’ll be happy you made the trek to this secret spot when the crowds of summer get too overwhelming. With fresh ocean breezes, playful and often good-for-surfing waves, and few to no people around, beauty is overflowing here; on an adventurous afternoon, meander along the sandy roads that wind along the shore, or, with a beach chair hung over your shoulder, climb down from the tall banks to the soft sand for a well-deserved nap. Nantucket, MA
The Market
Book well in advance or be prepared to wait: This seasonal spot in Gloucester’s scenic Annisquam section is very small and very popular. That’s because chef Nico Monday calls on his Chez Panisse training to create dishes that are local, seasonal, sustainable, and unforgettable. Everything here is pulled from area farms, fisheries, ranches, and bakeries—even the flower arrangements on the bar might have come from a morning forage of Halibut Point State Park. Three perfect rotating entrées pair with a sustainable wine list and a classic New England landscape (cue the sailboats drifting into the harbor). 33 River Rd., Gloucester, MA 01930, themarketrestaurant.com.
Latitu
While studying abroad, Tanya Pham logged a lot of time in airports—enough time to hear plenty of fellow female travelers complain about their bland, bulky luggage. She’s used their feedback to design her Boston-based brand of sleek weekenders, duffels, and backpacks, crafted from Italian leather in Vietnam, where she lived for a year while vetting the production process. Equipped with thoughtful details (hidden compartments, magnetic closures), the bags are made in limited runs from custom materials—so your travel companion will stand out in a sea of scuffed-up carry-ons. MA latitu.com.
Kane’s Donuts
This spot lives by the mantra "Kane’s Donuts Are Love." Sink your teeth into one of its pillowy treats, and you’ll quickly understand why: Delighting dough devotees since the Eisenhower era, Kane’s has mastered flavors both classic (the glaze-drenched honey-dipped) and creative (the "turtle" with caramel frosting, drizzled dark chocolate, and crushed Heath bar). The cake- and raised-style offerings don’t skimp on toppings, either, so whether you pop into the original Saugus outpost or sidle up to the counter at the much newer Financial District spot, you’re guaranteed a mouthful of flavor with each bite. Multiple locations. 90 Oliver St., Boston, MA 02110, kanesdonuts.com.
Mamaleh’s
A deli isn’t exactly the first place we’d expect to find a top-notch cocktail list. Then again, no other delicatessen in town is run by the team behind the beloved bar State Park. Here, bartenders playfully acknowledge the setting with flourishes like pastrami spices on the rim of a smoky mezcal margarita while also toying with geeky revivalist ingredients (try the rum-and-pineapple lactart with Privateer Silver from Ipswich). And you’ll definitely want to drink your dessert: Milkshakes come spiked with the likes of brandy, house-made crème de cacao, and Chartreuse. One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, mamalehs.com.
The Nautilus
Four years in, the Nautilus still has the hottest tables in town—no surprise given the trifecta of talented folks behind it. Chef Liam Mackey combines local seafood with Asian and Latin flavors in inspired small plates such as tempura oyster tacos wrapped in nori, while wine director Stephen Bowler curates a deep, Wine Spectator–lauded list that includes rare reserve vinos by the glass. And Culinary Institute of America–trained bar manager Clinton Terry draws on his background to craft mouthwatering cocktails featuring herbs, spices, and foams. Come summer, only day-of reservations are accepted—hurry, phone lines open at 1 p.m. 12 Cambridge St., Nantucket, MA 02554, nautilusnantucket.com.