Museum of Fine Arts
If you want to see the art of ancient Greece and the Pharaohs of yore, or the works of John Singer Sargent and Ansel Adams, or even contemporary portraits of the Obamas, there are only three letters you need to know: M, F, and A. Long the city’s largest museum, with nearly 500,000 works of art and a nonstop parade of exhibitions and traveling shows, it remains a must-visit institution and a local treasure for all Bostonians. 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, mfa.org.
Museum of Bad Art
Bad is in its name, but we only have extraordinary things to say about this venerable cultural institution, which exhibits works of art that, uh, must have lovely personalities. After nearly 30 years of hopscotching from location to location — former sites include the Dedham Community Theatre and the Somerville Theatre basement — the Museum of Bad Art opened a new public gallery at the Dorchester Brewing Company in September. Now you can spend a leisurely afternoon sipping fruity brews and browsing, um, creative works from MOBA’s collection — like a cockeyed painting of Jackie O flirtatiously eyeing George Washington. Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Mass Ave., Dorchester, MA 02125, museumofbadart.org.
Institute of Contemporary Art
You don’t have to be an art lover to appreciate the grandeur of a wedding at the ICA. With skyhigh ceilings and swaths of glass (to say nothing of the city and harbor views), the museum’s customizable event spaces are truly in a league of their own. But it’s not just the architecture that stands out; with artfully prepared cuisine from the seasoned wedding vets at the Catered Affair, the ICA’s exclusive caterer, you’ll be more than satisfied even if you don’t duck out to enjoy the galleries (although you totally should). 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, MA 02210, icaboston.org.
Bellacquer
Word to the wise: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, because you’ll need extra time to choose from Bellacquer’s seemingly endless wall of colors—more than 1,500 hues, actually. Once you’ve picked your polish, it’s time to move on to the pampering, administered by technicians who wield a nail file and cuticle trimmer with particular precision. Salon connoisseurs will appreciate the blissful hot-stone massage that comes standard with each classic pedicure. 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA bellacquer.com.
Bark Place
The pro groomers at this cheerful canine emporium consult with customers to determine the right cut and style before brushing out, shampooing, conditioning, trimming, and drying each pooch to perfection—nail clipping and ear cleaning are included, but parents of truly pampered pups can opt for aromatherapy or massage add-ons. Bark Place also offers elevated DIY wash stations should your grass-rolling, dirt-digging pal need a bath between appointments. 1721 Washington St., Boston, MA 2118, barkplacesouthend.com.
Hudson
Jill Goldberg's four-year-old shop perfectly captures the new Boston aesthetic: a charming balance of country chic (whitewashed woods, salvaged signs), old-money signifiers (vintage French settees), and a touch of modern chrome. Few homeowners can nail the upscale-casual look without a pro's help—Goldberg offers styling services, too—but a couple of well-placed items from Hudson are an excellent start. 12 Union Park St., Boston, MA 2118, hudsonboston.com.
Mamma Maria
Valet parking and reservations? In the North End? Absolutely, at this house of refined and authentic Italian cooking tucked away in North Square. Better still, it's perfect for large parties, thanks to well-timed service and tables spaced just far enough apart to provide both privacy and a jolt of the room's energy. Add Rockwellian views of the neighborhood, the menu's mix of traditional and creative dishes, a diverse wine list, and you've got large-party dining nailed. 3 North Square, Boston, MA mammamaria.com.
Boston Instant Shoe Repair
After clomping around the city for a few years, our Italian-leather boots were in dire need of a makeover. "Oy. You must really love these,' said this shop's proprietor as he noticed the wood and nails poking through the heels. He tenderly brought them back to life in just three days, and our boots were again ready to strut their stuff. Boston, MA
Tresses & The Day Spa
The very idea of being stressed out on Nantucket may seem absurd. But when it happens, rush to the relaxing world of Tresses, where anxieties evaporate into the salty air. Tresses provides superb treatments for hair, body, skin, and nails in an environment that's fresh, sunny, and—most of all—soothing. From hot stone massages to seaweed wraps, Tresses tames and beautifies even the most frazzled travelers. It's like a vacation from your vacation. 117 Pleasant St., Nantucket, MA nantucketspa.com.
Glamour Cosmetics
Bid farewell to the days of overdone contouring and powdery foundation: Makeup artist Garineh Ashjian helps you nail that glowy, I-woke-up-like-this vibe. (She’s also all about making you feel confident, so if that means rocking a bold red lip, by all means.) Specializing in what she calls “soft glam,” Ashjian and her team ensure you’ll look and feel like a leveled-up version of yourself, no matter how little sleep you get the night before. glamourcosmeticsofficial.com.
Victoria Turovsky
She will work around a hair appointment, filing and pumicing feet to a glow while you enjoy a deep hair conditioning; she will also advise you on suitable shades of nail polish, from baby pinks to urban-decay green. No matter what state of disrepair your feet are in, Victoria can rebuild them, or at the very least make them look decent enough for those Manolo Blahnik sandals. City Salon, 118 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Jeanne Lee
Jeanne Lee doesn't shy away from problem toes—no, she specializes in them, taking the time to rigorously cleanse, file, buff, exfoliate, and massage before unscrewing the cap to your desired polish. And because Lee works with only one other nail technician (her mother) in her fourth-floor Newbury Street space, you're all but guaranteed a tranquil experience. 125 Newbury St., Boston, MA jeannesalon.com.
Bliss
The foot treatments here are as good for your head as they are for your toes. Grab a magazine and settle into one of two elevated pedicure stations. Then your snacks and tea arrive. And then you notice the flat-screen TV in front of you, and the remote at your side. As your nail tech buffs, soaks, and scrubs, you feel like a kid on a fake sick day. And that makes for very happy feet. 100 Stuart St., Boston, MA 2116, blissworld.com.
Framers' Workshop
The friendly folks at Framers' Workshop give you a choice. You can simply drop off your MFA poster/diploma/illuminated manuscript, and pick it up behind glass two weeks later. Or you can master the craft of framing it yourself—an economical, labor-intensive, yet strangely meditative process, on par with making your own bread. Choose the matte and molding of your choice (they cut it for you), then plant yourself at one of 10 workstations in the back, equipped with a vise, nails, glue, and all the other supplies you need. The background music is good, too. 64 Harvard St., Brookline Village, MA .
MiniLuxe
This polish empire continues its expansion in the Bay State and beyond, and for good reason. A “Clean Lab” sterilizes all equipment to hospital-level sparkle. The atmosphere is minimalist yet warm (picture a chemistry lab combined with a Zen hideout). Services are streamlined, too: Instead of doing it all, they smartly focus on manis, pedis, and waxing. What can we say? MiniLuxe nails it. Prudential Center, 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, miniluxe.com.