Yale Appliance + Lighting
The location ain't Park Plaza chic, but kitchen-wise, this 20,000-square-foot space is virtually unbeatable. Inside, you'll find products including professional-quality Thermador and Viking ranges and glamorous wine refrigerators from Sub-Zero. The knowledgeable salespeople don't work on commission and will help you figure out what you really do and don't need for your kitchen and cooking style (which just might benefit from one of Yale's on-site cooking classes). 296 Freeport St., Dorchester, MA yaleappliance.com.
Paul Brown
If you've ever tried to make your own curtains, you know it's one of life's top-10 thankless tasks. Instead of spending weary hours over the Singer, call Paul Brown, who's been making swags for the stars since 1968. Whether you want gothic floor-to-ceiling velvet or the lightest sheers, your wish will be granted. 21 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA .
Cisco Brewers
With a brewery, distillery, and winery all surrounding one chill courtyard, this is the perfect place to while away a few afternoon hours on the Grey Lady. Sip a Summer of Lager, slurp oysters (if you're lucky enough to catch the occasional raw bar), and play cornhole, all set to live tunes played by local musicians. Bonus: It's located off the new Hummock Pond Road bike path, so you can safely coast there and back to town. 5 Bartlett Farm Rd., Nantucket, MA ciscobrewers.com.
Naz Kupelian Salon
The talented stylists here give you exactly the cut you need (and maybe never even knew you wanted)—one with shape, body, and texture in all the right places. The salon's proprietary line of curl enhancers, shine sprays, and styling gels, meanwhile, will keep it looking that way long after you leave the styling chair. 311 Woburn St., Lexington, MA nazkupeliansalon.com.
Surroundings
There was a time when anyone on the South Shore interested in fine furnishings had to make the trek up to Boston. But there's no need now. At this lovely one-stop decor shop, you'll find outstanding American lines like Oly and Hickory Chair, French furnishings made by Grange, and accessories by the Vermont-based Simon Pearce. Overwhelmed? Seek out the in-house designer, Bill Barr, who offers complete interiors service. 81 1/2 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett, MA surroundingshome.com.
The Urban Grape
If only wine bottles could talk. Instead, most languish on store shelves across the city, relying only on crumpled winemaker-written blurbs and outdated Robert Parker ratings to convey their quality and nuances. The lucky ones, however, end up at the Urban Grape, where co-owner T. J. Douglas's genius layout groups wines based on their common characteristics, enabling customers to easily find what suits their tastes. 7 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 2467, theurbangrape.com.
Wilson Farm
Since the 19th century, the sprawling barn at Wilson Farm has proffered more than 100 varieties of the grower's own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers; fresh-baked breads and pastries; locally made cheeses; and house-made pastas, soups, salads, and more. It's a one-stop shop in the dead of winter, the height of summer, and any time in between. 10 Pleasant St., Lexington, MA 2421, wilsonfarm.com.
State Road
Rustic-cool State Road reflects the woodsy, Berkshires kind of vibe that defines West Tisbury. Yet chef Jackson Kenworth's excellent dishes—pancetta-wrapped bluefish, milk-braised pork stracci, Menemsha lobster spaghetti—have the sophistication of the finest city restaurants. And with historically dry West Tisbury finally loosening up, that gorgeous zinc bar that's always been reserved for enjoying BYO beverages may finally be stocked one day. 688 State Road, West Tisbury, MA 2575, stateroadrestaurant.com.
Fin
The romance started with a rich local-oyster-and-bacon chowder with chive and truffle oil. Then came the scallops with oyster mushrooms, asparagus, pancetta, pea shoots, and chive béarnaise, and then the organic beef special with ramps and shiitakes. By the time the heavenly macademia-nut-and-coconut tart showed up, we knew for certain that this homey new spot from Brewster Fish House alum Martha Kane would be more than just a one-night stand. 800 Main St., Dennis, MA 2638, fincapecod.com.
Tomasso Trattoria
First-time owners Tom and Mary Prince have assembled an A-team at their debut Italian restaurant: general manager Lorenzo Savona (formerly of Les Zygomates), chef Tony Bettencourt (UpStairs on the Square), and pastry chef Mary Bergin (Spago). The combination tastes even better than it reads. These new twists on classic dishes (like smoky roast lamb in a tomato—and—black olive sauce) will take you on a one-night trip to Italy. 154 Turnpike Rd. (Rte. 9), Southborough, MA tomassotrattoria.com.
21 Federal
Much as we enjoy fighting for a bar stool with sunburned tourists and libidinous and over-lubricated college students, we do sometimes crave a slightly more civilized scene. 21 Federal, inside a classic Nantucket 1847 Greek Revival building, features a sophisticated downstairs bar and another cozy one upstairs. In-the-know Nantucketers congregate here for masterfully poured drinks; an award-winning wine list; good-looking, genial bartenders; and a crowd that knows how to have a stylish sort of fun. 21 Federal St., Boston, MA 21federal.com.
MIT List Visual Arts Center
About every eight weeks, from September to June, the LVAC shows innovative, provocative contemporary work in all media by established and emerging artists, including the likes of Kiki Smith and Louise Borugeois. There are a total of three gallery spaces—more than 4,600 square feet—in this grid-patterned building, designed by MIT alumnus I. M. Pei in 1985. And the atrium, where a giant, colorful Kenneth Nolan painting sprawls across an entire wall, is by far one of Boston's most beautiful sanctuaries. 20 Ames St., Cambridge, MA .
Truro Beach
This gorgeously untarnished world of sweeping dunes and fresh Atlantic air is about as idyllic as nature gets. That may seem to be true of many Cape shorelines, but this one stands out from others for its spectacular and endless stretches of perfectly undisturbed white sand. With nary a touch of human architecture for miles, this slip of coast also provides a view of the sunrise that approaches the sublime. Rte. 6, Truro, MA .
Duxbury Beach
With pristine dunes surrounded by windswept marshes, a lighthouse at its far end, public parking, and a refreshment stand that serves a mean chocolate frappe, this is one seriously idyllic place. For nonresidents, there's plenty of reasonably priced public parking. Better yet, there are still areas left where the crowds are relatively thin, so if you don't feel like enduring your neighbor's predilection for Britney Spears, you don't have to. Canal St., Duxbury, MA .
Cabot Street Cinema Theatre
Beverly's answer to the Kendall Square Cinema is as funky as it is friendly. The diverse roster of screenings (don't take that plurality literally—only one movie at a time is shown here) includes everything from second-run films to indies. Service is swift and conversational (most of this crowd is local), and tickets are a bargain at $6. Sick and tired of South Patch Kids? There's a small café serving coffee, tea, and pastries. 286 Cabot St., Beverly, MA cabotcinemamovies.com.