Boston Center for Adult Education
At BCAE, you can learn everything from beadmaking to digital filmmaking. And that's just scratching the surface. In each case, you'll find a friendly atmosphere in classes taught by professionals: The burlesque course, for one, is led by dancers from Rogue Burlesque, who perform at the A.R.T.'s Oberon and other hip spots. 122 Arlington St., Boston, MA bcae.org.
Robert Klein Gallery
Few Boston galleries can claim to have an international following, but this small fourth-floor boutique on Newbury Street is a big-league player. When Robert Klein founded his gallery more than 30 years ago, he was one of the first to exhibit works by Diane Arbus, Annie Leibovitz, and Sally Mann. Throughout the years, his unerring eye for photography's best has resulted in a collection that rivals any in the world. 38 Newbury St. #402, Boston, MA 2116, robertkleingallery.com.
Harvard Book Store
Here’s one thing you can’t do on Amazon: Roam the aisles, thumbing through new releases and used books. Also impossible: attending readings and lectures by Elizabeth Warren, Gary Shteyngart, B.J. Novak, and Thomas Piketty (his Harvard Book Store appearance was scheduled before he was famous, by the way). At a time when bookstores need to be much more than bookstores to survive and thrive, no other local shop offers so many reasons to turn into a bona fide bookworm. Lucky us. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, harvard.com.
Drink Craft Beer Fest
The scrappy cousin to the city’s more "sophisticated" booze festivals, this roving celebration of local craft brewing has an earnest, startup-y appeal. The freshly tapped offerings exude a just-out-of-the-brewmaster’s-brain brilliance, and the young crowd is a friendly one. Local vendors, from Roxy’s Grilled Cheese to Union Square Donuts, help tipplers pace themselves for the duration. Various venues, drinkcraftbeer.com.
Baby Koo
Parents who want to save the world, one sustainably harvested birch crib at a time, head to this winsome shop, which aims to stock the most eco-friendly and original baby furniture, décor, and clothing around. We love the organic robes from Mini Mioche; the hand-embroidered Pink Chicken dresses; and, natch, the ultra-mod cribs. 188 Needham St., Newton, MA 2464, baby-koo.com.
North Shore Dog
Parting with a furry friend pre-vacation is such sweet sorrow. But book your pup a stay at this 7,000-plus-square-foot boarding-and-daycare facility, and you can rest assured that he’ll sleep tight after romping for hours in one of four supervised, climate-controlled rooms where dogs, from teacup Chihuahuas to mastiffs, are grouped by play style and size. Walks and Blue Buffalo food are available at no extra charge, and Web cams allow globe-trotting owners to keep tabs on their pets throughout the day. 139 Endicott St., Danvers, MA 1923, nsdog.com.
Cakes to Remember
This is the most important baked good you'll ever purchase. With that in mind, shop owner Ellen Bartlett has a simple philosophy: Every one of her confections should taste as heavenly as it looks. Flavor options like mocha-Frangelico infusion and strawberry-orange blossom, combined with Bartlett's exquisite floral and graphic designs, make for tiers of absolute joy. 248 Cypress St., Brookline, MA 2445, cakestoremember.biz.
Polka Dog Bakery
The trash bin at the Shawmut-Milford intersection brims with the other kind of doggie bag, the calling cards of tail-wagging patrons who find plenty of reasons to stop here: two floors of homemade treats (tuna cookies for crunching, pig ears for gnawing), fancy leashes, and bright, squeaky toys just waiting to be slobbered over. The variety satisfies even two-legged shoppers—which, let's be honest, are the only critical ones on the premises. 258 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 2118, polkadog.com.
La Residencia Spa
You could go to one of those fancy spas with the stark furniture and the green apples stacked perfectly so. But when you're in need of coddling, a place that's more welcoming than antiseptic is refreshing. La Residencia, located in a renovated two-story house with shabby-chic décor, has a cozy vibe. And a day there feels less like a clinic visit and more like a day with girlfriends—girlfriends who wax, extract, and massage, that is. 336 Elliot St., Newton Upper Falls, MA 2464, laresidenciaspa.com.
Flair Bridesmaid Boutique
One of the perks of having lots of friends is being in lots of weddings. The downside? Being in lots of weddings. Flair makes those obligatory bridesmaid's-dress shopping trips something close to fun. The cheerful boutique overflows with modern silhouettes in tasteful shades (really!) and quality fabrics by lines like Jenny Yoo and Coren Moore. And while you still probably won't wear the dress again, Flair's sensible prices make that okay. 129 Newbury St., Boston, MA flairbridesmaid.com.
Blue Ribbon Bar-B-Q
Texas smoke versus Memphis rub, vinegar tang versus peppery heat—barbecue debates will likely rage until kingdom come (and straight on into the sweet hereafter). This year our returning champion silenced at least one point of contention—which of its two outlets is better—by debuting a central, honking-big smoker (reportedly New England's largest) that turns out uniformly succulent sliced brisket, pulled pork, and an array of other regional specialties for both Blue Ribbon locations, as well as its booming catering business. 1375 Washington St., West Newton, MA blueribbonbbq.com.
Pigalle
Always up for a challenge, chef Marc Orfaly is taking on the notion that bar food has to be cheap and greasy with a Malaysian-themed menu culled from his recent trip to the Far East. Pigalle's bar seats just six, but the small plates of duck fried rice, baby-back ribs with sweet and sour kumquats, and shrimp shumai with ponzu dipping sauce make the fight for a spot one worth waging. 75 Charles St. S., Boston, MA pigalleboston.com.
Jimmy Tingle's Off-Broadway
A mediocre alternative theater is content to stage Brecht rip-offs and plumb the depths of existential mime. A great alternative theater like Jimmy Tingle's Off-Broadway hosts political fundraisers, film panel discussions, local comedy, cabaret, storytellers, and rock bands. Topping the marquee are must-see popular productions like Shay Duffin's channeling of Brendan Behan in Confessions of an Irish Rebel, not to mention Tingle's own venerable one-man shtick. 255 Elm St., Somerville, MA jtoffbroadway.com.
Tafari Wraps
Our hair is an important part of who we are. No one understands that better than Tafari founder Imani McFarlane. Celebrating the culture of the African diaspora, her gorgeous silk and Ankara head wraps (to say nothing of the sharp headbands and scrunchies) promise to protect, nourish, and beautify. McFarlane also offers tutorials and personalized consultations, so everyone can learn the art of head-wrapping. tafariwraps.com.
Chinese New Year Parade and Cultural Village
There’s only one event that’ll entice us to spend the day outside in the middle of winter — and judging by the crowd that came out in the snow this past February to ring in the Year of the Tiger with the first lion-dance parade in two years(!), we’re not alone. The Cultural Village at the China Trade Center, meanwhile, always adds a layer of fun to the experience, with calligraphy, lantern-making, and more — and a layer of warmth, too. chinatownmainstreet.org.