Straight Wharf Restaurant
Just one of the many things you’ll love about Straight Wharf Restaurant is its duality: For long conversations over candlelight, there’s the harbor-facing dining room, where you can tuck into the freshest locally sourced seafood (do not leave without ordering “the clambake,” with spicy chorizo, clams, and deconstructed lobster). For all of the other days in which you find yourself fancy-free, the bar grill beckons with a full list of cocktails and a more-casual menu of light bites, begging the question of which side offers the better experience. You’ll just have to keep trying both to figure it out. 6 Harbor Sq., Nantucket, MA 02554, straightwharfrestaurant.com.
Breve Spa at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport
Sick of the assembly-line nail-salon experience? Swap your clothes for a robe and slippers, sit back in one of Breve’s five full-massage chairs, and prepare for the spa mani-pedi of your dreams. Many of the nail techs here came over from the recently shuttered Bliss Spa at the W, so they know how to turn a buff-and-polish sesh into a memorable day (see: the red-algae-infused, anti-aging “cocoon wrap”). Also upping the Zen quotient is access to the co-ed relaxation room, where you can savor a cold beverage or a light snack and forget about the hustle and bustle of the outside world. 450 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210, omnihotels.com.
December Thieves
Celebrating a decade in business this year, this cutting-edge boutique continues to set the city’s fashion world ablaze with styles you won’t find elsewhere (just ask Halle Berry, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Melissa McCarthy, all of whom have popped in while in town). The only Boston retailer of edgy Trippen footwear and clothing by Barcelona designer Lurdes Bergada, owner Lana Barakat now has another feather in her cap — an exclusive with South African maestro Karien Belle, who designs one-of-a-kind word-printed scarves and clothing. 51 Charles St., Boston, MA 02122, decemberthieves.com.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza
Always dreamed of fairy-tale vows? Arriving in a flower-draped, horse-drawn carriage for your nuptials in the Fairmont’s Grand Ballroom — a historical space complete with ornate 30-foot ceilings, twinkling chandeliers, and gilded details — should do the trick. The Oval Room, with its frescoed ceiling mural and handcarved moldings, is also a top spot for large guest lists; for more-intimate events, there’s the St. James room, which boasts warm and inviting mahogany details. No matter which space you choose, one thing’s for sure: You and your guests are guaranteed to feel like royalty. 138 St. James Ave., Boston, MA 02116, fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston.
Bianca
Imagine eating at O Ya, Boston’s swankiest sushi spot, but with children (actually, maybe don’t imagine that). Dining at its sister restaurant gets you pretty close, with a few very important distinctions. One, an excellent kids’ menu that includes a Wagyu cheeseburger and a Valrhona chocolate-chip cookie. Two, plentiful outdoor seating, perfect for those who haven’t quite perfected their indoor voices. Grownups, meanwhile, appreciate the O Ya–quality sushi (e.g.,hamachi crudo with Meyer-lemon ponzu) — and everyone loves the pizza. 47 Boylston St, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, biancachestnuthill.com.
Bow Market
Forget generic mall brands and big-box stores: This small-but-mighty Somerville standout continues to win us over with its roster of indie darlings, wrapped around an ever-buzzing courtyard with retailers like Crane & Turtle and the newly expanded Vinyl Index anchoring the lot. Plus, Bow Market’s revolving door of pop-ups and shop-hosted events means there’s always something new to check out (when you’re not kicking back at Remnant Brewing or one of the complex’s other hangouts). 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, bowmarketsomerville.com.
Wouldn't It Be Lovely
When you work with Caitlin Spaulding, you won’t just get custom wedding invitations—you’ll send out one-of-a-kind works of art. Whether she imagines your wedding venue in watercolor on your envelope linings or depicts your love story in a colorful illustrated map, the footwear designer turned stationery guru understands the impact of personal touches. Her talents go way beyond invites, though: She can also carry your design vision through to your save-the-dates, place cards, menus, programs, signage, and more. wouldntitbelovely.com.
James Perse
One of the best things about a day off is having the ability to choose comfort above all else. At the Boston outpost for this popular designer, sartorial-minded gents can find soft, well-fitting tees and premium cashmere track pants that won’t look embarrassing in the produce section. And if an invite comes your way that involves meeting people you know in public, you won’t have to sacrifice said comfort when you swap the sweats for cotton pants, a linen shirt, and crisp, retro-looking sneakers. 17 Arlington St., Boston, MA jamesperse.com.
9Tailors
Founder Samantha Shih is out to prove that custom suits (not to mention shirts and blazers) are an attainable—and necessary!—luxury for men and women of all shapes and sizes. It all starts with a painless one-hour consultation at 9Tailors’ Leather District studio or via video chat, during which time you’ll choose design details and materials ranging from rich velvet to Glen plaid. By the time your made-to-measure masterpiece arrives five to seven weeks later, you’re guaranteed to have come up with more than a few places to wear it. 132 Lincoln St. , Boston, MA 02111, 9tailors.com.
Idle Hands Craft Ales
Since Idle Hands arrived early into the Boston area’s craft-brewery explosion in 2011, times have certainly changed: Plenty of other makers have joined the game, and you can now find a juicy, locally made IPA on every corner. But founder Chris Tkach continues to set the pace by adding trendier brews, such as the Kill Your Idles sour beer series, to a lineup distinguished by exemplary European styles. His flagship hop bomb Four Seam, meanwhile, is still one of the best hazy IPAs around. 89 Commercial St., Malden, MA 02148, idlehandscraftales.com/site.
Boston General Store
April Gabriel opened the permanent location of Boston General Store three years ago with the goal of bringing back the type of shop she remembers from her childhood: one that sells simple items made to last. In today’s ever-cheaper, disposable retail landscape, Gabriel’s old-fashioned vision is a welcome change. Pass along the nostalgia with high-quality, well-made gifts crafted by artisans both near and far—think pocket knives from Japan, a wool picnic blanket from the U.K., and shave oil made just down the street. 305 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, bostongeneralstore.com.
Grill 23 & Bar
For years, Grill 23 has served Boston’s ultimate power-crowd fare. Sure, you have your waiters in white jackets, towers of fresh seafood, and a top-notch wine list, but the reason we keep coming back to this local institution is because no one in town cooks a better steak. It’s salty, crusty, buttery—an unmistakable carnivore’s delight. And remember, if the 10-ounce American Kobe cap seems a bit too small, the 18-ounce 100-day-aged prime rib-eye will be more than happy to oblige. 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Boston Public Market
The Boston Public Market debuted on Hanover Street just three years ago, and already we can’t remember a time without it. The 28,000-square-foot indoor food hall is the ultimate one-stop shop for all things local and scrumptious, from the perennially sweet-smelling cider doughnuts of Phillipston’s Red Apple Farm to the artisanal homemade sausages at Hardwick’s Stillman Quality Meats. The market’s 35-plus vendors make it tough to choose what to buy, so take an investigatory loop around first, then fill a few reusable bags right up to the brim. 100 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02108, bostonpublicmarket.org.
Artcliff Diner
Housed in a little shack just outside downtown Vineyard Haven, Artcliff is the epitome of an island establishment, beloved by locals and tourists alike. Slurp down your bottomless cup of joe at one of the counter stools before sinking your teeth into the delightfully uncomplicated Hot Stuff breakfast sandwich—two eggs, chorizo, jalapeño, and pepper jack on toast or an English muffin. For something with a little more local flavor, order up the Bull’s Eye—a codfish cake with two eggs and spicy hollandaise. No matter what you choose, you won’t leave hungry. 39 Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, .
Madaket Road Path
Like all things on this island, Nantucket’s bike paths were designed with aesthetics in mind—think: rolling hills, unspoiled harbor vistas, and, best of all, the safety of being tucked away from traffic, occasionally meandering through forests and other preservation land. If you must pick one direction, head west to Madaket, where at the end of the road you’ll find Madaket Beach, a favorite for families to while the day away under rainbow umbrellas. Before heading back into town, stop by Millie’s Market for a scoop of s’mores ice cream and savor the sweetness of summer. Nantucket, MA nantucket-ma.gov/985/Bike-Paths.