George Wright Golf Course
Okay, so it's not in pristine condition. In fact, on a recent visit, we found what appeared to be a large fishing net half-buried in the fairway of the 12th hole. So what's so great about this municipal course? For starters, it's right in the city—a verdant oasis hidden in Hyde Park, with a clubhouse that looks like a medieval castle. This course was designed in the 1930s by Donald Ross, the famed Scotsman who built some of the finest courses in both the state and the nation. The best thing about George Wright, however, is that a loop around these greens runs Boston residents just $24 ($27 on weekends). While you play, take the time to imagine what this course could become with a just little tender loving care. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA cityofboston.gov/golf/GWGC.
Grettacole
Not quite ready to rock a smock at your favorite salon just yet? You don’t have to thanks to Grettacole, whose root touchup kits quickly became a quarantine sensation. Here, Natalie Salerno, a senior stylist at the salon, demonstrates how to pull off a successful DIY dye job at home. 1. Remove the touchup color and professional application brush from the kit. Be sure to put on the included disposable gloves before getting started—you’re not dying your hands, after all. 2. Always begin at your center part and follow the hairline, slowly moving from ear to ear as you apply the dye in small, quarter-inch sections. 3. Once the dye is applied, wait the full processing time—35 minutes—to ensure the color develops properly (unless you want orange hair!). Then shampoo twice: The first wash is to remove the color and prevent it from irritating your scalp or making your roots oily. The second is to eliminate any residue so you don’t stain pillowcases and towels. 10 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, grettastyle.com.
George Wright Golf Course
This Donald Ross-designed course in Hyde Park is the perfect diamond in the rough. The imposing clubhouse recalls a staid Victorian manor, but the staff is downright friendly, whether organizing weekday tee times (reservations are accepted only for weekends and holidays) or teaching chip-shot fundamentals. The par-70 course—5,131 yards from the red tees, 6,096 from the whites—covers a beautiful, hilly terrain, and includes the breathtaking 10th hole, whose green lies in a serene, tree-ringed dale. Greens fees are also breathtaking: just $22 for Boston residents on weekdays ($25 for nonresidents), and $25 on weekends ($28 for nonresidents). Of course, that doesn't include the balls—or bets—you lose. 420 West St., Hyde Park, MA cityofboston.gov/golf/GWGC.
Roche Bobois
It's playground of interior design, from armoires to sofas and chaises: A wall of woods, a wing of leathers, a nook of nubuck suedes. You'll start by changing your home's color scheme, but end up changing your way of life (and credit limit). 585 Commercial St., Boston, MA .
Legal Sea Foods
Like spaghetti sauce or competition chili, clam chowder is one of those foods that's better made in enormous quantities. The big-batch approach melds all the flavors—and no one in town does as much volume as Legal. Based on a rich fish stock made from the bones of thousands of swimmers, the chowder features the essence of briny clams, a bit of cream, herbs, onions, and potatoes. Simple and delicious. 26 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 2116, legalseafoods.com.
Margot Douaihy
For character invention alone, Douaihy wins this one. With her 2023 debut novel Scorched Grace, the soon-to-be assistant professor at Emerson College has blessed the world with Sister Holiday, a heavily tattooed, chain-smoking, punk-rock nun who also happens to be a capable amateur detective. In other words, Holiday is practically begging for a streaming series — and she just might get one: The book, the first from Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn’s new Zando Projects imprint, has already been optioned. margotdouaihy.com.
The Enchanted Kitchen
The prettiest pastries, bar none. But the ones at Will-Yums, 314 Shawmtu Avenue, Boston, are more soul-satisfying. 57R Union St., Newton Center, MA .
Equinox
Too busy, too tired, too pale, too preoccupied hunting down errant sneakers...there are ample excuses to skip the gym. The trainers at Equinox dont want to hear it. Theyre toned, tough, and, when not in one-on-one sessions, inclined to roam the 40,000-square-foot gym handing out sweat towels and stretching tips. While the classes are choice and the equipment upscale (oh, hello, Kinesis machine!), a welcoming vibe is what gives Equinox a leg up on the more intimidating Sports Club/LA. Plus, the chains new Financial District location doubles the convenience, further cutting down on the excuses. 131 Darmouth St., Boston, MA 2116, .
Megan Graham, Megan Graham Beauty
How many ways can you say blond? By our count, Graham’s lexicon has a few extra pages, given her way with color. For years, Graham has garnered accolades for the way she paints her high and low tones on tresses. Here’s one more: Blond is way more fun when she’s the one who got you there. 115 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, megangrahambeauty.com.
Deluxe Town Diner
Fanatical loyalty to one's local diner isn't based on food alone: It's the atmosphere, stupid. At the Deluxe, which cooks up solid fare with a twist (e.g., sweet-potato pancakes), we're completely won over by the charming bedlam of the place, with its clattering plates, sizzling grills, bustling waitstaff, and din of dozens of conversations at once. It's no surprise that come the weekend, the lines stretch halfway back to Cambridge. 627 Mount Auburn St., Watertown, MA 2472, .
James Peltier
It's unusual to find a hairdresser who can cut curly hair without reducing one's twisty, tangling locks to a frizzy puffball. James can handle both of these challenges. Even more unusual, before he turned to his current career, he worked as an auto mechanic and a construction worker. And he rides a Harley. So you can get your hair cut and discuss your carburetor all at once. Alexanders, 163 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
New Deal Fish Market
You can't get any fresher than this Cambridge spot: On any given day, you'll spot employees hauling out huge whole fish and breaking them down as you look on. Vast and unrivaled elsewhere in the area, the seafood selection includes whole branzino, Spanish octopus, and fresh anchovies—not to mention everything you need to make your own maki and sashimi. 622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141, newdealfishmarket.com.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha's Vineyard
You may not have a Vineyard abode to call home, but a stay at this family-oriented hotel will make you feel like you own the place. Situated just steps from South Beach, Winnetu offers both kitchenette-equipped suites and weekly house rentals, including four new cottages outfitted with all the comforts of home. For those in the mood to eat out, the hotel's restaurant, Lure Grill, offers excellent seafood with a side of ocean views. And for the kids, there are basketball and tennis courts, day camps, and evening clambakes. 31 Dunes Road, Edgartown, MA 2539, winnetu.com.
Clover
This sneakily vegetarian chainlet may have brick-and-mortar locations everywhere from Brookline Village to Burlington, but it got its start as one of the first important food trucks in the Boston area. And Clover’s fleet of six restaurants on wheels is still a leader when it comes to truck-side fare done right—easy-to-eat, inspired, and (bonus!) relatively healthy creations like the sabich-inspired egg-and-eggplant sandwich, rosemary-scented fries, and one of the finest breakfast sandwiches around. Various locations, cloverfoodlab.com.
Somerville Grooves
For music nerds, the neighborhood record store used to be a home away from home, and its disappearance in recent years has left us distraught. So it was with sweet relief that we welcomed Somerville Grooves to the scene two years ago. The store focuses mainly on vinyl, and doesn't offer a huge selection, but owner David Plunkett makes up for that with a carefully curated inventory and a friendly vibe. 26 Union Sq., Somerville, MA .