Sweet Life Cafe
Ten bucks says if you were asked to imagine your ideal evening of outdoor island dining, you'd pick something with a water view. Oh, naive soul: On the Vineyard, the most delicious outdoor experience happens in Sweet Life's fragrant garden, where threads of tiny white lights illuminate a handful of white-tableclothed seatings. The food is similarly divine: Lively island fare such as sweet-and-spicy roasted scallops, savory halibut with curry onion rings (a must), and salmon with lemon salsa round out the experience. 63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 2557, sweetlifemv.com.
South End Formaggio
Hunks and chunks, slivers and slices, discs and wheels... Formaggio stocks more than 200 cheeses from around the world, stacked on its shelves or aging in its cheese cave. Simply tell the experts what you're having for dinner, and they'll help you select the perfect Bleu des Basques or Nottinghampshire Stilton to complement your meal. Sure beats cheddar and Wheat Thins. 268 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA southendformaggio.com.
East Coast Grill
You can concoct your own cocktail at the bloody mary bar, but why bother when these master mixologists can whip up delicacies like the oyster shooter—a tender bivalve nestled in a bloody mary shot? Even the entrées are a twist on the norm: The cornbread-crusted French toast comes with tropical fruit, and the Mexican omelet is loaded with avocado, beans, cheese, and salsa. 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA eastcoastgrill.net.
Peking Tom's Longtang Lounge
It may sound tacky on paper, but in person, Peking Tom's is deliciously campy and cool. With colorfully ironic splashes of Asian pop culture, delightful retro tinges, and plenty of room for lounging, this hidden Downtown Crossing destination with its highly competent service is perfect for parties of 2, 12, or 20. The menu relies on a perfect balance of sweet and sour, fried and juicy, meaty and delicate. Just remember—don't overload on kumquat mojitos before digging into the crispy sweet-chili squid or orange and tamarind-glazed spareribs. 25 Kingston St., Boston, MA .
Cambridge Soundworks
It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this factory-direct retail store sells Henry Kloss's great speakers (made on the premises), matches them to quality components, and presents them in an informed, low-pressure manner. No fancy showrooms. Just good value and a very liberal return policy (30-day total Satisfaction Guarantee), just in case you change your mind. 154 California St., West Newton, MA .
Jake's Seafoods
When you've had it with ersatz seafood joints that underfeed and overcharge you, set your sights on a place that doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is: a bare-bones fish shack. Jake's spotlights freshness and variety in simple but classic preparations. There's plenty of atmosphere; just make sure to snag a table on the enclosed patio, where the specials are served over the waters they were fished from, and sunsets dapple the abutting bay. 50 George Washington Blvd., Hull, MA jakesseafoods.com.
Boston Children's Theatre
The BCT could play it safe. Instead, it offers outside-the-box productions, like Reflections of a Rock Lobster, about a gay teen's fight to bring his date to the prom, and Honk!, a lively musical based on The Ugly Duckling. And if your kids like what they see here, sign them up for one of the many workshops the BCT offers. 316 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA bostonchildrenstheatre.com.
New Art Center
In Newton's New Art Center classes, weekend collectors can ponder the age-old question—What Is Art?—then study the intriguing works showcased in the late-1800s Universalist church. Should you find something lacking in any of the canvases, prints, or sculptures, you can improve the view by organizing your own exhibitions: The guest curatorial program lets interested parties help decide what goes on display. 61 Washington Park, Newtonville, MA 2460, newartcenter.org.
Boston Bowl
Forty-four lanes. Metal bumpers. Affordable prices. A kingpin's dream—and now a bowling reality. The pro shop (yes, this bowling alley has a pro shop) stocks enough balls, bags, and shoes to satisfy amateurs and experts alike. The sprawling entertainment complex also has 12 pool tables, a video-game arcade, and a full service bar, and is open 24/7 (save for Christmas Eve). 820 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA bostonbowl.com.
Jamaica Plain Women's Flag Football Association
You can't get much more physical than this intramural league that takes over Jamaica Plain's English High field each fall. In the four years of its existence, the league has grown to include more than 150 women in two divisions (including some fierce straight girls), and been responsible for not a few off-the-field passes. Make no mistake, these girls come to score, and the bruises they get are real. But the tradition of post-game brews at Doyle's goes a long way toward soothing the pain. E-mail jpwff1@hotmail.com for more information, MA .
Minuteman Bike Path
Designed as a commuter bikeway, this 10-and-a-half mile trail has won the hearts of walkers, runners, and rollers (including cyclists, in-line skaters, and people who use those bizzarre dry-land cross-country skis). There are plenty of entry points along the way, but we recommend you begin west of Arlington Center to avoid having to cross cobblestones and four-way intersections. Moving past ponds, historic sites, and wooded areas lends the feeling that you're 700 miles from the city, instead of just seven. Alewife T Station, Cambridge-intersection of Railroad Avenue, Loomis Street, and South Street, Bedford, MA minutemanbikeway.org.
Lost World
It doesn't get much stupider than this— or more absorbing. Club into the booth and fire at the lizardy dino-creatures from the movie. Coolest moment: When T-Rex emerges out of the dewy fog, plucks you out of the Land Rover in its teeth, and shakes the bejesus out of your animated persona. Messiest moment: When the herbivores smother you in steamy feces. Jillian's, 145 Ipswich St., Boston, MA .
Courageous Sailing
One way to minimize your exposure to E. coli is to sail on Boston Harbor instead of the Charles River, and Courageous Sailing is the best way to go for the bucolic-urban experience. Courageous offers easy access to Harbor Islands State Park, where with a little advanced planning you can even go camping. The only year-round sailing center in Boston, it merits its name because of its iceboating events and other cold-weather adventures. 1 First Ave., Charlestown, MA .
Boston Design Center
Those cracked tiles aren't going to fix themselves. But a visit to the Boston Design Center's 10 bathroom-focused businesses will. Once open only to professionals, the eight-story design mecca now offers 20 designers on call to walk you through showrooms—some classic, some splashy—filled with tiles, faucets, mirrors, tubs, and everything else you'd ever want in your WC. One Design Center Place, Suite 337, Boston, MA 2210, bostondesign.com.
Union Street Inn
Though there's a flurry of hotel action on the island (the renovated retro-chic Chapman House, Lark Hotels' sleek new 76 Main), the Union Street Inn continues to define the gold standard for boutique lodging on Nantucket. In addition to Matouk duvets, free WiFi, and made-to-order breakfasts, this stylish inn now boasts freshly decorated rooms and a revamped patio and outdoor space. 7 Union St., Nantucket, MA unioninn.com.