Michael's Deli
Our New York friends won’t let us forget it: Boston doesn’t exactly abound with traditional Jewish delis. Even Manhattan, though, would be lucky to have Michael’s, which epitomizes everything you’re looking for in the deli experience — namely, sandwiches with meats stacked high enough to crack your jaw, bitingly sharp horseradish, and a hint of something green (and probably pickled). Remember to order a side of latkes for your mom, then stand aside and wait for your name to be yelled. Ah, yes! That feels just right. 256 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, michaelsdelibrookline.com.
Cashmere Boston
In summer, it carries beautiful pastel twinsets; in winter, it's rich, thick four-ply turtlenecks. Whatever the season, this is the place to stock up on all your cashmere items. In addition to the requisite sweaters by all the top designers, you'll also find scarves, gloves, and other supersoft accessories. 114 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Elizabeth Crannage
Cranage will make the dress of your dreams. With decades of wedding-gown experience behind her, this seamstress ensures that our gown will be the talk of the town. Stoneham, MA
Willowdale Estate
You picture a quiet dinner for immediate family; your partner imagines an all-night rager with 400 guests. Plan your happy medium at the always-crowd-pleasing Willowdale Estate, where a range of magical ceremony and reception spaces allow for a longer invite list without sacrificing the intimacy of a tinier fete. Our personal fave? The greenery-filled courtyard garden, which looks downright enchanting with strings of lights. 24 Asbury St., Topsfield, MA 01983, willowdaleestate.com.
Bantam Cider Company Tasting Room
With pours spanning the cider spectrum—from the cherry-tinged Rojo to the farmhouse-style Sweet Scrumpy—Bantam’s taproom serves up a refreshing alternative to your typical neighborhood watering hole. Claim a standing table, and make a day of it. 40 Merriam St., Somerville, MA 02143, bantamcider.com.
William 'English Bill' Codman, Woodward
As head barkeep at Woodward, Codman pours house-made infusions and shakes up Scollay Slings with aplomb. There's a false rumor floating around that his charming accent is a put-on, but we'll take the hate as a reflection of his enviable status atop the city's cocktail scene. MA
Bella Sante
Your computer is on the fritz. Your boss is on a tear. Your daughter is in a malignant teenage funk. Think: Happy place happy place I'm in my happy place. Not working? Ditch the visualization and hie yourself to venerable Newbury Street day spa Bella Santé (which, for frayed nerves farther afield, also has locations in Lexington and Wellesley). Step inside the hushed, candle-dotted waiting area, where pitchers of fruit-infused water and plush robes are at the ready. Highly trained hands will then scrub, rub, knead, slather, wrap, mist, oil, and otherwise drive your tension away, leaving skin glowing and sanity restored. Can't you just picture it? Feeling better? Good—then our work here is done. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.
Rise Beauty Studio
Canadian sisters Mia Kizaki and Amy Kaye set up shop on Newbury Street last fall, and have proved yet again that our neighbors to the north know how to make everything, even eyebrow plucking, congenial. At Rise, you lie on your back on a comfy spa bed as the stylist works her magic seated in a chair behind you. No more awkwardly staring at yourself in a mirror as your eyes water; just an almost nap that ends with the big reveal of a perfectly manicured brow line. 316 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, risebeautystudio.com.
Inn at St. Botolph
The fanny pack and walking shoes may mark you as a tourist, but your digs definitely won’t. Tucked away in the Back Bay, this brownstone inn blends in with its neighbors, keeping your tourist status our little secret. Small and intimate, the property’s suites feature copper fireplaces and signature bow-front windows, creating a quintessential Boston experience. 99 St. Botolph St., Boston, MA 2116, innatstbotolph.com.
Btone Fitness
It was arm and leg day when we came in for a 45-minute session on the “TONEy” — the Lexington-born franchise’s custom-engineered equipment but we felt this workout in our head, shoulders, knees, and toes. A hybrid of resistance training, yoga, and Pilates, Btone uses adjustable springs and a sliding platform to test your core (and your willpower). Yet the fast pace, sing-along jams, and encouraging instructor kept us so motivated we almost forgot we were working out — almost. Multiple locations, btonefitness.com.
Glamsquad
It may feel safe to visit a salon now, but that doesn’t mean it’s always convenient. That’s why we’re grateful to have Glamsquad in our backyard: Serving busy beauty buffs throughout Boston since setting up shop here in 2018, the New York–based company’s services include top-notch blowouts, makeup application, and — as of summer 2020 — haircuts, all executed from the comfort of home. Book an appointment through the website or app for your next pampering sesh, and watch as a seasoned stylist deftly transforms your look in any indoor or outdoor location you choose. glamsquad.com.
Barneys New York
Whatever your particular fetish—prim Lanvin flats, foot-high Louboutins—Barney's indulgent 3,200-square-foot shoe space is the ultimate playground. (In the year since it opened, we've officially kicked our persistent online footwear-buying habit.) Did we mention sizes are rarely unavailable here? On those few occasions when you can't immediately find your desired style, chances are that it exists somewhere in the Barneys universe, and a helpful associate will be able to track down said pair long before withdrawal sets it. Copley Place, Boston, MA barneys.com.
Blantyre
It's easy to forget, in our world of PDAs and ADD, that drawn-out dining can be a thing of delight. Everything at this hotel restaurant, from its jacket-and-tie requirement and exacting service down to its immaculate china and crystal settings, speaks to a serious attention to detail. The Gallic-inspired menu spotlights delicacies such as Long Island duck breast with melon-basil salad, beef tenderloin with pea purée, and iced Key lime soufflé. And at the end of your leisurely meal, should you find yourself too stuffed to drive home, you can wend your way upstairs for a stay in one of Blantyre's opulent suites. 16 Blantyre Rd., Lenox, MA 1240, .
The Esplanade
The Minuteman Bikeway may seem the obvious choice for bike enthusiasts, but it's too straight for our taste. A good bike path needs some twists and turns, with long, empty stretches of solitude and glimpses of the city skyline. Only the Esplanade provides all that. The paths along the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge are usually so packed they require complete attention, but once you reach Newton and Watertown, the ride is all yours. The stretch? Watertown Square, where you glide over wooden bridges, swoop under low-hanging trees, and, for a few wonderful, brief moments, hear nothing but the crickets and the whir of your pedals. MA
Backbar
Led by industry vet Sam Treadway, the friendly bartenders here entice imbibers with innovative "drink of the day" options such as a scotch-raspberry sour, ever-changing milk-punch offerings, and the willingness to concoct anything you crave on the fly. The drinks are serious, but the slightly kitschy vibe is not—say hi to Yoda on your way out. 7 Sanborn Ct., Somerville, MA 02143, backbarunion.com.