Beauport
Gloucester is now a destination thanks to this luxe beachfront retreat, which has been bringing sizzle to the site of a former frozen-foods plant since it opened in 2016. The long-weekenders come to lounge at the rooftop pool, dine overlooking Pavilion Beach, and pedal around town on complimentary beach cruisers. But they stay for the fresh, nautically inspired guest rooms, some of which offer water vistas and fireplaces. beauporthotel.com.
SoWa Vintage Market
If the thrill is in the hunt, then giddiness springs eternal at SoWa's weekly conglomerate of throwback merchants. Clothing hawkers come and go throughout the year, but you're always guaranteed a healthy stock of vintage couture, bargain furs, broken-in cowboy boots, Peggy Olson party dresses, Eisenhower-era cardigans, and outré scarves and costume jewelry. A springtime move from the drafty power plant to cozier digs beneath the galleries has reinvigorated the scene and attracted a host of new vendors. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, sowavintagemarket.com.
Razors Barbershop
In a time of disposable blades and unisex salons, you’d be forgiven for thinking the straight razor shave had gone the way of Brylcreem and wooden teeth. But practitioners of the lost art still remain, including master barbers Anthony and Joseph Berriola. If you haven’t experienced the pleasure of shaving oils, hot towels, and a warm lather, do plant yourself in their Somerville barber chair. It’ll be the best $25 you’ve ever spent. 308 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02144, razorsbarbershop.com.
Petal & Leaf
Nothing spruces up a space like fresh flowers. And no florist arranges fresh flowers quite like Jamaica Plain's Petal & Leaf. From spare, arty decorations to lively, full bouquets, owner Cat Thomson's creative floral stylings include short-stemmed pavé groupings of Thai orchids and classic tulips, and pretty pitcher plants with water reeds. 461 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA .
Winston Flowers & Garden
There are a lot more reasons to visit Winston than birthdays, Mother's Day, and anniversaries. Beyond the profusion of cut flowers and potted greenery are all the accessories necessary to turn any thumb a deep emerald, including seeds, garden furniture, and three greenhouses filled with ready-to-go annuals and perennials. Two acres of plants and flowers will conjure images of your own private Eden, and the vast knowledge of the staff design consultants will ensure your vision lasts well beyond the parking lot. 11 Florence St., Newton, MA winstonflowers.com.
Mahoney's Garden Center
This longtime Boston area institution is justly famous for its vast selection of trees, plants, and gardening supplies. The original garden center, in Winchester, stocks everything from exotic specialty items like a spiral-cut dwarf Alberta spruce to the most prosaic perennials, all carefully labeled with growing information. In-town horticulturalists now have their own minibranch on Memorial Drive in Cambridge. 242 Cambridge St., Winchester, MA .
Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlor
Oasis is a refreshing sight in a land- scape of vegetarian restaurants relying on heavily processed faux meats. Here, the menu actually celebrates plants—three cheers for the super-savory Oshun wrap with melted vegan cheese over kale and curry chickpea stew—and unlocks explosive flavors from well-seasoned grains and healthy juices (see: the fresh-squeezed Oasis Ginger Bomb with cayenne pepper and apple juice). 340 Washington St., Boston, MA 02121, oasisveganveggieparlor.com.
Seaport x Black Owned Bos. Market
Shopping online is fine, but isn’t it more fun to know where your favorite new sweater actually came from? After a successful launch last year, the 2021 installation of this collaboration between WS Development and the website Black Owned Bos. returns to Seaport Common one Sunday a month through October 17, letting Bostonians discover art, skin-care lines, house plants, adult and children’s clothing, and more exclusively sold by local Black entrepreneurs. Ready, set, shop! bostonseaport.xyz.
Urban Farming Institute
By training urban farmers at its seven (and growing!) plots across Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan — then selling their harvest to area restaurants like Dudley Café and Fresh Food Generation — this nonprofit helps Bostonians plant deeper roots, literally, even in neighborhoods where grassy space is sparse. And when we build better-fed families and healthier communities, we all reap the benefits. 487 Norfolk St., Mattapan, MA 02126, urbanfarminginstitute.org.
The Dutch Flower Garden
You can't walk by without looking twice. The cascade of color beckons from the pavement, and spontaneity pays. For the romantic gesture of the moment, or a few blooms to grace your dinner table, pick a few posies by the stem or grab a tiny basket of flowering plants and vines. The whole shopfront reeks of romance and fresh beauty from the wrought-iron filigree to the lush sidewalk display. 164 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
DoggieDay Pet Service
Whether you need your ferret cuddled or your cat walked, DoggieDay's caretakers are up to the challenge. You can trust them to watch and feed your pet while you're at work or on an extended vacation, or to make sure Fluffy gets his cardio—and your plants get watered—whenever you don't have time to take him out yourself. 400 Tremont St., Boston, MA doggieday.com.
Balans Organic Spa
No need to choose from a menu of froufrou facials at Balans, Boston's first all-organic spa. Here, each 60- or 75-minute session is completely customized to your skin, targeting concerns ranging from acne to aging with a selection of plant-based products from Maria Հkerberg. Need an extra boost? Try the brand-new roseroot-stem-cell treatment, which promises to stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles. 216 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, bostonbalans.com.
Franklin Park
What better place to escape the hum of the city than in a massive, gorgeous park? That was Frederick Law Olmsted’s thinking, at least, behind all 527 acres of this green space — the crown jewel of the Emerald Necklace. In honor of his 200th birthday this year, experience the urban oasis like the father of landscape architecture intended, by mindfully savoring its native-plant-filled woodlands, wandering beside rocky outcroppings, and tracing the shores of Scarboro Pond. 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston, MA 02121, boston.gov.
Casa Design Outdoor
Looking for an easy way to channel the tranquil vibes of that tropical vacation you were supposed to take this year? Pop into Casa Design Outdoor. Part of Casa Design Group’s family of showrooms, the petite SoWa space is outfitted with a lush faux-plant accent wall, artfully styled outdoor-furniture vignettes, botanical-print wallcoverings, and windows that stream in sunlight. Take a slice of paradise home with patio pieces that range from city sleek (Royal Botania dining tables) to coastal chic (braided Kettal daybeds, pictured), all so luxurious you’ll forget you’re not actually at a posh resort. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, casadesigngroup.com.
Schumacher Landscaping
Schumacher has been the grad Poo-Bah of flora for the past 31 years, and is largely responsible for bringing a healthy dose of green to Boston's asphalt avenues. Its creative ingenuity can be appreciated throughout the city at the Fraser Courtyard in the Museum of Fine Arts, the Snell Library Plaza at Northeastern University, and Post Office Square Par. But don't be intimidated if your yard is more like a foot. These doctors of the green thumb are equally adept at smaller residential projects— say, planting pansies around the porch, installing sod over that crabgrass, or mowing your lawn when you just don't feel like it. 17 Electric Ave., Brighton, MA .