Best of Boston

There are times when a scoop of ice cream from the freezer works just fine. But for life’s biggest kid moments—first days of school or big doctor visits, for instance—it pays to really sweeten the deal. That’s where the Sugar Factory in Faneuil Hall comes in. Its over-the-top indulgences look like something out of Junior’s most Willy Wonka–esque dream: “Insane" milkshakes are festooned with doughnuts, cupcakes, and whole slices of cake; decadent cookie and brownie skillets get amped up with Nutella, brûléed marshmallow, and just about every other sugary treat you can think of. The joy-to-cavity ratio is totally worth it.