The Boston Bolts
The American Soccer League franchise appears strong enough to survive—for another season.
Boston Body
Boston Body is a gym for gym people. Nowhere else in town can compete with its variety of classes, the most popular of which is "Butts and Guts." But the gym isn't just about faddish activities; basic workouts are an option too, with a range of equipment that is both high-tech (Cybex Body Masters) and low-down (punching bags). 364 Boylston Street, Boston, MA bostonbody.com.
Louis Boston
We hate to break it to you: Your dog is definitely getting laughed out of the park in that chain store sweater. Louis's fashion-forward wagwear—print collars, camo rain vests, skull-and-bones hoodies—will have your mutt looking catwalk ready. The store also sells handpainted ceramic food bowls and (very civilized) squeaky monsters. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Louis Boston
Louis carries a selection of practical footwear suitable for almost anything—propping on the corner of a mahogany desk, pumping the clutch of a spanking new Maybach, or skipping off to Ibiza for a weekend of clubbing. Some of the brands, like Prada and Puma, you'll recognize; others, like Kiton and Vass (they're handmade in Budapest), you probably won't. Every style will turn heads as surely as a bespoke Italian suit or comely companion. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Louis Boston
There are plenty of good places to buy suits in Boston, but the one place that offers the edge that you will need at Sonsie or on State Street is Louis. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Seidlers of Boston
They fix all that glitters in a glimmer. Without a glitch. 333 Washington Street, Boston, MA .
Uncommon Boston
Tours of everything from ice cream parlors and public parks to graveyards and architectural landmarks make learning about Beantown as much fun as it should be.
<em>Boston Globe</em>
The Globe again, for slashing not only the aforementioned book section, but also the Sunday Focus section in one of America's most cerebral cities, then promising to launch a new "ideas" section "when a more robust economy brings us better resources."
Buns of Boston
Buttery, chock-full of pecans, and dripping with caramel. Warren Buffet wishes he were this rich. Available at specialty markets and cafes, .
Boston Bowl
If Chuck E. Cheese is for country mice, this place is definitely for city mice. A longtime (since 1959) magnet for neighborhood families, it boasts 44 bowling lanes (30 ten-pin, 14 candlepin), 12 billiard tables, 80 video games, a free indoor playground, and tasty pizza. It's also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so it draws its share of singles, too. 820 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA .
Flair Boston
Always a bridesmaid and never a bride? That’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re shopping at Flair. Carrying a range of dress designers plus elegant accessories, the Newbury Street boutique offers both style and substance, thanks to amiable staffers who can help find the best ensemble for every body type. Bonus: The personalized shopping experience is by appointment only, so bridesmaids can relish the spotlight for at least a little while. 140 Newbury St., Ste. 202, Boston, MA 02116, flairbridesmaid.com.
La Fábrica Central
When former Cambridge vice mayor Dennis Benzan teamed up in 2017 with restaurateurs Nivia and Hector Piña, longtime leaders of Boston’s Caribbean dining scene, they upped the ante by teaming with celeb chef Giovanna Huyke, previously dubbed the Julia Child of Puerto Rico. Now Huyke is covering Cuban-, Dominican-, and Puerto Rican–inspired flavors in Cambridge, from marvelous mofongo and garlicky tostones to a whole fried snapper that arrives, still grinning, over coconut sauce. Don’t miss the superlative list of fine rums, perfect for sipping over live reggae and rumba. 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA lafabricacentral.com.
Topgolf Boston-Canton
You don’t have to know the difference between a flop shot and a stinger to have a blast at this golf-entertainment complex. Opened last November, Massachusetts’ first Topgolf location boasts 90 high-tech hitting bays and a full-service restaurant across 60,000 square feet and three floors — all reasons the gamified driving range has quickly become a reliably popular destination for family outings and birthday parties. Best of all, the spacious bays are climate-controlled, so parents can chaperone restless kids here year round, bad-weather days be damned. 777 Dedham St., Canton, MA 02021, topgolf.com/us/canton.
Boston Harbor Hotel
If you’re the type who doesn’t think it’s a getaway unless you’re gazing at the water, book a room at this luxe Rowes Wharf hotel. When you’re not soaking up the glorious harbor views from your room or suite, you can head down to the newly reimagined health club, scheduled to open mid-summer. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, bostonharborhotel.com.