Bobby from Boston
For decades, Bobby from Boston was the spot for vintage duds, thanks to owner Bobby Garnett’s eye for perfectly weathered leather jackets and other stylish finds. When he passed away in 2016, many thought the store would die with him — but thankfully, his daughter Jessica Garnett Carrion has grabbed the torch, opening a boutique with the same name in Somerville’s Bow Market. And she’s already proving she can carry on the legacy, sourcing everything from authentic military jackets to flapper-style pearls that make playing dress-up feel like a very grownup endeavor. One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, bobbyfromboston.com.
Tweed Barbers of Boston
Okay, so it’s not exactly old, but this 15-year-old South End favorite offers all the hallmarks of a classic barber experience and then some, from meticulously crafted fades to good old-fashioned hot-lather shaves. Distinguished but not stuffy (and completely lacking the sports-bro culture that permeates many other places), the shop boasts a roster of master barbers with a decade-plus of experience — so no matter which chair you hop in, you’ll know you’re in good hands. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118, tweedbarbers.com.
Boston Sail Loft
For a generation, this minimal-frills North End eatery at the water’s edge has attracted a legion of fans with its herb-y, unpretentious, preposterously thick take on the New England staple. To wit: Each overflowing mug comes loaded with fresh, tender clams and, in an unusual but welcome twist, a handful of chopped dill. There are few chowders in Boston this rich, and none this good. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, thebostonsailloft.com.
Boston Sail Loft
Hot take: A spoon should be able to stand straight up in a proper bowl of New England clam chowder. Layered with tender clams and peppered with chopped dill, the creamy concoction at this old-school North End institution allows for exactly that. Belly up to the harbor-side bar for the fullest experience, and relish a bowl or overflowing mug that passes the taste and thickness tests. 80 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA thebostonsailloft.com.
Boston Harbor Hotel
If heaven were a place on earth, it would be the Boston Harbor Hotel’s new John Adams Presidential Suite. Showcasing drop-dead-gorgeous waterfront views from its floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace, the 4,800-square-foot retreat is bolstered by a glass-domed ceiling, a freestanding soaking tub overlooking the harbor, and a private elevator (because if you’re paying $15,000 a night, why mix with the hoi polloi?). 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA bhh.com.
Bobby from Boston
Proprietor Bobby Garnett is no longer with us, but his spirit lives on at his eponymous South End shop. Looking for a vintage hatbox? Aviator shades? A bejeweled belt that makes you look like a country-and-western diva? Chances are you'll find it here, plus racks of $2 blazers during Bobby's legendary sidewalk sales. Lots of vintage shops have style, but this one also has soul. 19 Thayer St., Boston, MA 02118, bobby-from-boston.com.
Boston University Aquatic Center
BU's swim program can teach any child, from infant to teenager, to flourish in the water. A warm, shallow recreational pool helps instructors ease wee ones into the wet; as learners progress, they can move over to the deeper competition pool to improve their strokes. 915 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, bu.edu/fitrec.
F1 Boston
Tired of the humdrum pace of that 9-to-5 lifestyle? Head out to Braintree to show the world you’re really the next Danica Patrick in training. Sure, you’ll be driving a go-kart at a slower speed than the average grandmother, but once you’re clad in an actual racing jump suit, helmet on, whipping around the indoor track, you’ll swear you’re ready for the big leagues. Hairpin curves and an endless series of Days of Thunder references await. 290 Wood Rd., Braintree, MA 02184, f1boston.com.
EcoClean Boston
We love the aptly named EcoClean in part because its proprietary supplies are made from sustainable materials, keeping things green, safe, and pleasantly unscented. But we also love them because they arrive on time and get to work in a whirlwind of efficiency. They might even surprise you—one day we came home to find our balcony swept of a winter’s worth of debris. Nice touch. ecocleanboston.com.
Ames Boston Hotel
While we appreciate Boston’s cobblestone streets, we’re also progressives. This chic hotel is just like us: a little bit of both. Built into the skeleton of the city’s first office tower (1893), the David Rockwell creation beautifully balances the past with a slick, white future. Lovers of luxury will find five-star amenities like in-room spa services and fireplaces in some rooms, and, if you’re there the weekend of the Boston Calling music festival this fall, you’ll be right next door. One Court St., Boston, MA 2108, ameshotel.com.
The Boston Center for Adult Education
The most utilitarian and private: The Boston Center for Adult Education. The most romantic: The 57 Restaurant.
Boston Super Dog
Not all dogs are created equal. There are the flavorless grocery-store tubes (we're looking at you, Oscar Mayer), and then there is the behemoth from food truck Boston Super Dog (formerly Speed's). This half-pound frank is marinated in apple cider before it's smoked, grilled, and basted in barbecue sauce (go all the way with chili, mustard, chopped onion, and relish). You'll never look a packaged dog in the bun again. Roxbury, MA 2118, bostonsuperdog.com.
Crystal Clean Boston
You know what they say about cleanliness and godliness. Which must be why visits from Crystal Clean always leave your home so divine. A four-person team buffs and shines down to the hard-to-reach spots and tops it all off with finishing touches—dusted reading glasses, triangle-folded toilet paper—that other services often skip. Boston, MA 2116, crystalcleanboston.com.
Boston Running Company
When Diddy ran the New York City Marathon as a last-minute, made-for-MTV fundraiser/publicity stunt, he was able to enlist the legendary Alberto Salazar to help him through his crash-course, five-week training regimen. You, obviously, are not Diddy. But you can at least have your stride expertly analyzed by former Olympian Mike Roche, who will film you jogging on his in-store treadmill, study the footage in slow motion, and then put you in the sneakers best suited to the quirks of your stride. Just be sure to give yourself more than five weeks to train for your big race. 121 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, bostonrunningcompany.com.
Boston Athletic Club
By far the most complete facility in the Hub. A South Station shuttle totes the club's downtown professional clientele to its palatial Summer Street facility; a kiddie gym takes care of the little ones while parents pump up; and a swimming pool, driving range, and squash, tennis, and basketball courts offer every possible perspirational opportunity. The BAC also has in-house trainers, nutritionists, hair stylists, masseurs and masseuses, and a restaurant and TV lounge. The BAC serves with fin-de-siècle family style, and members wouldn't have it any other way. 653 Summer St., Boston, MA .