Boston Book Festival
Who said the Internet would bring the death of print? Clearly no one at the 2014 Boston Book Festival, where traditional media and information-age innovation collided. While crowds converged on Copley Square to attend panels and keynotes with such international luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Norman Foster, last year also saw the unveiling of the "Books Come Alive" series, which connected readers and writers through streaming chats. Authors signed hard copies of their works, while the "One City One Story" selection, Jennifer Haigh's "Sublimation," was distributed as a free download through the BBF website. There's no longer any need to oppose the Kindle. We can all live together. Happily. bostonbookfest.org.
East Boston Public Library
For a mental vacation, take the Blue Line to the Airport stop and head to the library. Once inside the newly renovated building, settle into the sun-drenched reading room, which offers a vista of urban greenery and distant skyscrapers. 365 Bremen St., Boston, MA 02128, bpl.org.
Harvard Club of Boston
Recent renovations to this Back Bay social club may have added a few modern-day creature comforts, but Harvard Hall remains, blessedly, unchanged: You'll still find the same English oak paneling, Spanish silver chandeliers, and roaring fireplace that have graced the dramatic space since 1913. 374 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02115, harvardclub.com.
New Balance Boston Landing
Located next to New Balance's global headquarters in Brighton, this flagship store has all the apparel you need to run, golf, and hit the tennis courts in style. Boasting a huge selection of clothing and accessories—not to mention a station for making your own custom kicks—the store features a mini factory apparatus where you can watch pairs come together right before your eyes. You'll also find pieces from the brand's all-American J.Crew capsule collection. 140 Guest St., Brighton, MA 02135, newbalance.com.
My Boston Maids
If you need a cleaning service, odds are you don't have the time (or desire) to wrestle with a multi-step quote process. My Boston Maids' user-friendly homepage asks only three questions—number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, and desired appointment frequency—and immediately spits out a flat-rate charge. Select a time, then wait for a crew to carry out its 50-step cleaning protocol. Gleaming countertops and fuzz-free carpets beckon. mybostonmaids.com.
Boston Sports Clubs
Brand-new digs on Harrison include a sparkling 4-lane, 75-foot-long pool. 560 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 2118, mysportsclubs.com.
Boston Bodyworks Studio
Kathy Van Patten's small private gym in the heart of Beacon Hill is the best home in town of the avant-garde exercise technique known as Pilates. An exercise trend since the early '90s, Pilates is actually a system of workouts that incorporates balance, posture training, and muscle toning; it is particularly favored by dancers and athletes for its effects on coordination. Van Patten is a trained professional who studied at the Pilates Studio in New York before opening her own studio five years ago. Her friendly demeanor, enviable physique, and mastery of the unique Pilates equipment ("the reformer" and "the universal Cadillac" are just two of the highly-specialized pieces) make her a stand-out. 12 Joy Street, Boston, MA bostonbodyworksstudio.com.
Boston Sailing Center
Learn to sail in the chaos of Boston Harbor, and you'll be able to sail almost anywhere in the world. Boston Sailing Center has been teaching novices the sport for more than 20 years with instruction from some of the saltiest dogs on the Atlantic seaboard. That includes Scott Ackerman, who teaches beginner and advanced courses at the center and has the keen ability to turn lumpy landlubbers into proficient sailors by the end of the five-week course. The Riverboat at Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Boston Center for Adult Education
Nowhere is there a better selection of outdoorsy activities than at the Boston Center for Adult Ed. Learn safety and with supervision all the invigorating, fresh-air passtimes easily accessible to you in the area: moonlight paddling on the Charles, sea kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, rollerblading, horseback riding, urban biking treks, polo— or for the unrepentantly sedentary, a Polaroid scavenger hunt via limousine. 5 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .
Boston Common Coffee Co.
Rumor has it, the strong java at this American-style café has found fans even among the traditionalists at nearby coffee-roaster Polcari's. 97 Salem St., Boston, MA 2113, .
The Boston Pretzel Company
These large, freshly baked pretzels are terrific from the source, though we seem them in pushcarts around town as well. They come in several flavors, but we like salted sesame best, with a dab of mustard. And they're low-fat, too! 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA .
Boston Sports Club
Cardiofunk, new exercise machinery, high-energy instructors, awesome sound, views of Copley Square. 561 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
The Boston Women's Heritage Trail
Walking tour flyer available at the Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau information booth, 147 Tremont Street, on Boston Common. If you don't know who Margaret Fuller, Myrna Vasquez, Melnea Cass, and Amy Beach were, you had better take the tour.
Boston Health & Swim Club
There is a personalized Nautilus program, introductory fitness testing—even physical therapists on hand to coordinate individual exercise programs. These folks really care. 1079 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .