Chatham Bars Inn
Thought the king of Cape resorts couldn’t possibly get any better? Think again. To get ready for the post-COVID travel boom, CBI bolstered its private beach with additional sand — about 7,000 cubic yards, to be precise — along with new beach cabanas, lounge chairs, and umbrellas. You’ll also find fresh treatments at the sprawling spa complex (don’t miss the Moroccanoil hydration ritual), the return of live music on Bayview Terrace, and plenty of fun, interactive children’s programs for when the kids tire from leaping in and out of the water — and you tire of watching them. 297 Shore Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, chathambarsinn.com.
Audubon Circle
In a neighborhood that's more about hot dogs than haute cuisine, it can be hard to get a decent meal. That's where Audubon Circle comes in. This darkly lit, sleekly cool restaurant with the long slate bar has a small but satisfying menu of dressed-up pub grub, from the downright delicious burger with spicy home fries to the rare seared tuna with garlic mashed potatoes. The legendary pot stickers (dumplings and steamed vegetables served in a paper takeout container) can provoke food fights—over who gets the last bite. And thanks to the expertly mixed drinks and ample supply of local and national beers on tap, there's plenty to please diners and drinkers who long for more than the watered-down suds at Fenway. 838 Beacon St., Boston, MA auduboncircle.us.
Paper Source
Located just a few blocks from the Porter Square T stop, this store beckons with a welcoming allure. Once inside, the right side of your brain is in overdrive. You may find yourself suddenly wanting to throw a party or wishing you were moving to a new address, just as an excuse to buy the unique invitations and announcement cards. In the back of the store is a separate room filled with a huge selection of stationery and in every possible shade and paperweight. An added plus: Workshops in bookbinding and paper-making are offered. 1810 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA paper-source.com.
Fenton Hollander of Water Music
For booking such top-notch talents as Rebecca Parris, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, and Tom Rush into acoustically first-rate listening rooms such as the Regattabar and the Copley Plaza Hotel ballroom.
Daily Paper
Find everything from lobster Benedict to big-as-your-face pancakes at this cheery diner, which also serves an excellent lunch. (Beware the enormous Daily Paper burger, topped with onion rings.) Service is beyond cheerful—our waitress handled an unwieldy party of 10 with genuine care. 644 W. Main St., Hyannis, 508-790-8800; 546 Main St., Hyannis, 508-775-9711. 644 W. Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601, dailypapercapecod.com.
Paper Source
E-mail, e-vites, e-cards—you've been there, e-done that. Lend your correspondence some off-line heft with a pilgrimage to this epistolary shrine, with its formidable collection of paper, cards, and craft supplies. Initially you may feel overwhelmed, so take advantage of the design-savvy staffers (many of them art school students), the nifty DIY invitation and letter-writing kits, and personal stationery consults—all of which can help give your every missive a signature style. 1361 Beacon St., Brookline, Boston, Cambridge, Wellesley, MA 2446, paper-source.com.
At the Sandwich Town Pump
Some prefer Vichy, others Perrier, but the real H2O connoisseurs pump their own. It's free. MA
Canada Dry Seltzer Water
Betcha can't taste the difference from the high-priced imports.
Paper Moss
The owners of this local company, Emily Hostetler and Anna Fenno, use environ-mentally friendly cotton paper and soy-based inks to craft letterpress suites with quirky typefaces and motley patterns, ensuring couples look as good on paper as they do on their wedding day. Boston, MA
Paper Source
Gorgeous papers, including hand-printed wrapping paper from Zimbabwe, raffia, ribbons, and a wide assortment of stamps and pads make this a shop worth seeking out. Plus, an array of wonderful classes, from creating a wedding journal to designing 3-D greeting cards, from advanced origami techniques to desktop publishing. 1810 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Jimmy Carter, Florsheim Shoe Shop
Personable and professional all the way. 424 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
P.J. Waters, Radius
P.J. Waters made his name at Via Matta with his irresistible 'mascarporeos,' whipped mascarpone with delicate chocolate cookies. At upscale Radius, he's let his imagination soar with innovations such as deconstructed carrot cake with mascarpone, pickled carrot salad, and a shot of spicy coriander chai and the Cinema Paradiso, a sampler of crunchy chocolate, cherry slush, and buttered popcorn ice cream. This is no standard sugar fix. Waters's creations boast a delicate balance of creativity, whimsy, and old-fashioned, sock-it-to-you sweetness. 8 High St., Boston, MA 2110, radiusrestaurant.com.
Cold Water Flat
Okay, so Paul Janovitz of Cold Water Flat is the brother of Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz. There's no sibling rivalry going on here. Buffalo Tom may have captured MTV and My So-Called Life, but CWF's new CD on a major label and opening appearances on Belly's worldwide tour last spring have garnered the group more than its fair share of attention. Look for them on Conan this fall.
Paper Moss
Photograph by Francine Zaslow, styling by Abby Bielagus/Ennis First impressions count, especially when it comes to wedding invitations, which set the tone for the entire event. Work with designers Emily Hostetler and Caitlin Snyder to create custom letterpress or flat-printed pieces jazzed up with on-trend hand lettering, funky geometric patterns, or intricate maps. Don’t have enough time (or budget) to go bespoke? Paper Moss’s ready-to-order collection offers just enough customization options to make it feel personal. papermoss.com.
Fenton Hollander of Water Music
A bold move indoors to the Copley Plaza.