Ritz-Carlton Boston
Dark, woody, and intimate, the bar at the Ritz is exactly the sort of watering hole weary travelers and high-end drinkers demand. The martini menu is extensive and intriguing, and the Five Star nut mix (no peanuts in the bunch) adds salty cachet. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Problems with the Harbor Tunnel
Yeah, we know it isn't sexy. Heed us now or don't call us on your cellular phone when your Volvo starts filling with water during rush hour.
The Blarney Stone
Priding itself on being the first bar in America to sell Guinness on draft, the Blarney Stone is an essential neighborhood watering hole, whether you're brunching on the leafy patio or enjoying a pint in front of the roaring fireplace. 1505 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122, blarneystoneboston.com.
Maverick Marketplace
Our favorite spot in this charming arcade-style mini mall is the Marketplace Café, where you can grab coffee and pastries to go—and return later for craft-beer tastings, brunch on the patio, and live music. 154 Maverick St., Boston, MA 02128, 154maverick.com.
Chickadee
Mona Miri How a swish Mediterranean-inspired restaurant ended up with the best fried chicken in Boston is a mystery to solve later. For now, we’re too fixated on the ultra-crunchy, golden-brown skin and moist, piping-hot meat, as well as the refined spins on cookout sides: say, scoops of mashed celeriac-walnut skordalia. 21 Drydock Ave., Seaport, MA 02210, chickadeerestaurant.com.
Boating on Jamaica Pond
Photograph by Ben Cooper/Courageous Sailing Enjoy an impromptu day in the country without actually leaving the city on Jamaica Pond, where, for just $15 per hour, you can take in 68 acres of pristine flat water from your very own rowboat, sailboat, or kayak. Just be sure to bring cash or a check. Boston, MA 02130, courageoussailing.org/jamaicapond.
Brannelly’s Cafe
The chatty bartenders, trivia nights, and weekly karaoke are more than enough to turn this hidden gem into your go-to watering hole. But the friendly Rozzie locals are what really make Brannelly’s feel like the home you never knew you needed. 4432 Washington St., Boston, MA 02131, .
Bloomingdale's
When it comes to finding the perfect bathing suit, the only solution is to head to a store with the most shapes, styles, and sizes known to humankind. All hail Bloomingdale’s, which devotes a healthy chunk of its Chestnut Hill real estate to bikinis, tankinis, and one-pieces. For Bond girls, there’s Agua Bendita and Ramy Brook. For the modest among us,there are classy options from Polo Ralph Lauren and La Blanca. Come on in; the water’s fine! 225 Boylston St. , Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, .
Himalayan Bistro
Boston’s South Asian food scene has exploded over the past two decades thanks to pioneers like Himalayan Bistro, which introduced Nepali cuisine here in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, this sparse, serene West Roxbury stalwart is still slinging an eclectic array of complexly spiced dishes from across the subcontinent, from the kormas ofthe ancient Mughals to the saags of the Punjab to the khukhuras of Kathmandu. Bring an appetite and friends, and order plenty of the sublime naan. 1735 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, himalayanbistro.net.
Select Oyster Bar
Nineteenth-century urban planning may have transformed an ocean inlet into the Back Bay neighborhood, but about 150 years later, inspired chef Michael Serpa is still filling it with (fabulous) Mediterranean-inspired fish: sea bream, whole-roasted and sauced with parsley, mint, and oregano; swordfish with champagne mango and rose harissa; and salmon crudo augmenting towers of oysters and crab salad. A whip-smart wine list—including a nice pool of reds—pays equal attention to terroir. 50 Gloucester St., Boston, MA selectboston.com.
Heartbreak Hill Running Company
On the Esplanade sporting this shop’s iconic logo? You can bet you’ll get a few high-fives along the way. That’s because Heartbreak Hill is a bona fide pavement pounders’ haven, stocked with top-rated sneakers, breathable T-shirts, ergonomic water bottles, and anti-chafe balm (because…sweat). As avid runners themselves, staffers intuitively know what you need along your journey—most important, free running clubs to help you find your tribe. 294 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA heartbreakhillrunningcompany.com.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Ah, to kick back with a strawberry-infused water in the Mandarin’s lounge again. After months of quarantine cooking, cleaning, and homeschooling, the Himalayan-salt-stone massages and hydrating body wraps at this 16,000-square-foot temple to relaxation promise to be even more restorative—especially if they’re in one of three new treatment rooms the hotel is unveiling as part of its multimillion-dollar renovation. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com/boston.
Patricia Guiggey, G2O Spa + Salon
As a member of the baby-fine-hair tribe, Patricia Guiggey understands what ladies with thick tresses do not: the desire to casually toss abundant locks over a shoulder or assemble a messy bun without seeing scalp. Armed with the tools of her trade, she’ll give you the chance to experience what a full head of hair looks like, whether you opt to invest in cold-fusion bonds or test the waters with tape-ins. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA 02116, g2ospasalon.com.
World's End
Peter Marotta/courtesy of The Trustees The fact that this prime spit of land, surrounded by water with views of the city and harbor, isn’t a golf course? That’s a miracle unto itself. It’s well worth reserving a timed parking pass ahead of time to be one of the lucky ones who get to peruse the blessedly crowd-controlled hills, rocky shoreline, and Frederick Law Olmsted–designed carriage paths each day. Martins Lane, Hingham, MA 02043, thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/south-of-boston/worlds-end.html.
Lobsterville Road
Okay, so it’s not a “bike path” in the traditional sense. But a pedal down this dead-end street is well worth the effort for the stunning views of Menemsha Bight and Menemsha Pond. Then hop on the Menemsha Bike Ferry, which shuttles pedal pushers across the water to the absurdly picturesque fishing village, to grab a lobster roll and steamers at Larsen’s Fish Market, and poke around shops such as Beetlebung and Pandora’s Box. Aquinnah, MA