Inman Oasis
This oasis is no mirage—yes, even in the depths of winter, you really can float about in warm, crystalline waters without leaving town. After an hourlong private soak in the Japanese-style wooden tub, you'll see why this hydrospa has become an Inman essential. 243 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, inmanoasis.com.
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.
Designer Bath
A family-run operation for nearly 80 years, Designer Bath is a labor of love, and it shows. The showroom features an abundant assortment of high-end fixtures and accessories for kitchens and bathrooms, though you’ll never feel overwhelmed when perusing the options. That’s thanks to visually appealing displays, including several working ones — in one spot, it’s possible to turn on kitchen faucets to evaluate water pressure — and walls of shower heads that allow you to compare models side by side. 604 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472, designerbath.com.
The Feeding Frenzy at Maria Mitchell Association Aquarium
Ever heard of an orange lobster? If the answer is no, we implore you to meet Clementine, a one-in-30-million orange lobster who resides alongside Nantucket’s more common crustaceans in the Maria Mitchell Association’s new aquarium on Washington Street. The private Feeding Frenzy gets you a first look at the creatures before the aquarium opens as they chow down on breakfast (algae, anyone?). Expect some laughs, some cuteness, and even some education on what’s lurking in Nantucket’s diverse waters. 32 Washington St., Nantucket, MA 02554, mariamitchell.org/aquarium.
Cru
When you slurp an oyster from this hip dockside restaurant overlooking the harbor, it’s likely that the fresh, sweet bivalve was in that very same water just hours before. But it’s not just the oysters, of course, that earn Cru its title. The buttery fried clams, famous lobster roll, and jumbo cocktail shrimp all deserve recog- nition, especially when accompanied by a cool and refreshing “Crucumber” martini. One Straight Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554, crunantucket.com.
Gustazo
Break free from your pizza rut with help from this teensy Cuban jewel in Waltham, which combines the warm service of an old-world café with decidedly modern touches—namely, an efficient takeout oper- ation offering dishes that pack a flavorful punch: husky Cubanos, savory empanadas (hot or frozen for later), and plantain chips with an herbaceous cilantro sauce that tastes like summer in a thimble. Beer and wine are available to take home, too, so you can wash it all down with a crisp bottle of Muscat. 240 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham.
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.
Rise Beauty Studio
Canadian sisters Mia Kizaki and Amy Kaye set up shop on Newbury Street last fall, and have proved yet again that our neighbors to the north know how to make everything, even eyebrow plucking, congenial. At Rise, you lie on your back on a comfy spa bed as the stylist works her magic seated in a chair behind you. No more awkwardly staring at yourself in a mirror as your eyes water; just an almost nap that ends with the big reveal of a perfectly manicured brow line. 316 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, risebeautystudio.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Morning begins with coffee on the mansion's water-view terrace, a round of golf, or perhaps a massage at the brand-new spa. For the afternoon, it's standup paddleboarding along the private bay beach. Evening brings cranberry mojitos and painterly sunsets over the Brewster Flats at the recently opened beach bar. All of this without ever leaving your resort? If that doesn't sound like a blissful getaway close to home, we don't know what does. 2907 Main St., Brewster, MA 2631, oceanedge.com.
Harvard Book Store
Forget scrambling to get into a hot new watering hole: There's something delightfully Cantabrigian about waiting in line for a big-name author reading on a Friday night. Everyone from tweedy academics to former Supreme Court justices fills this institution's eclectically brainy events calendar, a virtual reading list for anyone invested in staying on top of the year's biggest and most important book releases. 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, harvard.com.
Once Somerville
It's definitely not a bar, though there's no shortage of beers. And it's not exactly a concert hall, but it knows how to pull in national acts and put on one hell of a show. Welcome to Once Somerville, a 9,000-square-foot venue of shape-shifting entertainment. Whatever happens to be on the calendar—Monday-night tacos, heavy-metal yoga, storytelling performances from the Moth—it's sure to beat the regular routine of draining a few pints at your local watering hole. 156 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143, oncesomerville.com.
Living Proof
When MIT scientists are the brains behind your hair care, you know you’re getting the most effective product. The Cambridge-based Living Proof team invented and patented new molecules that protect your tresses and provide next-level volume. We’re obsessed with the Perfect Hair Day dry shampoo, which removes dirt and sweat from hair without an ounce of water. livingproof.com.
Parlor Sports
Photograph by Jared Kuzia This might be the only watering hole where stat geeks meet regularly to review the finer points of sabermetrics, and where themed events have names like “NBA Nerd Night.” Bonus: The upscale bar grub (how about a homemade Hot Pocket?) far surpasses the cardboard pizza you’ll find at most sports bars. 3 Beacon St., Somerville, MA 02143, parlorsportsbar.com.
Boston Ballet
In its 53rd season, Boston Ballet has long since jetéd from unrivaled in New England to an internationally respected troupe. With veteran principal ballerinas such as Misa Kuranaga and Lia Cirio, who seem to be made of water, and brazen artistic director Mikko Nissinen, the company positively dazzles in both story and contemporary ballets. It’s aiming even higher next season, with the American premiere of William Forsythe’s Artifact and a revitalized Sleeping Beauty. Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, bostonballet.org.
Bella Sante
Bella sante strikes the right combination of peaceful spa (fruit-infused water, plush furnishings) and briskly run business (in and done in half an hour). Technicians prune and preen nails into such pristine condition it's almost a shame to cover them with polish — but those who do will walk out with lacquered tops strong enough to endure several days worth of wear and tear. 38 Newbury St., Boston, MA 2116, bellasante.com.