November Project
The November Project, a fitness movement born in Boston nearly three years ago, began as a way to embrace the harsh New England winters by starting the day with a heart-pumping workout among friends. Now it’s ballooned to a group of up to 300 people who meet three early mornings a week for workouts that include running the stairs at Harvard Stadium and shoveling out neighbors on Summit Avenue (there are also some sweaty hugs involved). One Runner’s World cover and numerous New Balance commercials later, the always-gratis November Project has 17 " tribes" across the country and in Canada. Want to get involved? #justshowup. november-project.com.
Davis Farmland
Where else can you cuddle a baby goat, ride a pony, cool off in a splash pad, and barrel down an enormous slide all in one day? The truth is that’s just scratching the surface of the activities at this animal lover’s wonderland in Sterling. Kids will relish the opportunity to be a farmer for the day and frolic in Imagine-Acres, with its jumbo jump pad, sand and water areas, and entire town of playhouses. Parents, meanwhile, will appreciate the cleanliness (strategically placed sinks for rinsing those germy hands!) and the excellent on-site barbecue joint for filling up after all the fun. 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling, MA 01564, davisfarmland.com.
Discovery Museum
Taking the little ones to a kids’ museum is typically a rainy-day activity. This fun spot, however, is the perfect destination for families when the sun is shining, too, thanks to an awesome outdoor play area with a treehouse, wiggly bridge, nest swing, and nature trails. Inside, there’s just as much to explore — kids can learn about air, water, light, and sound in a variety of science-themed exhibits, play conductor on a train replica, and cook up some delicious pretend meals in the diner-style “restaurant.” Expect a good nap on the way home. 177 Main St., Acton, MA 01720, discoveryacton.org.
Pure Oasis
As the first recreational pot shop in Boston proper, and the first Black-owned one in the state, Pure Oasis carries the weight of history on its shoulders. From the moment it opened in early 2020 (unluckily, mere moments before COVID lockdowns set in), the store has been embraced by its community. Stocked with an impressive array of flower, tinctures, THC-infused chocolates, and even a line of locally made cannabis seltzers, it certainly has the goods. But a year later, shopping at Pure Oasis still feels like a celebration — of a ceasefire in the war on drugs that caused immeasurable harm in its backyard, and of all that’s yet to come as the industry flourishes. 430 Blue Hill Ave., Boston, MA 02121, mypureoasis.com.
Nightshade
We’d schlep to the moon for Rachel Miller’s Viet-American cooking—luckily, we only have to make it to Somerville’s vendor-stuffed Bow Market, where her long-running pop-up now appears at the Buenas storefront every Monday. The former Clio chef de cuisine brings a mélange of aromatics and textures to each and every bowl of her signature “Hot Noods”: steaming noodle bowls such as bánh canh with confit quail, and vermicelli with curried beef and tamarind-pebre raisins. They’re an early taste of Miller’s fixed noodle bar, opening in Lynn later this year. nightshadens.com.
Misselwood
Imagine, if you will, an emerald-green lawn overlooking the ocean. Rows of white chairs face the water, flanking an aisle dusted with flower petals. It’s here that you’ll say, “I do,” reciting the vows you worked so hard on while waves ripple gently behind you. Afterward, you’ll reunite with loved ones in a soaring white tent, pitched atop a stone floor studded with sea glass. Can you see it? Now, head to Misselwood—a grand seaside estate in Beverly—to book the real thing. Complete with a French chateaux-style manse for smaller affairs, this formidable venue will far exceed your wildest dreams. 407 Hale St., Beverly, Massachusetts 01951, misselwood.com.
Drink
The previous generation (Eastern Standard, the sadly defunct B-Side Lounge) may have planted the seeds for a cocktail revival, but Fort Point newcomer Drink—with its house-made liqueurs and garnishes, mid-bar herb garden, and bespoke ice cubes—presents the modern imbiber's paradise in full flower. The brilliantly designed winding bar hides the bottles and puts the bartenders front and center as they work off of their imagination, rather than preconceived menus. Everything from the custom drinks to the linen-and-mini-water-glass setup at each seat is meant to focus the patron's attention on the matter at hand: the serious art of cocktail making. 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 2210, drinkfortpoint.com.
Zebee Voss, An Island Touch
Zebee Voss has had her hands on most of the island. Ask stressed-out carpenters, lifeguards, and moms if they know her, and they'll wince before sagely nodding yes. Ross's so-deep-they're-almost-torturous tissue massages (no pointless 'fluff and buffs' here, she says) leave clients weak and exhausted—and then, a day later, completely revived. Three peaceful treatment rooms and the promise of a pain-free back help overcome the spa's faintly mood-killing location above a Vineyard Haven doctor's office. 364 State Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA 2568, anislandtouch.com.
Flat of the Hill
After perusing the wares at Flat of the Hill, you'll either wish you had more people to buy gifts for or you'll break down and buy something for yourself. From girlfriend-appropriate books to the Soular Therapy line of soaps and candles, the items on offer here are great for all who need their spirits lifted, though equally tempting are the Jane Fox bags, preppy ribbon belts, and old-fashioned signs. For formal occasions, choose from silver spreader sets or Caldrea lavender water. A few minutes in this bustling Charles Street boutique and there's no way you'll walk out empty-handed. 60 Charles St., Boston, MA flatofthehill.com.
Marathon Sports
Yeah, they're only shoes. And yeah, Kenyans run without 'em. But until you swap the Esplanade for the Savannah, you'd best take your jogging footwear seriously. The running savants at Marathon Sports know that the wrong pair might just be responsible for those niggling aches, and so guide you through the buying process with more attention—and less upselling—than you encountered when purchasing your last car. The smart selection of energy gels, water belts, and technical tees from Sugoi, Brooks, and other pro brands is proffered with condescension-free friendliness, regardless of whether you log five miles each week or 50. 671 Boylston St., Brookline, MA 2445, marathonsports.com.
Duxbury Beach
Seven miles of white sand nudge up against the salt waters of the Atlantic on this, the South Shore's most utopian spot. The chaos (near the restrooms, parking, and refreshment stand) eases out toward Powder Point Bridge, and ends with empty stretches interrupted by only a few unobtrusive patches of locals here to kayak, admire the natural beauty, and walk the clean dunes toward Gurnet Light in neighboring Plymouth. Beyond the quiet beauty of the bridge, sailboats and windsurfers ride the sterling blue bay that separates the beach from town. If you don't have to rush home, stick around for the sunset—one of the area's most magnificent. Canal St., Duxbury, MA .
Jumbo Seafood Restaurant
On any given night you'll find some of the city's top chefs here after work with chopsticks waving. The eight water tanks filled with live seafood make fish and shellfish obvious choices. Crispy calamari with jalapeño peppers go down like popcorn. And whole fish in a sweet and spicy sauce may cause you to look left, then right, then lick the plate if no one's looking. They're all stellar examples of fresh and delicious Hong Kong-style cuisine, but the kitchen also soars with pork chops, garlic-laden fresh pea tendrils, and eggplant. Added bonus: Jumbo stays open into the wee hours of the morning. 5 Hudson St., Boston, MA jumboseafoodrestaurant.net.
Mahoney's Garden Centers
In our search for the holy grail of garden centers, we were pleasantly tempted by the personalized attention and quaint urban setting of Ricky's Flower Market in Somerville. But Mahoney's has the edge when it comes to one-stop garden shopping. Where else near the city can you find starter grapevines, elephant-shaped watering cans, large ceramic urns, and a barn filled with landscaping tools, not to mention the obligatory greenhouses brimming with flowers and herbs? The vast and varied selection makes it worth the extra work it sometimes takes to find a salesperson to answer your questions. 889 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA mahoneysgarden.com.
Burma Design Antique Restoration
You finally got up the nerve to invite your boss over for dinner, and while she may be a whizbang at corporate finance, she doesn't seem to know what a cocktail napkin is for. When you discover a large water stain on the cocktail table where her glass rested, you can either demand a raise or call Burma Design. These are the people Skinner turns to when an antique needs a face-lift. The workshop is a wonderland of wounded soldiers from Granny's attic, all awaiting resuscitation. The results are inspiring; if only we could be brought back to our former glory as easily. 285 Washington St., Somerville, MA .
Precision Pilates
Precision Pilates first came recommended to us by both a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and a new mom trying to shed baby weight. A 50-minute reformer class later, and we now know why: Mother-daughter team Nancy Higgins and Liz Rogers have attracted top instructors who specialize in everything from weight loss and spinal rehab to pre- and postnatal work. Pilates is easy to cheat at without proper instruction, so if you’re going to subject yourself to the rigors of the reformer and the torture of the “100,” you might as well do it with people who’ll keep you honest. Danvers and Ipswich, precisionpilatesplus.com.