The Langham, Boston
Courtesy P&Co. Ltd. Let’s be honest: Staying at a hotel is a fun experience for kids no matter the amenities. But if you’re looking to wow your little one with the experience of his or her lifetime, there’s no place better than the Langham, which is offering a “Playtime with Paddington” staycation with all kinds of special surprises now through December. The package includes a Paddington-themed room with a kids’ tent, a plush bear, a cookie-decorating kit, and even a child-size Paddington bathrobe and slippers — which your little explorer can wear down to the indoor pool, complete with water toys. 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA 02110, langhamhotels.com.
Kimball Farm
Pat Piasecki Kimball Farm started as an ice cream stand on a sandy patch of parking lot, a rite of passage for local kids to eat cones as big as their heads. Today, the Westford location has socially distanced family fun down to a science with attractions that rival most theme parks. Here you’ll find well-monitored lines for gargantuan sundaes; an al fresco snack shack with kid-friendly meals (cheesy tater tots, hot dogs) and local beer for grownups; live music; and even mini golf, bumper boats, and batting cages for open-air fun with your pod. 400 Littleton Rd. (Rt. 110), Westford, MA 01886, kimballfarm.com.
Daniela Corte
When the pandemic hit, Daniela Corte quickly went into survival mode, shutting down her Newbury Street boutique and moving the business to her Back Bay residence. But her hibernation didn’t last long: Just six months later, the Argentine-born women’s clothing designer managed to reinvent her shop at the Mandarin Oriental Boston, dress Vice President Kamala Harris’s sister, Maya, for the inauguration, and produce a sold-out, day-long fashion seminar. Needless to say, Corte is back (as if she ever left). 15 Marlborough St., Garden Unit, Boston, MA 02116, danielacorte.com.
Legal Harborside
Sun, saltwater, and seafood on Legal Harborside’s roof deck. / Photo by Christopher Churchill Or views, more like it: Nowhere else in Boston will you find three options for al fresco dining under one roof. All you need to do is pick your floor. Snag a coveted seat on the ground level’s harborside deck and tuck into fried clams while listening to the concert rocking at the nearby Pavilion; savor a splurge-worthy meal on the second floor’s secluded outdoor patio (complete with fireplace); or head all the way up to the third floor’s roof deck, where you can sip, snack, and savor views of the water and the city skyline rain or shine thanks to retractable glass walls. 270 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 02210, legalseafoods.com.
Craigie on Main
Often imitated, never duplicated: In the years since Craigie’s burger became the hottest thing between two buns, other restaurants have tried to replicate the high-quality, limited-quantity formula. And yet the 18 burgers Craigie churns out each night are still the most coveted in town, thanks to an aggressively rich, juicy blend of beef cuts and bone marrow that manages to be way too much and just right all at once. Good news for all you FOMO-racked non-meat eaters: This year chef Tony Maws debuted an umami-packed veggie version. 853 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02139, craigieonmain.com.
Sault
When Philip Saul said he intended to celebrate the New England gent's wardrobe with the opening of Sault, it seemed a somewhat lofty goal; after all, the region is known more for jerseys and button-downs than high-end men's fashion. Six years later, he has proven to naysayers that Boston boys do, in fact, appreciate good style. They appreciate the South End shop's selection of classic Grayers sweaters and Penfield outerwear. They appreciate the Jack Spade bags and the occasional vintage accessory. And the rest of us appreciate our guys' newly spiffy style. 577 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, saultne.com.
Marathon Sports
There's a myth that says running requires nothing more than comfortable sneakers and willpower. Untrue: If you're serious about the sport (or are merely trying to look as if you are), you're also going to need some sweat-wicking shorts and shirts, a cardiac monitor, several pairs of cushy socks, a hat and/or sunglasses, maybe a windbreaker, and, oh yeah, one of those belts that holds little water bottles. Marathon Sports has all the gear you need, and some you probably don't. And its running-obsessed staff is clued in and honest enough to help you sort out which is which. 671 Boylston St., Brookline, MA 2445, marathonsports.com.
The Independent
To those living in eternally up-and-coming Somerville: You may not have solved the public transportation quandary that is Union Square but, boy, are you lucky from a pub-hub perspective. Outfitted in the classy dark-wood stylings of a more upscale joint, the Independent is smartly cleaved into one room for drinkers, one for diners—and manages to do right by both groups. Expect well-executed, moderately priced cuisine, like the béchamel, cheddar, provolone, and Parmesan macaroni and cheese, as well as innovative drink offerings (such as the Sub Rosa: campari, lillet rouge, grapefruit-tarragon vodka, and soda water) that tickle more-alcohol-focused palates. 75 Union Sq., Somerville, MA 2143, theindo.com.
Coast Café
Dainty eaters, beware. Only those with a hankering for a little grease and gobs of pork-addled flavor are able to handle the made-to-order plates at Cambridge's stick-to-your-ribs haven. Sure, the chicken's great, but there's also smoked turkey with collard greens, and bread crumb-encrusted mac and cheese, and silky sweet potatoes, and (the only thing harder than settling on an order here, you'll find, is nabbing one of the few seats). Coast Café may not have much competition in these parts—KFC? Popeyes?—but it could surely hold its own in Dixie. 233 River St., Cambridge, MA 2139, .
Pigalle
Tasting menus are so in vogue that it seems only a matter of time before McDonalds rolls out a McTasting. But at Pigalle, chef Marc Orfaly's five- and seven-course menus are anything but watered-down. Each course hits the high notes of his exquisite French fusion—butter-poached lobster in Thai broth, duck confit with Kung Pao vegetables and kumquats—all for far less than you'd pay if you ordered à la carte. Now that's what we call a Happy Meal. 75 Charles St. South, Boston, MA 2114, pigalleboston.com.
Davio's
Forget going someplace where everyone knows your name — Davio’s is the place where you’ll know everyone else’s name. After all, during any given lunch or dinner service, you’re likely to run into any of the most influential Bostonians. The popular restaurant group, flawlessly run by owner Steve DiFillippo, now has a shining palace overlooking the water in the Seaport, so there’s yet another reason to grab a table among the city’s leading lights and power brokers. Multiple locations, davios.com.
Duckling Day
Duckling Day 2024 / Courtesy Friends of the Public Garden. Boston parents love this event, and for good reason. It’s centered around the beloved storybook Make Way for Ducklings (not a character their little ones know from a screen). It takes place in — and helps support — the Public Garden and Common. And, honestly, what’s cuter than kids dressed up as ducklings? Oh yeah, and there’s lots to make the little ones happy, too, including goody bags, live music, magic, and, of course, marching in a parade. friendsofthepublicgarden.org.
Grill 23 & Bar
Himmel Hospitality Group president Chris Himmel has worked at Grill 23 since he was a kid. / Photograph by Ken Richardson. Chris Himmel’s earliest memories involve running around the dining room at Grill 23 & Bar, the stately Back Bay steakhouse that celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The second-generation owner was five when the restaurant opened; 20 years later, he assumed control of the day-to-day operations, and nowadays is president of the entire Himmel Hospitality Group, which also includes Harvest, Bistro du Midi, and the Banks Fish House. Continue reading ... 161 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116, grill23.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Spend one evening lounging around a fire pit on the water-view terrace with your family, and you just might decide to make a stay at this Brewster retreat, centered around a Victorian-style mansion, an annual tradition. And why wouldn’t you, when there are enough amenities here—a Nicklaus-designed golf course, bar-adjacent private beach, luxe day spa, and full-service tennis courts—to make it so you never have to leave? oceanedge.com.
Lisa Jean-Francois (@LisaalaMode)
Boston gal Lisa Jean-Francois longed for a place where she could share her love of beauty and fashion from her viewpoint as a black feminist—so she created one, launching her website to dish on pop culture, natural hair, and Beyoncé as well as post photos of her head-to-toe outfits. Almost seven years and 35,000-plus Instagram followers later, Francoise is a full-time content creator who’s served as an official influencer for companies such as Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. N/A, .