Leavitt and Peirce
A Harvard Square institution since 1883, these tobacconists offer aficionados up to 100 different cigars, including Paul Garmirian, Dunhill, Davidoff, Ashton, and (when available) La Gloria Cubana. 1316 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA .
Motto
This gem of a Harvard Square shop has a trendy-chic bijoux ranging from about $30 to several hundred. And the salespeople have endless patience with buyers and browsers a like. 17 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA .
Ashmont Farmers' Market
Come summer, live music emanates from this collection of tents in Peabody Square, where vendors peddle produce, baked goods, crafts, and more. greaterashmont.org/farmers-market.
Bob Slate Stationer
This Harvard Square institutions array of notebooks, scissors, colorful pens, and, of course, rubber stamps and animal stickers will thrill the kid inside the business suit. 1288 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2138, .
Boston Sports Club
Cardiofunk, new exercise machinery, high-energy instructors, awesome sound, views of Copley Square. 561 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Paddle Boston
Looking to canoe, kayak, or paddleboard your way through the city? Let these experts hook you up with the gear — and the guidance — you need to get out on the Charles or the harbor. Multiple locations, paddleboston.com.
Beacon Hill Athletic Clubs
With 4,500 square feet of equipment and studios, the BHAC could hold its own anywhere. 3 Hancock St., Boston, MA 2114, beaconhillathleticclubs.com.
The two statues of former mayor James Michael Curley in Dock Square, near Quincy Market. Brilliant touch.
St. Cloud
Brooks Brothers skirts, Louis shirts, white leather boots, and black funk. What do they have in common? You can see 'em all at the St. Cloud bar, where anybody and everybody feels at home nibbling an appetizer or scarfing down a four-course dinner, even at midnight. 557 Tremont St., Boston, MA .
Artist and Craftsman
This Central Square shop is an underground playground for arts and crafts aficionados. Beautiful pastels and oil paints, sculpting supplies, and surprises for the kids crowd the shelves, and the genial employees are happy to lend their expertise to dabblers and established craftspeople alike. 580 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, artistcraftsman.com.
Passim
A surviving gem of the old Harvard Square, Passim draws acts like Suzanne Vega, Jackson Browne, and Jimmy Buffet, as well as the best local talent. 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA .
Seasoned to Taste
Since he took over, three years ago, Cordon Bleu-trained Tom Brooks has remade the company and its bill of fare from scratch—including an Italian cheese torta that is never forgotten by those who taste it. 120 Washington Street, Somerville, MA .
Sorelle Bakery Cafe
Lunch or dinner to go is always tops here. Great salads (terrific balsamic vinaigrette for greens), pastas, sandwiches, and excellent meatloaf. Finish the meal with orange-walnut-pepper biscotti or turtle squares. 1 Monument Avenue, Charlestown, MA .
Canto 6 Bakery
Using a flaky, buttery dough as the base, the bakers at this J.P. hideaway craft thoughtful breakfast pastries—seasonal honey-ricotta-and-blood-orange square croissants; Brie-and-apricot-stuffed brioche—with all manner of creative embellishments. Prefer cake? Snag a slice of maple-caramelized apple bread with brown-sugar streusel. 3346 Washington St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, canto6bakeryjp.com.
Artist & Craftsman Supply
Just down the psychedelic stairs at this subterranean Central Square art-supply mecca you'll find artfully arranged rows of paints, brushes, paper, and tools for every possible occasion. The unpretentious, approachable staff sprouts encyclopedic knowledge of everything from paint viscosity to the finer points of epoxy. 580 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA artistcraftsman.com.