Bella Sante
City spas can be pure bliss. Battling Boston drivers to get to them? Not so much. Fortunately, Lexington has an outpost of Newbury Street's much-adored Bella Santé. The hushed oasis features invigorating services such as the heavenly three-step hot spot massage, aromatherapy facials, and the anti-puff marine eye lift. Book soon, before city slickers catch on and start a reverse traffic jam. 76 Bedford St., Lexington, MA 2420, bellasante.com.
Gentle Giant Moving Company
The Giants are harder to book than they used to be, and their prices are higher than some of their competitors'. But this is still the company that people gush about. (And face it: How often do people praise their movers?) One move positively crooned about how the Giants moved a piano around a curved staircase without damage—or complaint. They are professional, efficient, and yes, gentle.
Brookline Booksmith
Their fiction inventory is faultless; their nonfiction, superb. But it's Brookline Booksmith's book cellar that again propels this independent store to the top of the pile. If you're going to browse, be sure you've got a whole afternoon to spar—it's easy to lose track of time while scanning the shelves. The shop's reading series is also second to none, often hosting marquee authors such as David Sedaris and Jonathan Safran Foer. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 2446, brooklinebooksmith.com.
Brookline Booksmith
It's not easy for an independent bookstore to weather the perfect storm of Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com; more local favorites have closed this year. But this shop takes on the giants and one-ups them with a crew of bibliophiles and the city's best reading series. Add to this a thoughtfully balanced inventory and the Used Book Cellar, and you'll see why Brookline Booksmith is a page-turner. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA brooklinebooksmith.com.
The Garden in the Woods
Don't dig up that lady's slipper! Come to the annual June plant sale at Garden in the Woods for wildflowers you can take home without fear of eradicating an endangered species. While the June sale is the largest, wildflowers are always available for purchase at the Garden, as well as books and other items in the charming gift store. But don't leave without a tour of the Garden itself, one of New England's unique treasures. Hemenway Road, North Framingham, MA .
Paul Booras, Fava
A fire at the Needham restaurant destroyed not only the kitchen, but the reservation book—and since chef/owner Booras couldn't call patrons to cancel, he was determined to honor reservations for the following night. He served from Weber grills on the patio, and a local florist contributed approximately $2,000 worth of flowers. The kicker: He gave away the meals for free since it was a "compromised situation."
Pierrot Bistrot Fran
It may be, as the book contends, that French Women Don't Get Fat. But that's only because they don't have Pierre Sosnitsky feeding them. At the Maison Robert alumnus's 11-month-old Beacon Hill bistro, the house pâté is rich, the beef bourgignon hearty, and the profiteroles irresistible. About the only things that don't feel authentically, unrepentantly Gallic are the pleasantly reasonable prices. 272 Cambridge St., Boston, MA pierrotbistrot.com.
Nesting On Main
Ascending the worn wooden stairs to reach Nesting on Main recalls a trip to Grandma's attic. The three owners, each with a talent for finding charm in the humblest of artifacts, have covered almost every inch of surface in their four-room boutique with antique card-catalog drawers, beveled mirrors, birdcages, glass doorknobs, chess pieces—the list is seemingly endless. If by chance you don't find what you're after, just write it down in the "wish list" book, and let the buyers work their magic. 44 Main St., Concord, MA 1742, .
The Roof at the Ritz-Carlton
Plan ahead if you want to trip the light fantastic at this, the city's chicest summer dinner-cum-dancing destination for those of us who outgrew Landsdowne Street years ago. Seating, especially for groups, is booked weeks, sometimes months, ahead. The good news is your alfresco evening will take place regardless of weather: A huge tent encloses tables, band, and dance floor, keeping well-coifed guests warm and dry. 15 Arlington St., Boston, MA .
Raymond Kurzweil
Kurzweil's first company, Kurzweil Music Systems, maker of a synthesizer that mimics 37 instruments, went into bankruptcy in 1990. The inventor's latest adventure, Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, specialists in voice recognition, is struggling in the wake of charges that its ex-treasurer booked false sales so that the company could show a profit when it went public, in 1993.
Brighton Music Hall
The former Harpers Ferry has spent the past few years as the intermediary step between Great Scott and the Paradise, booking national acts on the rise and local acts on the path to national stardom. The recent overhaul of the old club has yielded a room with great sightlines and gloriously clean sound, as well as a stage that affords fans—specifically, those who pay close enough attention to catch great performers before they "blow up"—a modicum of intimacy. 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, crossroadspresents.com/brighton-music-hall.
Skinner Discovery Auctions
Fancy antiques, but can't stomach the usual price tags? The once-a-month Skinner Discovery auctions offer estate furnishings, jewelry, books, art, and objets d'art that aren't quite high-end enough for the company's specialty auctions. The large, varied lots promise any level of buyer the thrill of bidding and winning. 274 Cedar Hill St., Marlborough, MA 1752, skinnerinc.com.
Tiles Plus More
This below-the-radar, no-frills showroom is a staple for designers, but it’s also a haven for indecisive homeowners who want new tile and need it fast. The sheer number of options — which include marble, geometric glass, and arabesque ceramics — might seem overwhelming, but it’s easy to book an appointment with a design consultant who knows exactly where to find that mystery mosaic. 309 Worcester St., Natick, MA 1760, tilesplusmore.com.
Four Seasons
If your idea of the ultimate staycation involves in-room make-your-own martini bars or "glamping" tents for the kids, book a room at the Four Seasons. Fresh off a recent full renovation but with the same VIP service—including a program that allows you to text your needs directly to the staff—there’s nothing this luxe hotel won’t do to make you feel comfortable. 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, fourseasons.com.
Brookline Booksmith
A great bookstore does more than bring you the latest blockbuster—it promises to surprise you. And so it is with the eclectic readings staged at Brookline Booksmith. From eye-opening appearances by authors such as sci-fi icon Neal Stephenson and former Teen Vogue editor in chief Elaine Welteroth to horizon-expanding initiatives like the Transnational Literature Series (which focuses on books about migration, displacement, and exile), the Booksmith offers a steady stream of programming that promises to keep your bedside table stocked. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA brooklinebooksmith.com.