Lynx Fitness Club
Opened in the old David Barton gym space this past January, Lynx is a club in the truest sense of the word, with memberships capped to avoid overcrowding. That means less time waiting for a machine (including three Peloton bikes) and more time to lounge in the men’s sauna, stretch out in the large turf area, and practice your putting in New England’s only Topgolf Swing Suite. If ever you needed motivation to get moving, you’ll find it here. 64 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116, lynxfitnessclub.com.
B/spoke
If you don’t like to sweat, B/spoke’s cycling classes are not for you. Those who relish getting drenched in the name of a good, clean workout, however, will appreciate this studio’s state-of-the-art bikes, pump-you-up tracks, and peppy instructors, who use hand weights and core work to target more than just the legs in heart-pounding sessions. Amp up your experience with B/spoke’s "hot" ride, a hilly adventure in sizzling temps, and feel the burn. 101 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, bspokestudios.com.
Ari Neuman, Sway Aveda Spa
If you’re paying someone to pour hot wax on a (ahem) sensitive body part, wouldn’t it be great if that person had medical experience in addition to beauty expertise? Ari Neuman not only knows a ton about skin care, but she also used to work as a surgical assistant in the OBGYN department at Beth Israel—she has the bedside manner and attention to detail of a medical professional, too, making a typically awkward experience more bearable and—dare we say?—almost relaxing. 485 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, swayspa.com.
Brian Mercury, Oak + Rowan
Since earning this accolade four years ago, Mercury has somehow managed to up his game even further in his current role at Oak + Rowan. His beguiling confections are at once adventurous and familiar (see: the Twix-inspired sweet with chocolate cremeux, whey caramel, and a bright-green pool of EVOO). And Mercury’s deft touch extends far beyond the dessert menu, from his outstanding sourdough bread to the irresistible pastry cart at brunch. 321 A St., Boston, MA 02210, oakandrowan.com.
Moona
The flavors of the Arabic pantry shine in the vibrant dishes sent out of chef de cuisine Rory Lee’s small open kitchen, from the fatteh with yogurt, dill, and shiitake mushrooms to the shareable, deeply charred grilled fish shingled with sweet lemons and swimming in peppery harissa. One of the best parts of a meal here, however, doesn’t cost a penny: the za’atar bread with sweet orange-blossom butter that comes compliments of the house. 243 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139, moonarestaurant.com.
Formaggio Kitchen
Milky, stinky, pungent, sharp—it’s all here for the tasting. From black-truffle-studded Piedmontese Robiola to the funkiest of Vermont blues, Formaggio has been slicing up an unrivaled selection of artisanal cheese in Cambridge for the past 40 years. Patient staffers never balk at sample requests, and owners Ihsan and Valerie Gurdal also offer plenty of opportunities to geek out on curds and whey, including tours of the basement aging cave, themed classes, and monthly samplers. Multiple locations. 244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138, formaggiokitchen.com.
Schumacher
With past clients including Edith Wharton and collaborators ranging from Saul Steinberg to Frank Lloyd Wright, Schumacher’s reach travels far beyond simple home design. Whether you’re searching for a sleek geometric pattern or classic herringbone to cover your walls, you can shop easy knowing you’re alongside the arbiters of taste. Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place, Ste. 529, Boston, MA 02210, fschumacher.com.
Neena’s Lighting
The illuminated storefront at Neena’s flagship store on Boylston Street beckons patrons with a covetable selection of Tech Lighting chandeliers, Louis Poulsen pendants, and Artemide lamps. The highly trained staff not only will help you choose among contemporary, transitional, and classic styles, they’ll also advise on which fixtures will look the best in your home. 380 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, neenaslighting.com.
Island Kitchen
A year-round locals’ favorite, Island Kitchen expanded in 2017, adding a patio bar and a counter serving house-made ice cream and doughnuts in varieties such as maple bacon and Mexican chocolate. But you may have to forgo the sweet stuff after feasting on chef-owner Patrick Ridge’s inspired breakfast and brunch fare: panko-crusted eggs Benedict, apple-bacon-blue-cheese omelets, turkey hash, and fine finnan haddie, preferably washed down by mimosas made with always-fresh-squeezed OJ. One Chin’s Way, Nantucket, MA 02554, nantucketislandkitchen.com.
The Beach Plum Inn
Secreted in the hills of Menemsha overlooking Vineyard Sound, the Beach Plum—and its satellite cottages and houses—is a cozy little sanctum that epitomizes the absolute best parts of the Vineyard in the summer. It offers tennis courts, bike rentals, kayaks, and passes to exclusive Lucy Vincent Beach, but also low-key perks like being able to gather eggs from the inn’s chickens in the morning. Throw in one of the finest restaurants on the island, and you have a recipe for the ideal under-the-radar getaway. 50 Beach Plum Ln., Menemsha, MA 02535, beachpluminn.com.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
The hardest part of a vacation is making sure everyone has a good time. At Ocean Edge, however, that’s never a problem. Looking to work up a sweat? Swing a club or paddle a kayak. Need to entertain the kiddos? Keep ’em busy with kite-making and scavenger hunts. Longing for some time all to yourself? Lounge on the private beach or check into the spa. No matter how you spend your trip, you’ll want to find time at sunset to roast s’mores ’round the beach fire. 2907 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631, oceanedge.com.
Puppet Showplace Theater
This Brookline institution is known for its top-notch puppetry shows in all different traditions, served up with sightlines designed for the little ones. But did you know you can also have the puppets take the stage just for your munchkins? Schedule a private performance or a workshop to give the kiddos an inside look at what happens behind the backdrop, or simply block seats at a regular showing. Then take over the lobby to blow out the candles on the most memorable of celebrations. 32 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445, puppetshowplace.org.
Scullers
It may be housed in the DoubleTree hotel next to a highway overpass, but once you enter this cozy cabaret-style venue of just 200 seats, you might as well have been teleported to a chic lounge in the French Quarter. Get up close and personal with the genre’s leading artists—Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Chick Corea—or spot the jazz world’s next big thing: Scullers is dedicated to hosting next-gen musicians from local schools. 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston , MA 02134, scullersjazz.com.
Sacco’s Bowl Haven
The pizza may be organic and the beers local at this historical candlepin bowling alley, which was taken over by the Flatbread Company in 2010, but the vibe is old-school Somerville at its finest. In fact, there isn’t another bowling alley around with this much soul, even in a state full of them. Will it take a while to get your turn at a lane? You bet. But noshing on a crispy-chewy flatbread with homemade sausage and caramelized onions while crushing a Jack’s Abby lager hardly feels like waiting at all. 45 Day St., Somerville, MA 02144, flatbreadcompany.com/sacco.
Copley Society of Art
A nurturing home for local art students and established professionals alike since its founding in 1879, this Newbury Street gallery/nonprofit displays works ranging from the fiercely abstract to the traditionally pictorial. Best of all, it’s always refreshingly accessible, never more so than during the Holiday Small Works show, where you can snag an original—and affordable—masterpiece for the art lover in your life.. 158 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, copleysociety.org.