Chris Donovan
Courtesy photo of shoe What’s the definition of power? A pair of killer heels, that’s what. Chris Donovan knows this. It’s why the former telephone repairman used to spend his off-hours sketching superhero footwear, and why he ultimately became a shoe designer. Now Donovan enlists talented artisans from Morocco to France to make his designs by hand. We’re particularly fond of the “Alpha” ankle boots, with heels sculpted like Batman’s Bata-rang, and bright orange “Endeavor” sandals. chrisdonovanfootwear.com.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club
Going places is fun. Whiling away the hours at Logan is not. Unless, that is, you’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve card member, a Priority Pass member, or you snag one of the limited day passes available to enjoy the Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club. Be warned: Once you’ve tried the massage chairs, meals from Boston chef Douglass Williams (of Mida fame), and gourmet coffee, local craft beer, and artisanal cocktails, you might start coming to the airport extra early. 200 Terminal Dr., Boston, MA, 02128, account.chase.com/sapphire-airport-lounge.
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Waterfront settings make for extra-special photo ops, so OceanEdge has a lot going for it right out of the gate. Aside from its indoor ballrooms, the venue provides couples with a variety of eye catching alternatives, including beach ceremonies; garden-style wedding receptions at the poolside Bay Pines Pavilion; tented occasions on the mansion’s lush front lawn; and sunset cocktail hours on the serene Ocean Terrace, overlooking — you guessed it — the cerulean sea. 2907 Main St., Brewster , MA 02631, oceanedgeresort.com.
The Liberty Hotel
Courtesy photo Situated at the base of Beacon Hill, the Liberty Hotel is a former jail — but don’t let its criminal past scare you off. Romance is perennially in the air in the Yard, an inviting outdoor ceremony spot featuring alluring lights, plenty of greenery, and intimate vibes. The Liberty Bar in the hotel’s rotunda serves as a stylish spot for cocktail hour, while Lydia Shire’s on-site restaurant, Scampo, offers a 50-seat private dining room for foodie couples. 215 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, libertyhotel.com.
Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill
Come October 31, this lively street buzzes with friendly competition as each brownstone decks out its front stoop in spooky décor, creating a spellbinding vibe that’s absolutely infectious. Making for an even more festive Halloween experience? The well-lit thoroughfare closes to traffic during peak trick-or-treating hours — and residents are known to give out full-size candy bars. Boston, MA 02108,
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Whether an intimate affair for a few dozen revelers or a soiree with a few hundred, the JFK Library and Museum’s sun-filled Pavilion is a blank slate for the most elegant of ceremonies and cocktail hours. And no wonder: Its nine stories of soaring glass walls highlighting panoramic ocean views is the work of the iconic architect I.M. Pei. After the vows, guests can head over to the reception steps away in the equally-as-impressive Smith Hall. Now that sounds like a wedding for the history books. Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125, jfklibrary.org.
Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms has been around almost as long as the Pilgrims. Seriously: Founded in 1638, it’s one of the oldest family-operated farms in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s stale. The 1,000-acre Trustees of Reservations property now offers a staggering array of kid-approved programming in all seasons, from petting farm animals to barnyard story hours to cross-country skiing. Though with picturesque grounds like these, even popping in to grab fresh veggies at the farm stand can be a fun adventure. 219 County Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938, thetrustees.org/place/appleton-farms.
Little Carmen's
When you need fortification before hitting Hingham's Derby Street Shoppes, slip into Little Carmen's. The wee strip-mall café in Norwell serves a knock-out medley of American and Mexican dishes, from chilaquiles topped with slow-roasted pork to chili rellenos wrapped in a light-as-air omelet. Best of all? You'll be in and out in under an hour, so you can get to shopping. Savvy neighborhood folks know about it, and you should, too. 43 Washington St., Norwell, MA 2061, littlecarmens.com.
Boston Common Band
Hire Boston Common Band, and they’ll treat you to a private concert. Watch as the lighting crew heightens the energy in the room with orange and red fixtures, and while the sound team keeps the music playing with state-of-the-art technology—all in the name of ensuring the eight-member group can focus solely on their music. Able to belt out anything from Adele to Queen, the band can even work with hometown hero Keytar Bear—available by request for cocktail hour—to start the evening on a high note. 290 Needham St., Dedham, Massachusetts 02026, bostoncommonband.com.
Brant Point Grill
Photo by Elizabeth Cecil We firmly believe that enjoying oysters and clams on the half shell from this elaborate buffet at the White Elephant resort is the only good way to spend a Sunday on island. Decadent desserts (served in miniature sizes for plentiful sampling, natch) and a hefty quarter-pound-lobster-laden bloody mary keep even the busiest of gogetters anchored to their chair for hours to enjoy that one-of-a-kind view of sailboats bobbing on their moorings and ferries gliding in and out of the harbor. White Elephant Hotel, 50 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining/brant-point-grill.
Pain d'Avignon
This may be Hyannis, not Honfleur, but for a few hours at least, you can pretend you’ve teleported to France’s shoreline with a late-morning meal at this boulangerie/bistro, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year. Here, les oeufs are served every which way; crêpes get spiked with Grand Marnier; and the French onion soup is an exemplar of the form. The pristine oysters, though? Those are Wellfleet, naturally. 15 Hinckley Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601, paindavignon.com.
Galleria Umberto
WHAT’S THE VIBE? A bare-bones old-school haunt, with cafeteria-like seating and lines that form before the pizza sells out — and it always does, within just a few midday hours. TASTING NOTES: Spongy, saucy, cheesy, and fresh-baked every morning, these $2 slices are an exemplar of the form. Ask for an especially toothsome corner piece, if you can. 289 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113, .
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
At this point, it’s no secret that the Mandarin is the place for a spa getaway (we could spend a whole night, in fact, in the plungepool-equipped relaxation area). But there are plenty of other ways this opulent hotel makes you feel well cared for during a stay here, from the thoughtful nightly turndown service in the surprisingly large rooms to the 24-hour room service from the buzzy Ramsay’s Kitchen downstairs. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com.
Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant
Lincoln Tavern's Fruity Pebbles pancakes with cereal milk anglais. / Photo by Joe St. Pierre, styling by Joy Howard The “chronic bacon” — salty slivers braised with maple and cider, served with crunchy cornflake-crusted French-toast bites and seasonal berries — satisfies sweets lovers and savory seekers alike at this Southie spot. The rest of the menu is also decadent, even by brunch standards: Find stacks of pancakes flecked with Fruity Pebbles and drizzled with cereal milk anglaise, not to mention ginormous coffee-rubbed brisket burritos. The breakfast pizzas and omelets draw crowds for hours-spanning, cocktail-fueled brunches that, thankfully, aren’t just relegated to the weekends. 425 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, lincolnsouthboston.com.
Dbar
Dorchester has become a hub for Boston's gay scene, with Dbar at the center of it all. From Showtunes Tuesdays to Magnum Saturdays (you'll have to see for yourself), there's always something happening at this Dot. Ave. hot spot. The Christopher Coombs-inspired menu and deftly crafted cocktail list are all the fuel you need to dance into the wee hours when the restaurant transitions into a nightclub. 1236 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02125, dbarboston.com.