Dena Raptis, The Frills Aerobic Factory
Dena Raptis's hard-drivin', hip-hoppin' cardio-pump and hot-fun classes pack them into a no-frills cavernous studio. You'll finish her workouts feeling like you just starred in a Janet Jackson video. 624 Somerville Ave., Somerville, MA .
Von Henneberg Millinery Accessories
From her Back Bay studio, Gabrielle von Henneberg creates chapeaux to crave. Spring styles feature lots of straw, while fall goes felt. But it's the fur hats that really make us drool. 184 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA .
Ann Brown Allen
This gifted member of the Dance Collective has guested with numerous local companies and brought the house down on several occasions—most notably during her solo performance this past spring at the Joy of Movement Studio Theater.
Workout Plus
For $299 a year, you get an enormous weight room, a cavernous aerobics studio, and a comprehensive cardiovascular area. A great place to stretch yourself and your dollar. 618 Washington Street, Dedham, MA .
Bow Market
The steady stream of folks coming, going, and hanging at this outdoor haven isn’t an accident: It’s because there is truly something here for everyone—from trendy street-level cafés and indie boutiques to a brewery, a comedy studio, and an art gallery. Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA bowmarketsomerville.com.
Joanne Langione Dance Center
A star among dance schools for four decades, Joanne Langione raised the bar even higher last year by opening a 10,000-square-foot facility complete with four modern studios. Many alums have gone on to careers in professional dance companies. 38 Border St., Newton, MA 02465, jldancecenter.com.
Neil Morris Fragrances
Having had way too many perfume bottles misted in our direction over the years, we relish fragrance designer Neil Morris's sanctuary of a studio, the very antithesis of department-store counters. Choose from his signature collection, or relax while he blends a custom scent based on your favorite memories. 221 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA neilmorrisfragrances.com.
Boston Frame
Greg Mencoff custom mills every frame in his South End studio. The low rent keeps prices down, much to the happiness of local artists, sculptors (who love Mencoff's expertise in Plexiglas and wood construction), interior designers, and the Museum of Fine Arts. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA .
Ceremony
Owner Alix Childs offers modern brides funky alternatives to the white-meringue gown. In her sun-drenched Beacon Hill studio, she proffers hard-to-find frocks from fashionable faves like Lela Rose and Temperley London. Our eyes are on a handpainted watercolor bridal gown. Now that's a statement. 53 River St., Boston, MA 02114, ceremony-boston.com.
The Boston Children's Museum
iStockphoto Why choose a theme for your child's birthday party when she can have it all? Bashes at the Boston Children's Museum come with daylong admission, so guests can have a ball in the art studio, the land of the dinosaurs, and everywhere in between. 308 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, bostonchildrensmuseum.org.
Dropkick Murphys
Okay, a crushingly obvious choice. But consider that the Dropkick Murphys were able to get Bruce Springsteen on their first new studio album in four years—a kickass, heartfelt record that hit number six on the Billboard Hot 200. And now they're headlining at Fenway next month. dropkickmurphys.com.
Inviting Company
Dressed up with rich linings, ribbons, and custom monograms, owner Lynne Johnson's smart pocketfold designs are at once substantially complex and stylishly organized. She's also an expert calligrapher, which makes her Back Bay studio a true one-stop shop. 213 Newbury St., Boston, MA invitingcompany.com.
Barry’s Bootcamp
Photo by Jamie Ducharme This is the most intense workout we’ve unearthed. The only sound louder than the whir of treadmills was our panting as we sprinted on a 12 percent incline for one minute straight. Barry’s will leave you sweating, shaking, and planning your next masochistic workout. 30 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 02111, barrysbootcamp.com.
Brookline Arts Center
Brookline Arts Center remains one of the most forward-thinking schools around. Popular offerings include comic-book classes for grade schoolers, a jewelry course for teens, and anything taught by engaging studio coordinator Léonie Little-Lex. Before and during longer classes, kids can shake their sillies on the adjacent playground. 86 Monmouth St., Brookline, MA 02446, brooklineartscenter.com.
Ceremony
In a town bursting with wedding talent, few pros come as highly recommended by their peers as bridal stylist Alix Childs. Bright and airy with lofted ceilings, her studio is the perfect complement to an anything but ordinary selection of gowns, many sourced from talented fringe designers such as Sarah Seven and newcomer Alexandra Grecco. 53 River St., Boston, MA 02114, ceremony-boston.com.