Sweat Fixx
Pat Piasecki What should you do if you miss pumping iron with your crew, but you’re still not ready to step foot inside a gym? Grab your yoga mat and some optional weights and head to Sweat Fixx for an outdoor fitness class, pronto. Offering al fresco strengthening sessions at its Southie location seven days per week, this woman-owned studio makes it (mostly) painless to squeeze in a low-impact workout filled with squats, biceps curls, planks, and more planks whenever the mood strikes. 323 Dorchester Ave., South Boston, MA 02127, sweatfixx.com.
Ten Percent Happier
Courtesy Photo If the thought of contorting your body into yoga sleep pose or sitting still for extended periods of time seems anything but relaxing, do yourself a favor and download Ten Percent Happier, the Boston-based spinoff of journalist Dan Harris’s self-help book. Dubbed a “meditation app for fidgety skeptics,” the program helps newbies and Zen masters alike regularly practice mindfulness with 500-plus guided sessions. And with plenty of shorter clips, it ensures you can get in the right headspace just about anywhere (really). tenpercent.com.
Julie Michaud, Prettyology
The perfect brows finish your face — so it’s a good thing this beauty expert, who’s worked with celebs and top models, knows how to transform even the wildest ones into full and natural arches with the flick of a tweezer. She also has an arsenal of special effects on hand to help the brow-challenged achieve their fullest potential, including customized tints and a keratin infusion for extra va-va voom. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, prettyology.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
Roger Davies Even if you’re not a gambler, odds are good you’ll have a memorable night at Massachusetts’ very own Vegas-style resort. How could you not, with a 19,000-square-foot mega-spa, nearly a dozen dining options, and a bumping nightclub from the Grand team right at your fingertips? And we haven’t even mentioned the luxe rooms and suites with voice-activated controls (keep the curtains closed until checkout time, please!). One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
The Whitney Hotel
James Baigrie From the outside, it’s a classic 1909-built brick Beacon Hill building. From the inside, it’s an ultra-chic, modern oasis with every comfort of home and then some. Enjoy plush amenities such as Frette robes and complimentary bikes for cruising around the Hill like you live there — and when hunger strikes, you won’t have to go far for top-notch fare: Peregrine, the lauded on-site restaurant from Joshua Lewin and Katrina Jazayeri, can bring an antipasto platter for two right to your room. 170 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, whitneyhotelboston.com.
Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast
Courtesy Photo Want to get away without actually going anywhere? Book a night aboard one of the Green Turtle’s floating guest rooms. Docked in Boston Harbor, the comfortable 45-foot yacht and houseboat lovingly tended to by proprietors Jon Dolence and Karen Maciejewski feel like they’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, even if you can still see the skyline while savoring breakfast and coffee from the dock. One Pier 8 13th St., Charlestown, MA 02129, greenturtlebb.com.
Glamsquad
It may feel safe to visit a salon now, but that doesn’t mean it’s always convenient. That’s why we’re grateful to have Glamsquad in our backyard: Serving busy beauty buffs throughout Boston since setting up shop here in 2018, the New York–based company’s services include top-notch blowouts, makeup application, and — as of summer 2020 — haircuts, all executed from the comfort of home. Book an appointment through the website or app for your next pampering sesh, and watch as a seasoned stylist deftly transforms your look in any indoor or outdoor location you choose. glamsquad.com.
George’s Shoe Repair
Cobbling is in George Triantafillidis’s blood, having spent his younger years working at his father’s shoe-repair shop in the Pru. Now at his own shop in the South End, Triantafillidis refinishes worn leather boots, fixes heels snapped on cobblestones, and replaces soles that have been completely worn through from long walks around the city — and he does it all with fast turnaround times and great prices. 120 Union Park St., Boston, MA 02118, .
Musical Instrument Service Center
If it’s good enough for the city’s budding musicians, it’s good enough for us. When Berklee College of Music students need their instruments repaired, they head across the street to this shop staffed by current or former performing musicians — most of whom have decades of experience troubleshooting and repairing guitars, amps, keyboards, and other types of audio gear to get you playing again in no time. 4 Haviland St., Boston, MA 02115, miscfix.com.
Shreve, Crump & Low
This fine jeweler, which celebrates its 225th anniversary this year, does more than just sell high-end wrist candy: You can also bring your favorite piece here and the master watchmakers will get it ticking again, whether it’s from the store or not. Head over to the Newbury Street flagship and see just how knowledgeable and gracious staffers are when it comes to your time and your timepiece. 39 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, shrevecrumpandlow.com.
Andrea Sealey, Boston Hairnista
Mona Miri The pandemic didn’t seem to put a damper on Sealey’s beloved Dorchester salon: In fact, the talented stylist recently launched her own online shopping portal, Hairnista Market, with same-day local delivery of her clients’ favorite products, and is booking up to six months out for services. Take a peek at her impressive work, which includes micro-link extensions, kinky twists, silk presses, and braids in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll understand why. 1690B Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, bostonhairnista.com.
Jessica Thornton, the Green Room
Pat Piasecki Okay, so you caved and bought boxed hair dye from the drugstore before you got the vax, and it didn’t go well. There’s no shame at Thornton’s exclusive one-chair salon — just unparalleled color correction and plenty of good vibes. Let her wave her magic wand (er, comb) and create exactly the look you’ve been dreaming of since quarantine ended — whether that’s a head full of rich, gorgeous highlights or just all-over color that makes you feel like you again. 40 River St., Boston, MA 02108, greenroomboston.com.
Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center
What kid doesn’t love learning about slugs, snails, raccoons, and opossums? Start your morning in the great outdoors at Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center, which offers hundreds of weekend classes on topics like these year-round. 500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan, MA 02126, massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center.
Museum of Science
Nicolaus Czarnecki Photography/Courtesy of Museum of Science The perfect fun summer day with the kiddos isn’t complete without standing in the shadows of a life-size T-Rex or a journey through space at the planetarium, all ready and waiting at the Museum of Science. One Science Park, Boston, MA 02114, mos.org.
Henry Bear’s Park
Don’t miss the area’s finest toy store, Henry Bear’s Park, where kids can rifle through an expertly curated selection of puzzles, craft kits, and stuffed animals. Multiple locations henrybear.com.
Bloom Couture Floral Studio
Flowers, at their essence, are really just plain fun. And no one has more fun with flowers than Suphoj Chancheaw, who infuses each of his arrangements with a sense of effervescence and a clear appreciation for sculpture. Whether you opt for next-day delivery on a custom or pre-designed arrangement or join a floral workshop led by the master himself, you’ll find it’s easy to transplant Chancheaw’s passion for blooms into your own life. 769 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, bloomcouturestudio.com.
Kara Lydon Nutrition
Go ahead and gobble up those cookies sans guilt: Registered dietitian nutritionist Kara Lydon encourages her clients to eschew fad diets in favor of intuitive eating, which means enjoying satisfying meals filled with carbs, proteins, and fats (and, yes, the occasional sweet treat) whenever hunger strikes. Not sure how to begin? Lydon’s blog (a.k.a. “the Foodie Dietician”) and e-book offer countless recipes so you can get a jump-start on your health before you even book an appointment. 399 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116, karalydon.com.
Tweed Barbers of Boston
Okay, so it’s not exactly old, but this 15-year-old South End favorite offers all the hallmarks of a classic barber experience and then some, from meticulously crafted fades to good old-fashioned hot-lather shaves. Distinguished but not stuffy (and completely lacking the sports-bro culture that permeates many other places), the shop boasts a roster of master barbers with a decade-plus of experience — so no matter which chair you hop in, you’ll know you’re in good hands. 1313 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118, tweedbarbers.com.
Chuck Bass, Pini Swissa Salon
There are two types of hairstylists in the world: listeners and dictators. Bass is very much the former, taking into account a client’s aspirations and lifestyle to craft the ideal look. That doesn’t mean there’s not a method to his precision cuts: The stylist also examines face proportions and hair type before getting to work, and is a big proponent of living with a new style for a few days, then making adjustments as needed. No wonder so many local notables — including TV anchors — count on him to maintain their magnificent manes. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, chuckbass.com.
The Wellness Floor at One Dalton
If the makeshift desk setup in the corner of your bedroom didn’t destroy your neck and back this year, the stress of the pandemic likely did. Not to worry: The Four Seasons One Dalton’s spa has the post-pandemic massage you’ve been patiently waiting for. Like a homing device, the talented therapists’ hands zero in on every knot and trouble spot without needing direction, ensuring you walk out the door feeling looser and more relaxed than you have in a very long time. One Dalton St., Boston, MA 02115, fourseasons.com/onedalton/spa.
TrillFit
Whether you’re a hip-hop newbie or consider your dance skills to be on par with Megan Thee Stallion’s, TrillFit welcomes everyone to join its squad. Led by Heather White, the boutique fitness studio has managed to create a community through its virtual “workout parties,” which range from sweaty sculpting classes to more-restorative sessions that incorporate slow-flow yoga and meditation. And who knows? When you do decide to return to in-person classes, you might just impress your pals with those dance moves you’ve been perfecting in your living room. 1484 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02120, trill.fit.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Slippers on, phone off, Zen ahead: Simply arriving at Boston’s grand dame of day spas is a treat for the soul. And once you’re checked in, your massage, body scrub, or facial is just the beginning: The facility’s peaceful thermal amenities, including a warm plunge pool and quartz-crystal steam room, are more than worth carving out a little extra time for. Still craving a few more hours (ahem, days) of pampering? Settle in for one of the hotel’s new three- or five-night wellness retreats with luxuries such as butlered bath service, yoga, daily organic meals, and, of course, plenty of spa time. 776 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, mandarinoriental.com/boston/back-bay/luxury-hotel.
Leonard Hair Transplant Associates
The stunning before-and-after photos (not to mention testimonials from current and former pro athletes) say it all: These guys know how to bring hair back to life. Doctors Robert Leonard and Matthew Lopresti offer a range of options for the follicularly challenged, including hair transplant surgery (which they say is less painful than a visit to the dentist) and noninvasive treatments. Whatever you choose, one thing’s for certain: You’ll never cover up with a hat again. Multiple locations. hairdr.com.
Gina Hernandez, G2O Spa + Salon
Skin, meet savior. This industry vet’s rendition of G2O’s “Age Defying Facial” — which includes a double-deep exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, and acupressure, followed by a highly potent biocellulose face mask — is so popular, in-the-know clients often book weeks and weeks in advance. That’s because Hernandez’s gentle hands put pressure in all the right places, reducing puffiness and helping your skin look its glowiest. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA 02116, g2ospasalon.com.
Laurel Wellness
Chakras out of whack? Crick in your back? Can’t seem to focus? Laura Corrigan is on the case. Offering appointments on Mondays at Ardan Medspa + Salon in Wellesley and the rest of the week from her home office in Newton, the well-trained healer is adept in a range of wellness modalities, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reiki, and energy work. Whatever cocktail of services she cooks up, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed — and wondering why you didn’t start seeing her sooner. laurelwellness.com.