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The giants of jazz frequently stop at this nautical-theme lounge in Cambridge’s Charles Hotel. Drinks may not be extraordinary but the talent is; recent visitors have included McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, and local favorite the Charlie Kolhase Quintet. Shows sell out quickly.

An old-fashioned boardwalk, lively crowds, and great Boston views. (see Revere Beach).

Established in 1896, Revere Beach was the first public beach in the US. Thanks to a centennial restoration, it’s also one of the best, with nearly 3 miles (4.5 km) of clean white sand and clear blue water.

Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tung are alive and well here. You can read up on Communism and purchase left-leaning T-shirts, posters, buttons, and stickers.

Spicy Caribbean cuisine, potent rum-based cocktails, and live reggae music make this one of Cambridge’s more spirited institutions. An ideal escape on frosty winter nights.

A perennial favorite among the restaurant press, Rialto’s list of accolades could stretch across the Charles. The kitchen performs deft twists on Mediterranean and French country cuisine (see Rialto).

Chef Jody Adams takes a luscious approach to Mediterranean cuisine, working magic with a simple basil cream soup, or using grilled tomatoes to give extra depth to her gazpacho. A green olive and balsamic vinegar sauce perfectly balances the unctuousness of her signature roasted marinated duck. The comfortable and soothing dining room is ideal for special occasions.

Summer in Somerville is epitomized by one thing: baseball at the playground. On most weeknights, you can watch youngsters take their swings.

The 1927 “original” Boston Ritz on the edge of the Common had a thorough restoration in 2002 to revive its old-fashioned glory. This grand dame epitomizes opulence, decorum, and “old Boston” style. The lobby bar is a legendary venue for literary coteries.

Post-modernism triumphs in this classy hotel on the upper levels of the Common’s tallest building. The rooms are the height of contemporary elegance. Another plus is that a fitness center and upscale cinema a few floors down are included in the price.