Lifestyle

A few weeks ago, I helped with my granddaughter’s nighttime routine. It always starts the same way: she selects four books from her impressive library, hops in my lap and follows my narration.

Boston may not join the ranks of Milan or Paris as a fashion capital of the world any time soon,…

The Patriots football season officially begins Sept. 8 when they take on the Steelers at 8:20 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. This means fall is upon us and it’s time to step up your tailgate game. Here are our best tips.

Group exercise has many benefits – professional guidance, peer accountability and a distraction-free hour or so spent away from your phone. Unfortunately, it also tends to be expensive. Get the benefits without breaking the bank with these complimentary classes.

Like humans, a healthy lifestyle is a critical component of pet health and a key to longevity. Tips to keep your pet healthy:

I love some history with my dose of Southern hospitality, and these three inns deliver.

When I think of stand-up paddleboarding, I recall the time I gingerly paddled in a circle in a tiny lake alcove one summer, terrified of falling in.

Picture this: lounging with friends, Aperol spritz in hand, soaking up some rays amid vibrant summer blooms. You don’t have to fly 4,000 miles to Italy to make this a reality – just Uber to Boylston Street.

Beginning July 17 through Aug. 4, enjoy complimentary performances of Shakespeare’s dramedy “Cymbeline” at Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common as part of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s 24th season of Shakespeare on the Common.

Art lovers of Boston will have a new contemporary art museum to patron beginning February 2020. The best part of visiting the newly renovated 15,000-square-foot space? It costs nothing.

In this day and age, one thing is clear: We’re surrounded by plastic. While recycling can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills and waterways, there are many other options for making the switch to more sustainable items and reducing plastic use in your life.

I hadn’t seen a $2 bill for years when I noticed schoolmate Rip Black tipping with them. Having loved them since attending its 1976 re-introduction, I adopted Rip’s paean to Mr. Jefferson, tipping with them since. I gave one to an Uber driver recently – he stared at it, announcing, “This one’s going in the wallet!”

If you’re tired of giving people the same old birthday, graduation or wedding gift (hello gift cards, journals and potholders) – we have an idea to shake things up: handmade paper roses.

Guy Fieri is riding into Beantown … and not to film an episode of “DDD” at one of Boston’s haunts. He’s opening his own 185-seat tequila-themed restaurant.

The epitome of patriotism: watching fireworks spark on the Fourth of July in Massachusetts – especially given the Revolutionary War was sparked here some 244 years ago. Here’s where we recommend watching the iconic Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (that aren’t Charles River Esplanade).

You don’t have to fall down a rabbit hole to enjoy whimsical tea Alice in Wonderland-style, just visit the newly opened Alice in the Village at Patriot Place.

It’s never too early to plan for pizza. The third annual Boston Pizza Festival returns July 13-14 this year at Boston’s City Hall Plaza.

Gargantuan roommates Ruth and Emily received five new toys earlier this month from Massachusetts College of Art and Design students as part of an annual program offered at the school. The gifts presented to the Asian elephants living at Buttonwood Park Zoo are as enriching as they are fun.

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the banks of the Charles River each year. The oldest of its kind in North America, it began in 1979 as a small neighborhood event commemorating the death of Chinese poet and politician Qu Yuan. It now draws over 20,000 people.

Lately, safety concerns related to ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft have increased. These apps offer so much convenience, but they also demand extra responsibilities. Remember these safety tips:

While you may think of camping sites, lodges and cabins for park accommodations, some offer lodging a bit more out-of-the box. We recently stayed in a 1970s barrel cabin in Unicoi State Park in North Georgia, so named because it’s shaped like a giant barrel.

Many in our society are focusing on making their lives greener. But for some, the concept seems so vast that it’s hard to understand the lingo.

For three years, I’ve written the same words on Airbnb’s reservation field that says “tell your host why you’re in town.”

Dubbed “the most Instagrammable pop-up in America,” Happy Place will keep Bostonians smiling at 500 Boylston St. through June 2.

You can soon “seas” the opportunity to eat (and take plenty Instagram photos of) fish-shaped ice cream right here in Boston.

Learn traditional Greek dancing, watch a theater rehearsal, become a TEDx Talk master and paint like Monet. Sounds like a solid bucket list, but these are actually activities previously offered during ArtWeek, a 10-day festival featuring unique artistic experiences in Massachusetts.

Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) co-founder Paul Domb presented neuroscientist Dr. Ed Boyden with an abstract brain sculpture April 3 to honor his support in advancing a cure for Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) – a debilitating neurological condition that causes people to see the world through an overlay of tiny, snow-like dots with no relief.

We can’t wait for rooftop drinking this spring. Grab your favorite shades and visit one of our top picks:

It’s thawing outside, which means it’s time to lace up your sneakers and get to jogging, walking or racket swinging – whatever suits your style.

About 50% of patients with chronic conditions sometimes fail to take their medication as prescribed. This can lead to higher rates of hospital admissions, poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.