A Perfect Weekend In (Greater) Boston

The “Hub of the Universe” more than lives up to the billing.

Like any first-class city should, Boston packs many different identities. History and art, fine dining and upscale shopping. It’s the home of good brews and museums, tech startups and thousands of college students. And hey, Beantown also has some wicked good sports teams. Head to Symphony Hall, carry your senses to Faneuil Hall, or bring your walking shoes and your appetite to the Italian North End or Chinatown. Can you get the full Boston experience in one weekend? Probably not. But that’s okay. It just means you’ll have to make a return visit.

WHAT TO DO

The Nutcracker Ballet If you’re in Boston and it’s December, seeing the Boston Ballet’s “Nutcracker” at the Boston Opera House is a must. For decades the dance company’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1891 classic has catered to young and old with a story and performance that features the spectacle of soaring Christmas trees, battling mice, fragile snowflakes, and an impossible romance between a young girl and a Nutcracker. It has inspired fresh faces to become dancers and older ones to remember the magic and joy of the season. This year’s season runs November 27-December 31. 539 Washington St. 617-695-6955; bostonballet.org/nutcracker

The Museum of Science, Boston A rite of passage for generations of children, the museum recently introduced an immersive 4-D movie hall that simulates sensory effects like rain, snow, and earthquakes. There are films for adventurers, like Planet Earth: Shallow Seas, plus kid-friendly flicks like Happy Feet. (Sorry, no Frozen yet.) 1 Science Park. 617-723-2500; mos.org

Captain Jackson’s Colonial Chocolate Shop at Old North Church, Boston In Colonial times, pure chocolate was a drinkable delicacy, and Captain Jackson made the best at his chocolate mill on Clark’s Wharf. Today, employees in period dress help visitors make their own chocolate concoctions within Old North Church. Customize your spice blend; then grind it up with a metate. 306 Northern Ave. 617-523-4848; oldnorth.com/captainjackson

The Sinclair, Cambridge At the epicenter of Harvard Square’s live-music renaissance, The Sinclair draws indie and mainstream acts to its concert hall, lined with subway tiles recalling the channels of a cleaner Manhattan. There’s a superb restaurant next door, with mind-blowing cocktails (try the rye-riddled “Big Sky”) and “disco” tots studded with chorizo. 52 Church St. 617-547-5200; sinclaircambridge.com

Harpoon Brewery, Boston Don’t let the warehouse exterior fool you: Harpoon expanded its visitor center and beer hall in 2013, making it a hive for beer lovers. Sip an exclusive pilot brew, and soak it up with house-made pretzels dunked in beer-infused sauces. View’s not bad either: Windows overlook downtown Boston and the harbor. 306 Northern Ave. 617-456-2322; harpoonbrewery.com

Make Way For Ducklings Store, Boston The classic children’s book has its very own shop, run by Adam and Jamie Hirsch, the duo behind Harvard Square’s Curious George store. Find children’s books by hometown authors, plush storybook characters, and literary-themed kids’ clothes—particularly those with duckling motifs. 8 North Market Building, Faneuil Hall. 617-573-9888; makewayforducklings.com

WHERE TO EAT

Picco, Boston All the pies at this South End stalwart are terrific, but we’d argue that the best pizza of all is Picco’s “Alsatian” pie, which tops a crisp and pillowy long-fermented crust with caramelized onions, crème fraîche, bacon, and Gruyère. No, this isn’t health food, but a small pizza for two ($14.50) is so good, it leaves your stomach satisfied and your dignity intact. 513 Tremont St. 617-927-0066; piccorestaurant.com

Kirkland Tap & Trotter, Somerville At his fine-dining restaurant, Craigie on Main, Tony Maws earned a cult following for a grass-fed beef burger, served only at the bar, made from three different cuts of locally sourced meat. At Kirkland, his more-casual tavern, the burger ($16) has the same deeply flavored, perfectly cooked beef with updated accents: Emmental cheese and a zingy kimchi Russian dressing. Even the bun and ketchup are homemade. 425 Washington St., 857-259-6585; kirklandtapandtrotter.com

Uni Sashimi Bar, Boston A caveat: This is not your go-to place for spicy tuna takeout. But if you’re interested in sushi as real cuisine, Ken Oringer’s small eatery in the lower level of the Eliot Hotel pairs exquisite fish (and pork belly, and foie gras …) with an international palette of flavors. That means Maine lobster tempura with Singapore black-pepper chili sauce ($20), sea urchin with quail eggs and caviar ($16), and Little Rhody fluke with pomegranate, curry, and raita ($18). There’s also late-night ramen Fridays and Saturdays after 11:00. 370 Commonwealth Ave. 617- 536-7200;unisashimibar.com

Straight Law, Brookline This gin joint is tucked inside Brookline’s exceptional and cozy tapas parlor, Taberna de Haro. Some of Boston’s finest mixologists helm the bar, and gin cocktails hover around $8. Tapas are $4, and bocatas—fresh baguettes tucked with meats, cheeses, or pâté—are $5.50 after 10:00 p.m. 999 Beacon St., 617-277-8272; tabernaboston.com

WHERE TO STAY

The Boxer, Boston The exterior mimics New York’s Flatiron building; thanks to the triangular shape, many rooms have panoramic views. The hotel has native touches; mini-fridges are stocked with local treats such as Cape Cod chips. The hotel’s restaurant, Finch, serves Boston staples. Pets welcome. Fitness center on property and in-room dining. Rates: from $199. 107 Merrimac St. 617-624-0202; theboxerboston.com

The Verb Hotel, Boston This kitschy lair was once the Fenway Motor Lodge, and it has retained a nostalgic, only-in-Boston vibe. Local rock memorabilia line the walls, and the staff is quick with helpful insider suggestions on what to see and do. The house restaurant, Japanese pub Hojoko, serves sushi, tempura, and grilled meats; a heated outdoor pool lends an indulgent touch. Rates: from $250. 1271 Boylston St. 855-695-6678; theverbhotel.com

The Colonnade, Boston Here you’ll find Boston’s only rooftop pool, where a 2014 makeover resulted in cabanas and a full bar. Upscale French restaurant Brasserie Jo is a year-round treat; so are the rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows, offering lovely city panoramas. The site is unbeatable: You’re centrally located among Back Bay, the South End, Copley Square, and several museums. Rates: from $399. 120 Huntington Ave. 617-424-7000; colonnadehotel.com

The Charles Hotel, Cambridge This regal Harvard Square hideaway has two superb restaurants (Henrietta’s Table and Rialto), a spa that incorporates herbs from the hotel’s garden, a lap pool with children’s hours, Regattabar, a beloved jazz club, and even care packages for traveling pets. In the winter, there’s a skating rink. Rates: from $259. 1 Bennett St. 617-864-1200; charleshotel.com

Mary Prentiss Inn, Cambridge This Neoclassical lodging within walking distance of Porter and Harvard squares blends historic charm (high tea) with modern niceties (free parking, wireless). A hot breakfast is served every morning with local specialties like banana–nut waffles and Vermont maple syrup. Try to reserve Room 9, which boasts a wood-burning fireplace. Rates: from $129. 6 Prentiss St. 617-661-2929; maryprentissinn.com