East Arlington
Not far from the Cambridge line and the Minuteman Bikeway, this bustling strip is perfect for a shopping and dining pit stop.
1. ARTFUL TOUCH If you always like to have reading material with you, consider picking up a book-shaped pendant that actually contains original short stories. It's for sale at Maxima Gift, together with wind chimes, vases, expensive but unique wall clocks, teapots, and toys. Many items are made by local artists. (212 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-646-6835, www.maximacenter.com)
2. PIPING HOT Stop for a quick carbohydrate fill at Quebrada Baking Co. Its bakers whip up scones, cookies, muffins, cakes, and bread. Flavored coffees are also available. (208 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-648-0700, www.quebradabakingco.com)
3. SAVED SCREEN The Capitol Theatre is a neighborhood movie house dating from the 1920s. At decent prices, its six screens show mainstream movies that just ended their runs in the big theaters, plus a sprinkling of art films. (204 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-648-6022)
4. PUNCH LINES Whimsy is a valuable commodity at Monroe Salt Works. There you'll find slide whistles, bar glasses decorated with 1950s pinup girls, a tiny motorcycle made of beer cans, a carrot peeler that looks like a carrot, and a 1936 book, How to Make Love. Pottery is plentiful, too. (202 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-646-6699, www.monroesaltworks.com)
5. BANKABLE MEAL Sit down to a terrific dinner at Flora, a restaurant in a charming old bank building. On the menu are items like crisp fried squid, roasted-garlic flan, and duck breast with chestnut-ricotta ravioli. Much of the produce served there is locally grown. (190 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-641-1664, www.florarestaurant.com)
