October 2025 Issue
New England Travel Awards: 30 Escapes for Right Now
From reader nominations across New England, our travel experts selected the region’s top festivals, ski mountains, and luxury resorts. The results: your definitive guide to where to go next.
Feature
Squeezed to Death: Inside Boston’s Sandwich Generation Crisis
They’re trapped between young children with big needs and aging parents in decline, bleeding money at both ends. When did “having it all” turn into “doing it all?” A special report on the hidden crisis overwhelming middle-aged Boston.
How to Win Friends and Lose Millions
Aaron Sells has spent two decades charming Boston’s high rollers, cleaning up their messes, and keeping their secrets. He’s also been ordered to pay more than a million dollars in civil judgments while allegedly hiding assets and intimidating former partners. Meet the man who makes problems disappear—except his own.
Department
I’m 57 and I’ve Never Had a Cast. This Is My Midlife Crisis.
After five decades of avoiding ground balls, ladders, and difficult conversations, one man decides it’s time to get out of his comfort zone—starting with a 10-foot climb and working his way up.
Is Massachusetts’ Estate Tax Driving Away Its Wealthiest Residents?
You don’t have to be Uncle Pennybags to get whacked. The estate tax is so brutal that some moneyed locals would rather die almost anywhere else—and their exodus will make it worse for everyone.
Moderna cofounder Noubar Afeyan Is Afraid of Everything—And That’s (Part of) His Genius
The Armenian immigrant and Flagship Pioneering visionary talks vaccines, immigration, and the future of AI.
Fashion + Style
“Can We All Just Agree That Kale Belongs in a Wood-Chipper?”
Our intrepid society columnist reports from Boston’s swankiest affairs, including the Opening Night of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s As You Like It.
Five Luxe Boston-Area Handbag Designers to Check Out
Ditch the logo-heavy designer totes in favor of a purse lovingly crafted in your own backyard.
Is Padel the Pickleball It’s OK for Tennis People to Like?
The fast-paced tennis-meets-squash sport is exploding across the United States—and Boston’s getting in on the action.
A New England Traveler’s Guide to Abu Dhabi
This dazzling desert destination on the Persian Gulf coast promises an unforgettable trip.
Home Design
So, You Want to Live in Needham?
With green space galore and a buzzing town center, this family-centric commuter’s paradise is a mere 18 miles from Boston but feels worlds away.
Real Estate Showdown: A 19th-Century City Townhouse vs. a Suburban Estate
This month, we look at a sizable Charlestown single-family steps from Monument Square and a Lincoln manse set on nearly 2 acres.
Beacon
31 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Greater Boston, From Mildly Spooky to Absolutely Terrifying
Want legit scares or wholesome fall fun? Skip the basic pumpkin patches for these handpicked Halloween experiences—one for every day this month.
Where to Eat in Greater Boston in October 2025
New and exciting restaurants to check out, plus good reasons to visit older spots.
Nine Opens in Boston’s Former No. 9 Park Space with “Gin Palace” Tributes and $70 Caviar Cocktails
The new Beacon Hill fine-dining restaurant features a seasonal tasting menu, an extensive gin list, and its very own custom Penhaligon’s scent.
Tiffani Faison Is Serving Caviar Carts and Champagne High Above Boston
Bubble Bath Back Bay, the restaurateur’s new rooftop bar atop the CitizenM hotel, offers luxe bites and outstanding views.
Other
Why Don’t Many Apple Cider Doughnuts Taste Like Cider?
Buying one at a bakery or farmstand might up the odds of finding something cider-forward, but pastry experts still recommend an orchard.