THEATER DISTRICT

Wrapping around the east and south sides of the Boston Common is the Theater District, where ornate playhouses and upscale productions aren't just for octogenarian millionaire philanthropists.

ALLSTON

Allston is a zoo, with all species of young people in full view: Frat dudes, naive freshmen, punks (of both the skater and gutter variety), post-grads, new families and hardcore partiers.

CHINATOWN

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Ring in the Chinese New Year this Sunday at the Lion Dance Festival [chinatownmainstreet.org] in Chinatown.

Mission Hill

Mission Hill, home to younger families, longtime residents and undergrads of the Northeastern, MassArt, Museum School and Wentworth ilk.

WATERTOWN

Wish you were here

Jam-packed with diners, specialty stores, a thriving arts community and the cultural enclave known as Little Armenia, Watertown is no chump of a suburb.

BOSTON HELPS HAITI

The Allston community is hosting a Haiti Relief Fundraiser at Wonderbar with music from The Ground Up

INMAN SQUARE

Land of indie-plenty

Whether you were bitten by a locavore and cursed to sample raw-milk cheeses for eternity ...

DORCHESTER

Eateries minus the nonsense

Dorchester is huge. "Dot" is, in fact, the largest Boston neighborhood in both size and population.

DAVIS SQUARE

Effortless swank

Davis Square is home to everything from an old-school diner and bowling alley to eco-friendly cafés, fusion restaurants and bargain destinations

North End

Condensed gastronomy

Boston's North End has about as many restaurants and shops as the Greeks have myths.