As you prep to leave for the summer, spend your spare time wisely by checking out our favorite places in the area.

Vapiano (restaurant)
191 Stuart St., Boston
“Casually chic social atmosphere with a great patio. Feels like L.A.”
-Angela Bray, arts editor

Santarpio’s Pizza (restaurant)
111 Chelsea St., East Boston
“The best pizza in the city!”
-Mike Giannattasio, sports editor

Pinkberry (fro-yo)
288 Newbury St., Boston
“Ever since the summer, I’ve been in love. If you’re ever at the Pru or on Newbury Street, you HAVE to go.”
-Alex Mellion, asst. sports editor

Charles Street (area)
Boston
“All the flowers are blooming. It’s so pretty and close to campus; no excuse not to take a stroll.”
-Soleil Barros, asst. news editor

The Arnold Arboretum (area)
Jamaica Plain
“Amazing around this time of year. everything is starting to blossom and it’s a perfect place to have a picnic with friends and throw around a football. Plus, there are a ton of cute dogs everywhere.”
-Derek Anderson, managing editor

Red Hat (restaurant)
9 Bowdoin St., Boston
“Good food, good drinks and good times had by all. Great Journal memories at the Hat. As usual, we’ll go there before the end of the year for our annual dinner.”
-Jeff Fish, editor-in-chief

Fenway Park (stadium)
4 yawkey Way
“100th anniversary madness!”
-Alex Hall, asst. sports editor

Museum of Fine Arts (museum)
465 Huntington Ave., Boston
“Art nerd status. But hoonestly, you can go a hundred times and still discover beautiful new pieces you’ve never seen before. Whether you just want to stroll through a new exhibit or analyze every piece description in the gallery, the MFA is always worth a visit.”
-Ally Thibault, asst. arts editor