Samuel’s at the Andover Inn

Lay of the Land
Once a small New England town of academics, farmers and business owners, Andover has been transformed by a population boom in the past half century into a forward-thinking, cosmopolitan community of over 33,000. Andover has changed dramatically since its early agricultural days—the town now houses the headquarters of many technological giants including Raytheon and Philips Electronics.

Even with its many industrial parks, Andover still offers plenty of open space. The Harold Parker State Forest provides 3,000 lush acres for walking, hiking and reveling in the great outdoors. Located within the greater Merrimack Valley region, just 25 miles from Boston and 15 miles from the mountains of New Hampshire, Andover blends the best of life just outside the city with the relaxed feel of a quaint village.

  Andover Bookstore

Reservations Required
Samuel’s: Reserve a table in the dining room, or dine alfresco on the patio at this newly renovated upscale restaurant at the Andover Inn. Samuel’s menu features seafood and steaks from executive chef Eric Heinrich, while the bar offers a wide selection of spirits, local brews and more than 100 wines by the bottle. 4 Chapel Ave., 978- 775-4900; andoverinn.com

Yella Grille: Carlo Berdahn, the head chef and owner of this Mediterranean bistro, was recently featured on the Today show for his imaginative and soulful dishes. A native of Lebanon, he devotes himself to blending the classic and contemporary in the restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus. 16 Post Office Ave., 978-749-0011; yellagrille.com

Andolini’s Italian Restaurant: Delicious pastas, fresh mozzarella and tasty grilled meat dishes anchor the new menu in the former location of Glory restaurant. Opened this summer, the spot was re-envisioned by owner Adrienne Pappadopoulos as a less formal place where diners could enjoy good food every night of the week. Tuck into a plate of al dente spaghetti at the newly renovated pizza and bruschetta bar. 19 Essex St., 978-475-4811; andolinisrestaurant.com

Dress Code
This high-end boutique carries well-known lines such as Diane von Furstenberg, BCBG Max Azria, Ella Moss and Free People. Owner Amy Finegold has been sharing her enthusiasm for fashion with the Andover community since 2004. She and her staff offer personal shopping by appointment, seven days a week. 2 Elm Square, 978-470-0300; dresscodestyle.com

First Date Boutique
Chic sisters and boutique owners Brianne and Keri Barrett aspire to provide young women with the perfect outfits for every occasion. Recently reopened in a new spot in Andover, the shop offers twice the amount of space as before. With fun and flirty ensembles, colorful summer dresses, skinny jeans and more, First Date Boutique guarantees you will make the right first impression every time. 1 Main St., 978- 247-8999; shopfirstdate.com

Royal Jewelers
This family-run establishment has been catering to fine jewelry shoppers since 1948. Today it carries more high-end designers—including Roberto Coin and Charriol—than any other jewelry retailer in New England. Royal Jewelers even offers family-style customer service, such as arranging transportation to the store from airports and hotels or setting up dinner reservations for clients at local restaurants. 58 Main St., 978-475- 3330; royaljewelers.com