The Anchor

Mondays don't usually have much going for them, unless you happen to wander past The Anchor. That's when the waterfront fills with salsa, bachata, and people who showed up saying they "don't dance." The evening starts with a free lesson before the music takes over and the dance floor opens to everyone, from first-timers counting their steps to regulars who barely seem to touch the ground. No partner is required, and nobody seems too concerned about getting it perfect. Between the harbor views, the live music, and the easygoing crowd, it's the kind of night that makes you forget you're standing in Boston on a Monday.

You never know what you'll stumble across at The Anchor, and this weekend it's local art. The waterfront beer garden is swapping some of its picnic-table energy for a pop-up gallery, giving Boston artists a chance to showcase and sell everything from paintings and prints to photography and handcrafted pieces. Grab a drink, browse at your own pace and chat with the people who actually made the work. Even if you leave empty-handed, it's a nice excuse to spend an afternoon by the harbor with something more interesting to look at than your phone.