Exhale’s arts and entertainment expert has curated Boston’s best weekend happenings, so you don’t have to.

It’s a Date!

After-hours Stargazing and Dinner Overlooking the Charles
Friday, Sept. 7

Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science

The apple of my sky: Your date will be starstruck with a nighttime trip to the Museum of Science observatory for Astronomy After Hours

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Score some serious romance points with after-hours stargazing in the Museum of Science’s Gilliland Observatory. On clear nights you can see planets, the moon, and many other astronomical wonders. Impress your date by brushing up on your constellations beforehand. If it’s cloudy, the museum compensates with hands-on, solar system-related activities. Bonus: If you aren’t able to see anything cool when you go, the free program runs every Friday night through Oct. 26.

Museum of Science
8:30 pm–10 pm
Free admission
1 Science Park, Boston
Science Park T stop, $11 parking at museum garage

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Photo: Brian Samuels/courtesy of ArtBar

Best of both worlds: It’s a feast for the eyes and the foodies at ArtBar

Walk five minutes to Art Bar, tucked away in the Royal Sonesta hotel. Peruse the restaurant’s world-class art collection (yes, that’s a Warhol) with a craft cocktail in hand. Then dine alfresco on their outdoor patio overlooking another work of art: the Boston skyline. The menu offers a wide selection of entrees, with a seafood specialty, and smaller dishes like oysters and cheese plates.

Art Bar
5 pm–11 pm
$13 cocktails, $6–$18 appetizers, $21­–$37 entrees
40 Edwin Land Blvd., Cambridge

Friends Zone

An Arts Festival, Lunch at a Swanky New Italian Restaurant, and a Cannoli Taste-Off
Sunday, Sept. 9

Photo courtesy of Boston Arts Festival

Maker’s mark: Find Betsy Baker and her Stonehouse Studio contemporary mixed metal and polymer jewelry at the Boston Arts Festival

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Get your culture on at The Boston Arts Festival in Christopher Columbus Park. The city-sponsored celebration highlights visual art, performance, and craft from around Beantown. Listen to the sweet crooning of jazz band Savoir Faire (and many others) while you browse the booths of paintings, handmade jewelry, sculpture, and pottery. The festival also marks the kickoff of open studio season, so if you discover any favorite makers, you can see them at work in their element later in the month.

The Boston Arts Festival
11 am–6:30 pm
Free admission
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Atlantic Ave., Boston
Aquarium T stop, $15 all-day parking at Government Center Garage

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Photo: tremonterestaurant.com

Like what you sea? The linguine frutti di mare at TreMonte is mouthwatering

Walk five minutes to the North End and have lunch at the newly opened TreMonte Boston location. The Woburn-based restaurant, run by owner and chef Anthony Contarino, serves up traditional antipasti, parmigiana, pasta, and more. Contarino is not messing around: His family hails from the North End and his dishes reflect his Italian-American roots.

TreMonte
11:30 am–10 pm
$9–$18 appetizers, $17–$34 pastas, $19–$32 entrees
76 Salem St., Boston

Then What?

Photos: Facebook (Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry)

Battle of the bakeries: It’s a standing Hanover Street debate: Mike’s or Modern? You be the judge

End your day by settling a classic North End feud: Mike’s Pastry vs. Modern Pastry. Stock up at your favorite spot or pick up a cannoli at each and do a comparison. (No judgment here.) If you’re not a cannoli fan, try the chocolate-dipped biscotti at Mike’s or the Italian babas at Modern. Eat in-house for an authentic (but crowded) experience or take your desserts to go and indulge back at the festival while enjoying the live music. Tip: Both bakeries are cash only.

Mike’s Pastry
8 am–10 pm
$3.50 cannoli
300 Hanover St., Boston

Modern Pastry
8 am–10 pm
$3.50 cannoli
257 Hanover St., Boston

Family Fun

Kid-Friendly Baking Class, a Park Full of Puppies, and Fancy French Fries
Saturday, Sept. 8

Photo courtesy of Boston Public Market

The Next Great Baker might just be your kid. Find out at the Boston Public Market

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At this Kids in the Kitchen class at Boston Public Market, your children can enjoy the fun of learning to bake, without the insane kitchen cleanup. Kids (ages 6 to 12) will learn how to make chocolate éclairs using fresh cream from Appleton Farms and chocolate from Taza. It’s a lesson in both baking and the value of local ingredients. Parents can stay and watch the class or browse the rest of the market.

Boston Public Market
10am–11am
$15/person
100 Hanover St., Boston
Haymarket T stop, $3/3 hours parking (with a receipt from Boston Public Market) at Parcel 7 garage at Haymarket

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Photo courtesy of the Greenway Conservancy

Smooch a pooch: Show some puppy love in the Carnival of Dogs’ kissing booth

Walk two minutes around the corner from the market to a park full of puppies. Literally. The Greenway’s Carnival of Dogs event celebrates dog lovers and their canine companions. There’s even a doggy kissing both, dog caricatures, and treats for both pets and humans. The site of the furry festivities, the North End Parks, also features an intimate garden design and soothing water displays so you can relax while the kids play.

North End Parks
10 am–2 pm
Free admission
Across from 211 Hanover St., Boston

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Photo: sausboston.com

Poutine on the ritz: Saus lives up to its same with a mighty fine take on French fries with gravy

Introduce your little (or not so little) ones to the socially acceptable way to eat French fries for lunch: poutine. Saus offers the Canadian cuisine and Belgian-style frites with over 14 sauce options, including truffle ketchup and pimento-cheddar mayo. Don’t worry, they have real food too: an innovative sandwich menu and a few different burger types. Bonus: The small but mighty shop offers an extensive beer menu for weary parents.

Saus
11:30 am–2 am
$5.25–$10 fries and poutine, $9 sandwiches, $3 waffles
33 Union St., Boston