A superb vegan restaurant in hipster Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Very close to the L train so it's about a 10 minute journey from Manhattan's Union Square and then you can walk down Bedford Avenue past thrift stores, bookshops, boutiques etc. The food is amazing! I had a jackfruit burger which was just the same texture as pulled pork, marinated in a delicious sauce with sweet potato fries. Or you can go for much healthier stuff - steamed greens, seaweed, tempeh, the works. Our server was super nice and welcomed us back when we went in again a couple days later. I really do recommend this place.

191 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, United States
+1 718 599 2547
Google map: bit.ly/16DabAl

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

One of the biggest flea markets in Florida and a great place for tourist shopping and a lot of it outdoors in the Florida sun.

www.floridaswapshop.com/swap.html
291 West Sunrise Boulevard
Google map: bit.ly/10fJU6B

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Zoë's is the coolest restaurant in New York. You'll find locals and regulars and celebrities all coming for one thing: the good, quality food.

www.zoerestaurantnyc.com
245 Eldridge Street in New York City on the Lower Eastside at Houston Street
+1 (646) 559 5962
Google map: bit.ly/12GjGdi

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Spending 4h in a car with a stranger COULD be awkward, but not with Dave – he is easy company and conversation was never less than absorbing.
We got off to a great start, with an unexpected and rare (for winter) appearance by the Checker. Such a beauty, and we weren’t the only ones who thought so – passers-by would constantly stop to look and take pictures. Disconcerting at first, yet understandable and quite good fun!
As for the food, we placed ourselves in Dave’s capable hands. By continuously gaging our preferences and appetites throughout the tour, he ensured a well-rounded experience. Everything was excellent, from the beautiful Dominican drink Morir Soñando‎ (orange juice, condensed milk, vanilla and ice – it really was as good as it sounds) in Williamsburg, to the moistest and most gorgeous pastrami washed down with Cel-ray Soda at David’s Brisket House in Bed-Stuy. To the flavorsome, spicy doubles and aloo pie at Trini Gul. To the improbable Gargiullo burger (burger, hot beef, onions, cheese, the whole lot dipped in beef broth) at Brennan and Carr in Homecrest. To the chewiest think pizza at New Park Pizza in Queens. I could go on – you get the idea.
We ended the day full and happy and with a greater understanding of New York than any guidebook could give you. Thoroughly recommended, and if/when we visit New York again, we will definitely repeat it.

www.famousfatdave.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Is public napping performance art? It is if you're kooky, androgynous actress Tilda Swinton! She did just that in London's Serpentine Gallery in 1995, in collaboration with the artist Cornelia Parker, and now she's at it again at the MoMA. Swinton will appear unannounced six times in 2013 to publicly sleep in a clear box. But hey, maybe you'll be at the museum at the right time? You may as well check. The Museum of Modern Art is at 11 West 53rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

www.moma.org/
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 708 9400
Google map: bit.ly/17o7Abq

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Some people skip dessert and some people eat it first. If you're the latter, then visit either the ChikaLicious Dessert Bar or Club across the street from each other on East 10th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. I recently visited the popular Dessert Bar with a friend and had a three-course dessert served by Chika herself. Desserts are of the beautiful, fanciest-meal-of-your-life variety. You can pair them with wine, sherry, or tea. My favorite detail: Everything comes on pretty china! I visited on an unusually slow night, but there's usually a long line. If that's the case, you can pick up something less delicate to-go across the street at ChikaLicious Dessert Club. ChikaLicious Dessert Bar is at 203 East 10th Street. The Dessert Club is right across the street at 204 East 10th Street.

www.chikalicious.com/
204 E 10th St, New York, 10003, United States
+1 212 475 0929
Google map: bit.ly/YspNS2
+1 212 475 0929

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is an historic building built in Japanese style in 1911. It sits high above Hollywood Blvd with a view toward downtown. Interesting fusion dishes and a great bar. A great place to escape Hollywood's frantic pace in a beautiful setting to enjoy the twinkling lights.
A wonderful spot to study the skyline and enjoy drinks, small plates or dinner, moderate prices. Romantic and historic at the same time. Be sure to check out history on website.

www.yamashirorestaurant.com
1999 N Sycamore Hollywood 90068
+1 323 466 5125
Google map: bit.ly/YZDG5g

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Olek is a Polish crochet artist (don't call her a "yarn bomber"!) who's crocheted the Wall Street bull statue and various other items around NYC. She hasn't had an NYC exhibition since getting arrested in London a few years ago. Now she's back and crocheting skeletons, household items, people, and more. Check out her funny, subversive, and very touchable exhibition "The End Is Far" at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in Chelsea's gallery district until March 23. If you go on the right day, you might see me!

www.jonathanlevinegallery.com
529 W 20th St #9, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 243 3822
Google map: bit.ly/167CfZT

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I recently had to interview a bunch of NYC kids for a parenting magazine. I asked them for the #1 thing they love about their neighborhood, and all the Upper East Side kids said the same thing: Sedutto. The tiny ice cream/frozen yogurt shop has tons of flavors and mix-ins. You can even order a cupcake, and they'll replace the inside with your favorite ice cream flavor. A bunch of Manhattan kiddos can't be wrong. It's a sweet pit stop if you're hanging around Museum Mile.

1498 1st Ave # 1, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 879 9557
Google map: bit.ly/XS2PCV

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Sit on the terrace at sunset above the Metate restaurant at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park, and you could be forgiven for thinking you have died and gone to heaven. The view is as far as the eye can see, and as the sun goes down the day-trippers leave the park to the wildlife and those few lucky enough to be staying the night at the lodge or nearby campsite. The rooftop bar serves unusual cocktails, including a delicious Prickly Pear Margherita. Liberally apply mosquito repellant and sit outside to watch the elk walking by almost close enough to touch. Sheer bliss.

www.nps.gov
1 Navajo Rd, Mancos, CO, United States
+1 970 529 4422
Google map: bit.ly/13dVCRj

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The best place in NYC to enjoy an Old Fashioned and look back towards central Manhattan.
The views are fantastic and unimpeded stretching from Central Park down to Wall St - well worth a trip out to West 48th to go and watch the city that never sleeps from one of its best vantage points.

www.ink48.com/
653 11th Ave, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 757 0088
Google map: bit.ly/XWfn84

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The epitomy of a roof top bar. Set of the 17th floor of the hotel, the only access is via a lift with its own doorman. The food is incredible, the cocktails are amazing and served until 2am. The clientele are hip and occasionally famous.

www.thehuntleyhotel.com/
1111 Second Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403
+1 310 394 5454
Google map: bit.ly/X9gDHH

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you treat your own shoe collection like a museum, then wait 'til you see how a real museum does it. The "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) showcases more than 150 pairs of haute shoes, from the good to the very good to the "Who'd try to walk in those?" (Answer: Lady Gaga.) The museum free and open every day, except for Mondays and Sundays. It's located at 7th Avenue and 27th Street, a quick walk from Penn Station.

www.fitnyc.edu/
227 W 27th St New York, NY 10001, United States
+1 212 217 7999
Google map: bit.ly/YsIlgk

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Since the 1970s, the sculptor and conceptual artist Wolfgang Laib has been collecting pollen, pouring it in museums and galleries, and calling it art. Not that I'm skeptical — NYC's been so dreary that I think we could all use a burst of color, at the very least. "Pollen From Hazelnut" is on display in the Marron Atrium at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) until March 11. Don't forget to bring antihistamines! MoMA is at 11 West 53rd Street and is open free for all every Friday from 4-8 p.m. Check the website for more hours.

www.moma.org/
11 W 53rd St New York, NY 10019, United States
+1 212 708 940
Google map: bit.ly/XNFKyX

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

La Posada is a beautiful hotel, the last to be built on the Santa Fe railroad, in the 1920's. Designed by Mary Colter, it was used as a launchpad for tourists into the Indian lands of northern Arizona. The hotel was beautifully restored in the 1990's after 40 years of closure. In addition to the beautiful Southwest interiors and art collection, the hotel offers, perhaps the finest dining in northern Arizona, in its restaurant, The Turquoise Room.

www.laposada.org
303 E. 2nd Street (Route 66), Winslow, AZ 86047
+1 928 289 4366
Google map: bit.ly/YnGWYz

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Everyone knows the best thing about heartbreak, loneliness, and unrequited love is the music. Especially the Smiths. This Valentine's Day, February 14, you can celebrate your love, or lack thereof, with The Sons & Heirs, a Smiths and Morrissey cover band at The Bell House in Brooklyn. (Check out their songs here.) Doors open at 8 pm and the show starts at 9 pm with a Smiths-inspired cabaret. You can buy tickets in advance for $12 or $15 at the door. And yes, there will be lots of alcohol and singles there! The Bell House is located on 149 7th Street off the F and G trains.

www.thebellhouseny.com/
149 7th St Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
+1 718 643 6510
Google map: bit.ly/TNui8e

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Single Fare just might be the most New York art exhibition of all. For starters, it's an open-call exhibition. And there's only one requirement: All art must be made on a MetroCard, the same plastic card you swipe to ride NYC subways. This year, artists of every discipline from all over the world will be part of the show. I've even submitted my own snarky homage to the inspiring — and often slow — lettered subway lines! The opening reception for Single Fare 3 is Wednesday, February 13, from 6-9 pm at RH Gallery on 137 Duane Street. You can check out the exhibition until February 22.

www.rhgallery.com/
137 Duane Street New York, NY 10013, United States
+1 646 490 6355
Google map: bit.ly/XmkujA

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It's not cheap but then Vail isn't really and we had the attitude of we'd saved for 18 months so let's enjoy ourselves. Game Creek is accessed by snowcat from the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola in winter which is pretty awesome to start with. It sits on the mountainside in the Eagle Creek bowl so you get a great view. Food is modern American/ European - nothing amazingly creative but it's really tasty and well worth the trek. Only open for dinner though so you can't just ski off the slope to your table. But then it's kind of nice to be eating in that kind of environment without all your ski gear on anyway.

www.gamecreekclub.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you want to feel like a hip New Yorker and enjoy some fabulous and unique food, try this restaurant on the trendy Lower Eastside. The owner/chef greets you and her staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. You can't go wrong with any of the choices; especially the ribs. Reasonable prices for quality and inspired cooking.

www.zoerestaurantnyc.com
245 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10002
+1 646 559 5962
Google map: bit.ly/UlAvtn

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you're in the San Diego area in the summer be sure to head out for the Free "Summer Concert Series" at Del Mar. Every year they have 12-15 outdoor concerts. No charge for them. They have beer tents and quality acts like Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, and more.

www.dmtc.com/
Google map: bit.ly/XltAfl

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends