whoa ok actually I lived there for years
if I was there right now I'd go to ''hui lau shan''' it's a mango themed dessert place where everything is simply delicious
the lace museum: gorgeous gorgeous store that is also a museum
berkeley bowl: magical grocery store with all the best produce in the world, best snacks, best health and skincare section, definitely a place to treat oneself
urban ore: warehouse with a bunch of donations from other people, u can find lots of cool stuff
moe's books, half price books, pegasus books
Muskie's Ethiopian restaurant
if I think of anything else I'll write it on here but that's just off the top of my head
-🍜 Very Fresh Noodles: Nestled in the back of Chelsea Market this place has such delicious noodles, vegan options too! Not too expensive and a great place to catch up with loved ones you haven’t seen in a while ! - 🐠Lamias Fish Market: Call me cheesy but I love the commitment this restaurant has to theme and the interiors are so so beautiful! - 🌳Sheep Meadow as soon as the temp is livable to be sitting outside. One of the most magnificent places, its like Love Actually and is such a perfect and beautiful place to read, have reunions, get inspired by adorable dogs, and depending on where you sit slash if you’re me - dodge frisbees. Honorable mentions for the Mall and then the benches near the sea lions at the Central Park Zoo - 🍕Arthur Avenue in the Bronx: You can find the most magnificent Italian food and goodies here. I think about the Zero Otto Nove butternut squash truffle pizza daily. I also usually stop at one of the markets for a mangonada every time I’m there and now I want one ugh - 🖼️ The Wrightsman Galleries at the Met: I take most art tolerant people visiting the city to this exact spot because it’s simply so magnificent and the lighting is so gorgeous the way it hits all the furniture and changes room to room. I usually also stop into the Albertine from here for the breathtaking room in the lobby and of course the bookstore! - 🎭 Most Shows tbh: of course I’m a theater kid and cringe is the fabric of my lore!! There are so many ways to find relatively approachable tickets for shows whether it’s via lotteries, TDF, today tix, etc. I am fully indoctrinated from my high school eras so take this with a grain of salt but I have wept at some point every time I see a show post lockdown because it’s so unbelievable to experience so many raw emotions in a room of people and to see performers leave everything on the stage multiple times a week!! Agh I’ll cry rn just thinking about it!! - 🌉Most anywhere in Brooklyn: I don’t go here nearly enough and I also lack creative lore so drop me anywhere in Brooklyn and I’m oooing and aahing!! Space is probably the first differentiator, and from there I just love all the more bespoke little stores and restaurants, bars and fashion, and of course the Brooklyn Museum! -
These are what came to mind I’ll add more if I think of it… * Luna Bakery (FAVORITE PLACE)
* On the Rise Artisan Bakery
* Zhug
* Amba
* Abundance Culinary
* Edwin’s
* Cordelia
* Cloak and Dagger
* Doinks Burger Joint
* Lucky’s Cafe
* Juneberry Table
* Larchmere Street (check out Batuqui Brazilian)
* Go thrifting and antiquing in Lakewood
* Cedar Fairmount
* Coventry Village
* Botanical garden
* Shaker Square Farmer’s Market if you’re there on a weekend go get the best fruit of your LIFE
* Cedar Lee Theater
* West Side Market
* The metroparks!
* See a show at the Blossom Music Center or Cain Park
idk if all of these are hidden but i love them dearly. Bonus to Honeybee brunch spot but i feel like that one is a lil obvious lol. 🥜 Peanuts Gallery - diy art space and studio, it’s a lil hole in the wall, the work is audacious and it reminds of the joy of creating rather than being perfect.