Citybuzz Celebrates Crowne Plaza Times Square’s New Cocktails

9/12/2014 NEW YORK: Sometimes, after a long day at the office, the best way to unwind is with a cocktail. Or maybe you just want to catch up with an old friend for a drink or three!

The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square, a new Citybuzz distribution partner, has released two new cocktails named after smash hit Broadway shows featured on our hotel network.

To commemorate “Once,” they’ve crafted a delicious Midori infused vodka cocktail served up in a champagne flute and garnished with a lemon wedge.

To commemorate “Blue Man Group,” they’ve crafted a – what else – blue margarita, garnished with a maraschino cherry and lemon wedge.

These cocktails are the perfect nightcap after catching a hit Broadway show. And with the convenient Times Square locations, it’s only a short walk away!

Citybuzz reaches millions of travelers a month, airing editorial programming in luxury hotels, taxis, online, and on the subway about the hippest spots. Citybuzz programming dives beyond the typical guidebook to give you a firsthand look at restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, hotels, theatre and more.

About Citybuzz

Citybuzz is the premiere destination network in the United States, broadcasting in hotel rooms, taxis, convention centers and online. Citybuzz curates the best in upscale restaurants, theatre, nightlife, shopping, entertainment, hotels and adventures in top US cities. Be part of the buzz!

Citybuzz Welcomes New York City’s Largest Hilton Garden Inn

9/12/2014 NEW YORK: Planning a trip to the city that never sleeps? We’ve got good news for you!

Citybuzz welcomes The Hilton Garden Inn Central Park South to its growing family of hotels. Guests can now watch the Citybuzz Channel in one of the hotel’s 401 guest rooms. Conveniently located within walking distance to Central Park, Times Square, shopping, and dining, Hilton’s largest Garden Inn also has a state-of-the-art workout center, complimentary Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, concierge services, and on-site laundry facilities. After watching a Broadway show, catch a late night dinner at Empire Steakhouse, next door to the hotel.

Go to www.hgicentralparknyhotel.com for more information.

About Citybuzz

Sleep No More

Sleep No More is the most recent incarnation of an immersive, site-specific, interactive work of theatre created by British theatre company Punchdrunk.

Aladdin

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel returns to the Broadway stage in If/Then

Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum opened in Washington, DC on July 19, 2002. It is the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession that has shaped history and continues to have a significant impact on world events. The Museum features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Many of these objects are being seen by the public for the first time. These artifacts illuminate the work of famous spies and pivotal espionage actions as well as help bring to life the strategies and techniques of the men and women behind some of the most secretive espionage missions in world history. The mission of the International Spy Museum is to educate the public about espionage in an engaging way and to provide a context that fosters understanding of its important role in and impact on current and historic events. The Museum focuses on human intelligence and reveals the role spies have played in world events throughout history. It is committed to the apolitical presentation of the history of espionage in order to provide visitors with unbiased, accurate information.

Design for the Adventurous at Rare Device

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Design savvy bay area shoppers know Rare Device as the place to get everything from nautical lore to laser-etching and everything inbetween.

Co-owners, and designers, Rena Tom and Lisa Congdon take pride in their handmade, beautifully crafted collection of zany wares that add panache to a humdrum home. Every object was hand picked specifically because of it’s unique story, it’s usefulness, and it’s position in the modern, quirky aesthetic of the shop.

Part shop, part gallery, Rare Device enjoys hosting traveling shows for many modern artists of today.

Simply put, Rare Device is good stuff for a good home.

Experience The Essence of Washington At The Hay-Adams

For a true taste of Washington plan your stay at one of DC’s most cherished landmarks, the acclaimed Hay-Adams Hotel. Nestled in Lafayette Square, right across from the White House, the Hay Adams lays claim to an esteemed, central location as well as significant historic roots.

Built in 1927, the Italian Renaissance-style hotel received its namesake from previous residents John Hay (private secretary to President Lincoln) and Henry Adams (descendent of former presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams).

With a recent $20 million renovation by famed Washington designer, Thomas Pheasant, the Hay-Adams showcases classic luxury with intricately carved ceilings and lavish fireplaces. In addition to numerous accolades, including the AAA “Four Diamond Award” for 24 consecutive years as well as Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best 500 Hotels” (#1 for DC), the Hay-Adams has lodged choice travelers such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.

Aside from a comfortable stay, the hotel offers award-winning dining facilities. Enjoy a leisurely brunch at The Lafayette Room dubbed “One of the Nation’s Top Four Power Breakfast Spots” by the Wall Street Journal.

Insider Tip: Wander down to the hotel’s bar, Off The Record (named by Forbes.com as one of the “World’s Best Hotel Bars”) and order a cocktail from John Boswell, named best bartender for four years by the Washingtonian. Hailed as “Washington’s place to be seen but not heard,” you’ll definitely rub shoulders with some Washington power players.

Home Rule

Home Rule embraces the future by serving as a Bed, Bath & Beyond for the young urban set that prefers not to schlepp to the suburbs. Home Rule makes any trip worth the effort by stocking gear for almost every room of the house, all squeezed into a 1,000-square-foot space.

Six different types (coir, coconut fiber or rubber) of welcome mats share space with modern stainless-steel flatware and minimalist desk-organizing tools (pens and pencil holders and push pins). There are clothes pins shaped like sharks (50 cents each) and everything you’ll need to make the perfect martini: shakers, pitchers and ice buckets. Visit homerule.com for more information.

Cuba Libre

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is dedicated to a continued exploration of Cuban heritage, art, music, flavors and traditions. The open-air setting, tropical ambiance, vintage décor, upbeat Latin music and Concept Chef/Partner, Guillermo Pernot’s delectable menu of ‘Nuevo Cubano’ dishes and traditional favorites, make all of our restaurants a must-see, must-experience dining destination.

Experience True American Ballet with the San Francisco Ballet

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As America’s first and oldest professional ballet company, the San Francisco Ballet is a must-see for anyone looking to truly experience the American style of ballet. It is among the world’s leading dance companies and one of the three largest American ballet companies, and is the company responsible for premiering ballet staples like Swan Lake & Nutcracker to American audiences.

The company presents more than 100 memorable performances annually, from new works by today’s most prominent choreographers to new interpretations of classic full-length productions. Led by world-famous Helgi Tomasson, the company consists of a diverse international repertoire that is always presented with finesse and elegance.

The company is currently based in the beautiful 3,146-seat War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. With its elegant lines, vaulted ceiling, marble foyer, and sweeping balconies, the opera house complements and completes the breathtaking experience that is the San Francisco Ballet.

Fun Amenities at the Warwick Hotel

The Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel is in walking distance to two of Philadelphia’s finest locations, Avenue of the Arts and Rittenhouse Square. This stately beauty was built in 1926, but was recently modernized in style and in amenities, perfect for those who can’t sleep at night without their 32” plasma HD televisions and granite baths. And not only is there complimentary breakfast in the morning, but hors d’oeuvres in the evening as well.

If you haven’t caught on yet, Philadelphia loves dogs and they love them so much that the fancy Warwick Hotel hosts Yappy Hours for the furry friends. Nope, no typo there – Yappy Hours are happy hours for fuzzy pups and pup-parents. In the warm months, the Warwick welcomes guests of [literally] all shapes and sizes to enjoy some quality time together outside the restaurant, over cocktails and gourmet munchies for dogs and people.

For those looking for a great location and a ritzy hotel with a lot of personality, the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel is an ideal accommodation.

A World-Class Experience at the Pennsylvania Ballet

From Philadelphia’s yearly favorite George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker to world premieres of contemporary pieces, The Pennsylvania Ballet is always in the city spotlight. The Pennsylvania Ballet presents fourteen ballets in Philadelphia every year featuring classic favorites, new works, and commissioned pieces that always attract an audience.

If you’re looking for the classic ballet experience, visit the majestic Academy of Music on Broad Street during the holidays to see Nutcracker or in the summer to see Romeo and Juliet. The Ballet also performs at the Merriam Theater, which is getting up-to-snuff on the theater scene after having been taken over by new management.

If you have never attended a ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet is a world-class experience. The dancers are beautiful, the full orchestra is enchanting, and being in a 153-year old theater (Academy of Music) where thousands of people have seen hundreds of ballets before you is quite the feeling.

New Armani Exchange Flagship Heats Up Miami

If anyone knows how to re-open a store, it seems to be Armani Exchange. For the premiere, the Miami Beach’s Vice Mayor named it the “Official Armani Exchange” day and Hollywood stars traveled 3000 miles to celebrate and try on some of Armani’s sexy shades.

The new South Beach flagship is bigger and sleeker with futuristic steel accents and clean lines, while still keeping the art deco feel of Miami. The brand, which was created in 1991 to dress the urban, street-chic customers, still captures that fun, young, and sexy energy today. With the Miami essentials of tiny party dresses, smoky shades, and tight t-shirts, the new Armani Exchange is bigger in size and sex appeal.

Michael Schulson’s Sampan

Chef Michael Schulson’s Sampan (124 South 13th Street) is an oasis of contemporary Asian small plates located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia’s hot Midtown Village neighborhood. A dramatic back-lit wall mural sets the scene for Chef Schulson’s artful food, emerging from the restaurant’s centrally located open kitchen. while a carefully curated selection of wine, beer, sake and cocktails complement guests’ experiences. The restaurant is also home to Graffiti Bar, a private all-weather patio.

Bayfront Park: Versatile venue’s bayside in Downtown

Bayfront Park has a great amphitheater and is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Miami. It’s easily accessible by Metromover (the Bayside stop leaves you across the street from the park) and there’s always something going on here.

When the weather’s cool it’s the spot for a weekly Friday night Downtown Concert Series hosting a variety of local musical acts. The remainder of the year it’s the site for great Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve bashes. They’ve got Yoga in the Park Monday and Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, boat charters and para-sailing and for a no-fuss lunch, the ever-popular lunch trucks (there are several ones that park here on different days of the week) offer a great alternative to a sit-down restaurant and the view can’t be beat.

Bayfront Park is located at 301 North Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 305-358-7550 www.bayfrontparkmiami.com

A Great Gatsby Gables at Grand Biltmore Hotel

The Florida of yesteryear, the 1920s to be exact, is what the Biltmore Hotel, the grand estate property of Coral Gables, represents. This place is a true escape to another era, a la Great Gatsby, with lawns and greenery as far as the eye can see, blended with Italian, Moorish and Spanish architectural influences. Picture this: statuesque columns leading to the ceiling arches are reminiscent of a grand church and a baby grand piano sits alongside floor to ceiling French windows and begs to be played.

Although leaving the lobby might be tough, there’s much more to explore here. For dining there are four excellent options, with each one better than the next: award-winning Palme d’Or, the Italian courtyard restaurant Fontana, casual al fresco Cascade Grill, and the 19th Hole that overlooks the stellar Biltmore Golf Course. The Cellar Wine Club offers 100 wines by the glass and an intimate club-like setting. The rooms and suites are adorned with European feather bedding and Egyptian cotton duvet covers, custom-designed furniture in the seating areas, tile flooring and picture perfect windows overlooking the grounds and pool.

And if that weren’t enough luxury wrapped up in the Biltmore, there’s always the spa. The airy room filled with candles, comfy lounge chairs, beds and a gorgeous tiled spa tub, is a sanctuary for facial treatments, body scrubs, wraps, manis, pedis and all important massages. Complete the spa day with a luscious brunch, a long-time favorite for locals and guests.

BONeJOUR – Fine Accessories for Our Furry Friends

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All pets are rock stars says BONeJOUR, and we certainly agree – especially when Fluffy is wearing her skull and crossbones couture collar. BONeJOUR is Old City’s pet boutique, outfitting your pup or kitty in only the finest collars, leads and accessories.

If your pooch is a princess, this shop will outfit them in tiaras, barrettes and bows for any occasion. There’s also rhinestone pendants and glitter cat collars if you prefer our feline friends. And all of our furry friends will be lounging in style on the state-of-the-art animal beds.

BONeJOUR promises that they love your pet as much as you do, which means that they have taken extra care to make sure the treats are nutritious, the toys are durable, and the leashes will keep your pet harnessed, which makes Mommy and Daddy very happy.

The Bazaar

The Bazaar also features vitrines curated by Murray Moss of Manhattan’s (and West Hollywood’s) hyper-design shop Moss, and if you see something you’ve just got to have — a fabulously expensive Nymphemburg porcelain tchotchke, a gilded piglet piggy bank, a vintage model powerboat, a fetching pair of gentleman’s shoes or, my favorite, a set of finger puppets depicting five or six notables (including Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) — why, by all means break out that platinum credit card. The rest of us will just goggle.

The Bazaar has some of the same theatricality, but it’s more accessible. And more fun. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a serious restaurant (serious in the sense that each dish is a revelation) that was as engaging and playful. Yet each dish has a kind of laser precision, especially the more contemporary ones from the Blanca side of the menu.

Figo Serves Up Good Italian

figo 38660129p1 Technically named “Osteria del Figo” but simply called “Figo”, the Howell Mill edition of this popular metro-area upscale Italian chain plays well with both the business and leisure crowd. Casual and cool, Figo is modern with lots of Italian flair beginning with the walls bathed in amber and the wooden bar and tables. It’s more spacious than it appears, accommodating large and small parties alike. Orders are made at the front of the house with guests then receiving colorfully festive pepper shakers to place at their table for food delivery.

Simplicity is king here, with the build-your-own-pasta serving as the main draw. Make a ravioli, short or long pasta selection and then pair it with a sauce. For traditional fare with a pleasant kick, try the Tuscan Sausage and Apple Ravioli with the Arrabbiata sauce (spicy tomato sauce with garlic and chili peppers). The Spinach Penne with the Salmone con Piselli (oak-smoked salmon and English peas in pink vodka sauce) is also good but, with over a dozen ravioli and pasta choices and nearly that many sauces, the combinations are truly endless.

The Caprese Salad, prepared with buffalo mozzarella and vine-ripe tomatoes, is a nice jump-starter. Tiramisu is a given but Kenny’s Key Lime pie, from the locally-based super pie company, is a welcomed American indulgence.

Brina Beads & Range Clothing

Range Clothing Boutique in Buckhead, GA. Opened in September 2007 in the same space as it’s in-store bead and jewelry shop, the wildly popular Brina Beads, beckons gawkers to the minimalist boutique, where every four to six weeks she curates a tightly-edited combo of dresses, tops and Ts that can take you from you from work to weekends to a night out on the town in utmost style. Featuring mostly Los Angeles-based designers intermixed with select collections from around the world, Davis hand-picks each and every piece of clothing in store and has used her California style of dressing to influence Atlanta’s most savvy shoppers.

With Range serving as an exclusive carrier of the majority of the labels on its racks, and with limited quantities of each item, Brina Beads & Range Clothing is the go-to-shop for finding original ensembles that won’t break the Balenciaga. The pricing is just as upfront as the staff (nothing is marked higher than $250), with intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces that are impossibly affordable. But perhaps the best part about Range? While a lot of the clothing is figure flattering and not too fitted, Range Clothing brings sexy back for Fall with dresses that go from day to evening with just a change of accessories. Click here for more information.

Hotel 140 Offers Boston’s Most Affordable Stay

Located on Clarendon Street just across the street from the old John Hancock building, Hotel 140 offers one of the city’s best priced accommodations at under $200 a night. The boutique hotel is situated in a recently renovated historic landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Boston’s Copley Square. The Lyric Stage is also located in this building, so you can simply step outside the hotel and check out a production.

Hotel 140 offers a variety of rooms from king bedrooms to suites with full kitchens. If you are looking to stay in the city for an extended period of time, be sure to ask about the special weekly or monthly rates and rooms. The modest and affordable accommodations offer the best value for the dollar in the city- including deals on theater productions to college visit specials- and you can’t beat the downtown location. There are numerous great places to go for drinks or dinner; the on-site Stuart Street Grill is an ideal spot for grabbing a quick breakfast before heading out to a day on the town.

Find World-Class Luxury at the St. Regis Atlanta

Embracing one of the world’s finest hotels was very easy for Atlantans clamoring for world-class luxury. So far, the St. Regis hasn’t disappointed. Tucked away near the heart of Buckhead, the St. Regis is both accessible and exclusive, so there’s a resort feel without the hassle of having to travel far to find things.

But why travel at all when everything needed is right there? Work out anytime at the 24-hour fitness facility. Relax at Remède Spa where there’s no one service fits all policy. Instead, services are unique and customized to the guest. Therefore, no facial or massage is the same.

Envision high living on the Mediterranean at the sprawling pool piazza, with its tropical plants and cascading waterfall. Don’t lift a finger thanks to the private butler service, but do bring on the night with the traditional Champagne Sabering dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s era. And, of course, fine dining is a requirement at Paces 88. For serious unwinding, there’s the Wine Room or the even more popular St. Regis Bar.

With plush accommodations and such fabulous amenities, no wonder locals and travelers alike rave about the St. Regis Atlanta. All hotels are clearly not equal.

City Hall Nightclub

City Hall is the premier live music venue that everyone is raving about in Denver. This music venue has hosted some of the best musical acts in the industry today. From The Game to Katy Perry, City Hall covers all musical genres. With a historical look and feel, this spacious venue makes room for some great music to bounce from open wall to open wall.

Grimaldi’s

If you’re searching for THE best coal-fired brick oven, New York-style thin crust pizza in the world, look no further. Grimaldi’s offers over 100 years of pizza-making traditions and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal burning oven. Why coal-fired ovens? It gives our pizza and calzones a unique flavor and a crisp crust that is just not possible from gas, convection or wood burning ovens.

Full Hollywood Experience at the Andaz Hotel

In the land of expensive hotels and luxurious condominiums, it truly takes an amazing hotel to make any kind of impression. With views of the Hollywood Hills and Sunset Strip, it is no wonder that the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood is making such a splash.

With modern rooms featuring panoramic views and flat screen televisions, the Andaz is the perfect place to stay when you are looking for that Hollywood experience. Along with amazing room accommodations and amenities, the Andaz also features a rooftop deck for late night cocktails and RH Restaurant & Bar for all your drinking and dining needs.

Though beautiful and elegant, the Andaz Hotel is receiving popular reviews ultimately due to its location. Snuggled up in the hustle and bustle of Sunset Boulevard, the location is ideal for hitting the nightclub scene or daytime shopping. Unlike massive hotels like the Beverly Hills Hotel and Four Seasons, the Andaz delivers a more personal experience that makes visitors feel as though they are staying in a boutique hotel.

With exceptional views and a perfect location, the Andaz is the place to stay if you are looking for an A-list experience along with the A-listers.

Top Chef Hosea Rosenberg Dines at Colt & Gray

When Top Chef’s Season 5 winner- and Boulder resident- Hosea Rosenberg goes to Denver for a night out, he heads to new restaurant Colt & Gray. Hosea told citybuzz, “They are cooking the food that chefs, like myself, like to eat,” which is always a very, very good sign.

For Hosea, the self-admitted key to his culinary heart is “all things pork,” and Colt & Gray holds that key with delicious dishes like the Long Family Crispy Pig Trotters Appetizer (a.k.a. pig’s feet!) and Grilled Long Farm Pork Chop Entree. But other dishes, non pork-related, have been receiving the same sort of praise in Denver write-ups, like the Potted Peeky Toe Crab Appetizer (a crab spread) and the House Made Ricotta Ravioli Entree.

But we all know there is so much more that makes a restaurant great, and Colt & Gray has that, too. The resident mixologist mixes up a mean spin on the classic Manhattan, the New 1920’s Cocktail, with absinthe as the special ingredient. And even the decor received attention for itself with a write-up in Elle Decor Magazine.

For such a young restaurant, the amount of amazing reviews is enviable, and the dessert of its meal of great press is making the top 10 of Denver Magazine’s 25 Best Restaurant Lists. Sure, Top Chef ‘s Hosea Rosenberg and all the magazines in the world can tell you it’s great, but just one meal at Colt & Gray will make you understand what everyone’s talking about.

*** Hosea Rosenberg was the Season 5 winner of Bravo’s top rated competition show Top Chef. Hosea is a resident of Boulder, Colorado and the Chef at Jax Fish House in Boulder. Besides his Top Chef title, Hosea has won many awards including Best Chef three years in a row at the Denver International Wine Festival, Guest Chef at the James Beard House, and his restaurant, Jax, has received the Best Seafood Restaurant in the Denver/Boulder area since opening in 1994.

Eco-Friendly Living at The Queen Anne Urban Bed and Breakfast

As the owner of The Queen Anne Urban Bed and Breakfast with a background in both hospitality and sustainability, Milan Doshi has gone to great—make that green—lengths to make this pair of nineteenth-century Victorian houses a home for his guests.
Dotted with log fireplaces, bay windows, exquisite antiques, and even a turret as well as recycled materials galore, Doshi’s twinned inn also features woodworks, murals, and amenities courtesy of equally eco-minded area artisans—from your bath products to your morning coffee.

So before your very eyes, the historic turns progressive, the old-fashioned turns new wave—and you become an honorary local, whether over breakfast in the garden or during a happy hour that features Colorado wine and cheese.

Sperry-Topsider Brings American Classics to Dallas

Preppy is back in a big way this year, and nothing says classic chic more than Sperry-Topsider. Since 1935, this company has been bringing comfortable, colorful footwear that is associated with those who yacht and play tennis at the club. Now, Sperry brings their high-brow value and style to Northpark Center in Dallas, it’s only Texas boutique. These kicks are no longer just the nautical fare the brand is so closely identified with. Metallics, bright colors, creative embellishments…all these fun additions make for a prepster’s fashion obsession. If you want to wear a piece of American history and also have feet that will thank you, then join the cool kids at Sperry-Topsider.

Transition from Drab to Fab with Uniform

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Just when men thought their wardrobe couldn’t be trendy along comes a hot little boutique shop like Uniform. Located in the South End, this popular men’s store for contemporary clothing, skincare and accessories offers those fashion forward men a sense of style. If you are looking for a new suit, head over here where the staff will size you up and fit you in the most exquisite suit you’ve ever seen. They also carry fun T-shirts, deconstructed blazers, roll sleeve button downs, slim fit chinos, and even reversible shorts.You’ll transition from work to play in no time and look fabulous in the process. Check out the website at uniformboston.com.

Demystifying the JFK Myth at The Sixth Floor Museum

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The Sixth Floor Museum is dedicated to the myth that still surrounds the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy. By reconstructing the political environment of the Sixties and showing original footage of those days, the visitor is transferred back right up to the very moment of the tragedy on one of the most notorious days in American history. See through the very window the sniper looked through as he set up his rifle and fired the fatal shot. History could not be more hands-on or emotional than at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Belmont Hotel Reminiscent of “Mad Men” Days

Hotel Belmont can be summed up in one word: retro. This hip, authentic boutique hotel overlooks downtown Dallas on the edge of Oak Cliff, which gives it spectacular views that feels like this place is set far apart from the crowd. A completely re-done motor lodge circa 194o’s, it’s modern and fresh without trying too hard or coming off too posh. Rooms are spread out between four buildings that include garden rooms, two-story lofts and bungalows.

You might feel as if you stepped into an episode of “Mad Men” when you drive up, but the cuddly bathrobes, Kiehl’s bath products, and outdoor heated pool will remind you that it’s modern day. The brightly colored BarBelmont and Smoke restaurant will beckon you out of your cozy room, and you can’t beat same-day laundry service and dry cleaning that is available to the stressed out traveler.

A few must-see areas are the views at sunset from the outdoor terrace, the relaxing spa-like pool and the people watching at BarBelmont. The entire property is aesthetically conscious and retro, and the Belmont Hotel does it better than anyone else.

Zocalo Cocina Mexicana

Zocalo Cocian Mexicana is a fast and friendly neighborhood restaurant. They feature authentic and delicious Mexican food based on the culinary traditions of Oaxaca and Veracruz. They prepare each dish individually, using only the freshest available produce. Visit zocalobackbay.com for more information.

Swim with Sharks at the Georgia Aquarium

Only one place can boast as the world’s largest aquarium and have a months-long waiting list for one of its exhibits- and that’s the Georgia Aquarium. Safe to say it’s one of Atlanta’s most popular destinations, pulling in millions of sightseers from around the world, and drawing even the likes of celebrities to its 550,000 square feet facility. It boasts a whopping eight million gallons of aquatic life, including over 100,000 exotic mammals from 500 different species.

Local visitors and tourists alike are overcome with wonder and excitement when exploring the scenic paths of more than 60 exhibits – with the main attraction being the Ocean Voyager. The Ocean Voyager exhibit houses thousands of fish including whale sharks, zebra sharks, sawfish, bowmouth guitarfish and humphead wrasses. Offering a swim and dive program, novice guests can take a dip with these gentle giants as their voyage with the largest fish in the world comes complete with mask, fins, booties and wet suit to round out your scuba gear. Skilled water enthusiasts can take an even bigger plunge as certified divers can journey underwater. If being hands-on isn’t your thing, watch all the action through a picturesque window.

Such an adventure is bound to work up an appetite for Café Aquaria – the resident eatery – which serves up traditional classics like burgers and fries, pizza and ice cream, or onsite catering from Wolfgang Puck, where you can gaze into an eye-popping backdrop of fish. It also hosts special events from weddings to Mother’s Day brunches. What other restaurant allows you to swim or just eat Wolfgang Puck in the company of sharks?

Impressive, Beautiful Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

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Isabella Stewart Gardner was an heiress and something of a black sheep of late-19th- and early-20th-century Boston society: She was a rabid Red Sox and horse-racing fan. Funded by a $1.75 million inheritance, Gardner personally designed this four-story building, modeled on a Venetian palazzo, to house her extensive collection of art and antiquities.

The collection includes 15th-century Flemish tapestries, a first edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy, inscrutable documents like the one signed by Marie Antoinette, and paintings by Monet, Sargent, Holbein, Whistler, Rembrandt, Matisse, Michelangelo, and Titian. A visit to the museum is like meandering through a treasure chest of a wealthy, if eccentric, great aunt.

Visit gardnermuseum.org to see the latest exhibits and schedules.

The neighborhood bookstore, After-Words Books

Don’t tell After-Words Books that brick and mortar stores are dying, because this place is doing anything but. While one-fourth of the independent bookstore’s shelves are dedicated to bestselling and new books, the rest of the shelves offer more unique finds, including used and out-of-print titles. In fact, After-Words will buy your books every Thursday starting at 4pm, as long as the books meet some particular requirements, like no dog-eared pages. Even if you don’t have books to sell, stop on in and peruse their inventory of more than 55,000 publications. The bookstore also offers Internet access to customers for an hourly rate. Used book sales are final.

Archive for September, 2014