Do you feel like you’ve run out of different places to visit? How many times do you automatically hit the same spots on repeat without even thinking twice? I can’t even tell you the amount of times I have defaulted to my favorite lunch or dinner spots, bars that I know best, and even parks that I love to spend time in. This month I am changing it up! Each day I am visiting a new place so that I can experience more than just a few great spots around town! Check them out below!
30 different places to visit
1. Thomas’ Ice Cream Cafe
If you know me, you know I have the sweetest soft spot for ice cream! I lived near Thomas’ Ice Cream Cafe for two years and never tried it! This Friday night, I was treating myself to some homemade ice cream! I was slightly bummed that they didn’t have quite as many flavors and settled for Moose Tracks (not my fave), but it did not disappoint! If you are ever in Hoboken NJ, you must stop there for some delicious ice cream! If you’re not in Jersey, look for a homemade ice cream shop in your town to add to your list of different places to visit!
2. Smorgasbar
If you love a good beer garden with city views and yummy food, this is a must visit for you! Smorgasbar is right on the water in Jersey City with beautiful views of Manhattan. They offer craft beer from local breweries. You can sit with friends around picnic tables or in Adirondack chairs as you sip beer and enjoy the view. Smorgasbar offers a few food trucks with pizza and tacos the full beer garden experience.
3. Arts and Music Festival
Every year Hoboken throws and Art and Music festival in the spring. Due to Covid, it has been a while since they have had one. The Art and Music Festival includes 6 blocks of yummy food, beautiful art, and great music. If you’re looking for something specific or just looking for something fun to do, look for a festival near you!
4. Cookie Connect
Cookie Connect newly opened in Hoboken and I have been wondering how they are going to compete with Insomnia Cookies right down the street. After stepping foot inside for their grand opening, it wasn’t even a question! This boutique cookie store has just a few locations in Jersey. They offer a variety of unique cookie flavors often mixing in cereal into their delicious creations. Cookie connect also offers the most amazing ice cream mixes I have ever seen – think McFlurry times 40! If you are lucky enough to find yourself within the area of a Cookie Connect, I highly recommend you add it to your list of places to visit!
5. Lady M Cake Boutique
If you are lucky enough to live near a Lady M Boutique, you must go! And if you aren’t as lucky, you can order online! Thankfully they are international. Lady M has the most delicious cakes that you can order by the cake of the slice. They are well know for their famous crepe cakes – 9” of finely laid crepes and fillings in more flavors than you could ever imagine. These cakes are a bit pricey- but let me tell you, so worth it!
6. Books Kinokuniya
This cute bookstore is located right across the street from Bryant Park on 6th Ave. If you love getting lost in bookstores, you must checkout Books Kinokuniya! This Japanese bookstore offers everything from the classics to comics and novels with beautiful artwork. You can find magazines and eye-catching stationary here as well. It reminds me of a Barnes and Noble without such a “corporate” feel to it. While I stumbled upon the one in NYC, there are quite a few shops sprinkled throughout the US – typically at different Mitsuwas! You can spend hours exploring through the rows and rows of books!
7. 770 House
If you live in any city and get the chance to explore a luxury building, I say DO IT! One of Hoboken’s newest luxury buildings is 770 House! 770 House is tucked away in the back of Hoboken, yet their rooftop views are just insane – you can see the whole town from above and of course, that absolutely stunning NYC skyline! Some of their amenities include the rooftop garden, a pool, grills, a club house, and a game room stocked with shuffle board, ping pong, a tv, and another outside garden with bocce and corn hole. This should be every adult’s Oasis! While luxury buildings in any city typically have very cool amenities, I am ALWAYS in it for the beautiful views from the roof!
8. Seven Valleys
Tonight Ben and I decided to check out this adorable Mediterranean place that we ALWAYS walk by, Seven Valleys! This Persian menu is filled with Kabobs, grape leaves, and hummus! What more could you want?! If you live in Hoboken, I highly recommend checking out Seven Valleys for a light yet very filling dinner! The hummus is a MUST ORDER- so good! Oh and it’s BYOB for all my wine lovers out there!
9. The Reeds
The Reeds at Shelter Haven is an absolutely beautiful hotel in Stone Harbor, NJ. Ben and I had the pleasure of celebrating the marriage of our friends here. The cocktail hour takes place on the bay before moving indoors for an evening of dancing. The outdoors area has multiple bars, heat lamps, and fire pits to hang out around. The hotel itself also offers a bar and spa to keep you entertained all day long if you stay there during your vacation!
10. Stone Harbor Beach
When in Rome, right? If you’re staying that Reeds, be sure to check out the many shops that line the main strip before sneaking away to the beach for a moment of serenity. I LOVE the beach and I absolutely love it even more when there isn’t anyone on it! While the beach in October is not exactly ideal, it was the perfect escape to round out the beach season! If you are looking for a non-boardwalk beach vacation, Stone Harbor is one of the nicest beach towns in Jersey!
11. Impact Hoboken
I am ALWAYS looking to try new gyms and studios via Classpass! If you love to workout but enjoy changing up your routine, I highly recommend Classpass instead of committing to just one gym! Anyways, I have been eyeing Impact Hoboken for months now and finally signed up for a class! The facility is extremely clean with beautiful bathrooms, lockers, and studio to workout in. The sculpt class itself was easy to follow along with modifications for every level and most definitely left me feeling the burn!
12. Elysian Park
Tonight I decided to explore a new park in my town of Hoboken. I always walk by Elysian park but have never actually walked through it! To be honest, I went at 8:30pm so it was a bit dark. The park had many lights that did not turn on – maybe a safety hazard? There is a basketball court, playground, and even a dog park – who knew? While it was nice to explore somewhere new today, I think there are better parks in Hoboken, and you even have the waterfront just a block away! If you’re looking for a place to visit, maybe check it out in the daylight?
13. Celebrate Life at Home
I popped into Celebrate Life at Home, a cute home store, on my way home from work and it was not at all what I expected! This absolutely adorable corner store in Hoboken specializes in everything DIY when it comes to transforming your furniture. Celebrate Life at Home is one of 2,000 stores worldwide to carry the Annie Sloan chalk paints and it is just a few blocks from my home in Hoboken. These paints go on in just two coats- no sanding or primer required! You can even use them on fabric – think chairs my friend. The Celebrate Life at Home store offers workshops, consignment, and even full service if you would like someone else to do up level your furniture. Whether you are looking for a passion project or falling in love with a whole new hobby, Celebrate Life at Home is a place you need to visit!
14. Peper & Parlor
To be honest, tonight I decided to google “shoes in Hoboken” because I am on a desperate hunt for shoes for a wedding! Apparently there are not many shoes stores in Hoboken, but it did lead me to Peper and Parlor! Unfortunately they did not have a big shoe section at all, but they did offer a wide variety of clothing from denim, to outerwear, to athleisure, to lingerie! The $245 pair of sweatpants was enough to make me walk out, but I was intrigued by their cutesy little home gifts. If you are a big fan of boutiques, you might just love Peper and Parlor in Hoboken!
15. Follia
If you are looking for a cute Italian place to visit, Follia is your spot! The restaurant itself is absolutely stunning and has outdoor seating that wraps around the corner! Some friends and I got their specialty arancini and homemade pappardelle with pork ragu. The food was absolutely delicious and didn’t make us feel like we were overstuffed with carbs upon leaving. I also highly recommend their signature cocktail, The Follia, and Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash sides to share – so delicious!
16. Elysian Cafe
The Elysian Cafe is a cute French style bistro located right down the street from me in Hoboken, NJ. Elysian Cafe operates in the oldest running restaurant establishment in Hoboken – they’ve been around since 1895 as various restaurants! The ornate moldings are to die for! Aside from their architecture, the food is quite delicious. We went for a gils brunch and not a single plate had food on it when we were done! If you are in Hoboken and looking for restaurants to visit, you must add Elysian Cafe to your list!
17. Farms View
If you are looking for a farmers market with the freshest food, Farms View in Wayne NJ is your spot! This family farm offers a massive farmer’s market with some fun events for the holidays. This fall, they offer a $10 cider donut, hayride, and pumpkin combo! Talk about perfect for a little fall outing! This place is great from families with small kids or friends looking to do something fun for the afternoon.
19. IM= X Pilates
IM=X Pilates is a reformer Pilates studio with a few different locations sprinkled throughout the city and many nationwide! I have been to a few reformer classes in the past and it’s never been my cup of tea. I you followed along with 30 different workouts, I am more of a mat pilates or megaformer kind of gal. With all of that being said, I was truly impressed by IM=X pilates. The studio was very clean and the staff were extremely friendly. The instructor walked you through every step of the way, even exactly what parts of the machine to dissemble and re-assemble. You will get a great workout in without being covered in sweat and feel leaner and longer by the end of class!
20. Detroit Airport
Maybe not the most exciting place to hang out, but Detroit Airport is MASSIVE! There are so many cool shops to explore while you wait for your flight. And who doesn’t love those moving sidewalks? Our flight arrived pretty late and I was shocked to see so many empty rows of seats! Some other notably cool elements are the MASSIVE gumball machine ($0.50 a gumball though, inflation and I right?) and a hotel attached to the airport with its own direct security entrance. If you are visiting Michigan, you will be wowed by the Wayne Metro Detroit Airport!
21. Catching Fireflies
Catching Fireflies is the absolute cutest shop in Ann Arbor, MI! If you happen to be in town, it has to be one of the places that you visit while you are here! Catching Fireflies is a cute gift shop that has very unique items that all of your friends and family will love. I popped in here just to check it out and walked out with so many Christmas gifts. The store is so whimsically decorated inside and out and sure to bring a smile to your face.
22. Greektown Casino
Greektown Casino wouldn’t necessarily be my cup of tea, but hey when in Detroit, find a casino! This casino is HUGE! Lots of tables to play on and even more slots to check out. Greektown Casino offers sports betting and a variety of virtual games to play. Whether you’re an avid gambler or someone looking to do something fun late into the night, you should add Greektown Casino to your list of places to visit!
23. Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan. This city has changed a lot over the past ten years. We spent the day checking out the the cute downtown area. There are many nice stores and boutiques, as well cute restaurants on Woodard Ave. We saw the Spirit or Detroit (they put different jerseys on him on big game days), Comerica Park where the Tigers play baseball, and Ford Field where the Lions play football. Woodward Ave consists of the cute vegan breakfast spot, Avalon Cafe and Bakery! Basement Burger Bar isn’t too far away and is absolutely delicious! There are so many places to stay and things to do in this city!
24. Apparatus Room
The Apparatus Room is located in the iconic Foundation Hotel in Detroit, MI. The modern furniture compliments its historic architecture. The Apparatus Room was an old fire station! It has a chic feel to it with a lounging side perfect for coffee and catching up on some work. On the opposite side of the cutest bar, you will find a very sleek dining area and price room for parties. Everything that we tried on the brunch menu was absolutely amazing! I can only imagine what the rest of their menu tastes like! If you find yourself in Detroit, the Apparatus Room is a must on your list of places to visit!
25. The Elephant Room
Ben and I were lucky enough to experience The Elephant Room two nights in a row! A little fun fact is that I LOVE elephants is I know this would be a great spot before even arriving! The first evening, we were there for a rehearsal dinner. If you need a private event space in Detroit, The Elephant Room is the one for you! The bar was shut down for the private event, the bar tenders were a blast, and the family style meal was to die for. Every round of food that was placed in front of us was amazing- believe me I was shocked because it just looks like another bar. The second night we got to experience the true bar scene. It was pretty low key, a place you would go if you actually wanted to have a conversation with someone and be able to hear them. If you’re in Detroit, you must stop by for a drink or two! They may even stay open for you very late into the night, or morning I should say!
27. New York Public Library
More to come!
28. The Vatican
Did you know that you can view MANY museums online through virtual tours? I have always wanted to go to Italy and see The Vatican! Take a peak through their website and you will find 14 different areas that you can explore virtually! One day we’ll all make it over to Italy, but until then, this will do!
29. Dolce & Salato
Dolce & Salato is an absolutely ADORABLE Italian cafe located in Hoboken, NJ. Funny enough, I have walked by it every single day for over a year now and have never popped in! This family owned cafe carries pre-made Italian meals, authentic Italian pastries from Palazzone 1960, gelato and coffee! Oh and did I mention the beautiful cakes?! Truly a one-stop shop no matter the time of day! You will always find people working inside while having lunch or sipping on a coffee. Heck this might even become my new working spot!
30. A10 KITCHEN
If you’re looking for a cute brunch spot in NYC, A10 Kitchen is the place to visit! They offer their own specialty mimosa along with other fun cocktails and a bang for your buck bucket of High Noons. The food was DELICIOUS! I enjoyed ricotta honey pancakes and let me tell you, they were so large and fluffy! A10 offers a variety of dishes with eggs and meat if you’re looking for some protein as well. If you’re still hungry when you leave (which you shouldn’t be) Tompkins Square Bagels is right across the street and let me tell you, that place was hopping the entire 2 hours that my girls and I enjoyed brunch!
Feeling inspired? Whether you live in the NYC area or not, there are SO MANY different places to visit on your hometown or surrounding area too! I challenge you to explore some new shops or eat somewhere different than you normally would just to mix it up a bit! Let me know your favorite new spots that you discover!
xoxo
Krysta
