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San Juan<br />
PUERTO RICO<br />
GO SHOP<br />
THE BUTTERFLY PEOPLE<br />
257 Calle de la Cruz, Old San Juan<br />
787-723-2432<br />
www.butterfl ypeople.com<br />
This retail art gallery dedicated exclusively to<br />
tropical butterfl ies sells a variety of species<br />
artistically arranged and encased in acrylic<br />
and Lucite boxes. The result is a beautiful, if<br />
unusual, decoration or gift.<br />
CONCALMA<br />
207 Calle San Francisco, Old San Juan<br />
787-729-0800<br />
www.concalmalinea.com<br />
Every selection from this shop’s extensive<br />
collection of purses, handbags, carry-on bags<br />
and totes is designed and created by a local<br />
women’s art collaborative. The brightly colored<br />
bags are particularly useful when toting<br />
supplies to the beach.<br />
VERO VERO SHOETIQUE<br />
1050 Ashford Ave • 787-725-2332<br />
Right in the middle of Condado’s new<br />
luxury shopping district, this very upscale<br />
shoe boutique shows off some of the most<br />
trendsetting ladies’ footwear around. It’s a<br />
must-stop for shoe lovers, even if your budget<br />
will only let you browse.<br />
GO SEE<br />
CASA BACARDI<br />
VISITOR CENTER<br />
Rd 165 Km 2.6, Cataño • 787-725-2332<br />
www.casabacardi.org<br />
This leading rum producer offers interactive<br />
tours that give visitors an entertaining and informative<br />
peek into the history and production<br />
of rum. The tour includes two drink tickets.<br />
LA PRINCESA PROMENADE<br />
Old San Juan • 787-721-2400<br />
This shady walkway that follows the western<br />
walls of the ancient capital city makes for a<br />
charming stroll past vine-covered gardens,<br />
historical sculptures and piragua (Puerto<br />
Rican fruit ice) kiosks. The walkway ends at a<br />
dramatic fountain in front of San Juan Bay.<br />
MUSEO DE ARTE<br />
DE PUERTO RICO<br />
299 Ave De Diego, Santurce • 787-977-6277<br />
www.mapr.org<br />
This world-class museum houses the works<br />
of some of Puerto Rico’s most talented artists<br />
from the last 300 years, plus rotating exhibits<br />
of international art, a 400-seat theater,<br />
restaurant and charming sculpture garden.<br />
GO EAT<br />
VIA APPIA WINE BAR<br />
1350 Ashford Ave, Condado • 787-725-8711<br />
A recent expansion may have turned this<br />
former pizza joint into a fancy wine bar, but<br />
its consistently delicious pizza and cheerful<br />
ambience haven’t changed a bit. It remains a<br />
favorite for its scenic sidewalk seating. $$<br />
BANGKOK & BOMBAY<br />
58 Caribe St, Condado • 787-721-1470<br />
As the name suggests, Indian and Thai<br />
cuisines collide at this restaurant—with<br />
delicious results. Fans of spicy food will go<br />
wild for the fusion curries. $$$<br />
KOCO<br />
At El San Juan Hotel & Casino<br />
1660 Isla Verde Ave, Carolina • 787-791-7078<br />
www.oofrestaurants.com<br />
Hip modern twists on classic Caribbean<br />
recipes (like conch empanadillas with truffl e<br />
sour cream) have already put this chic<br />
restaurant on foodies’ A-lists. $$$<br />
GO PARTY<br />
THE LOBBY LOUNGE<br />
At San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino<br />
1309 Ashford Ave, Condado • 787-722-7000<br />
www.marriotthotels.com<br />
If you are looking to learn some new meringue<br />
moves or put a little sizzle in your salsa, this is<br />
a good place to go. There is live entertainment<br />
and the party goes on until the wee hours.<br />
NUYORICAN CAFÉ<br />
312 Calle San Francisco, Old San Juan<br />
787-977-1276<br />
www.nuyoricancafepr.com<br />
People from all walks of life rub shoulders at<br />
this bohemian nightspot. It hosts eclectic live<br />
events, from performances of Latin music to<br />
poetry readings.<br />
GO DAY-TRIPPING<br />
PUERTO MOSQUITO<br />
66 miles southeast of San Juan • Vieques Island<br />
www.biobay.com<br />
At night, microscopic animals in the water<br />
around Vieques Island briefl y emit a blue-green<br />
light when disturbed. Visit when the moon is<br />
full or waning to make the best “glow angels.”<br />
FUN FACT!<br />
Coconut palms are not native to Puerto Rico.<br />
The Spanish brought them over from the<br />
Canary Islands.<br />
Sarasota/Bradenton<br />
FLORIDA<br />
— Joanne Curcio Quiñones — Brian Ries<br />
GO SHOP<br />
AWESOME ORCHIDS<br />
1501 Laurel St • 941-365-3500<br />
www.awesomeorchids.net<br />
This exotic fl ower emporium started as a<br />
booth in Sarasota’s downtown farmers market.<br />
Now, this shop in historic Burns Square sells<br />
gorgeous plants and educates buyers about<br />
the fi ner points of orchid care.<br />
CUBBY HOLE<br />
2031 Bahia Vista St • 941-953-6200<br />
www.cubbyholeusa.com<br />
This exporter ships half a million pounds of<br />
remaindered clothing overseas every year,<br />
but reserves the best for its shop in Sarasota,<br />
where you’ll fi nd luxe designer apparel at rockbottom<br />
prices (a real $1,300 Louis Vuitton<br />
purse recently sold for $175).<br />
RED BARN FLEA MARKET<br />
1707 First St E, Bradenton • 941-747-3794<br />
www.redbarnfl eamarket.com<br />
Everything old your heart desires—from highend<br />
jewelry to tacky garage sale wares—is in<br />
one giant barn at this antiques market. Spend<br />
hours perusing the vendors, and make sure to<br />
grab lunch at Maria’s taco stand.<br />
GO SEE<br />
MANATEE RIVER BOAT TOURS<br />
4715 Seventh St Ct E, Ellenton • 941-721-4230<br />
www.manateeriverboattours.com<br />
Want to tour Florida’s inland waterways<br />
without the fuss of renting a boat? This service<br />
will do the work for you. One- and two-hour<br />
cruises take riders down the Manatee River,<br />
past mangrove forests and natural wetlands.<br />
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS<br />
811 S Palm Ave • 941-366-5731<br />
www.selby.org<br />
Selby is a beautiful spot, with more than<br />
20,000 plants and one of the largest<br />
collections of living orchids in the world.<br />
There’s plenty for kids to enjoy, too, including<br />
an indoor rainforest and a (safe) poison dart<br />
frog collection.<br />
NIGHT OF FISH, FUN AND FRIGHT<br />
At Mote Aquarium<br />
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • 941-388-4441<br />
www.mote.org<br />
Stick around for creepy after-hours fun when<br />
this popular aquarium stays open late to<br />
celebrate Halloween. Visit the shipwreckthemed<br />
haunted house, search for shark teeth<br />
in coffi n creek and watch underwater pumpkin<br />
carving in the shark tank. Oct. 23.<br />
CONT’D ON NEXT PAGE<br />
OCTOBER <strong>2009</strong> GO MAGAZINE<br />
139
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