American World Traveler Summer 2019

Where to Eat: Midtown is home to some of
New York’s most famous and mouthwatering
restaurants—and they often come with a
spectacular view. The Edition Hotel in Times
Square, for example, has something for all
palates. While The Terrace Restaurant is a
casual, all-day eatery that elicits a French
brasserie feel (think elegant cocktails and a
variety of chops), stepping into Edison’s 701
West restaurant is reminiscent of a 1950’s
Hollywood film set, with large blue drapes
overlooking Times Square.
Where to Stay: A tourist’s literal dream, the
aptly named Dream Hotel Midtown was perfectly
located in the city’s nucleus for our
New York City adventures. For a more boutique
experience, The Refinery Hotel, also in
Midtown, is known not only for its industrial
accents such as 12-foot ceilings and distressed
hardwood floors, but also for its stylish
rooftop bar with 360 degree views of the
city.
Miami, Florida
While New York City may bring the grimy at
times (just ride the Q train past midnight),
Miami brings the glamour. A city known for
its white sand beaches, star-studded nightlife
on South Beach and ever-changing food
scene, the three-hour flight from NYC to
Florida’s southern gem may be just the
escape you need. And escape I did—from
exploring the graffiti walls of the hip and
trendy Wynwood district to the constant
rhythm and pulse of Cuban flavors in Little
Havana, Miami feels like a whole new world
from the streets of Manhattan.
Where to Stay: The Biltmore Hotel in Coral
Gables (one of Miami’s posh, more suburban
neighborhoods) is a destination in itself.
It’s enticing year-round with activity and culture.
Guests can participate in everything
from cooking to yoga and aerobics classes,
book a tennis workshop or play 18 holes of
golf. It became instantly famous after opening
its doors in 1926, hosting the glitterati of
the decade at multiple galas, fashion shows
and golf tournaments. My favorite part? The
massive swimming pool — which is a truly
grand affair with marble statues under a
promenade, private cabanas and its own
bar and restaurant.
Following my Biltmore escape, I decided to
spend a few nights at Crowne Plaza South
Beach - Z Ocean Hotel, located on two of
Miami’s most vibrant boulevards: Ocean
Drive and Collins Avenue. Here I was in the
middle of all the South Beach action—clubs,
bars, restaurants and beaches galore. This
all-suite boutique hotel not only oozed luxury
and style, but provided a necessary escape
from the buzz of South Beach when necessary.
Key West, Florida
Contrasting the grandeur of Miami, the
Florida Keys, located about 15 miles south of
mainland, are a low-key haven for fishermen,
foodies, and beach bums alike. Often
referred to as “America’s Caribbean,” the
archipelago is home to more than 1700
islands. This trip I spent time on the most
developed island, Key West. One of my
favorite activities was snorkeling in the third
largest coral barrier reef system in the world
with Fury Water Adventures. A visit to Key
West in incomplete without experiencing the
unique nightlife and gay-friendly bars and
restaurants on Duval Street. Known as the
“Longest Street in the World” Duval spans
from The Gulf of Mexico to The
Southernmost Point in the Continental USA.
Where to Eat: For a formal sit-down experience,
I enjoyed the “Toes in the Sand” Dinner
at Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. As
the name infers, dinner is served on the
hotel’s white sand beach, listening to the
waves collapse against the shore, and literally
feel the sand between toes. Blue Heaven,
the rustic restaurant where the famed
American journalist Ernest Hemmingway frequented,
is another must try (along with their
famous Key Lime pie, of course!)
Denver, Colorado
Denver is more than just the capital of
Colorado—it is the state’s hotspot for culture,
cuisine, nature and innovation. The city
has grown exponentially within the last half
decade, and now is a destination in and of
itself - in fact Denver continued its ascension
as a top tourism destination in 2017 by welcoming
a record 31.7 million total visitors.
Of course, Denver’s proximity to
73
nature is a huge draw for tourists. Just
minutes outside the city center are
trails for hiking and running, opportunities
for kayaking and even 85 miles of bike paths
to utilize through Denver B-cycle, the city's
pioneering bike-sharing program. When
worn out from all the athletic activity, I decided
to explore The Mile High City’s center a
bit and was equally impressed. The city continues
to utilize its space, emphasized by
development of neighborhoods such as
“RiNo” – River District North - a creative
environment where I was immersed in some
of the best food, music, and art in the country!
The newly refurbished Union Station in
the heart of Denver is more than a historic
transportation hub—it is home to ten unique
chef-owned bars and restaurants. The craft
beer scene in Denver is unparalleled - with
almost 200 breweries and more popping up
each day, there is always a reason to go out
for a drink.
In addition to its innovations in food truck
culture and its elaborate street art visions,
Denver is also a mecca for live music. The
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an open-air theatre
built into a natural rock formation that produces
incredible rocking natural sound, is
only 20 minutes outside of the Denver. I even
decided to take local transit one morning
from Denver and hike around Estes Park, a
town in northern Colorado known as the
base of Rocky Mountain National Park and
home to majestic wildlife including elks and
bears. Denver serves as the perfect metropolitan
home base for exploring the rugged
interior of the United States.
Where to Stay: The Kimpton Hotel Born just
feels as though it belongs in Denver, exuding
a cool and authentically urban vibe. Located
in the popular neighborhood of LoDo, the
city’s most up - and-coming neighborhood
and transportation hub, The Born is an
urban refuge after long day’s getting lost in
the city and nearby nature.
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American World Traveler Summer 2019