InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

New York City is ever changing, yet ever the same. Every time a traveller visits, they find a new favourite place to add to their list. However, what about the locals? Do they have a perennial favourite “thing to do?” From dives to fine dining, from the best vintage stores to the upscale retail, here is a short list of some locals and their recommendations for people of all ages.

PDT
Odd is always welcome in New York, and PDT (short for Please Don’t Tell) is the perfect example. Hidden behind a hotdog stand-style restaurant, called Crif Dogs, is a beautifully appointed cocktail bar. Filled with lush furniture, a cozy bar, and suspendered bartenders, you’ll find luxurious tipples of all kinds.
Recommended by Angie S, Writer, 27.

Kensington Stables
Enjoy a cool fall afternoon on horseback in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Kensington Stables features trail rides and lessons for both children and adults.
Recommended by Catherine L, Homemaker, 38.

Ralph Lauren’s Double RL
This little known and fairly exclusive Ralph Lauren brand is generally only available in the United States, so be sure to stop by their West Village or SoHo flagship boutiques. Mostly known for their Old American West-inspired menswear, their women’s denim is also great.
Recommended by Jay P, Pediatrician, 33.

Egg Restaurant
Venture into the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn for the best brunch or fried chicken dinner you’ll ever set a fork into. Once just a neighborhood obsession, Egg has now virtually exploded onto the scene overnight, as the New York Times has featured their menu items multiple times. Their Southern American style of cooking features honest, locally grown ingredients cooked in a down-home manner. Try their biscuits and sausage gravy, or hearty oatmeal with fresh fruit. Also, be prepared for long wait times during brunch.
Recommended by Nat S, Entrepreneur, 56.

Metropolis Vintage Boutique
Vintage is always popular with the young and fashionable. But reasonably priced and quality and vintage clothing can be surprisingly difficult to find in New York. Metropolis is a welcome exception to that rule. While they specialize in women’s boots, they also have a surprisingly large selection of men’s clothes.
Recommended by Daniel R, Actor, 30.

Decibel Sake Bar
Be transported to Tokyo in this carefully tucked-away sake bar. Wonderful, traditional sake service is Decibel’s mainstay, but the atmosphere is also not to be missed. It is not easy to find, and the music can be somewhat loud, so be prepared.
Recommended by John L, Magazine Editor, 42.

We love Santiago, Chile, in whatever season. With its temperate mountain climates and beautiful, old-world European-style architecture, you’ll enjoy however much time you have. Even if it’s just a weekend. Here are just a few things you’ll find:

Bicycle Tours
Long trip? Stretch your legs and take in the sights at the same time. Bicycle tours are a wonderful way to delve into all of the mountainous beauty and metropolitan sophistication of this South American city.

Antiques and Tea
Visit Boulevard Lavaud for a unique experience. One part antique and oddity shop, one part delicious cafe and restaurant. Best in the afternoon, this is a great place to have a cup of tea or coffee and a fresh pastry. And if you’d like, you may also purchase the plate, or chair, or silver you’ve used.

Cerro San Cristobal
On a clear day, board the teleferico, or cable car, from this lovely park. The cars were installed in 1925 and feature some of the most spectacular views of the city. The cable car also stops at the Jardin Zoologico, or city zoo.

Dinner at Astrid Y Gaston
Slow down and prepare for an evening-long culinary event. You’ll be introduced to some of the finest local Chilean ingredients offered in fusion style. Do not pass on a glass of Vina Valdivieso or a delicious seasonal cocktail. Also, their tiradito, a kind-of South American sashimi similar to that in ceviche, is just mouth-watering.