Whether you love science fiction, mystery novels or just chilling with the classics (or anything in between), these 10 bookshops in NYC will have something unique to offer everyone who loves a good read. I’ve been sure throughout this guide to include only cafe bookshops with space to sit and read. While some popular bookstores in New York have their own coffee counters, many only offer them to go, and we are looking for spots on this tour where you can really hunker down for the afternoon.

Table Of Contents

1. Cafe con Libros
2. McNally Jackson Books
3. The Center for Fiction
4. The Drama Book Shop
5. Molasses Books
6. New York Public Library Cafe
7. Shakespeare & Co
8. Barnes & Noble
9. Housing Works Bookstore
10. Book Club

Cafe con Libros

Cafe con Libros is literally translated into “coffee with books,” so you know you’ve come to the right place. This cozy little bookshop is hidden in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighbourhood. The bookshop is best known for being a black-owned feminist store featuring healing, empowering and enriching books. What could sound more comforting than that?

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Their little window seats are the perfect place to get cozy and watch the world go by. The coffee is rich and delicious, and their freshly made pastries are the ideal accompaniment to nosh on while you read. Every Sunday, there is a book club meet-up, and the sense of community in this space is unrivalled.

McNally Jackson Books

Nolita is New York’s “North of Little Italy” neighbourhood best known for its charming buildings, upscale designers and trendy boutiques. Prince Street is known for its popup jewelry and artwork vendors that swarm the street on weekends. Also along Prince Street is the McNally Jackson Books. McNally Jackson Books is a New York independent bookseller with four locations across the city. And while their location on Prince Street is far from the largest, it is indeed the most adorable.

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This shop is known for its unique curated collection of recommended books. Its “New York Reads” section is incredible for tourists. You can pick up a book that is set or inspired by the city that never sleeps. Be sure to look up when visiting! Books hung from the ceiling, like paper airplanes flying across the store.

The cafe towards the back of the shop is serving up some incredible brews and delicious baked goods. The french toast bagel is just one example of their amazing creations! This place always has me coming back to see what’s new. Park yourself in the cafe seating area to savour the smells and sounds of this endearing bookshop.

The Center for Fiction

In the centre of Brooklyn, you’ll find this monolith of literature; the Center for Fiction! The walls are toweringly high, with a huge ladder required to access the books on the tallest shelves. Like a modern-day version of Beauty and the Beast’s baroque library. The Center for Fiction opened its brick-and-mortar bookshop in 2019. The shop features floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing light to stream inside in the most heavenly way. Compared to some of the other bookstores on this list which are more dark academia, this place is contemporary chic!

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In addition to their incredible selection of books, they also frequently hold panels, lectures, seminars, reading groups, and conversations. Often led by some of the nation’s most beloved writers. Their cozy cafe and bar is a fantastic spot to come and grab a bite to eat while enjoying your newest book purchase. There are so many people here writing away on notepads and computer screens. Like you can feel the next big novel written right in the room! The vibes here are unrivalled, and it is one of the most peaceful places in the city to come, shop and relax with a cup of coffee.

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The Drama Book Shop

As New York City is home to Broadway and one of, if not the BEST, places to see live theatre! And visiting the Drama Book Shop feels like a truly New Yorkian outing! Open since 1917, the Drama Book Shop has been a mainstay of the New York theatre scene and a cultural institution. One of my favourite parts of going inside is admiring the decor. They always go all out with the store’s styling, and I’m sure they get some set decorators to help them create these fantastical displays. The most impressive is the “book tornado” that spirals throughout the store. Whirling you into a dizzying book-buying frenzy!

Historic posters from Broadway’s past line the walls. If you are a thespian book lover, you’ll be in heaven. But it’s not just playbooks and musical scores that you’ll find here. There are many books about acting, non-fiction about theatre and history books all about Broadway past and present. There is also a fantastic collection of biographies from renowned actors and writers. If you ever wanted to know the secrets of the stage, you’ll find them in the books here.

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Although the shop has been open for over 100 years, it only recently moved to this new location. The new shop was designed by Hamilton set designer David Korins. It was created to pay homage to twentieth-century European reading room cafes. So, in addition to all 8,000 playbooks, they also have a full-service cafe! I love sitting in here, because as a musical lover, they really do have the BEST playlist!

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Molasses Books

If you’re looking for a cute used bookstore in the middle of the trendy Bushwick neighbourhood, look no further than Molasses Books. Molasses Books is a small, independent publishing house focusing on poetry, contemporary writers, and out-of-print or public domain works. Their brick-and-mortar shop in Bushwick, Brooklyn, is home to a varied collection of used books. You’ll never know what you’ll find here, but you can always expect it to be good.

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The great thing about Molasses Books is that they are open from 11 am to midnight. If you’re a night owl, this is the spot for you to come to get some late-night reading done. In addition to coffee and tea, they are a fully licensed bar. So if you’re craving something a little stronger than cold brew.

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New York Public Library Cafe

One of the most incredible interiors in all of New York City has got to the awe-inspiring New York Public Library. Inside the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. The NYC Public Library’s main branch was built in the late 1890s. The interiors were constructed in the Beaux-Arts style and featured one of the most beautiful reading rooms in the entire world. The reading room was meant to improve the morale of readers during the Great Depression. The room was meant to imbue visitors with a sense of wonder as they walked in. And even a hundred years later, I always get goosebumps walking inside.

Whether you’re a visitor or a local, you can enter this pantheon of reading and browse their collection. Tourists can’t check out books, but you’re welcome to explore. And if you’re looking to sit and enjoy a warm cup of coffee, then Amy’s Bread has you covered. Recently, Amy’s Bread opened a new location inside the Library Shop. Here, all visitors can come and grab an espresso and one of their incredible handmade pastries. Amy’s has been open in New York for over thirty years in Hell’s Kitchen. And now they have seven different shops open across the city! 

The best part of a visit to the library is that entrance to the building is free. So other than your coffee and sweet treat, the experience won’t cost you a dime! No need to buy any books. You can simply browse the shelves, find something that perks your interest and sit down to enjoy.

Shakespeare & Co

Shakespeare & Co is a well-known name in the literary game, opening their flagship store in Paris (of all places for a shop named after the English playwright.) But in 1983, they opened their New York City location along Lexington Avenue, on the Upper East Side.

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Recently, the bookshop introduced a small but top-notch cafe among the hundreds of books inside. The baristas here are friendly, and the quaint little area where you can sit and enjoy your coffee while reading is the perfect size to feel nice and cozy. The cafe also features a daily selection of Dough donuts. If you know Dough, you’ll learn how delicious these sweet pastries really are! And what’s better than doughnuts and coffee…and books?! 

Barnes & Noble

Although visiting a Barnes & Noble might sound like a boring and basic thing to do when visiting the Big Apple, the Barnes & Noble on Union Square is actually the biggest bookstore in Manhattan! This Barnes & Noble is also located inside the old headquarters of the Century Publishing Company. And the building it now resides in was built in 1881. The stunning brick and copper engravings are still the beacon of literacy that draw many into it today. Walking inside, look at the old iron columns, wooden bookshelves and library ladders. It always makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time. And I love the store’s effort to preserve this slice of New York architectural history.

On the 3rd floor, you’ll find their coffee shop. Their cafe is vast, and there is lots and lots of space to spread out! The windows that face south also feature a gorgeous view across Union Square park, the Flatiron building and the south Manhattan skyline! Sure the coffee might be Starbucks, but the environment is so friendly and open, and you can almost always find a spot to sit! Plus, public bathrooms are a key essential any visitor knows comes in clutch. One of the other advantages of visiting such a big brand in this iconic location is often it is where authors come to have signing events. So check their schedule to see who’s in town. But hundreds of signed books are also spread out throughout the store, like hidden treasure waiting to be found.

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Housing Works Bookstore

People celebrated on the streets across the city when it was announced that the Housing Works Bookstore cafe had reopened after the pandemic. Ok, well, not literally, but when this literary touchstone was finally reopened, it was definitely a cause for celebration. The Housing Works Bookstore is another historic building transformed into a chic bookshop. It is so popular that it is often booked out on the weekends as a fashionable venue for weddings. It was even featured in Taylor Swift’s music video for her smash hit All Too Well.

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The Housing Works Bookstore has been open downtown in New York for over a decade. Unlike any other shop on this list, 100% of the profits from the book sales go to fund Housing Works’ lifesaving services. Their cafe is the perfect place to immerse yourself in their cozy atmosphere. In addition to beverages and food, you can also pick up a cocktail at the bar.

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Book Club

Located in the heart of the East Village is the aptly named Book Club, one of the best independent bookstores and bars in town. Whether it’s coffee, NY state craft beer, wine, romance novels, mystery books or autobiographies that you’re looking for, you’re bound to find that here! The owners who started the Book Club wanted to create a space in the city’s centre where you could feel nice and cozy while surrounded by the most lovingly curated collection of books.

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One of the shop’s most exciting aspects is that it is open till midnight but is laptop free after 7pm! This is meant to encourage people to chat with each other, make friends and take book recommendations in the evening when the wine is flowing. This a great reminder to turn off the computer or put down your phone and enjoy a bit of screen-free time with new friends. Plus, this place has some great music too! The vibes here are immaculate.

I hope you enjoyed this little literary jaunt around the city and found spots along the way to snuggle up inside on a cold winter’s day. Let me know your favourite bookshops in the comments where you love to sit and drink a cup of coffee in your hometown! Maybe I’ll be visiting there next!

Happy Travels, Adventurers

The post 10 Best New York City Cafe Bookshops to Cozy Up Inside this Winter first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I think that there is always a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) for any seasoned traveller. You want to experience everything a town or city has to offer. When you feel like you didn’t get to participate in something, you feel like you not only let the city down but yourself down as well. I remember well listening to stories from my friends of their late-night escapades. I would scan Instagram feeling jealous of those “cool” people thriving in the nightlife. They were out late at the bars or dancing on rooftop pubs having the time of their lives. I really thought, “maybe I need to change things up a bit?” 

One morning, on Magnetic Island, in Queensland Australia, I awoke with the sun beaming in through our hostel window. The morning light shining right into my tired eyes. The iron bunkbeds creaked with the sound of people moving around in their sleep above me. I tried to lie in, in the hopes that maybe I could stay out late with everyone else the next day. But the thin sheets which I raised over my head did nothing to block out the income rays. I decided to just accept defeat and get up.

I dragged my feet as silently as I could out the door. Quietly closing it behind me so my fellow bedmates could sleep in. The morning dew was still wet on the ground when I walked out the door, but the warm sun was heating up the air all around me already. I snuck into the communal kitchen and filled up my coffee thermos. With hot brew in hand I headed out to the beach.

Magnetic Island is already a pretty tranquil place, but it seemed to be almost deserted in the early morning. The tourist shops and restaurants wouldn’t be open for hours. They also serviced late-night vacationers. With no one else out here, it felt like my own private island.

A gorgeous white horse was gracing in the distance. I stopped and watched it trot up and down its paddy for a few minutes, as it was my only companion. A few koalas stirred in the tree above me. I smiled up at their adorable little faces. It seemed like all the animals were coming out to greet me as I walked. Like I was some “Snow White” character in an Australian fairytale.

I made my way to the beach and sat on the wet but warm sand. I looked out and watched as the sun rose in the distance. Casting its reflection against the still waters. I walked along the hiking trail to Alma Bay, a beautiful hour-long walk that was normally filled with tourists. But in the dawn of the morning, I had it all to myself. I sat in the bay for another hour, sipping my coffee and taking in this private moment. It felt like that scene was made just for me. And all those years ago, sitting on that beach, I made a strong realization. I understood that being an early riser, I wasn’t missing out, I was just having a different experience. One not superior to the other, but one that was also worthy.

Despite being in that minority, especially as a younger person, I realized how many advantages there were to early morning explorations. And I never looked back. I never saw those other people’s late-night antics as something I missed out on, rather just a choice. They were also missing out. I got to see a myriad of amazing things I would never get to do on the other side of the clock. And that was something to be proud of. Not to be ashamed of or feel like I needed to change.

I made that realization more than ten years ago, and still to this day, I LOVE being the one who gets up before the sun. Whenever I visit a new city, no matter who I’m with and if they feel like joining me or not, I always wake up at the crack of dawn and explore the city as it begins to wake. It’s a ritual I never miss. So, what have I found are the best advantages of being an early morning traveller?

It’s Better for Jetlag

Waking up with the sun is a great way to help beat jetlag. It’s essential to expose yourself to the natural morning light to change your inner clock to the new time zone. While it might be challenging to get up when you just wanna sleep, the best way to cure that is to force yourself to get up and get moving! Exercise, even just walking around, helps get the blood circulation going and will help reset your sleep cycle.

Sunrise

Sunrise, I find to be far superior to sunset. Maybe not visually but experientially. I have always chased the sunrise in every country I visit. Nine times out of ten, I am the only one looking at it. No one seems to like getting up at 5 am to walk a mile to a lookout point (since the public transit isn’t yet running). But I sure do. That little trek to get there on the power of my legs alone makes the entire thing feel all the more incredible! Watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee is my ideal way to start the day. 

At sunset, these same viewpoints are often much busier as more people are already out and about. Some people might argue that sunsets are far prettier. While sunset is more colourful, this is mainly because the sky is full of pollutants and wind-borne particles. These particles create a scattering effect that casts light across a greater region of the sky. This creates a more dynamic range of colour. Sunrise, on the other hand, is “cleaner” and therefore the colours are a little purer. More authentic. 

COFFEE!

Speaking of coffee…I LOVE coffee! I would rather drink ten cups of coffee than one cocktail. Being an early riser means you have so much more time in the day to explore the myriad of coffee shops all over the city! The last time I was in Lisbon, I spent an entire morning exploring as many different cafes as I could. Trying all their different brews and beans. Are a caffeine lover like me? In that case, there is nothing better than exploring a new city with a latte, cappuccino, or plain ol’ brewed coffee in hand. Many cafes close by midday as their chief patron is only there to get their morning cup o’ Joe. Later risers who don’t make it out the door until the afternoon miss out on all these fantastic concoctions.

Cities Before Tourism

Tourists, as a general rule, are late risers except. The sole exception is when they’re trying to make it to busy tourist attractions early in the day. I have found that early mornings are a great way to see the city before tourists overtake it. This is especially important in big cities like Venice, Paris and Rome. I loved reading and pouring through Sarah’s post about Paris Before Tourists. She gets to see Paris at the crack of dawn on her early morning walk to work. It’s absolutely incredible. Such a contrast seeing those iconic streets and buildings silently standing in the sunlight before their beautiful facades are blocked by the faces of travellers clamouring to take a picture. 

Early Access to Tourist Attractions

More times than not, popular tourist attractions will get busier and busier as the day wears on. Almost every blog post or guide book will advise you to “arrive early.” If you’re already an early riser, getting in line or heading down to that destination first thing in the morning won’t feel like as much of an inconvenience. When we visited Sintra and the famous Pena Palace, our early arrival was the difference between feeling like we could really explore the palace for ourselves and feeling like we were a bunch of sardines crammed inside a tin.

Breakfast Around the World 

Anyone who wakes up late in the day misses out on breakfast. Many people say that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Whether this is true or not, I love discovering what different countries take on this important meal is. In Mexico City, I would chase down the tamale sellers who only appeared in the early mornings. In Japan, a fresh piece of fish and miso soup was served up in our Ryokans as the best way to start the day. Breakfast in Stockholm in the winter was filled with warm saffron pastries straight from the over. I can’t imagine these cities without tasting the memories of my perfect first meals of the day.

Enjoy a Siesta

I actually love napping. I quick power nap is an excellent way of restoring all your energy after waking up at 5 am. Learning to enjoy an afternoon nap, or siesta, was something I got into after my first trip to Spain. I used to be that person who liked to “go-go-go” intensely. I looked at any form of sleep as something which took time away from exploring. But a short siesta has HUGE health benefits. They are known to decrease stress and lower your chance of heart disease by 30%! This is how so many Spanish people can eat all those fatty foods and still live a long and healthy life.

While in Barcelona, I would return home to my incredibly beautiful apartments and take a quick nap under the afternoon sun. It was the best way to relieve any fatigue. It also helped me get up and face the rest of the day with a renewed vigour! Now, this is something I try to schedule into most of my days whenever I’m travelling.

Flea Markets

If you have your heart set on a visiting a flea market and are a keen antiquer, early mornings are the ideal time to get the best selection. As the gates open or blankets go down, avid collectors are the first to nab the one-of-a-kind items. To be amongst them, and get your hands on some unusual things, waking up early is essential.

Farmers Market

Farmers Markets are another thing that is always only open during the beginning of the day. And the best produce is often cleared out before people have had their first coffee. Trendy food items, which have been made famous on Instagram, are gone in an instant! But if you’re like me, and there early enough, you’ll be one of the lucky few to get your hands on them!

It Feels Easier to Fit In

As mentioned before, most tourists tend to get a late start on the day. So waking up early in the morning makes you feel more like a local. People will often even start conversations with me in their native language. They think I’m a new neighbour only to discover I’m just visiting. They are always so friendly and happy to start up a dialogue. These early morning conversations have often resulted in some of the best recommendations in my travels. Since they’re not overrun with other tourists, its more comfortable for them to feel like they can talk to me one-on-one as we both sit and sip a cup of coffee.

Any Downsides?

• Waking up in the morning can have its downsides. You might be bored. Most attractions and sights don’t open that early. If you’ve gotten up at 5 am to catch the sunrise, you might find yourself needing to kill a lot of time between then and 10 am. As that is when most big attractions open. If you’re not great at finding ways to occupy your time without something specific to do, you might find this problematic. I usually spend this downtime enjoying people watching at a cafe. I find a seat outside, edit some photos or go through the plans for the rest of the day. It’s also a perfect time of day to wander around and take pictures of the city as it’s much less crowded.

• It’s cold. The mornings are usually much colder than the rest of the day. So just layer up, and you’ll be fine. I sometimes come back to the hotel, my mid-morning, to change if I felt like I needed to shed a few layers.

• You do miss out on late night magic. I know that I have more than once wished I had stayed out late as I listen to an exciting story about a fantastic night out at so-and-so bar. And it’s true, after dinner, I’m usually ready to head back to the hotel and don’t have much energy to stay out and dance the night away. But it’s all about balance. While most morning for me might be spent waking up at 5 am and heading out the door, I always allow myself to let the experience take me where it takes me. If I’m really enjoying myself and have the energy to stay out, I stay out. That is where those naps really come in handy!

I’m sure there are just as many advantages for night owls, but I wanted to make this post for any other early birds who feel like they might be missing out like or that there was something wrong with them for loving being an early morning traveller. It took me too long to embrace this part of my personality and especially in the travel community I feel like it’s rather obscure. My hope is that other early risers can see this side of themselves as a positive quality and not negative. Or maybe this post will encourage some later risers to give this way of living a try when they’re travelling and discover something new!

Let me know if you’re an early riser or night owl and what you like best about that side of travelling!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Why I Explore the World as an Early Riser first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Day One – Trendy & Tasty

The Windsor

Brunch isn’t just for the big cities. There are tons of different restaurants in Phoenix where you can find an amazing Saturday brunch! But the Windsor is one of the best. I love the midcentury decor; the bright red brick walls feel so chic and welcoming. Their Highroad Sandwich made with eggs, belly bacon, tomato & garlic aioli is pure perfection and the best hangover cure. Their Matador is my favourite though; two eggs over easy stacked with griddled cheddar potatoes, a crispy tortilla, salsa verde & avocado relish. It feels like the epitome of Phoenix on a plate, a mix of traditional American, Mexican and southwestern flavours.

Frances & Stinkweeds

After finishing up your meal, head over to Frances to walk off that eggs bacon. Frances is an adorable boutique that features chic women’s clothing, shoes & accessories, and handmade gifts. All with that touch of vintage flair. They always have something super unique that catches my eye. And they also feature Arizonan themed items that you can’t get anywhere else which makes for perfect souvenirs. Stinkweeds right next door sells used and new vinyl records. If you’re a music lover this is one of the most welcoming and unpretentious record stores I’ve ever been too. We always have a great time pouring over the records and listening to their in-store selections.

Heard Museum

After a little bit of shopping, it’s time for some culture at the Heard. The Heard Museum is one of the best places to visit if you’ve never been to Phoenix or Arizona before. Here you’ll be able to learn about the indigenous people of Arizona. The museum has partnered with various native artists and local tribes to create a collection that presents the stories of the American Indian people from a first-person perspective. Inside are you can see more than 40,000 different items and revolving exhibitions. There is always something new to see here. I didn’t know much about the history of Phoenix’s native history before I visited and found the museum incredibly insightful. The indigenous art is so powerful and inspiring that you leave feeling absolutely invigorated!

MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain

After the museum, it’s time to get something to eat. MacAlpine’s is one of those Phoenix institutions that you can’t help but adore. Since 1938, this place has been serving up soda fountain pops inside what used to be an old pharmacy. In the 1950s, this was the place for greasers and pink ladies to hang out and share gossip over milkshakes and desserts. Today the original countertop and malt machine stands as a reminder of all that great history. You can still order up classic treats and get served by a waitress in victory rolls and vintage dresses. It’s like going back in time. Along the walls are an array of antique pieces of ephemera and packaging from as early as the 1930s, which makes you feel like you’re eating inside a museum. The food is delicious, homemade, and a freezing cold ice cream float really does the trick on a hot day in the desert!

2023 UPDATE: Due to the death of one of founders, Cary Heizenrader, MacAlpine’s are temporarily closed. They currently looking for staff and plan to reopen later this spring. 

Lola’s Coffee

If the heat is getting you down, or if you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, head over to Lola’s Coffee. Lola’s offers up some of the best brews in the city with one of the most chill environments. A jumble of vintage furniture makes the place feel like your grandmother’s basement but run by some of the best baristas in the valley. They serve up amazing hand-roasted coffees, which I always order over ice. Their back patio is a sanctuary in the middle of downtown where you can sit with your favourite book or just relax under the warm sun.

Roosevelt Row 

The Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood runs from McDowell to VanBuren and from Central to 7th Avenue. These houses were built between 1893 and 1930. Today the area around these houses is known as Roosevelt Row. It is one of the few walkable districts in downtown Phoenix. The Roosevelt Arts District is home to amazing street art, fabulous restaurants and trendy boutiques. But my favourite activity is walking up and down the side streets to admire the fantastic neighbourhood architecture. There is something so iconic about southwestern architecture and if you’ve never seen this kind of design before, then this little walkable neighbourhood is the best place to see it!

Phoenix Public Market Café

If you’re getting a bit hungry, head over to the Phoenix Public Market Café. This chic open-air market is located inside the heart of urban Phoenix. All the food is sourced from local vendors and farms, and you feel like you’re eating straight from the source. If you’re looking for something sweet, you HAVE to try the cafe sundae. Served atop organic vanilla soft serve, is a layer of raspberry sauce, toasted butter pistachios, and rich chocolate shavings. It makes me drool just thinking about it.

Antique Sugar

Antique Sugar is one of my favourite vintage stores in the city. It is wonderfully curated and a joy to shop inside. The shop is small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed, and their racks are only stocked with the best-used clothing. They curate their selection with items that will suit the current trends while still being vintage. A great way to support the community and sustainable shopping!

Cibo Pizzeria

The best place in the city for a romantic evening is Cibo Pizzeria. The restaurant is located in a quaint, circa-1913 bungalow. Cibo Pizzeria features Italian staples, including red & white wood-fired pizzas. My favourite is the Diavola, with tomato sauce, mozzarella and spicy salami! Their unique and modern white pizzas are also very popular, one of the best being the Tartufata, with mozzarella, mushrooms, prosciutto and truffle oil. In the evening, the trees outside are covered in white twinkle lights, and on the weekends there are even local musicians who come to entertain diners under the setting sun.

The Vig Fillmore

After dining at Cibo, head just down the street to the Vig for a nightcap. The Vig is such a casual place to hang out, it almost feels like you’re at a backyard party. The bar also has a bocce ball playing area and bean toss games to enjoy while you’re having a drink. The outdoor patio is set up with fireplaces to sit around on cooler dessert nights. They have live music throughout the week, which makes it easy just to sit back and relax as the night winds on.

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Crescent Ballroom

If you’d rather have a more lively end to the night, I would recommend going to the Crescent Ballroom. This hip, brick-walled lounge features live entertainment, local and international, every day of the week. But the intimate nature of the place makes you feel like you’re just watching a band playing in your garage.

Day Two – Desert Immersion

Papago Park

Papago Park is one of the most amazing places in Phoenix to watch the sunrise. The enormous red sandstone ‘Hole-in-the-Rock‘ is an easily climbable geological formation whose iconic formations make peep-holes out to the desert. There is nothing like the sunrise in the desert and it an unmissable event. Yes, it means getting up early, but trust me, the view is more than worth it!

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Matt’s Big Breakfast

After a super early morning sunrise, it’s time for some coffee and breakfast! Kick off your last day at Matt’s Big Breakfast. Matt’s Big Breakfast is known for its cage-free eggs made “cracked to order.” There is almost always a line, but trust me, it’s worth it. The decor is hipster cafe meets high-school cafeteria. It feels warm and homey. Like you’re visiting old friends. Be sure to try the Chop and Chick if you’re feeling extra hungry. It comes with two eggs, and an Iowa seared pork rib chop! The enormous waffles are light and fluffy, and the griddle cakes are topped with sweet cream butter – drooling yet? Don’t wait – head on down to Matt’s Big Breakfast for some delicious comfort food.

Desert Botanical Gardens

Back on the road, head over to the Desert Botanical Gardens. The gardens are spread over 140-acres outside Papago Park. This park was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 to preserve, document and educate. Over 21,000 local plants and 139 species, which are rare, threatened or endangered are living in harmony and safety inside this huge garden. If you’ve never been to a desert before, you might have an image of it being arid, barren, without plant-life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Many people will go on long hikes around the mountains in search of native flora and fauna. But at the Desert Botanical Garden, you can see everything the desert has to offer without breaking a sweat! The best time to visit is during the Spring when the desert flowers bloom but throughout the year there is always something unique to see and experience.

Lunch at Gertrudes

While some museum cafes contain only awful coffee and stale pastries, Gertrudes Cafe inside the Desert Botanical Garden is a world-class restaurant all on its own. When we had a yearly membership, sometimes, we would come here just for the food! The flavours and recipes are all indicative of southwestern cuisine and the ingredients are sourced from local farmers. Giving guests a taste of the desert itself! Plus, the cafe is mostly outdoors, right in the centre of the gardens, so it feels like you’re dining in the middle of a cactus rich forest.

Taliesin West

Just up the hill from the Desert Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful, hidden sights in all of Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Taliesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most prolific American architects. Very few people know that he called Arizona his winter residence. In fact, he spent years living here even before he started up the architecture school. 2020 was the last year the architecture school was in operation but the house and the school buildings can still be seen today.

Throughout your guided tour, you’ll be entertained and educated by incredibly, knowledgeable guides. They will lead you around this stunning, desert-inspired property. This tour is a great place to learn about desert plants and their contribution to the ecosystem. And how these resilient plants, inspired Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture both in Arizona and beyond! The views across the valley from here are breathtaking and well worth the drive up the mountain.

Old Town Scottsdale

To get yourself something to eat after your tour of Taliesin West, head back down to Old Town Scottsdale. This western district is full to the brim with trendy restaurants, hip cafes, unique art, jewellery stores and anything to satisfy your sweet tooth. While the “old west” vibe and style might be a little on the nose for some, I love it!

The Mission

For dinner, head over to the Mission, which amply, is situated right beside the old Spanish Mission site. The decor inside the restaurant is dark and mysterious. A large Himalayan salt block wall and the twinkle of candlelit chandeliers welcomes you inside. The Mission serves up a mix of modern and traditional Latin cuisine. Don’t skip their Wagyu pastrami taco, they are to die for!

Shakes & Cones

For dessert, head over to Shakes & Cones. While Scottsdale is mostly known for its upscale dining, Shakes & Cones still feels like a simple, family joint. They make small batch, soft-serve ice cream and even offer non-dairy options for vegetarians. There aren’t a lot of bell and whistles here, just simple ingredients that highlight the fantastic flavour of their ice cream.

Rusty Spur Saloon

To end your perfect weekend in Phoenix, head over to the Rusty Spur for one last drink. The Rusty Spur Saloon is the oldest bar in Scottsdale, which opened in 1960. It was actually Scottsdale’s first-ever saloon too. The building is an officially registered historic landmark. Originally, the building was used as the Farmers’ Bank of Scottsdale. Walking inside makes you feel like you’ve entered a different period in time. Cowboys stand at the bar sipping whiskey and every night of the week, they have a band playing old country tunes. But it’s not just cowboys who visit. There are old folks, hipsters, tourists and yes, even cowboys. So you won’t feel out of place. Take a seat near the band, and enjoy the warm desert air before heading back to whatever time and place you had come from before.

Hopefully, this guide will help you on your way to exploring all the wonders Phoenix has to offer on your next weekend away! If you’re looking for more to do, check out my Top 10 Things to do in Phoenix!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post How to Enjoy the Perfect Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When the Scandinavians came to Scotland, they brought with them their love of salting and smoking food. When the French came, they brought with them a refined culture of cooking and a love of pastry. All this, along with the native people’s local fruits and veg, created a unique set of culinary combinations! Here are some of the meals you MUST try if travelling to Glasgow and where to find them!

MUST TRY Food in Glasgow!

1. #1. A Scottish Breakfast
2. #2. Macaroni Pie and Chips
3. #3. Cullen Skink
4. #4. Black Pudding
5. #5. Cranachan
6. #6. Indian Curries 
7. #7. Scotch Pies
8. #8. Scottish Salmon
9. #9. Haggis

#1. A Scottish Breakfast

A traditional Scottish Breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, tattie scones (made of potatoes), fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, baked beans and buttered toast. But the piece de resistance is BLACK PUDDING. Black pudding is a blood sausage made from pork blood and oatmea. But many modern chefs are adding in spices and other extras to give this dish some kick. The Butterfly and the Pig, as well as Stravaign, have incredible Scottish Breakfast options. In addition to this, they have one of the most entrancing atmospheres to enjoy a cuppa along with your breakfast. Be warned, this meal is incredibly filling. But it’s the perfect thing to eat to kick off a day full of exploring!

#2. Macaroni Pie and Chips

There aren’t too many accounts of how this strange creation came to be. But the Scottish have long loved a meat pie. And nothing is better to cure or prevent a hangover than a big bowl of mac and cheese. So it wasn’t a far reach for chefs to start combining these two comfort foods together to create a truly epic meal. Old Salty‘s isn’t your average chip shop. Its modern dining area with exposed stonework is a stylish place to enjoy a freshly made, carb-filled macaroni pie brimming with tangy cheddar cheese.

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#3. Cullen Skink

Cullen Skink is a thick Scottish soup made of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions. An authentic Cullen skink will use finnan haddie (a special fish local to Glasgow), but it may be prepared with any other undyed smoked haddock. Bar Gandolfi is a pleasant little cafe in the northern part of the city. Their chairs, tables and overall interior are inspired by the influential Scottish architecture and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It’s the perfect place to curl up with a book (or let us face it, your Instagram feed) and warm up with a bowl of soup.

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#4. Black Pudding

Black pudding is a mixture of suet, oats, blood, barley and a special blend of spices. The mixture is then stuffed into a casing and served up like any other sausage. You’ll often find it as a part of a Scottish breakfast, served in B&Bs up and down the countryside. But recently, after being termed a ‘superfood’ by the British National Health Service, it has found its way onto the menus of top-class restaurants. It pairs well with pork, chicken, game and seafood as well as fruits such as pears, apples and rhubarb.

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For a traditional approach, check out Cafezique. They serve up black pudding for breakfast. You can get two poached eggs, two sausages, potato scone, toast, beans, two rashers of bacon, tomato, mushroom… and of course black pudding! For a more modern approach, visit Number 16, in the West End. Here Black Pudding is served in a croquette with white onion marmalade and a spiced apple sauce compote.

#5. Cranachan

Cranachan is a simple Scottish dessert comprised of fresh raspberries, whipped cream, honey and toasted oats. For an added punch, put a dram of whisky on top. The Cranachan Cafe is one of the best places to try the dish. Seeing as its named after the dessert, they pride themselves on having the best one in town.

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#6. Indian Curries 

Scotland the Curry seem to go hand in hand. Ever since British colonies were set up in India, due to the booming spice trade, people have been incorporating curry into their food since the 1700s. Take-away or eat-in, these hot and spicy meals are one of the most popular choices in Glasgow. Mother India is a Glasgow institution. They are no stranger to winning some of the city’s top culinary awards and the original mix of flavours, and fresh ingredients constantly surprise even the most seasoned visitor.

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#7. Scotch Pies

A Scotch Pie was perhaps Scotland’s first incarnation of “fast food”. These portable pies have been around for so long their origin story has been lost in the mists of time. There are reports of a variation of the scotch pie being made in Scotland more than 500 years ago. Traditional Scotch pies were made from spiced mutton, and the inexpensive meat could be disguised more aptly in a wrapping of lard pastry. Traditionally, scotch pies were eaten by working-class men on their lunch break, but today you can get delicious pies in bakeries all over Glasgow and even in available in classy restaurants. The Pot Still is one of the best Whiskey bars in Glasgow, serving up hundreds of varieties of the Scottish spirit. Their Scotch pie will only cost you 2 euros and are some of the most flavourful pies in the city.

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#8. Scottish Salmon

Everywhere in the world, if you’re looking, you’ll see many fresh-caught salmon will originate from Scotland. Scotland is prime breeding ground for salmons since the water is so fresh. But buying it right from the country itself is the way to try the salmon at its very best. People in Glasgow have been using Salmon in dishes since the dawn of time and had hundreds of years to perfect it. The Fish People Cafe is a new seafood restaurant serving up affordably priced locally sourced seafood. Try the Campsie glen smoked salmon, dill crème Fraiche, pickled cauliflower, sweet apple as an appetizer of their Blackened Cajun salmon fillet, spiced ginger mayo, hand-cut chips for a different take on the traditional dish.

#9. Haggis

Right at the top of our list, is Haggis, perhaps the most famous of any food to come out of Scotland. While it might have a reputation for being repulsive, when cooked properly, this dish can be fantastic. Haggis is Scotland’s national dish and is made of the minced offal of a sheep, pig or cow mixed with suet, onions, oatmeal, spices and seasoning and then boiled in the stomach of the slaughtered. Yeah, it doesn’t sound very appealing. Modern restaurants have begun tinkering with the original recipe, and Ubiquitous Chip has been serving up the same recipes since 1971. Their venison haggis with champit tatties, carrot crisp and neep cream are all traditional Scottish sides and the perfect dish to celebrate everything this country has to offer.

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The post 9 Unique & Delicious Foods to Discover on your Next Trip to Glasgow, Scotland! first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.