Although these enormous established museums are extremely interesting- and it’s extremely interesting that they’ve found their place in an outer borough, I was more interested in the smaller institutions, the homegrown movements that have survived on cult status and loyal following and word-of-mouth. I was instructed, on a last-minute whim, to visit 5Pointz , a graffiti mecca, aka “The Institution of Higher Burnin’” (whatever that means), and a place I would feel about 90 years old in a Christmas sweater, until walking into the P.S. 1 party crowd.

When I arrived at the large industrial building on Davis Avenue that is home to 5 Pointz, I immediately tweeted that I didn’t belong. The artists climbing ladders, arms of spray paint cans, were more than artists, they were perpetually cool. The kind of people you could meet at 20 or 50 who would still know the best dive bars, the newest music, the best shopping district. The second thing that struck me was that instead of the four large walls full of tags (graffiti name writing) that I expected, there were no tags, just many characters, and many walls of phrases and one word soliloquies . I immediately got to stalking Jonathan Cohen, also known as Meres One, also known as the artist who took over this building to make it what it is today. Meres replied to my email with his phone number and when I finally got hold of him, never mind the mailbox full of messages from R&B icons, pop superstars and national magazines begging to shoot at 5 Pointz , he was exactly what I expected. A street kid, grown up, with the personality to speak to a reporter as he would a man on the corner, and the sense to pull out a PR list of okay’d phrases when the quote portion came to fruition. This ability to dip into both worlds, clearly Meres’ inner assistant and the force that helps him maintain the real appeal of 5Pointz.

Food is everywhere in NYC. There’s a reason fashion editors crack jokes about the “Diet Coke and Cigarettes” diet and everyone counts calories like crazy. It’s not because we’re hyper-aware, it’s because if you wanted to, in New York City, you could literally never stop eating. The tall shoes keep us further from the feast, and the black clothes mask spillage from amazing meals. It’s a rouse, I’m sorry to inform you.

And on this list of amazing, fantastic places to manga, I’ve got a few favorites. Recently, when an out-of-town buddy came into the city, I spent a weekend shuffling from one to the next.

Starting out slowly, we sat down at OTTO. For all the Italian charm this place packs in, it also packs in tourists, thanks to the big fat Mario Batali stamp on the front door. Yep, it’s Batali’s restaurant, but you probably knew that already. What you might not know is that it contains one of the best snacks of all time, olive oil gelato. Stop in, if only for the gelato, like I did, and savor the salty sweetness in a slightly toned down setting than Washington Square Park (nee: Needlehead Park) is known for.

While still in Manhattan, we headed across town to my all time favorite foodie jaunt, Chelsea Market. Among the cubby holes of fantastic treats you can score fresh lobster, crusty bread, and sweetened figs. You can also sit down for a lunch at The Green Table, part organic eatery, part people-watching mecca. My guest and I, not yet full off Batali gelato, opted to share crudites and soups, a light lunch suitable for a walk on the Highline.

We packed it in for the night, food wise, but picked right up again the next day in the borough of my existence, Brooklyn. I was born in Bensonhurst and have been keeping watch over my hometown’s development and accolades since 1983. So, I love Flatbush Farm. Using mostly local purveyors they’ve created a brunch menu chock-full of tasty bites like Buckwheat Pancakes and Duck Confit. They’re also located on a fun nexus of Flatbush Ave, within walking distance to my apartment (huzzah!), Target, and Brooklyn Museum.

No trip to Brooklyn is complete without a stop at the sideshow circus called Williamsburg. Visitors love the spectacular waterfront views, spacious parks, and ridiculous people watching. Locals remember the quaint mom and pop shops and tenement buildings that used to line the streets. That nabe’s rate of growth has been both amazing and terrifying, and what will be the outcome is yet to be determined. Until then, there are some great places to grab a bite, including Marlow & Sons. Grab either a meatplate to share, like we did, or the sea bass, which is surprisingly flavorful and fresh for what you’d consider New York seafood. The wine menu is also impressive, and you’ll wanna give both the house wine and Metro Normandy, a special cocktail, a try.

Before leaving the area, my guest decided to visit the Bedford Cheese Shop to grab gifts for friends back home. While there is a staggering array of gourmet goat, cheese, and cows cheese, they probably won’t hold on any sort of plane ride. Instead, they offer Cheese Subscriptions based on the very best in their portfolio. I won’t tease you with prices, but your giftee better really enjoy cheese.

Sufficiently stuffed, we sauntered into Bay Ridge for one last epic battle of good and stomach: desert. I’ve been visiting the Mona Lisa Bakery since I could walk. Back then we were both much smaller, and these days we both have better taste. Walk past the adorable cafe tables and into the bakery where the scents will assault you and you’ll swear you’re in Italy. If you yearn for Roma, grab an espresso at the authentic coffee bar, but if you’ve got a one track mind like me, head straight for the gelato counter. Yes, gelato two days in a row. I’m sorry, I’m Italian. Skip the weightier flavors for the light sorbets. Lemon, lime, berry, any will do. It’s a sweet way to end the night and, for me, a great way to send off a friend: gelato in hand, Verrazano Bridge views in the distance, Sinatra on the speaker.

For those who had the pleasure of spending a night under the watchful eyes of stained glass saints while participating in sinful activities of Limelight’s past, you’ll barely recognize the place. For starters, it’s clean, really clean. And everything glows with the cover of a shiny white sheen. Sharp looking security guards greet you as you walk in and point you to a standard mall directory, complete with print out map. You enter to glistening (obviously very pricey) chandeliers and smiling shop girls peddling satin nightgowns, ruby necklaces, and Belgian chocolates. After this hallway, you’ll barely remember that you used to leave this same hall completely inebriated, in the arms of someone you just met. What lies ahead is pure Manhattan glitz and glamour.

Floor one opens with the Festival of Shops, a high-end hurricane of Brocade Home, Petrossian, and Soapology. Follow for a taste of It’s Sugar (who some of you might know from it’s Atlantic City outpost), Cupcake Stop, and Baci Gelato in the “Specialty Foods” hall. Outside, you can also stock up on veggies at the Peak Season Green Market- bring a reusable bag.

Upstairs, beauty and jewelry vendors take over, with highlights like Tina Tang, Caswell Massey, and Old Hollywood, which, it should be noted, was nearly a trip back to the old Limelight, with it’s skull-and-crossbones aesthetics and sexual innuendos backlit by stained glass.

There’s one more floor up and it should be noted that while it has the best view of the entire, compact shopping house, it’s the tamest. Mariebelle’s Chocolates looks like a great place to grab an espresso for a lunch meeting, and the Cana Wine Bar, which is not open yet, sounds like an impressive date stop.

Like the old days, you’ll leave Limelight inebriated, only on sweets, not drinks; and wearing limited edition flip-flops, not the number of your newest flame.

Limelight Marketplace sits on 6^th Avenue at 20^th Street in New York City. The hours are as follows: Mon-Sat – 10am-10pm; Sun – 11am-8pm. They can be reached via Twitter and Facebook, as well.

With all that wisdom (and cash) spend your Girl’s Day Out at one of these three locations that encourage new experiences, casual fun, and so much conversation.

202 Nicole Farhi at Chelsea Market

Instead of meeting up for a waffles and french toast brunch, take a seat at this adorable little Chelsea Market eatery. It’s got an innovative yet homey menu, fantastic people watching, and- oh yeah- shopping just a few feet away from your plate! Meet the eat-and-shop: a new wave of brunch spots that inspire fashionista shopping waves by munching on tasty meals. After you order your food, get up, have a walk around, and shop the latest Nicole Farhi collection from gorgeous set-ups of racks and tables. The catalogue + kitchen table routine gets a 2010 makeover here.

Sala One Nine for Tapas and Sangria

Grabbing a drink with your girlfriends is no innovative way to spend your day, however, the soothing atmosphere and delicate menu at Sala One Nine makes it a favorite for Union Square hipsters, fashionista’s who work in the area, and ladies who could use a break. Come early to Sala and grab a table in the back for a break from the bar noise. Order 3 or 4 dishes off their tapas menu just to keep your appetite interested, and request the tastiest glasses off the wine list. The helpful and smart staff will be happy to give you a taste or two to help you decide, and point you in the direction of your favorite. For an evening drinks get-together, this is a classy alternative to the typical New York bar scene.

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Whether you’ve already grabbed a meal or you’re not hungry, there’s always room for a treat. Grab the girls and head downtown to the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory for this cult favorite homemade dessert. Choose from flavors like Almond Cookie, Red Bean, and Wild Blueberry, or buy a few and taste each others. For the family members you left at home, grab some cupcake-like Lucky Cakes for a taste of this iconic factory right in your own home.

Last week I had the pleasure of touring Fashion 26, a new Wyndham that just opened right on 26th Street and 6th Ave- an area I’m very familiar with here in NYC, and a block on the cusp of the fashion district. Though there’s a little bit of glamour construction still going on, with a crew putting up mirrors, fixing up conference rooms, and doing last touches on a few floors of guest rooms, you’d never know it. The hotel comes off as incredibly posh, stylish, and smart.

At the front desk, be sure to grab a Crumbs mini cupcake, decorated in an ode to design. Also, check out the super modern Mondrian behind the check-in counter- look closely and you’ll see that it’s made of thousands of spools of thread! Other touches around the lobby, such as tables and chairs, follow this theme, as well.

Upstairs you can find  guestrooms in three sizes: Standard, Queen Deluxe, and suites for preferred guests. However, with various room connection options, there are a wide variety of ways you could customize your space when you stay at Fashion 26. And the numerous thematic design choices in the room really stand out.

From houndstooth bed linens, to Birkin inspired chairs and leatherette desk chairs, these rooms are suave. As a former fashion magazine editor, I really felt the essence of what the hotel was trying to achieve without being beaten over the head with obvious kitschy props- kudos to Fashion 26 for the subtle statements.

Another fav is the “Be Well” signage above each bed. This is a familiar Wyndham slogan in a fresh new place. Across the wall you’ll find a photograph encased in glass. This series of photographs  were the designers inspiration for the hotel and you can find one framed in each guest room.

Downstairs you’ll find Rare, another gourmet hamburger restaurant to add to the city’s growing love affair with meat and bread. You’ll also find a standard gym and conference rooms- which include a wifi connection. There’s also free Wifi in the entire hotel, for guests, and a sleek bar at Rare that could do for happy hour or a drink meeting.

The hotel also has a Twitter account at @Fashion26hotel Besides tweeting about sample sales in the neighborhood and other fashion events, you can find a blog where the Best Dressed Guests are Flip Cam’d and chronicled- a great touch for couture-friendy guests.

I really can’t wait to see what becomes of the Fashion 26. I can imagine pop up shops, designer tweetups, and meetings for the fashion inclined, but for today, just enjoy the wifi (yes!), the cupcakes, the Birkin seats- oh, and the pull-in driveway. A rarity in New York, indeed.

Last year, Frill Seeker Diary launched a new warm-weather feature, Metro-area Spring Flings to great success. Not only did we learn a lot about the surrounding area, a place we never think of when we consider travel. We also saved a pretty penny during a difficult economic time, and helped many of you find out a thing or two about saving while away.

This year, FSD is happy to launch part two of Metro-Area Flings: Summer Redux. Where to go this summer? Have no fear, we’re building a list of nearby spots for you to take a day, a weekend, or a vacation to with little stress on your emotions and wallet.

This years picks are:

1. Lake Placid, NY

2. Newport, RI

3. Mystic, CT

4. New Hope, PA

5. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

From the hunt for red lobsters to hanging out with a Canadian web celeb, we map out the easiest getaways for tired New Yorkers, and others in the tri-state area. And starting in a few days, you’ll get the first installment video, from a sunny weekender in New York’s Olympic capital. Stay tuned!

If you live in any of the cities mentioned above and have a suggestion for a hotel, restaurant, or activity, please contact Frill Seeker Diary via the “About” page, or contact @TravelingAnna via Twitter.

Last week I was at South by Southwest, the popular music, film, and interactive festival in Austin, Texas. It was my first time in Austin.

Taking a short walk from a late-night Austin hotspot back to my room at the Hilton, I stopped to pause at a curious building. This tiny house, set between two larger, much more modern buildings, was inexplicably out of place. Then I noted the historic marker- Yes, I had definitely seen this landmark before, but where? I pulled out my iPhone, an orange covered extention of my own skin, and searched Foursquare’s expert GPS to figure out exactly where I was and if any historic buildings were in frame of reference: nothing. Just for kicks I tried Gowalla, another GPS iPhone game I hadn’t developed an attachment to yet, but still kept around on my phone. Like magic, the first location that popped up was a graphic icon of the little home set before me: The O. Henry House.

After checking in, I saw that the O. Henry House was mentioned on not one, but two Austin and South by Southwest-relates walking tours featured on Gowalla. As an Austin-based company, they seemed to make it a necessity to show the masses what they were missing just outside of Conference Center Walls.

If you haven’t downloaded Gowalla yet, here’s what you’re missing: much like Foursquare, this location based app calculates your exact point on the globe and presents you with a list of check-ins. These virtual check-ins amount to points, badges, and Gowalla goods… at the current time good for nothing but whuffie, Internet bragging points.

But tech-set and nerd herd games aside, why would I, an established traveler, an explorer of the world, want to spend my time staring at this app instead of the city around me? Because it shared the city in ways I honestly just wouldn’t have known without it.

Taking a look at Chevy Walking Trip, one of Gowalla’s Austin tours, we start out at the Conference Center, and pass by Johnny Mellows, a rest stop that became a popular “South by” hangout for Downtown explorers after word got out about their laid back Texas atmosphere and cheapie sips. And finally, if you follow the tour, you’ll end up at sunset at the Congress Bridge, watching thousands of bats fly from their refuge into the night- a sight little to no Austin tourists during this month even know about.

Without Gowalla, sure I would have noticed the Texas State Capital Building (beautiful) and the amazing Driskill Hotel, and yes, margarita’s at the Iron Cactus would have found their way into my belly, but bats, bikes, and O. Henry would never have been a part of my vocabulary, even as someone who spent her first 24 hours in Austin with a water bottle and camera, hunting for culture.

Gowalla’s walking tours include Central Park Highlights, Harvard Yard, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Also, users can sign on and create their own walking tours, lists of their favorite must-see’s in their cities, as a service to fellow travelers.

Along with guide apps by Not For Tourists and Disney, and other popular geo locators like Foursquare, will apps replace your bulky book?

A few years ago I had the misfortune of missing my flight from JFK to Prague- and the great fortune of having to take a necessary detour to Germany. Though I only spent a few hours in Dusseldorf, it’s prescence at this weekends New York Times Travel Show reminded me why I love this city so much!

If you ever find yourself taking a detour in Dusseldorf, get out of the airport! Many major attractions in Old Town are just 15 minutes from the terminals, and a few are even closer. Don’t be shy to hurry to Old Town and grab a beer at one of the 200+ bars and restaurants. Plus, the culinary delights of Media Harbour offer Italian, Cuban and tons of variety other than standard fare German cuisine, views of the Rhine.

Fashion lovers can take a break from peanuts and dirty seat blankets by shopping on the Ko, that is, Konigsalle, the boulevard of fashion. Besides being home to International outfitters and local boutiques, there are several fashion trade shows that call this Dusseldorf region home.

Art and architecture fans get a special treat in this hip German city. It’s no surprise to FSD readers that I’m a HUGE fan of Frank Gehry’s work, particularly the Fred and Ginger Building in Prague. But, Dusseldorf has quirk times three. The city’s famous Dancing Towers have become iconic, and frame nearby skyscrapers and the modification of Rhine Harbour.

Look for children doing cartwheels by the harbour. This cute tradition started in 1288 when kids celebrated battle success.

One more tip: If you’re planning a visit, look into the Dusseldorf WelcomeCard. At 9 euros you are getting a great deal with complimentary rides on trains, buses, and trams, plus entrance to exhibits at around a dozen cultural institutions and meal deals.

Dusseldorf Tourism

AOL Travel in Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf Hotels on Trip Advisor

On my first stay in the Eternal City, Rome, Italy, I had the unfortunate experience of being sick. Actually, very, very sick. Bronchitis and near Pneumonia ravaged me and the last thing I wanted to do was navigate myself through foreign city. That’s why I believe it was truly fate that my travel package landed me at the Donatello Hotel.

The Donatello was just a short 4 block walk from the A line train in Rome (the Manzoni station) and later I found out, just a few minutes by bus from Termini, where you can get off or on the Leonardo Express train from the airport. Amazing views of the Appius Claudius Aqueduct and proximity to the Colosseum and ruins aside, Donatello is right at the nexus of an area inhabited by locals, which means low priced bakeries offering stand-up coffee breakfast, adorable dinner haunted, and supermarkets for stocking up in your room.

And stock-up you might want to. Rooms at the Donatello offer a mini fridge, a small balcony, TV, comfortable beds, and roomy shower. Being plagued with illness, I spent a lot of time in the room and always found it to be comfortable and impeccably kept by the cleaning staff.

When you choose to leave the confines of your room, you’ll find a free breakfast in the basement floor, in an adorable cafe kept by a tiny powerhouse of a woman. The breakfast of three different types of bread, numerous jams, coffee, tea, and juice was more than enough to power me for my day- and all the tea and orange juice I could stomach were amazing for my bronchitis.

Finally, but not least in any way, the staff at the Donatello is what makes it an amazing stay. From the moment we checked in, we were greeted by a native who spoke perfect English and gave my throat a break from it’s broken Italian to rest (phew!). Mauro walked us up to our room, showed us the balcony, the heat, and left us with a detailed map. He asked what we were planning on seeing and circled exactly where all of it was, how to get there, and how to get back. During my last night in Rome, when I decided to force myself to eat, Mauro came to the rescue by suggesting a boutique restaurant, making reservations, and having the staff meet us at the door of the restaurant. Amazing.

Though I did book the Donatello as part of a package, and can’t speak to actual “bang for my buck,” the service alone was well worth my package costs, not to mention walking proximity to a lot of attractions- which is necessary as Rome’s subways are frequently down for maintenance, or just a rest in the middle of the day.

If you book the Donatello, be sure to say hello to Bernardo, Mauro, and the rest of the staff, or just stop in for the great recommendations they can provide.

Hotel Donatello, Via Di Porta Maggiore 83 00185 Roma +390(6)7010833

Links to the gifts:

www.sephora.com

www.bose.com

www.bananarepublic.com

www.gap.com

www.flight001.com

www.verizon.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.sonystyle.com

www.notfortourists.com

www.brookstone.com