Here's what the world used to look like.

One of my all time favorite shops. They have amazing succulents at reasonable prices. It's always a pleasure to stop in and see what they've got that day. Ched, the owner, is not only extremely knowledgeable but totally hilarious. Every plant has been personalized and anthropomorphized.

Within an couple hours' drive of NYC, you can find lots of sleepy seaside towns. Not only can you get your soft ice cream and salt water taffy on, but you can still spot cool, hand-lettered signs and other relics of a past generation's amusements.

Fried chicken. Biscuits. Sausage gravy. Artisanal root beer. House-made pickles.

Stupendous views of Manhattan and what feels like all of Brooklyn from the only tall-ish building around. And very good beer.