That said, I took my Swedish visitors there and discovered that the new visitor’s center is actually very cool. You can learn about the area’s darker days, which involved lots of sleaze, nudity and peep-shows.

There is a replica (or maybe the real thing?) of the ball that is dropped every New Year’s Eve. It’s very sparkly and changes color continuously.

I really like the New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall — hopes & dreams, pared down to fit on tiny post-it notes.

Then, we paid a visit to the M&M store — a crazy place that really pushes the boundaries of how far you can extend a successful brand. In my opinion they’ve gone way too far (M&M thongs?), but the tourists seem to dig it. The actual M&M’s are, however, seriously overpriced.

The Times Square Visitors Center is on 7th Ave between 46th & 47th Streets.

On a cold night, I love to escape to a crazy beach shack ragtag place called Surf Bar.

You can’t miss it, it’s on N 6th, off Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, inside the corrugated metal entrance that is plastered with stickers and has a thatched roof.

The floor is covered with sand, and surf boards (some for sale) hang from the ceiling.

There’s really good clam chowder (or chowda’) that you can order served in a bread bowl. You can also order blueberry beer or tiki drinks served in large glasses shaped like hula girls.

The menu is fairly extensive, with lots of fish and seafood. They claim to have the best lobster roll in NYC, which is not true (although it is very good).

Last time I also discovered that Surf Bar also serves Glögg, a fine Swedish traditional beverage (Americans would know it better as mulled wine). That would almost be like having a cup of hot Glögg on a beach, which seems kind of great.

Surf Bar is on 139 North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Check it out!

Hanging out at the bar in this place on Columbia Street we discovered this weekend.

It’s called Fultummy’s and it’s Japanese home-style food.

There is a big spoon on the wall and you can see the people that make your food.

There are also things like wooden bulls and tarot card books, in case you get bored waiting for the food.

You could also await your order in a plush pink armchair.

Who hasn’t wondered what the hell is in all those fancy coffees? I think this is brilliant.

I opted for the tofu teriyaki sandwich, which was as messy as it was tasty.

“We have vegetarian menu now!” Yes! I will be back again to fill my tummy.

Att storhandla kan vara jobbigt, men när mataffären ligger i ett fint gammalt kaffemagasin precis vid vattnet så är det ganska trivsamt. Efter alla varor pressats in i Minin så hann vi med en liten promenad längs vattenbrynet i Red Hook. Utsikten är helt otrolig, man ser ända bort till Verrazano-bron åt ena hållet och Frihetsgudinnan åt andra.

/// skjorta Tara Jarmon for Target, jeansshorts & halsband second hand, tygpåse Edun, glasögon Prada, träskor Swedish Hasbeens ///

TRANSLATION:
Grocery shopping can be quite the pain, but when the store is located in a historic coffee warehouse right by the water, it’s not bad at all. After all the groceries were stuffed into the Mini we had time for a stroll along the Red Hook waterfront. The view is amazing, you see all the way to the Verrazano bridge in one direction and the Statue of Liberty in another.

/// shirt Tara Jarmon for Target, denim shorts & necklace second hand, tote bag Edun, glasses Prada, clogs Swedish Hasbeens ///

Beacon’s Closet är min absoluta favoritaffär i NYC, det är vintage, väl utvalt och framförallt billigt. Ett måste att besöka om man är i New York. Den största ligger i Williamsburg och det finns även en mindre i Park Slope. De säljer även utt urval online. Beacon’s köper också, så man kan lämna av en påse kläder, gå runt och kika och sen hämta en check som man kan betala för sina fynd med. Det känns ju liksom gratis! De betalar 35% av säljpriset om man vill ha cash och 55% om man vill ha store credit (och det vill man).

TRANSLATION:
Beacon’s Closet is my absolute favorite store in NYC, it’s vintage, well-curated, and most importantly, cheap. A visit is a must when you’re in New York. The biggest one is in Williamsburg and there is also a smaller one in Park Slope. They also sell a selection of stuff online. Beacon’s also buys, so you can drop off a bag of clothes, do the shopping rounds and then pick up a check to pay for your finds with. It’s like it’s free! They will pay you 35% of the sale price if you want cash and 55% if you want store credit (and you do).