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    My Life: Marcus Troy’s Off-The-Radar Summer Road Trip

    For the majority, summer is the season for travel. We unthaw, pack up and hit the open road. Everyone dreams of jet-setting and going across the pond to pay our European neighbours a visit, but the continental United States has so many nooks and crannies to discover that all too often go unnoticed. With that in mind, I want to present you with a few gems that are within driving range if you happen to be on the East Coast, to guide you along your impromptu summer road trips. via Complex Magazine

    Miss Lily’s

    City: New York
    Address: 132 W. Houston St.
    Website: misslilysnyc.com

    I absolutely love Miss Lily’s. Good Caribbean cuisine can be hard to come by, and the staff is just gorgeous. Come in looking for a warm meal, and you just might end up finding your future wife if you act right. I like to order the Jerk, and it’s not because you are what you eat. Make sure you hit Melvin’s Juice Box next door for the right beverage too.

    Crif Dogs & PDT

    City: New York
    Address: 113 St Mark’s Pl.
    Website: crifdogs.com

    A lost relic from the CBGB-era New York the natives always lament about, Crif Dogs offers classic NYC-style hot dogs and other standard greasy spoon fare. The real gem here is PDT (which stands for Please Don’t Tell), a bar inside Crif Dogs that can only be accessed through a phone booth. You dial 1 in order to summon the gatekeeper, but be advised, they reserve the right to turn away would-be patrons at their own discretion – a reminder that nothing in life is promised.

    Boston Winery

    City: Boston
    Address: 26 Ericsson St.
    Website: bostonwinery.net

    Boston’s pub scene is plagued with an unfortunate reputation, so I would suggest disregarding it altogether and opting for a crash course on what makes a fine wine with Ralph Bruno, head winemaker at the Boston Winery. I got to visit the grounds last year and discovered some amazing reds I can’t even pronounce.

    Black Heritage Trail

    City: Boston
    Address: 46 Joy St.
    Website: afroammuseum.org

    This is probably the only tourist mainstay I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone to do. Beantown was one of the most popular landing destinations for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad, and an important center in the ultimate abolition of slavery in the United States. Start your visit at the Museum of African American History and follow the interactive map to carve out your path among the many buildings where history was made.

    Chubby’s

    City: Philadelphia
    Address: 5826 Henry Ave.
    Website: chubbysofhenryave.com

    Of course you want to go to Philly and get the perfect cheesesteak. The formula seems basic enough: fileted strips of marinated beef, onions and Cheez Whiz in a loaf, yet the execution can be tricky. Sure it looks like a dive, but it’s about getting a taste of that authentic Philly experience.

     

    24 Grille

    City: Detroit
    Address: 204 Michigan Ave.
    Website: spa1924grille.com

    When I was in Motown, we made a pit stop at 24 Grille. The food was great, and if you’re lucky, you just might catch Judge Joe Strong rocking an Orange mink like it was nobody’s business.

     

    City Bird

    City: Detroit
    Address: 460 W. Canfield St.
    Website: ilovecitybird.com

    Shopping for souvenirs can be a hassle. No one wants to be that cornball that comes home with a bunch of mass-produced snow globes and key chains that were made overseas. The good folks at City Bird put up a neat little arts and crafts boutique which offers everything from tees to coasters and all other sorts of bric-a-brac centred around their deep love and appreciation of Detroit. I bought some of their city map soap myself.

    Great River Road

    Part of the appeal of road trips isn’t just in finding new, hidden places, it’s in getting lost and taking the time to take in the scenery. If you can, make sure you take the time to drive the Great River Road byway along the northern end of the Mississippi River. There’s something about waterside roads that makes for an awfully zen experience.

     

    Horween Leather Company

    City: Chicago
    Address: 2015 N. Elston Ave.
    Website: horween.com

    What’s more off the beaten path than a tannery? I love the smell of fresh leather, and if you do too, I highly recommend you visit the Horween factory. Witnessing firsthand the many processes that prepare the raw materials behind your favorite products will give you a newfound respect for the craft, and why its integrity is so important to people who fancy themselves connoisseurs. I’m sure if you give them a call in advance, you might be able to set up an appointment to see their goods.

    Haberdash

    City: Chicago
    Address: 607 N. State St.
    Website: haberdashmen.com

    Haberdash is so smart that it alone is worth a trip to the Chi. Their selection is distinguished and the staff is earnest and knowledgeable. (My kind of place!) The last time I was there, I picked up a few ties and socks to match.

     

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