1. Milk and Honey (134 Eldridge St. New York, NY)

An updated speakeasy, Milk and Honey is a unique experience that should not be missed.  Call ahead for reservations, and be ready for rejection, as the whole place seats just fifteen.  Once in, you will be blown away by their creative and flavorful drink combinations, including the house specialty sidecar.

2. PDT (Please Don’t Tell) (113 St. Marks Place, New York, NY)

PDT, short for Please Don’t Tell, is a super secret lounge that is well worth the effort it takes to discover its location.  The bar is hidden behind a hot dog shop and entered by typing a code onto a payphone.  If they have seating available, a door swings open and, voila, you’re in.  Perfectionist bartenders turnout top flight drinks that will leave you satisfied, if not lighter in the pocket.

3. Greenhouse (150 Varick St., New York, NY)

Greenhouse is one of the first clubs to make environmental consciousness a priority.  Their LEED certified building is bedecked with plant life and psychedelic lighting, turning the dance floor into a couture jungle.  A young crowd and booming electronic beats make Greenhouse the place to be if you’re looking for a boisterous night on the town.

4. Decibel (240 East 9^th St., New York, NY)

This basement sake bar may seem like a dive from the street, but once inside you will find a tightly packed, upbeat community of businessmen and groups of friends.  A no-frills approach fits Decibel perfectly, and you will not be disappointed by their wide range of sake and food selections.  But remember, watch your elbows, as you will probably be sitting almost in your neighbors lap.

5. Provocateur (18 9th Ave., New York, NY)

One of Manhattan’s toughest doors, dress your best and get your Amex ready.  A well-known celebrity watering hole, Provocateur constantly presents top international DJs and serves up all manner of luxuries.  If you are looking for a night of high life, this is the spot for you.

National Independence Day Parade – Washington D.C.

If you’re into large crowds then viva the July 4th with the masses and head to D.C. for the largest annual 4^th of July parade in the country.  Every year, Washington D.C. fittingly sets off Independence Day with a bang that’s highlighted by a parade of elaborate floats stretching down Constitution Avenue.  With more than 25 bands and 400,000–yes 400,000 spectators, there will be plenty of opportunities to indulge in entertainment.  Plus, this celebration has the all day factor.

Why travel somewhere else for just two hours of fireworks?

After you’ve scoped out the parade explore the sights and museums then head over to the Capitol Building where the National Symphony Orchestra will perform to the tune of the largest televised fireworks exhibition in the country.

Plan to arrive the night before to prep for the crowds and plan to stay for at least two nights to recover from the fun.  Don’t rent a car, the streets will all be closed off and driving in the district is hell anyway.  Take a taxi and book a hotel somewhere close by, like the Hilton Garden Inn on 14^th street; this will give you a mere 5 block walk down to Constitution Avenue.  There is no better reminder of diversity in America, than this 4th of July fiesta. Whether, you like to Fiesta, Partay, or Petit Fete…come to DC, for the ultimate Partay.

1. Boston Harborfest – Boston Massachusetts

20 years ago, Boston Harborfest began as a humble festival with 30 events.  Today, the 7 day celebration has grown to more than 20 concentrated events and is considered “THE” national Independence Day celebration in the country.  The Boston Harborfest showcases the Maritime and Colonial vale of the revolution.  Critics have heralded it as one of the best family celebrations to attend because of its vast array of booths, activities and entertainment.  Events take place in the historic district and on the waterfront but the main events held exclusively on Boston’s City Hall Plaza.  Because of its colonial heritage, the festival trumpets, the austere aura of archaic American culture that has fizzled out over the last couple centuries.  The immersion into colonial Americana is completely outfitted with opulent revolutionary war costumes. Tours  reenact the American revolution regularly.  I guarantee the 4th of July will move up a notch on your top 3 holiday places to celebrate list. Otherwise, send me an email and tell me why YOUR local holiday celebration takes the cake.

1. Summerfest  09’ – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Welcome to the self proclaimed “World’s Largest Music Festival”.  Summerfest begins the week prior to the 4th and is the culmination of events and concerts that ushers in summer. This cornucopious music-fest is one of the best annual music event on the planet.  If you don’t believe us, you might listen to the Guinness Book of World Records, that has made the same proclamation about Summerfest, the event has comedy acts, shopping vendors and of course, fireworks.  Known as the “Big Gig”, Summerfest takes place in Henry Maier Festival Park and has been an annual tradition since 1968.  Everyone who is a real musician has taken part, including the Grateful Dead, Sting, Prince and Eric Clapton, all whom have graced the main stage at this ultimate celebration.  The 11 day playbill featuring over 700 bands that culminates  in the the ultimate fireworks show on the 4^th of July.  If you’ve been looking for something more than your standard-issue snap, crackle and pop fireworks show, then Summerfest 09′ may just be your calling.

1. Macy’s Firework Celebration – New York, New York

40,000 shells at a rate of 1,200 explosions per minute is a lot of sparkle that is a kaleidoscope you must see to appreciate.  Take a gander at some of the photos and see if you can wrap your head around the cacophony of colors crackling in the summer sky of New York City.  Save this piece of endless summer memory for your scrapbook and experience the ultimate July 4th fireworks bonanza, and try to attend Macy’s Fireworks show and parade on the Hudson River.

This global event is complete with NBC coverage, featuring international performers and the ultimate in fireworks. Besides, it’s New York, and everybody needs a good excuse to get away to the Big Apple. If you are looking for a crowd then New York is the place to be–fireworks or not.  The show sets the Manhattan skyline ablaze as skyscrapers reflect and intensify the explosions overhead and the familiar smell of summer sulfur fills the night sky.

We must warn you about the patriotic themed scores that will trumpet in the background, bringing flashbacks to emotional movie moments, which has brought many to tears. You won’t catch me crying, but, if we run into each other, I will have a box of tissues ready for you.

The best views for this year will be between the 23^rd and 59^th blocks of Manhattan’s west side.  These public spots will fill up quick so get there early to snag a good patch of real estate.

New York City parking guru “Gridlock Sam” says the best viewing area will probably be south of 42nd Street along the pier by the Circle Line. Other prime West Side public viewing spots include:

Dewitt Clinton Park (Access from 11^th Avenue)

Pier 54 (Limited access from 14^th St.)

Pier 84 (Limited Access from 44^th St.)

Needing a more upscale location to enjoy the show?  There are plenty of premier venues  in up for grabs.  Try the Chandelier Room at the new W Hotel in Hoboken (New Jersey).  If you’re feeling really ambitious the 86^th Floor Observatory at the Empire State Building is selling tickets for $125 dollars per person.  And our third pick would have to be the Hudson Terrace located off the west side highway (621 West 42^nd St.) for $125 dollars you can get an all you can eat gourmet buffet and for $75 dollars more you get a private cabana for 15 to watch the show in private (ish) luxury.

Check out some of the top 10 4th of July hot spots!

1. Boston

2. Cape Cod, Marthas Vinyard, Nantucket

3. Chicago

4. Mount Rushmore

5. Philadelphia

6. Queen Mary 2 (docked in Long Beach, CA)

7. San Diego

8. San Juan Island

9. U.S. Virgin Islands

10. Washington D.C.

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, his debut book, was followed by a television offer.  Bourdain went on to write two more books and produce the food network series “A Cook’s Tour” before landing his Emmy nominated show No Reservations.  In its fifth season, No Reservations travels the world seeking out the not so popularized eating havens of today.  Like our gonzo journalists here at HotelReservations.com, Tony seeks out the cheapest and best experiences before the rest of the world has caught on.  He secretly works for us…:)

The first episode of this season airs July 13^th in Chile.  But in relevance to our endeavors, check out the 3^rd episode which comes out on July 27^th on Travel Channel.  This episode will check out some great culinary staycations to help you become the ultimate connoisseur of underground U.S. culture.  Tony will be traveling to Baltimore, Detroit and Buffalo.  Although you may be imagining a grey cloud hovering over these cities known for traffic and crime, these blue collar cities of the U.S. invoke a culture and vibe that cannot be re-created by resorts or newly booming cities.

Food, art, architecture and personality are aspects that take years to develop in a dense city.  This is certainly why everyone loves to travel to Europe; there is a vibe and culture of honesty that surrounds you when you walk along cobblestones.  When a new resort is opened up most of the attractions are new, and have been put there just to attract tourism.  When you step into Buffalo or Detroit, the food and places of entertainment have survived years of bad economies and emigration.  This honing of a city is what gives the bricks the same dark hue that you see in the shops of European towns.  So please, go check it out before the episode airs so you are ahead of the curve.  Catch a ballgame, eat some American pastime and catch some local music.  I don’t have to tell you how cheap it is to visit these cities, you already know.  Safe Travels until next time.

We all know New York can get a little costly.  To better prepare you
for the impending dent in your wallet here is a general cost list for
popular NYC commodities.

Single-use MetroCard -$2
Taxi flat fare between JFK Airport and Manhattan -$45 plus bridge/tunnel tolls and tip
Staten Island Ferry -free
Met Museum -$20
Museum of Modern Art -$20
Guggenheim Museum -$18
American Museum of Natural History -$15
Whitney Museum -$15
Bronx Zoo -$15
Empire State Building -$18.45
Top of the Rock -$20
“Wicked” on Broadway, orchestra level – $12o.00 to $250.00
Puccini’s La Rondine at Met Opera, prime orchestra – $175
NY Knicks, three levels up from court - $99.50
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum – $19.50
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex – $28.18
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum – $35
Ripley’s Odditorium – $24.99
Sports Museum of America – $16
Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferry – $18
Circle Line full-island tour – $31
Gray Line “Manhattan Comprehensive” bus tour – $91
Rockefeller Center Ice Rink – $15.50 to $19, plus $9 skate rental
United Nations tour – $12.50
Grimaldi’s whole cheese pizza – $15.20
Carnegie Deli pastrami sandwich – $17.95
Per Se chef’s tasting menu – $275
Gray’s Papaya recession special – $4.45
Magnolia Bakery cupcake – $2.50