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The Urbanist
the urbanist

The Urbanist’s Guide to Approachable, Unusual Hikes

 Avoid the day-tripper crowds at these expert-recommended trails. By Nikita Richardson
the urbanist

The Urbanist’s Guide to the Beaches of New Jersey

 How to best navigate everything from parking to beach tags. By Kayla Levy
the urbanist

The Urbanist’s Guide to Tucson

 Sonoran Desert chiles, full-moon-brewed beer, and grocery-store-heiress antiques. By Elizabeth Thompson
  1. the urbanist: cape town
    Your Perfect Saturday Night — or Thursday — in Cape TownEat in a parking lot, take a full-moon hike, and throw back cocktails with major views of Table Mountain.
    By Sarah Khan
  2. the urbanist
    Barcelona Is a Hotbed of Artistic Expression — Here’s Where to See ItThree curators on the trailblazing venues that keep them coming back for more.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  3. the urbanist: san francisco
    Where Cannabis Enthusiasts Go to Get High on San FranciscoYou can legally buy cannabis at any dispensary in California. Here, the industry vanguard share their favorite places to get stoned on San Francisco.
    By Aislyn Greene
  4. the urbanist: bogotá
    Cloud Forests, Coffee Haciendas, and Other Ways to Escape BogotáThe city’s chaotic traffic and never-ending sprawl can feel suffocating. But take a short drive and you’re surrounded by Andean greenery.
    By Nicholas Gill
  5. the urbanist: dubai
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting DubaiOur list includes the first Emirati feature film, poetry about the Arab female experience, and the Instagram account of a billionaire crown prince.
    By Kerry McDermott
  6. the urbanist: bogotá
    Where Two of Bogotá’s Hottest Chefs Eat Every Meal of the DaySergio Meza’s and Álvaro Clavijo’s top picks for lamb ribs, two-handed sandwiches, and gin-and-salvia sours.
    By Nicholas Gill
  7. the urbanist: honolulu
    EDM Downtown and Jazz in Chinatown: A Live Music Guide to HonoluluWhatever you’re in the mood to hear — throbbing house music, indie hip-hop, slack-key guitar — Aloha Got Soul’s Roger Bong knows where to find it.
    By Ligaya Malones
  8. the urbanist: beijing
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Beijing If They Weren’t LocalFrom quirky options hidden down winding lanes to minimalist art-adorned hotels, the capital has superb — and superbly varied — options.
    By Jamie Fullerton
  9. the urbanist: bangkok
    You Can Do Better Than Khaosan RoadLeave the deep-fried scorpions to the backpackers. Here are five under-the-radar alternatives to Bangkok’s biggest tourist magnets.
    By Andrew Parks
  10. the urbanist: bangkok
    An Insider’s Guide to Bangkok’s Underground Art SceneAs the capital gears up for its inaugural Bangkok Art Biennale, artists and curators gather the courage to speak out in new and subversive ways.
    By Andrew Parks
  11. the urbanist: barcelona
    Week 3: There’s No Better Time to Go to Barcelona Than Right NowIn spite of its political issues, visiting the capital of Catalonia is still as safe as ever. And a dip in visitors means there are deals to be had.
    By Jackie Bryant
  12. the urbanist: barcelona
    Shantytowns and Air Raid Shelters: Peeling Back the Layers in BarcelonaWhat’s old is new again, thanks to a spate of notable urban renewal projects.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  13. the urbanist: dubai
    The Best of Both Worlds: Dubai’s High and Low Food SpotsThere’s more to the city’s dining scene than Gordon Ramsay and Salt Bae.
    By Laura Coughlin
  14. the urbanist: cape town
    Penguin Beaches, Storybook Villages, and Other Ways to Escape Cape TownFive unique destinations within a couple hours’ drive of the Mother City, hand-picked by locals we trust.
    By Sarah Khan
  15. the urbanist: bogotá
    Bogotá’s Art Scene Is on Fire — These Are the Galleries to KnowA clutch of ambitious and experimental projects spread across town.
    By Nicholas Gill
  16. the urbanist: london
    My Favorite End: A Comedian’s Guide to South LondonNish Kumar, a stand-up comedian and presenter of BBC satirical news show The Mash Report, digs into the stomping ground of his youth.
    By Coco Khan
  17. the urbanist: san francisco
    San Francisco’s Most Coveted Reservations — and Where to Go If You Can’t Get InThree foodie locals on the restaurants they always book in advance, plus their top alternatives when it doesn’t pan out.
    By Aislyn Greene
  18. the urbanist: dubai
    How to Live Like a Sheikh in Dubai (For a Day, Anyway)When it comes to the finer pleasures in life, this city is second to none.
    By Siobhan Downes
  19. the urbanist: bangkok
    Handmade Lutes, Herbal Inhalers, and Other Souvenirs You Should Buy in BangkokPut down the snake whiskey. Step away from the elephant pants. Our sources have better ideas for what to bring home.
    By Andrew Parks
  20. the urbanist: honolulu
    Where Organic Farmers and Top Chefs Eat in HonoluluOahu is teeming with farm-to-table fare, though it’s true — many locals still have a place in their hearts for Spam.
    By Ligaya Malones
  21. the urbanist: bangkok
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Bangkok If They Weren’t LocalIn a city as sprawling as Bangkok, where you sleep matters. Here, four locals share their picks for stylish hostels, luxe rooftop cottages, and more.
    By Andrew Parks
  22. the urbanist: honolulu
    Honolulu’s Best Beaches for Surfing, Snorkeling, and SunrisesThe hit list includes Diamond Head, Lanikai, Makapu’u, and of course Waikiki.
    By Ligaya Malones
  23. the urbanist: bogotá
    One Night in Bogotá? This Is How You Should Spend ItEating braised cow hump, salsa dancing, and drinking in an old brothel.
    By Nicholas Gill
  24. the urbanist: san francisco
    How to Explore the Dogpatch, San Francisco’s Artsiest NeighborhoodThe former industrial area is now home to a groundswell of artistic expression. Workshop Residence creative manager Lisa Ellsworth takes us on a tour.
    By Aislyn Greene
  25. the urbanist: honolulu
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Honolulu If They Weren’t LocalIncluding tropical boutique hotels, stately legacy resorts, and a beach spot that’s perfect for budget travelers.
    By Ligaya Malones
  26. the urbanist: honolulu
    The Insider’s Guide to Honolulu’s ChinatownHonolulu native Laurien “Lala” Nuss highlights the wet markets, galleries, restaurants, and performance spaces that make the area special.
    By Ligaya Malones
  27. the urbanist: cape town
    How to Shop Like a Local in Cape TownTwo fashion-industry insiders tell us where they go for python bags, hand-painted busts, and lattice-weave bathrobes.
    By Sarah Khan
  28. the urbanist: bogotá
    The Ultimate Street Art Guide to BogotáThis is one of the most graffiti-friendly cities on Earth, but it wasn’t always that way. Local legend CRISP explains.
    By Nicholas Gill
  29. the urbanist: beijing
    Where to See Art in Beijing (Beyond the 798 Art Zone)Our selects include under-the-radar hutong galleries and a mall dotted with Dalí sculptures.
    By Jamie Fullerton and Paula Jin
  30. the urbanist
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting San FranciscoOur list of essentials includes a jailhouse podcast, a Harvey Milk documentary, and a 49-chapter love letter to the city.
    By Aislyn Greene
  31. the urbanist: bogotá
    Five Archetypal Bogotán Drinks and Where to Order ThemIncluding Colombian coffee, craft beer, and low-alcohol Andean chicha.
    By Nicholas Gill
  32. the urbanist: bogotá
    How to Avoid Other Tourists in BogotáAlternatives to Monserrate, La Candelaria, Andrés Carne de Res, the Museo del Oro, and the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá.
    By Nicholas Gill
  33. the urbanist: honolulu
    Mai Tais, Lava Flows, and Japanese Whisky: Where to Drink in HonoluluThe bar scene on Oahu is as diverse as the island itself, slinging polished cocktails and craft beers alongside neo-tiki concoctions.
    By Ligaya Malones
  34. the urbanist: barcelona
    Vermouth With a Side of Anarchy: The Perfect Night Out in BarcelonaThe capital is rightly famous for its nightlife, but going out is an art form. Actor Joan Martinez Vidal explains.
    By Jackie Bryant
  35. the urbanist: dubai
    The Skeptic’s Guide to Art and Culture in Dubai (Yes, It Exists)From galleries tucked inside budget hotels to compelling street art, here’s where the resident culturati get their fix.
    By Kerry McDermott
  36. the urbanist: london
    11 Souvenirs You Should Buy in London, According to LocalsPay no mind to those telephone box keychains and Queen Elizabeth bobbleheads. Our insiders have much better suggestions for gifts to go.
    By Coco Khan
  37. the urbanist: beijing
    Week 7: Beijing Is a City That Rewards Those Who Delve DeepThe contrasting glitz and grit of the Chinese capital can be a jolt to the system. But it’s a jolt to be embraced.
    By Jamie Fullerton
  38. the urbanist: london
    The Fashion Insider’s Cheat Sheet to Shopping in LondonWhere to begin in the city that produced names as renowned as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, while home to Savile Row.
    By Coco Khan
  39. the urbanist: beijing
    Say No to Beijing’s Superclubs and Yes to Its Underground NightlifeDJs from Lantern, Aurora, and Dada make the case for the city’s smaller, hipper venues.
    By Jamie Fullerton and Paula Jin
  40. the urbanist: dubai
    Worthwhile Alternatives to Dubai’s Most Popular SightsBurj Khalifa, Jumeirah Mosque, and the Dubai Museum are fantastic — but they’re also swarming with tourists.
    By Laura Coughlin
  41. the urbanist: cape town
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Cape Town If They Weren’t LocalWhat constitutes a “budget” hotel room in the Mother City is often much nicer than it needs to be.
    By Sarah Khan
  42. the urbanist: san juan
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Follow Before Visiting San JuanOur essentials include Boricua cookbooks, a Frontline documentary, and graphic novels starring Puerto Rico’s first female superhero.
    By Kathleen Squires
  43. the urbanist: london
    All the Galleries, Theaters, and Art Hubs You Should Know in South LondonHand-picked by Zoe Whitley, curator of contemporary international art at Tate Modern.
    By Christine Ajudua
  44. the urbanist: beijing
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting BeijingOur list includes banned books, a pollution monitor, and a workaround for the Great Firewall of China.
    By Jamie Fullerton
  45. the urbanist: barcelona
    Where the Locals Would Stay in Barcelona If They Weren’t LocalIncluding a bank turned hostel, a luxury hotel with a courtyard full of orange trees, and a sexy boutique inn with shrapnel in the walls.
    By Jackie Bryant and Jennifer Ceaser
  46. the urbanist: barcelona
    Girona, Sitges, and Other Worthy Day Trips From BarcelonaWhen you’ve counted one too many fanny packs, head for the surrounding hills, or the sea, or a Game of Thrones–esque village.
    By Jennifer Ceaser
  47. the urbanist: honolulu
    Where to Buy Reversible Bikinis, Vintage Kimonos, and More in HonoluluDon’t waste money on dashboard ornaments and cheap ukuleles. Shop for locally made keepsakes instead.
    By Ligaya Malones
  48. the urbanist: honolulu
    Go Deeper: What to Read, Watch, and Download Before Visiting HonoluluOur list of essentials includes the Holoholo podcast, how-to pidgin videos, and some very enviable Instagram accounts.
    By Ligaya Malones
  49. the urbanist: honolulu
    What to Do in Kaka‘ako, Honolulu’s Hippest NeighborhoodWhatever you’re into right this hot minute — yoga, street art, karaoke, fancy toast — you’ll find a version of here.
    By Ligaya Malones
  50. the urbanist: cape town
    Art, Art Everywhere: The Gallery Hopper’s Guide to Cape TownThe city has everything a burgeoning art capital could need: thriving art schools, a booming gallery scene, and endless sources of inspiration.
    By Sarah Khan
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