Hamilton itinerary

With a plan to experience the very best of Americana that Melbourne can offer, begin your day with a pilgrimage to Bowery to Williamsburg with its subway-themed décor. Order waffles from the US-inspired menu, or something more substantive such as their version of the famous New York sandwich, the Reuben. 

Modern graffiti has its roots in the once-mean streets of Philadelphia and New York City, so depart Bowery armed with a cup of joe powered by Brunswick coffee roaster Padre to join Melbourne Street Art Tours. Admire the ever-evolving urban artwork adorning some of the city's famed bluestone laneways. 

There’s shopping to be done and if it’s American-influenced style you’re after, try Saturdays NYC or vintage specialist American Rag in the QV complex, or Rag & Bone in Elizabeth Street.

Or wander the aisles of the renowned Queen Victoria Market, fuelling up with authentic jam donuts from the American Doughnut Kitchen van. Watch for opportunities between June and August to visit the Winter Night Market, the most spectacular way to experience this splendid attraction.

Either side of the weekend's main event, a blockbuster performance of Hamilton at the magnificent Her Majesty's Theatre, sate your appetite with a feed at Fancy Hank’s, specialising in American-inspired BBQ with a distinctly Melbourne touch.

Afterwards, keep the good times rolling next door at Good Heavens, a fun-time rooftop bar with décor straight out of 1980s Palm Springs and hypercoloured drinks to match.

There’s gold in them thar suburbs, and a day of exploration beckons. First, load up on breakfast at 5 & Dime Bagel in Collins Place with authentic NYC-style bagels, then hit up nearby Market Lane Coffee for instant caffeination.

Amble past the imposing Victorian Parliament building on one side and the grand Hotel Windsor on the other, enroute to a stroll around nearby Carlton Gardens and the stunning Royal Exhibition Building.

The curious should allow a few hours to browse the wonders of the Melbourne Museum including the jurassic-era exhibition, Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs. Or check out what’s on at IMAX, with one of the largest cinema screens in the Southern Hemisphere.

Board the Route 86 tram to Smith Street where you could easily while away the rest of the day browsing an eclectic and often bohemian mix of shops along Smith and nearby Brunswick streets.

Graze as you go at Huxtaburger with their simple burgers-done-right philosophy, or veer ‘south of the border’ with a stop at Trippy Taco for vegetarian tacos, quesadillas and maybe a margarita or two. Coffee from Proud Mary will keep your day rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ along.

Dinner at Miss Katie’s Crab Shack awaits, featuring Southern-style feasting and even a Louisiana-style build-your-own crab boil. To finish, choose between a stop at Smith Street’s much-loved Gelato Messina, or jump on a tram back to your city digs via a nightcap at HER ROOFTOP.