I was going through this article and got this idea to write about Arad. I love my city, as I’ve mentioned plenty of times before…so why shouldn’t you know more about it?

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is : the bank of the River Mures. Each season makes it sparkle in a different way. Plus, it’s excellent to relax after traveling.

When I crave ice cream I always go to: Gelateria Coandi. Try cantaloupe with mint.

To escape the hustle and bustle, I head to: Ceala Forest. Just a 45 min walk from the city center.

If I want to watch the sky on a starry night, I go to : one of the bridges that cross the River Mures.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in : Moneasa during the shoulder season.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with: The Town Hall.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Pizzeria Coandi it’s one of their salads Biosweets – one of their salads or even sweets – or Vegan Time – same ideas.

One of the summer / winter fares is my one-stop shop for great gifts – hand made stuff, trinkets, used books, you name it, they have it.

Locals know to skip the over-priced cafes lining Revolutiei Boulevard and check out smaller cafes in Avram Iancu Square. KF is a favorite. Or more hidden places close to Mihai Viteazu Farmers’ Market.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to: a bagel shop.

For a huge splurge I go to: Grand Boulevard / Zaraza.

Photo ops in my city include: bird watching in the forest, season changing on the bank of the river, pigeons in Avram Iancu square.

The best vantage points are : Continental Astoria restaurant and the Town Hall Tower.

If my city were a celebrity it’d be: Sisi, the Austro-Hungarian empress.

The most random thing about my city is: that it’s nicknamed Little Vienna.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves: walking/jogging on the bank of the river, playing tennis on one of the outdoor courts, hiking in the forest.

My city’s best museum is: history museum , entrance from the Children’s Park.

My favorite jogging/walking route is: along the bank of the river.

For a night of dancing, go to : – ask someone who actually does that.

Or, for live music, check out : Zaraza.

For late night eats, check out : Unirii street (I call it shaworma valley).

To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read: -scretches head- I don’t read anything, just check out Facebook.

You can tell a lot about my city from walking on the banks of the river on Sunday afternoons.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they know where the Casa cu Lacat is.

In the spring you should go: for a walk in the park.

In the summer you should : go for a swim in a pool at Strand . Or for a BBQ in the forest.

In the fall you should: take photos of the fall foliage on the bank of the river and in the forest.

In the winter you should: go ice-skating. Or hide in a cafe and drink mulled wine.

A hidden gem in my city is: KF. Excellent lemonade during the summer and great teas during the winter.

For a great breakfast joint try:…hmmm…a bagel with some yogurt?

Just outside my city, you can visit two ruined citadels and an incredible monastery: Siria Citadel, Soimos Citadel and Maria Radna Monastery.

The best way to see my city is : on foot.

If my city were a pet it would be: a pug.

If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live in: Athens. Or Budapest. Or London.

The best book about my city is: have to investigate. I have no idea.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is : Row, row , row your boat / gently down a stream…

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss: the puppets theater.

Zilele Aradului could only happen in my city. The fair and the free plays are the things I like about it.

Note: the article was written in Sept 2012 and updated in June 2016.