This Museum was/is an enormous influence on me, as is the amazing woman who founded it. (Rebecca Hoffberger is my one true HERO in life…) It is a museum devoted exclusively to self-taught, “outsider” artists. It’s difficult to describe the true experience of The American Visionary Art Museum. You have to go and be enveloped by it. It will transform the way you feel about human existence. Pretty profound I know, but true. It is my favorite place on earth.

800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 244-1900

Click here to preview the new documentary, The Life of Chris Roberts-Antieau: A Love Letter to Tom Waits

Check out what Where Magazine: New Orleans, says about the Antieau Gallery!

Read what's being said about Chris Roberts-Antieau's new documetary!

See what Oprah has to say about Chris Roberts-Antieau's book, Sew Far

Inexpensive, great authentic BBQ, and full bar. Always packed, really fun. Featured on “Man vs. Food” in 2009. Opened by one of Detroit’s premier Urban Pioneers.

2138 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
313 962-9828

Even if he wasn’t my son, I would recommend this gourmet pizza in Portland, OR. Delivered fresh to your door-they also deliver home made ice cream! Check out their menu – it’s hilarious!

523 NE 19th Ave
Portland, OR, 92732
East side- 503 234 0114
West Side- 503 274 9570

In the quaint, small town of Chelsea, this is my favorite place to eat when I’m home in Michigan. The Parmesan Encrusted White Fish is excellent. The Creme Brulee is joy in a bowl. A jovial atmosphere, and GREAT waitstaff. Head Chef and owner, Craig Common also has two cook books, to date, for purchase.

112 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118
(734) 475-0470

Delicious, fresh, mouth-watering food made by the “Chefs to the Chef” at the Food Channel. Try the Alligator Po boy, the ham and brie sandwich and the Fried Chicken Salad.

801 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70116-3114
(504) 529-3777

Beautiful old New Orleans style brick home turned into a wonderful restaurant, directly across the street from, of all places, The Antieau Gallery! Tables outside around the fountain or inside for a cozy, intimate yet elegant experience. Try the Grits and Shrimp.

All the flavors of the world under one huge roof, in the heart of Philadelphia. Here you will find “Oprah’s Favorite Macaroni and Cheese”, along with the best chocolate chip cookies ever!

51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215 922-2317

Great deli in the French Quarter featuring delicious Home Made Food in HUGE portions, for NOT a lot of cash.

1201 Royal St
New Orleans, LA 70116
504 525-4767

My favorite place for breakfast in the Quarter right on Jackson Square. Delicious coffee, great service, and great people watching! Try the Eggs Benedict, but EVERYTHING is good!

547 Saint Ann Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 587-0093

Quirky, wacky, scary costume store. Open year round.

19 E. Cross St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
(734) 482-5409

Great reproduction vintage fabrics sold only on the internet. Really clear images, good descriptions, easy to navigate. I find a lot of great fabric here.

A shop that has been a part of my life from “The Very Beginning”. I saw my first piece of folk art here in 1983. Reproduction toys, soaps, jewelry, art, cards, and a great selection of fun stuff for under $1.00.

210 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668-7886

Located in the cool shopping district of Hampden, MD. Great retro/deco furniture, art and jewelry. Owners Rick and Sharona have a GREAT eye.

1015 W. 36th St.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 243-1317

Jam packed with comics from past to present. My favorite comic is called ”Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children”. A great way to spend an afternoon.

135 E. Michigan Ave
Jackson, MI 49201
(517) 784-8955

Rare and “Flagged” books in a hip atmosphere. Also underground magazines and comics.

3620 Falls Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 662-4444

Another GREAT comics and zine store. Vinyl toys, art shows, DVDs, magazines.

219 S. Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 998-1413

Great shop in Ann Arbor. Wonderful collection of old stuff and new, artfully arranged and VERY inspiring

407 N. Fifth Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 302-3060

My favorite place to shop in San Diego! Books, antiques, furniture, found objects, art…all truly amazing! I spend hours there whenever I visit.

309 S. Cedros Ave
Salona Beach, CA 92075

I keep using the words AMAZING and BRILLIANT, but this place is the definition of both. I will get in my car and travel the three hours to the other side of the state, just to get my “fix” of this great store. The owner’s eye is truly exquisite. I am a huge fan of extraordinary ”display skills” and I am always inspired by his sense of composition. Retro furniture, sculpture, found objects, curiosities, ephemera. In the cutest little town just 1 hour north of Chicago.

1 W. Ash
Three Oaks, MI 49128
(269) 756-3404

The MOST BEAUTIFUL “lobby” I’ve ever seen. Every kind of knowledge and history under one roof. (The “Chief of Rare Books and Special Collections Division” is pretty great, too!)

101 Independence Ave SE
Washington, DC 20540
(202) 707-5000

Butch is an incerdible intuitive artist, and has built his own home, and an outbuilding which houses his “Museum of Wonder”. Every square inch is packed with his raw, insightful painting and sculpture. He is also the Founder and Organizer of the “Doo-Nanny Festival”, which is held on his beautiful acreage, and includes Live Music, a Film Festival, an Art Fair, and camping for the weekend.

41 Poorhouse Rd
Seale, AL 36875
butchanthony63@yahoo.com

I screamed in sheer panic and delight when I first walked in this museum. (You will see why, when you go…) I love puppets. This place is the place to see every kind you can imagine. They also have daily performances.

1404 Spring St. Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 873-3089

Everything from Thomas Edison’s last breath preserved in a glass bottle, the chair that Lincoln was assassinated in, to the Lincoln Continental that JFK was shot in. I love the Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House, complete with Jetson’s-like household inventions. (The only remaining prototype in the world!) A huge place full of American innovation.

20900 Oakwood blvd
Dearborn, MI 48216
(313) 271-1570

Deco-themed museum dedicated to design in the center of South Beach, Miami. GREAT gift shop!

1001 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 531-1001

An amusement park for ADULTS (and children)! Walk through a suspension bridge maze, climb flimsy ladders at least 60′ into the cockpit of a vintage fighter jet, slide down the 7-story slide, all created by one artist. Carnival side-show like atmosphere-giant underpants, fortune tellers, world’s largest pencil, (76′ long). You really have to see it to believe it.

701 North 15th St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 231-2489

Located in a strip mall in a Detroit suburb, you would never guess the wonders inside. Open 365 days a year, this museum is the life’s work and collection of one man. Full of mechanical, anamatronic, interactive carnival games, vintage toy airplanes “flying” on a track installed in the ceiling, video games, prizes, hot dogs, more games, and non stop fun. There’s nothing like it.

31005 Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 626-5020

Beautifully renovated and restored movie house complete with live pipe organ music. Always interesting film and live concerts.

603 E. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 668 8463

My favorite sports team. In my opinion hockey players are the best all-around athletes of any sport. From Gordie Howe to Johan Franzen, this team is pure hockey tradition.

Detroit, MI 48226
1888 583-6046

Indescribable atmosphere filled with eclectic paintings by the owner, and one of the BEST juke boxes around. Be sure to get your “When Men Were Men” T shirt!

219 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-7020

In my tiny town of Manchester, Michigan, a true gem. Family owned and operated since opening, this where the great minds of Manchester (population 1200) meet. Great conversations from politics to religion, home of the alternative Chicken Broil, “Roosterpalooza”. Great burgers too. (Tell Jack that Chris sent you!)

235 E. Main St.
Manchester, MI 48158
(734) 428-7032

Every July in my tiny town, we swell to over 45,000 eager chicken eaters. Huge outdoor barbecue pits are assembled on site, while tens of Manchester men grill and flip poultry parts for the hungry throngs. For $7.00 per plate, you receive 1/2 a broiled chicken, a biscuit, a bag of chips, and at least one radish. Don’t forget to stop by the Bortmas’ for home made pie!