Shop: Gladstone

If you take a short jaunt off the main boulevard, you'll find hidden gems of local wonders in Gladstone's many shops and stores. Here are a few favorites of locals and visitors alike.

Happyrock Coffee: A fun play on the city name of Gladstone, Happyrock Coffee is the official unofficial welcome center and tourism entity for the town. They are as big of advocates for Gladstone as they are for their ethically sourced organic coffee beans that they roast themselves at the shop. Stop by for an amazing cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich as their friendly staff fills you in on everything else you should do while in town. And don't forget to buy a bag of beans, so you can enjoy the flavors at home as well.

Gladstone Mercantile: If you're a fan of the vintage décor style that is all the rage, then stopping at Gladstone Mercantile is pretty much mandatory. One visit won't be enough either, as they add new items daily. Customers call this store a treasure trove filled with conversational pieces. 

GGK Philippine Sweets and Treats Asian Market: You don't have to be from the Philippines to appreciate their culinary wonders. If you're a fan of Philippine food, this is where you need to go to recreate some of your favorite dishes at home. As the name suggests, you'll also find some sweets, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth after enjoying your authentic, homecooked meal. 

The Wurst Market: The Wurst Market gets points both for the clever name and for the quality of the meats they sell. Just like the butcher shops of old, you'll find only the best cuts from local, hormone free beef, chicken, pork, lamp, salmon and of course, wurst. They're also a deli, so you can enjoy an amazing sandwich to help tide you over until you get home to cook your purchase.