[Exotica] Tourist visits US, seeks advice

Dear All,
I'll be visiting the US this month and would be very very grateful for
any suggestions re:
- vinyl shops,
- live venues, bars, eating places,
- anything else that's worth seeking out and is not on the first 30
pages of the guidebooks...
I'll be in New York 19-23 July, then around New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada
and California till mid-August.
This is practically my first time (have been to New York for a few days
10 years ago), so any and all info/advice would be welcome (in private
or on the list).
Thanks a lot,
Peter
nadori@???