Hempstead, New York
Dena Wlodarczyk is a 23-year-old assistant buyer for women's shoes at Macy's from Long Island, New York. She loves electronic music and snowboarding, and the last place she traveled to was Ibiza, Spain.
The best way to travel here is: By car, particularly your own as Long Island cabs usually cost an arm and a leg.
I stayed at: My parents' house (free meals and laundry service woo!) but if I did come from out of town, I probably would have stayed at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn. There aren't too many great places to stay on Long Island so for that I would suggest lodging in the surrounding area. The Wythe Hotel is supposed to be great. I've yet to stay there, but it's in an incredible location surrounded by restaurants, boutiques and tons of interesting people.
When it comes to packing, be sure to bring: A lint brush because no one wants to see cat hair on your shirt.
The best thing that I ate was: Burger King on the drive home. If you're traveling to Long Island, I would suggest eating at Pollos el Paisa in Westbury, or Churrasqueria Bairrada in Mineola, both on Long Island. Pollos el Paisa is a Colombian restaurant and Bairrada is a Portuguese restaurant. Both have delicious rotisserie dishes, and both have delicious sangria.
I wish I hadn't: Skipped out on Dunkin Donuts before I left for the debate.
Don't miss: Saturday morning's batch of bagels at Hand Rolled bagel in New Hyde Park on Long Island. Hand Rolled makes the best bagels in all of the land.
My favorite part of the trip was: Having the opportunity to bond with my dad over our shared political views.
