Under $100: Brighton

The seaside resort of Brighton has remained a favorite with daytrippers for many years, and a strong creative scene makes it as interesting as ever.

Step out for a brisk walk along the seafront before breakfast at LangeLee’s, which offers a number of options ranging from $5.25 to $11.25. If the weather is warm, take a seat in the charming courtyard. The English breakfast comes highly recommended.

Brighton Pier © Dennis Dolkens | Dreamstime

Head along the seafront to the iconic pier, which is full of tacky arcades and a few rollercoasters. It’s not exactly Disneyworld but it’s still fun and there is a great view along the beach on a clear day ($5 arcade machines).

Walk along the seafront for awhile before heading back into the town center for lunch at Troll’s Pantry in the back of the Hobgoblin pub. The burgers are a cut above anything else in town, even in burger-obsessed Brighton, and at $10 you can’t go wrong. Wash it down with one of the microbrews (pint $4.50).

Lanes Street Art © Magspace | Dreamstime

After lunch, dive into the famous Lanes, a series of narrow alleyways populated by some seriously interesting independent shops. If you like to shop away from the high street, you could spend hours perusing the antique shops, comic book stores and boutiques here. Splash out on a vintage jacket as a souvenir for $25 from Wolf & Gypsy Vintage.

A long day of browsing is enough to make anyone hungry and luckily The Coal Shed is on hand to serve up sophisticated evening meals that don’t break the bank. You can get an onglet steak and beef-dripping cooked chips for $15, which leaves enough change for a bottle of Wild Beer Fresh IPA ($7) to accompany it.

If you still have the energy to sample Brighton’s famous nightlife, check out the well-designed Black Dove, where you can sip on a craft beer ($7) surrounded by antique bric-a-brac and some of the town’s interesting characters.

Lanes © Mike Beales | Flickr