New York’s Unique & Unexpected Places

I love the places and things you find when you venture off-the-beaten path in NYC, so I was excited to learn about a new book: New York’s Unique and Unexpected Places. I am always looking for those “best kept secrets” (or not so much, if they are published in a book) and places I have yet to explore.

I attended the book launch party at Idlewild Books – which happens to make the book! Idlewild is a great bookstore for any travel lover, and they organize their books by region so that you can find guides, biographies, literature, and even cook books side-by-side. They also have an incredible number of book readings and launch parties, so you should check out their event listings if you are ever in NYC.

I was also happy to see two more of my favorite neighborhood haunts on the list: The High Line (which I’ve previously written about) and the Rubin Museum of Art. I love the Rubin Museum because it has a great collection of Himalayan art, including special exhibits like “Mandala: The Perfect Circle” and “The Red Book of C.G. Jung: Creation of a New Cosmology”. I’m especially drawn to this museum and their collections because of my love for the Himalayan region and also because I create mandalas myself (read more about Wanderlust Mandalas).

What the book doesn’t explain, however, is that the RMA has a great gift store and café, which I love to go to during the day to focus on writing and at night for some cocktails with friends. They also offer a varied series of events – from Friday night movies and jazz concerts to lunchtime discussions and storytelling programs. They also have an amazing list of guest speakers. Those participating in the C.G. Jung series alone have included Tibet scholar Robert Thurman, novelist Alice Walker, comedienne Sarah Silverman, screenwritier/director Charlie Kaufman, musician Billy Corgan, and even Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.

Some of the places featured in the book that I have yet to explore but am very much looking forward to include:

• Bowne & Company Stationers – a vintage print shop located in the Seaport
• The Map Room of the New York Public Library – I love maps!
• The Grolier Club – a distinguished club for bibliophiles
• Tender Buttons – a tiny shop with a vast collection of unique buttons
• The Noguchi Museum – a space dedicated to the simple sculptures of Isamu Noguchi

Do you know of any gems in NYC that you’d like to share with others? And discover some more with New York’s Unique and Unexpected Places.