So my husband has been asked to go to NYC for his book release in the second week of January. I figure I may as well come over for the ride, seeing as I only have to pay the extra airfare!
He’ll probably be busy with signings and meetings during the day, so i’m expecting to have to amuse myself for a few days, but we will probably have evenings and a couple of days together.
I’m thinking museums and art galleries might be the ideal activities for me and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I love natural history and we only saw a part of the Natural History museum last time, so i’ll definitely head back there. I’m not really a classical art fan, but I do enjoy the more zany/whimsical exhibitions. I would also like to learn more about the history of New York.
You could check out SoHo (roughly between Houston and Canal and Broadway and 6th) for more current art but I don’t know where to go specifically. You could morph your art walk into a visit to Chinatown since it’s down that way.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is chock full of interesting exhibits - Egyptian, Islamic, Asian, Pacific Islands (I guess you’d be familiar with that), Musical instruments, etc. outside of it’s classical offerings, so you should see what’s there when you arrive.
Argosy Books on East 59th Street near Lexington Avenue–the best used-bookstore in the city since Gotham Book Mart closed (I find The Strand over-rated).
The Algonquin, on West 44th between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, a great, quiet little spot to stop off for drinks, either in the lobby or the Blue Bar. Been there since 1903, I think, and has long been a literary and show-biz hangout.
The Old Town Bar and Restaurant in the West 20s is a great old New York dining spot, too, and the chili is amazing.
