It’s almost Labor Day Weekend and my classes have started so I think this will be the last virtual road trip stop of the summer. Thank you so much to everyone who’s been reading along or writing posts themselves. Virtually we’ve been up and down the California coast, to the home of Anne of Green Gables, through Chicago, and even to Edinburgh. For the last stop I thought I’d pick New York City, where I moved about a week and a half ago. There are an unending number of literarily significant places in this city, but here are a few favorites of mine mixed with spots I hope to visit soon.
Stop One – Central Park: Wandering around Central Park you will see some of your favorite books all around you. You can walk by statues of Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott. You can see the Conservatory Water and re-imagine the boat race from Stuart Little, or get in touch with your inner Holden Caulfield at the Central Park Zoo Carousel that Phoebe rides in The Catcher in the Rye. The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is my favorite part of the park. I’m sure I’m leaving things out, but you get the idea. Literature is everywhere within the park!
Stop Two – The New York Public Library: This is hands down one of the most beautiful building I’ve ever been in. The Rose Main Reading Room will take your breath away – hopefully in the figurative sense. In this library you can see an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, a Gutenberg Bible, and (most excitingly to me!) the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals. There is also a fantastic exhibit on children’s books going on right now that is not to be missed!
Stop Three – The Strand: This bookstore opened in 1927 and boasts having more than 18 miles of books. I’m sure I will find a lot of new bookstores in the city to love, but this is the one people keep recommending to me. I was looking through the picture books there last week and found the cutest illustrated version of Kafka’s Metamorphosis for preschoolers!
Stop Four – The Morgan Library and Museum: This is not just another fancy building built by a robber baron. It is a monument to books. Inside you will find not one, not two, but three Gutenberg Bible, a gorgeous collection of illuminated manuscripts, first editions ranging from Bronte to Dickens to Byron, and even the original handwritten lyrics of Blowing in the Wind and It Ain’t Me by Bob Dylan.
Stop Five – Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Grab a croissant (or the pastry of your choice) and head to 5th Avenue and 57th street. Hum moon river as you look at the windows of this flagship jewelry store. Bonus points if you wear any combination of the iconic black dress, oversized sunglasses, evening gloves, or long strand of pearls.
Let me know your favorite spots around New York City. I moved here last week and will be here for at least two years so I’d love any recommendations!
Alison Doherty 
the Alice statue is my favorite too! I even like better than Balto. Also, I have never been to the Strand book store – I will have to go on my next trip to NYC>
Yes! It is very near New School!
NYC is one of my favorite places in the world, so obviously this post makes me so happy.
The Strand is quite possibly the best bookstore I’ve ever been to – last time I was there, I bought more Strand merchandise than books and their branded pens are my favorite. I have a dozen of them in my bag at all times.
And Tiffany’s…. *sigh* Now that may be my favorite place in the world.
My favorite NYC restaurant: http://www.luparestaurant.com/home.cfm
Also you must go for drinks and appies @ Gemma (inside the Bowery Hotel) http://www.theboweryhotel.com It’s an amazing place for celebrity sightseeing – last time we were there we saw Courtney Love and Joel Edgarton from Great Gatsby. We also saw Marcus Mumford leaving, he and Carey Mulligan were staying there during Gatsby promotion in NYC (probably why we saw Joel as well.) It was also a common haunt for Kristen and Rob back in the Twilight days.
Oh yay! Thanks for the suggestions. I’m definitely going to check both restaurants (and the pens at the Strand) out soon! Glad you liked the post,