Fun birthday while hosting picky people in NYC
January 22, 2018 6:57 PM Subscribe
My mom and aunt are coming to visit me in NYC for my birthday in the middle of February. My mom is open to new food and culture events, but my aunt is a little limited. I need a plan so I don’t have a bad day.
My mom is a librarian and would like to go on a tour of the ny public library. I’m totally on board for that. I’m interested in visiting some artsy places (I typically do a birthday visit to the Earth Room). I’d like to stop in some of the Atlas Obscura-type places while they are here, plus at least one drink in a swanky place (my mom likes Bemelman’s at the Carlyle). My aunt is into sewing/embroidery stuff and hates food that is not “normal” (she will really only eat Italian food or French fries out).
I would like to see some art and challenge her a little (not in a mean way, she is open but just most comfortable with things she knows). Please tell me some cool things in NYC that I will like but won’t alienate or bore my aunt.
My mom is a librarian and would like to go on a tour of the ny public library. I’m totally on board for that. I’m interested in visiting some artsy places (I typically do a birthday visit to the Earth Room). I’d like to stop in some of the Atlas Obscura-type places while they are here, plus at least one drink in a swanky place (my mom likes Bemelman’s at the Carlyle). My aunt is into sewing/embroidery stuff and hates food that is not “normal” (she will really only eat Italian food or French fries out).
I would like to see some art and challenge her a little (not in a mean way, she is open but just most comfortable with things she knows). Please tell me some cool things in NYC that I will like but won’t alienate or bore my aunt.
The Met has two current interesting-looking exhibitions featuring textiles and embroidery: The Secret Life Of Textiles (selections of drawings from Milton Sonday's research archive, so potentially also fun for your librarian mom), and Spirited Creatures, featuring fabulous embroidery from late imperial China. You could swing by Bemelman’s after, or Bar Pleiades if you want to change things up.
posted by halation at 4:59 AM on January 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by halation at 4:59 AM on January 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
The garment district has lots of great fabric and notions shops; I don't sew but I could browse the ribbons and buttons and such for hours anyway.
I'm on my phone and can't link, but maybe the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology would work too.
posted by Neely O'Hara at 2:29 PM on January 23, 2018
I'm on my phone and can't link, but maybe the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology would work too.
posted by Neely O'Hara at 2:29 PM on January 23, 2018
The Folk Art Museum is a two-room + gift shop experience. Unfortunately, the current exhibit is not textile-related, but entry is free and the gift shop is excellent and has lots of hand-made things.
The Brooklyn General Store is geared more towards knitters than sewers, but they do have some fabric, patterns, and notions and it's a nice browse with good service. I am still looking for a fabric store that meets my needs
Van Leeuwen makes great ice cream and so does Odd Fellows. They both have regular, expected flavors as well as unique flavors available.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:17 AM on January 26, 2018
The Brooklyn General Store is geared more towards knitters than sewers, but they do have some fabric, patterns, and notions and it's a nice browse with good service. I am still looking for a fabric store that meets my needs
Van Leeuwen makes great ice cream and so does Odd Fellows. They both have regular, expected flavors as well as unique flavors available.
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:17 AM on January 26, 2018
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For dinner, I'd suggest Hearth in the East Village, which is Italian-inflected, delicious, and not excessively challenging, but isn't just some red-sauce joint.
posted by praemunire at 8:57 PM on January 22, 2018 [2 favorites]