a cheap, fun day.

I recently completed my master's degree and am on the job hunt, so in the meantime I am pinching [some] pennies while loving all this new found free time to explore and enjoy my city! I wanted to share with you one of my favorite low cost New York City days...


First stop:
425 6th Avenue
(between 10th St. and 9th St.)
A favorite New York treasure of mine is the Jefferson Market Library, it is a part of the New York Public Library system. It is a beautiful old building with a winding staircase and stained glass windows. Formerly a courthouse, police station, and served as a look out for firefighters-- it has a strong history and place in the West Village. I am an avid reader and usually digest a book in a matter of days. I love the freedom of  trying  different types of books or genres, and exploring new authors without the financial commitment of a $25 hardcover. (although from time to time, I've been known to run late and owe a dollar or two...I chuck it up as a donation to their dwindling budget.)


Next...
113 Lexington Avenue (between 27th St. and 28th St.)
A walk over and up for lunch at Haandi on Lex (nothing like a mile walk cross town to burn your lunch off before you even have it.) It is a legitimate hole in the wall Indian restaurant recommended to me by a friend a few years back. For only $8 you get a meat and two veggies with naan and a delicious salad- plus free pitchers of water at the tables. I have always walked away belly-rubbing-stuffed. It was the first place I really ventured into Indian food... and I am a super picky eater. 


Third stop:
East 26th Street  (between 3rd Ave. and 2nd Ave.)
I love Niu Nails. 5 dollar manicures and 10 dollar pedicures. It is located on the south side of 26th street  and in order to access it you have to walk under a long green awning and through an ivy lined walk way. It feels like you are entering a secret garden.  For 5 dollars don't expect a lot of frills or above and beyond service, (the entry way is the prettiest part of it) just basic  color and some pushed back (or cut!) cuticles- although they do use Essie polish (wicked= fall. ballet slippers = summer, or whenever you're tan). Their manicures last a solid week, always, and the pedicures sometimes even three weeks. The massaging pedicure chairs also serve as the perfect place to start reading your library finds...


Lastly...
Between Madison and Broadway/23rd and 26th.
Madison Square Park is so much more than Shake Shack. When it isn't overcrowded by burger lovers, it is such a peaceful place to let your nails dry and enjoy your new books! Overall the day costs less than 30 dollars- and you were able to indulge and get pampered a little bit--on both the inside and outside.