Borders Books is no more, and for some, that’s a welcome development. Consider the Strand Bookstore in New York, one of the best-kept New York City secrets. Strand Bookstore might be popular in certain crowds, and residents of the city have probably ventured there at least once while living in town, but visitors to the city might easily miss the better-than-Borders, bigger-than-Barnes-&-Noble bookstore that carries everything from used books to rare and inscribed copies. Located off of 12th and Broadway, the four-story monster (if you count the basement) serves up every kind of book and many types of media. Like a museum, Strand is well worth an entire day of exploring for any bookworm.

On the topic of museums, when visiting New York, going to exhibits is a big deal. The world over, maybe only two cities truly compete with what New York City has to offer, so when people are in town, seeing what the city has to offer is key. However, since most people are on a limited budget, it can be hard to view art at such places as the Cloisters, the Met and MoMa. Stay savvy! Though it is not a first resort, museums like the MET want to educate the public, and they have the funding to make it happen. That means that people who cannot afford the $20 per person admission fee can pick their own price, and gain admission. Simply go into the MET, tell the admissions clerk how much you can afford to pay, and get the admission token. Do not forget a camera, as the MET’s rooftop balcony is the cheapest rooftop with a view in town.

Many of the other museums in town have free days during the week or at least one a month. If you are making a visit to the big city, check calendars of museums you would like to see to find out if they offer any free admission days.

So, what does one bring back from the Big Apple? Books from Strand are probably on sale in your local town, and pictures are wonderful, but... That’s where Unqlio comes in. Unqlio is a trendy clothing store in the SoHo (South of Houston) district. The store has locations in a handful of countries, including France and Japan, but only one in the United States. The rarity of the store makes it a perfect place for souvenir shoppers to pick up something meaningful that they can wear when they return home, or gift to a friend. The clothes are high-quality and ahead of the trends in most other parts of the US, so Unqlio makes a great shopping adventure for a gift or a personal souvenir.