Idlewild Travel Bookstore in Chelsea

Before I left for India a few weeks ago, I wanted to find an India map. I trudged around to two Barnes & Nobles before remembering that, DUH, I should just go to Idlewild.  Idlewild is a 100% travel bookstore in Chelsea. Like that travel bookshop from Notting Hill, which just closed sadly. 

If you love travel at all, you can easily kill an hour or more here, browsing both the fiction and non-fiction guides.  Sections are devoted to each continent and country, and are stocked with the well-known (Rick Steves) to harder-to-find book series.  They also do fun events, like language classes and readings.  

Sadly, Idlewild didn’t carry an India map that would work for me.  They all folded out to the length of a truck, not exactly the look I wanted while finding my way around in India.  But I did get inspired to download Shantaram on my iPad after browsing.

Chelsea's Flower District

I recently stumbled upon Chelsea's Flower District on one of my marathon New York walks.  It's on 28th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues & I had no idea it existed.  I could smell the flowers before I even turned on 28th Street!  It was beautiful, with rows of colorful flowers lining the street and larger green plants and trees.  Stores had everything from silk flowers without that "grandma's house" smell to different types of pottery and exotic plants you wouldn't find anywhere else.  What's especially fun is that you can barter with the shop owners...and if you develop a great relationship with one, you'll continue to get great deals.  I'd recommend walking up here from The High Line/Chelsea Market and taking the time to (literally) smell the roses!