“We’re the Open Table for recreational activities.”
— Sam Lundin, Founder & CEO
This site is basically a better version of Groupon, and specific to the five boroughs of New York City. I feel like some of these would be really good gifts to give. Here are some examples of what's offered:
Upstate Tandem Hang Gliding
Fencing Lessons
Intro to Scuba Diving
High Falls Stunt Jumping
Cooking Knife Skills
Intro to Custom Perfumery
Beginner Tango
After Dark Kayaking (Umm, this sounds terrible?)
Scavenger Hunts
And typically speaking, most everything listed is under $100. Seems kind of cool.
“Whenever you wash your bathroom sink with Ajax, don’t forget to clean your kitchen sink with Ajax as well. Most people forget to ever clean the kitchen one, and it’s likely the grossest one in the house.”
Every time I go to Coney Island, I make sure to visit this robot grandma. For twenty-five cents, she'll give you a card that gives you some hints about your future. I've been going to see her for years and I highly suggest you visit her the next time you're there since she can be eerily accurate. (She even has a Twitter account, which seems weird.)
Harmeet and I, living it up
She's located just beside The Wonder Wheel, so just walk down this hill (below) to find her.
Harmeet, coning it up
It was at this booth that I received this card (below), five years and a month ago, and I still carry it around in my wallet.
Front
Back
Other than it being kind of a harsh (but true) card, I got this card two weeks before I started talking to Nathan. And whether you choose to believe me or not (I will understand if you can't, but I swear to God it's true), I rediscovered this card (months later) wrapped in a Nathan's (the hot dog place in Coney Island) napkin from the day that I went.
I'm not saying that this grandma knows everything, but she knows a shit ton more than you. Definitely go see her if you can.
Also, these past five years have been some of the best times I've ever shared with another person and I'm thankful as hell to have you in my life, Nathan. Happy Fifth Anniversary, b.
The Ink Pad is definitely one of my favourite stores in this city. Other than the fact that they make custom stamps, I exclusively go here for any of my mailing needs that don't include postage. What do I mean?
Well, if we're friends, then at some point in your existence you'll likely get a letter or card from me with this sealed across an envelope.
I would apologize for it if it weren't such a beautiful way to seal an envelope. The store sells wax sealer stamps, the wax itself and dozens of other letter accoutrements.
They offer classes as well, but I like to get in and out of this store as fast as I can in fear of falling too deep into the stamp world.
When people come to this city, they usually demand that I tell them the best thing they can experience here. This is an impossible request since, well, we're all individuals who enjoy a variety of things. There are hundreds of great things you can do in this city. If you're looking to have a nice, semi-relaxing afternoon out? Listen up, baby.
Me, liking the Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (start from the Manhattan side and walk over it to Brooklyn). It's free, it's pretty and bridges are beautiful. This is probably the prettiest one there is in this town.
Marla, understanding that bridges are great
2. Walk from the bridge to Juliana's (and not Grimaldi's) to eat some very fine pizza.
4. Take your ice cream and walk along the shore of the park. Does this sound boring? Look, I said it's supposed to be a semi-relaxing afternoon and that's exactly what this is.
Marla, being gorgeous
5. At the end of this long walk, you can walk up Joralemon Street and get on a subway that'll take you anywhere.
I read about this "dollar store craft" on Pinterest and I'm sorry, but this is a great idea. I guess it would only really come in useful during the winter months since every pair of shoes you wear will be wet in some way almost 100% of the time. I feel like this is the classiest way to present your dirty boots.
So smart, damnit. SO SMART. Just think about those clean floors! Fuck.
