My friend Matthew prefaced this with saying that this was a craaaazy idea, and I might not like it.  His definition of crazy is probably different from most other people’s, but in short, I thought it was brilliant, and most of all, fun.  We would pick a day, and cash in coins from our respective coin jars, and spend it all in one day.

On the day of our adventure, after hustling over to the nearby TD Bank (why is cashing coins in so hard??), we both emerged with…less than we though we had.  Me, $52.  Matthew, $71.  We had gone back and forth on whether we should splurge on one awesome meal, or go on a Manhattan-wide expedition.  The expedition won out, mostly because sadly, $50 is just this side of not enough for a splurge-y lunch.  Splurge-y is a really gross non-word.

FIRST STOP.

My new most favorite museum, the Museum of the City of New York.  I had gotten invited a few months back by Melisa, a good friend of Jill’s whose law firm throws these fun little get-togethers, and I fell in love with The Greatest Grid exhibit that was on display.  I wanted to go back and take another look at it, but also to check out the other exhibits that were on display.  It was very much worth the $10 admission.

SECOND STOP.

The Conservatory Garden right across the street from the museum – beautiful, especially filled with spring’s budding flowers.  Also, free.

THIRD STOP.

I had read this New York Times article about William Poll on the Upper East Side and really really wanted to stop by.  We split the world’s most delicious, and well wrapped chicken salad sandwich with bacon.  I have decided that I only like sandwiches with super thin bread from now on.  So much more civilized. $10

FOURTH STOP.

Rizzoli Bookstore, where Matthew gifted me with the newest copy of Lucky Peach.  Lucky me!

FIFTH STOP.

Burger Joint, for a sit down, some cheap, delicious burgers, and a hidden entrance – one of the tastier combinations in life.

Sadly, we were too late to catch the last tour of Teddy Roosevelt’s birthplace on 20th Street as it was going through renovations, and also, more importantly, we were tired from all the walking.  Did you know Teddy was the only president to be born in New York City?

We had a few other items on the itinerary that fell by the wayside, but all in all, we felt cultured, full, and had enough left over for a couple rounds at our local Kettle of Fish.  Not too shabby, huh?

What do you think?  What would be on your money jar day??

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Have you seen these other New York City adventures?  Long Island City, the Natural History Museum, Chinatown, Museum Mile or Fort Greene anyone?