Cheap things to do: Art-book stores

Printed Matter
This is the place to go for limited-edition artist books and inexpensive artist multiples—such as Alec Finlay’s pencils stamped with musings like ARE THINGS STILL THERE WHEN IT’S DARK?, which go for $1 apiece. 195 Tenth Ave at 22nd St (212-925-0325)

MoMA Design and Book Store
It’s MoMA, so along with more than 2,000 titles to choose from, there are art reproductions and designer objects galore. 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-708-9700)

The Guggenheim Museum
Sure, you’ll find the usual catalogs and postcards, but the Gugg store also offers Frank Lloyd Wright objets—everything from ties to watches—that are, remarkably, fairly easy on the wallet (starting at $9.95). 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-329-6109)

The Whitney Museum Bookstore
In addition to books, the Whitney store has a healthy heaping of kooky items, like baseballs covered with Op Art patterns. 945 Madison Ave at 75th St (212-570-3614)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Five thousand years of art means 5,000 years of art postcards to choose from. Oh yeah, it’s also America’s largest museum bookstore. 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-570-3894)

Urban Center Books
This is it: your one-stop shop for tomes on architecture. 457 Madison Ave at 51st St (212-935-3595)

Ursus Books and Prints Ursus’s specialty is rare, out-of-print collectible art books, and while the prices may not fit a tight budget, it’s still fun and 981 Madison Ave between 76th and 77th Sts (212-772-8787)

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Cheap things to do in New York City
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