off the beaten path

When people come to New York and plan to go to a museum, it’s usually not the one Alexander and I visit today.

A few weeks ago I bought a Groupon thinking it might be fun.

On our way to the East Village (not part of Museum Mile on Fifth), we pass a great little piece of art.  Fake pigeons.  So much nicer than the real thing.

We get to the museum, which doesn’t look all that impressive. 

The museum, originally a speakeasy, consists primarily of two rooms.  

But our tour guide Paul makes our visit totally worth it.  For two hours, he takes us through a history of the American Gangster.  Paul is an encyclopedia of information.  He is animated, interesting, and a college history major.  His tour is as much about the social politics of the time as it is about some of the more notorious gangsters.   It’s amazing how much information is housed in these two small rooms.  Alexander and I are Paul's only audience, until Andy joins us mid-tour.

After we leave the top floor, we go to the Speakeasy downstairs and the escape tunnels in the basement.

While it may not be as impressive as some of New York’s more distinguished museums, it’s an intriguing way to spend an afternoon.