Technically speaking, the Moleskine brand has only been around for a couple decades, but the tradition and legend dates back to the 19th century. The well constructed and handy notebooks were originally produced by Parisian stationary shops for some of the greatest creative minds of the day, from Picasso to Hemingway. Along with artists and writers, travelers have long relied on the simple yet sturdy books to hold up on lengthy and rugged adventures. In recent years, the brand has gone through an incredible expansion, which now includes the first store in the United States, just steps from Central Park. The location couldn’t be more perfect. Once you hit the store for your favored model, you can head into the park for an extended sketching or creative writing session.