Pauline Frommer's New York City: Spend Less, See More

Each of the "Spend Less See More" guides - including this on for New York City - is well-organized, and includes alternative accommodations to "US$300/night chain hotels," interesting places to eat, sights and attractions (including "gems most visitors miss") and "Insider's" info, like how to attend a TV show taping in New York. The books are written with a friendly, frank voice that has plenty of strong opinions; I prefer that to bland assessments even if I ultimately disagree. NYC book highlights: * The best places to view Ground Zero while it is under re-construction * The scoop on home stays, including the fact that Pauline's stepsister rents her place out to visitors * Reviews of hostels in the city (complete with opinions on cleanliness and mattresses) including the Big Apple Hostel at Times Square and family rooms at Hosteling International * Good info sidebars on eating out and museum-hopping with kids * How to get cheap(er) theater seats, on- and off-Broadway * A review of the various tourist pass options * Sections in the back for family travel, staying wired/connected, and recommended books and movies about New York. These are comments from my review of the guidebook on my BootsnAll Family Travel Logue - [...] Thanks!

I purchased three guide books in anticipation of a recent trip to NYC. After reviewing all three, I sent the other two back. This was the only guide book that I needed for a great visit to the city. The restaurant ratings were great, detailing reasonably priced restaurants that the locals frequent. The lodging B & B information was great too although I had already made my reservations before buying the book (the hotel I had picked turned out to be favorably reviewed in the book). The sightseeing and shopping sections and the getting around the city sections were right on and, besides saving us time and money, steered us to the best things to see and do for a limited stay. It is nice to have a guide book written by a local resident who really knows her way around the city!

Having grown up in Manhattan but not lived there in 20 years, I was thrilled to find a NYC guidebook that not only provides excellent suggestions for enjoying NY to its utmost, but also gives really interesting historical/landmark information. It's well-written and engaging and a must-have for people who live in or out of the Big Apple. Kudos to Pauline Frommer!

What a great travel guide this is! I recommend it to everyone who is going to New York, or even thinking about it! After reading this you will be ready to go, and be sure to take the book with you. You will need it as a valuable resource. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. Pauline breaks the city down into manageable areas and explores each one in depth. I now feel familiarized with New York like never before, and I have visited there 6 or 7 times in the past. I especially enjoyed the chapter on 'Remarkable Sights and Attractions'; including a section on New York's 12 Iconic sights. Some very interesting history along with tips for visiting each sight. The chapter on 'The Other New York' has both delightful and unique ideas to satisfy everyone's curiosity. The walking tours chapter shows a fascinating way to explore the city. The book is well-written and includes every aspect of touring New York, from eating to shopping to sightseeing to anything else; and Pauline's love of this city is evident and infectious. While other guidebooks can be vague and confusing (as well as cater to those with big budgets,) Pauline Frommer's New York guide is clear, concise, budget-minded, and fun to read. It shows that you really can visit New York on almost any budget and have a great time experiencing it all. This guide will be the first thing in my suitcase when I pack for our trip to NYC next month! Thanks Pauline Frommer, and I look forward to reading your other guides.

I am a relatively SAVVY traveler and I bought this book to get an idea about what to see from the "LOCAL" perspective. Pauline was spot on with her recommendations and information. She did a fine job with outlining the full experience and what to see and do. The only thing that I would suggest that be taken with a grain of salt is the amount of time she says it takes to see some of the sites (ie Ellis Island, Jewish Museum, Top of the Rock). Maybe I just take too long looking at stuff. This book is MONEY WELL SPENT and is definately a MUST HAVE.