Frommer's NYC Free & Dirt Cheap [Paperback]

Ethan Wolff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2006

Now you don’t have to spend big bucks to enjoy the Big Apple. Perfect for residents and visitors alike, this outspoken guide is packed with free and dirt-cheap ways to get the most out of New York City, from food, drinks, and entertainment to shopping, events, classes, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The outspoken guide that helpsyou find your inner cheapskate

• Free Music: Classical music, jazz quartets, and cutting-edge bands.
• Free Speech: A-list plays, quick-witted comedy, and readings by the world's hottest authors.
• Free Food: The best happy hours, plus where to score delectabledirt-cheap eats––from the city's best burger to a sit-down meal in Soho.
• Free Films: Outdoors and indoors, from indies to cult faves.
• Free Classes: Take a morning tai chi class, learn to identify a good cabernet, or find out how to start your own business.

"In the land of $49 burgers and $1,000-a-night hotel rooms, author Ethan Wolff shows that the adventurous budgettraveler can still do the Big Apple in style. Written forresidents as well as visitors, this guide has plenty of goodclear maps and a chapter of free and cheap itineraries."
—San Francisco Chronicle

"Great info . . . This irreverent insider's guide gets points for flagging overrated attractions."
—The Washington Post

"When Ethan told me he was a specialist in adventure travel, I didn't realize that meant trying to find $5 dates in New York City."
—Janet Baca, former girlfriend

Book your trip and findgreat deals at Frommers.com

About the Author

Ethan Wolff is a native New Yorker (born and raised in Virginia, but that was a geographic anomaly). He lives in the heart of the Bargin District, on the Lower East Side. His other books include Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Manhattan and Frommer's Memorable Walks in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Frommer's; 2nd edition (December 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470037202
• ISBN-13: 978-0470037201
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable., June 6, 2006

By 

mary_1979 "Mary" (Ashland, WI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frommer's New York City for Free & Dirt Cheap (Paperback)

In planning for my first trip to NYC, I was faced with a veritable wall of guide books to pick from at my local library. Because I like to look for the offbeat when travelling, and because, well, I'm poor (hence, the library), this one caught my eye right away.

It had me at hello (or, more accurately, the introduction entitled "The Best Things In Life Are Free"). Wolff's prose has the perfect blend of knowledge and wit to really make the places he's writing about come alive, with solid historical insights where applicable (the sections on Coney Island were quick but fun reads, quite informative for a newbie like me) and plenty of reference materials to help you plan out your days (maps, addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, etc.). Especially handy are the subway map and free events calendars printed on the inside front/back covers--efficient and helpful on the go.

I knew the real test would come when my host in Brooklyn took a look at it--she's studying museum education and having lived there her whole life, knows many of the nooks & crannies around town. When I started showing her the listings about places like the Forbes Galleries, the original Winnie the Pooh housed at the NY Public Library, and panorama of NYC at the Queens Museum of Art (all free or very cheap), her eyes lit up. And I knew we had a winner on our hands. If it could impress a city slicker like her, no wonder it had impressed a hayseed like me.

If you're looking for a book that can take you off the beaten tourist track, or even if you live in NYC and are looking for some fresh ideas for cheap entertainment, I really can't recommend this highly enough. Good tips, great resource, and a fun read.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, def pays for itself, December 15, 2005

By 

Speshl J "Justin" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's New York City for Free & Dirt Cheap (Paperback)

I bought this book even though I'm a native NYer. Mr. Wolff has some great suggestions. I wish the food section was bigger, but it's got some of my personal favs and he also pointed out a few that I have immediately fell in love with. He also missed a few that are similar to restaurants he talks about, ie for Vietnamese he mentions one, but I feel it's a runner-up to Pho Bang (best spring rolls and Pho in the city).

As for activities, we've tried a few free ones and that's where this book pays for itself. There are some terrific ideas listed here which you'd expect to pay for, but are free.

Great buy for NYer or visitor.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great resource, November 10, 2004

By 

Pirrip "Pirrip" (Pirrip) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frommer's New York City for Free & Dirt Cheap (Paperback)

Just purchased this book and it's amazing. I've lived in NYC for over five years and I can't believe all the free stuff I never knew existed. This is a great resource just to have around the house. I'm sure it'd be cool for tourists too as a lot of the free or "dirt cheap" stuff is pretty cool.