Frommer's New York City for Free & Dirt Cheap [Paperback]

Ethan Wolff (Author)

Book Description

Series: Frommer's Free & Dirt Cheap | Publication Date: November 5, 2004

• Written by a local expert and designed for visitors and residents alike, this savvy guide delivers the inside scoop on New York City deals, bargains, and freebies
• Shows how to gain free admission to plays, concerts, TV show tapings, and museums (17 are free every day, and almost all are free at least one day a month)
• Explains where to chow down on cheap eats-happy hours, free gourmet samples, half-price meals-plus free haircuts, classes, and much more

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Praise for Ethan Wolff, author of Frommer's NYC Free & Dirt Cheap:

"He 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

"If he's half as skilled at writing as he is at finding coins under the cushions of the couch, it'll be a great book."
—Grace Goldman, great aunt

"Ethan told me that for $50, he'd get my name on the cover of a book."
—Roy Wolff, father

Whether you're in the city for a few days or live here year-round, this outspoken guide will help you channel 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 delectable dirt-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.

About the Author

Ethan Wolff left Virginia 10 years ago to take advantage of Manhattan’s low, low cost of living. He now lives in the heart of the Bargain District, on the Lower East Side. Ethan is also the author of Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to Manhattan, 5th Edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Frommer's; 1st edition (November 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076455932X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764559327
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,611,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 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.

25 of 25 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.