The Best Things to Do in New York City: 1001 Ideas [Paperback]

Caitlin Leffel (Author), Jacob Lehman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 17, 2006 | Series: Best Things to Do in New York

What are 1001 things you should treat yourself and your guests to in New York City? Be serenaded by Cole Porter's piano at the Waldorf, or hear Woody Allen play clarinet at the Carlyle. Drink champagne on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum, or discover the abandoned subway station at City Hall. Eat at America's very first pizzeria, or enjoy the most expensive cocktail in the country at the World Bar. Ride the Staten Island Ferry, or ride a bike through Central Park. Go surfing out at Rockaway Beach, or relax in a Russian bath in the East Village . . . . Organized by theme–including Eating and Drinking, 24-hour New York, Shopping and Spending, Arts and Culture, Views and Sites, the Great Outdoors, and Classic New York–and packed with detailed, helpful indexes organized by neighborhood and by category, this is simply the most fun and comprehensive guidebook to New York City ever. The Best Things to Do in New York crosses genres and boroughs to explore every aspect of the most diverse and exciting city in the world. Written from experience by two people who love the city, and featuring priceless tips from expert contributors–from authors on their favorite bookstores to architects on the city's best buildings–The Best Things to do in New York is much more than just a guide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Caitlin Leffel, a native New Yorker, is a writer and editor who has contributed regularly to Daily Candy and Publishers Weekly. Jacob Lehman, a passionate newcomer to the Big Apple, works in the editorial division of a major New York publisher. This is their first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Universe; First Edition edition (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789313987
• ISBN-13: 978-0789313980
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.1 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Travel > United States > New York > New York City
  • #39 in Books > Travel > United States > New York > General
  • #66 in Books > Travel > United States > Northeast > Mid Atlantic

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

95 of 98 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Rate Guide to Gotham December 26, 2006

By Jade Walker

Format:Paperback

Although I've lived in Gotham for several years, this book helped me to fall head over heels in love with the city again. After reading "The Best Things to Do in New York: 1,001 Ideas," I decided to take the authors' advice and give New York City every spare moment I had left in my very busy schedule. In 2007, I'm going to tour the tombstones at Trinity Church, take a 3-hour Circle Line cruise, record a story in Grand Central Station, drink afternoon tea at the Waldorf-Astoria, buy lunch at Zabar's and picnic in Riverside Park, take in a comedy show at Caroline's and walk through several neighborhoods just to revel in their historical and architectural treasures.

This is a top rate guide to Gotham, one that's ideal for tourists, transplants or natives. Pick it up and I guarantee you'll be scheduling dozens of new adventures on your calendar as well.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Russian-recommended July 19, 2007

By Andrew Son

Format:Paperback

Do you marvel at how sometimes, a complete foreigner knows more about your city than you ever cared to know? I have lived on the outskirts of Manhattan for my entire life: Brooklyn, Queens, and mostly Long Island. However, I made many frequent forays into Manhattan on the weekends, and I considered myself not the complete tyro regarding the nooks, crannies, and interesting activities that 'The City' had to offer. This book was recommended to me by a Russian immigrant, who had come to New York 10 years prior. I often marveled at all the interesting places she went, and how she knew so many good places to eat. It turns out that this is the secret! Although some of the 1001 ideas are very touristy, the vast majority are applicable to even native New Yorkers. So far I've had free hot dogs with my pints of red beer, had the strongest shots I've ever had (watermelon-flavored too!), spent more on one meal than I usually spend in one month, and I plan on doing so much more. This book doesn't only give you interesting things to do and see, it also stokes your curiosity to discover things on your own. I'm not a great reviewer, but I want to get across the point that I did thoroughly enjoy this book, and I plan on checking off the vast majority of things listed!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Advance Trip Planning to NYC January 2, 2009

By B. Olive

Format:Paperback

This book has some very interesting information about New York City and all the attractions and experiences one can have during a short or extended visit. However, it is definitely a book to obtain several days or weeks prior to making your journey. Unlike a travel guide book, which tends to be designed for quick referencing or thumbing through for the specific information you want, the particular organization of this book is not amenable to a "quick review". The reviews are concise and well written, but to really get the most from this book, I would recommend taking your time and absorbing the content before making out a specific itinerary for your visit. I emphasize this because I waited until the last minute to order this book. After seeing what interesting things I could have planned, but did not because I was too rushed to give this book the attention it deserved before hopping on a plane, I later had some regrets about not getting this text sooner. Now I have some great info for my next visit, but this is definitely a book to peruse while having a cup of coffee in the advance planning stages of your trip. Used in this manner, I would highly recommend it. It is much less useful to take with you around the city for planning activities on the fly. Get the good stuff out of this book before you go, and then use your travel guide to help you make those reservations and get to the points of interest. I will be using this approach prior to my next NYC excursion.