What's the Best NYC Guide Book out there?? (New York, Albany: theater, restaurants)

[NadjaBreton]

Just wondering what NYC guide book people have had the best luck with. There are a lot of them out there, so I'd like to narrow it down a bit.

I've been to NYC over a dozen times so I'd like one that has more than just basic info.

Thanks!

[Carbro]

What are your interests? Museums? Historical sites? Dining and nightlife? Theater? I haven't checked any visitors' guides to New York lately, but I assume each has areas where they're particularly strong or weak.

My favorite guide to London is the Rough Guide, a misleading title. I assume its NYC counterpart is pretty good, too. Worth a quick browsing through, at any rate.

[NadjaBreton]

Thanks Carbro.
I'm definitely more interested in the arts and culture side of things...
so museums and historical sites would be highest on my list.
I'll have a look at the Rough Guide on Amazon. Cheers!

[Carbro]

You may also want to read a fascinating history of the settlement of Manhattan in the 17th Century, Island at the Center of the World. It actually includes some background of the area ranging from north of Philadelphia to Albany. Author's name escapes me at the moment, but it's from original sources (translated from the Dutch) and reads like a novel.

I know there are other good books on NYC history, but that springs to mind first.

[cjma79]

Well, my best guide book is Google
Also about.com, here is a great link
New York City Travel -- New York City Travel Guide

A lot of people dont use the intenet for information but is a great place to start.

[middle-of-nowhere]

I like Amazon.com: The Best Things to Do in New York City: 1001 Ideas: Caitlin Leffel,Jacob Lehman: Books.

[laurieheather]

I recommend New York City Made Easy. And, if you have kids, New York City with Kids and Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC are great, too. The author is Laurie Wilson, that's me. If you have follow-up questions you can ask me here. Thanks.

[Chava61]

I would recommend the "Blue Guide New York" for detailed information about NYC.

[Cida]

I think it's completely subjective. Go to a good bookstore and leaf through them all.

Contrary to what cjma79 said, I think too many people use pretty much only the internet. I think books are preferable for compiling basic information together, with maps, very compactly.