Anybody have a favorite NYC guidebook and map? Husband and I have both been to NYC before but would like a decent map to help us get around and also a book with restaurant reviews, and self-guided walking tours. There are so many books out there, it's hard to choose.

hi
the Streetwise Manhattan is excellent, and if you want more detail for lower Manhattan, Streetwise makes a separate one just for that area
Timeout: New York is excellent for sightseeing, shopping, and walking, and the Fodors book is good too

still, you should browse through some books at your bookstore to see which one YOU like the best

Yes, Streetwise offers great laminated trifold maps of Manhattan. You should find them at your local Barnes & Noble.

For guidebooks, if there's an area you're pretty familiar with (your home state/town or an area you've traveled to several times) check out the books for that area. When you find one that suits your style for that area, you can probably safely buy it for other areas as well and know that it will fit your travel profile.

I have used my popout map of NYC for several trips there. To fold and unfold it, you just flip it open and closed, which makes it very easy to access while walking around without fumbling with a bunch of paper and looking like an idiot tourist taking up sidewalk space to navigate your trip. It also has a compass and a pen attached, a subway map and a legend of main attractions.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

Sorry--that last line above is the link to the map on Amazon. Sorry, I have a hard time figuring out how to make it hyperlinked. I guess you'll have to cut and paste to use it.

Oh--and one more thing--the Zagat's guide is the best for restaurant reviews!! Gives you price ranges and an accurate review. Also sorts restaurants by name or type of food or by neighborhood.