I am finally realizing a dream! I'm going to NYC in August with some girlfriends from college. My husband is off the hook, for some reason he was just not into going to NY, I get to go, so everyone's happy!! Weee! Here's my question: What NY travel guide would you recommend? I'm going with people that have been there before, in fact, one of my fellow travlers lived there for a timem but I'd like to get an idea of things I'd like to do myself, and have a guide with me when I get there.
I found a couple on Amazon.com: New York Map Guide by Middleditch and Native's Guide to NY by Laermer. Thought on either of those?

Also, by what landmarks (or in what part of town) is 30th & Lexington? Friends are talking about a Quality Inn or something like that in that area to stay.

Be prepared for me to bug the bejesus out of you wonderful NY advisors out there. I apologize in advance!!!

Are you loooking for a comprehensive guide, showing details about attractions like ht hours they're open, like those put out by our esteemed hosts, or are you looking for one that's basically a map about how to get places, showing what's where? If it's the latter, I heartily recommend the Knopf Mapguides New York book, which has sturdy fold-out sections of town so you don't have to deal wtith unfolding an entire map all at once, It has key buildings on it, and bus and subway maps at the back.

Lex at 30th is kind-of nowhere for tourists, though you'd be about 8 blocks from the Empire State Building.

Hmmm. Maps for sure. But I think one with attractions,etc would be good too. Preferrably one for those doing NYC on the cheap.

Doesn't sound like the Lex/30th area is where I want to be. I'll need to research that I suppose.

If you want to do things off the beaten path, then no matter where you stay it will be kinda nowhere. I like Lex/30 because you're close to the 456 train, can walk to Union Sq or Grand Central in 10 min.

I just purchased Fodor's Flashmaps New York ($10.95 retail) and love it for all the info in it. Basically, it's just maps, but broken down by areas. What I like about it is that it breaks down items numerically AND alphabetically, making it easier to find what you are looking for.

There are 60 different maps in this book and it's compact. Maps for different areas of Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, etc. Also has maps of bus routes, subway routes, driving info, restaurants, broadway, off-broadway, post offices, theaters, hospitals/pharmacies, shopping, hotels etc. It's a great reference for finding just about anything.

National Geographic and Lonely Planet put out some nice books on major cities that are pretty informative.

I'd recommend a Zagat's restaurant guide to NYC. When you're there on limited time, why eat at lousy restaurants?!

For a "tourist map", we use "MapEasy's Guide maps to...." for all the big cities where we travel.
http://www.mapeasy.com/

It shows and rates most hotels, restaurants by $-$$$$ and shows sights, shopping, transit systems, etc.

We used it for our NYC trip a few years ago and it really helped during the planning.
Just bought some new ones for our May NYC trip.
Can't wait. \/

There's a great hotel on 37th and Lex (The Shelburne) under affinia.com.
Great hotel and their RARE restaurant offers delicious hamburgers (10 or so different kinds). It's only a 10 minute walk to Grand Central (subway).
Good location. Every room has a kitchen.

The New York MapGuide (Middleditch) is essential for getting around and for it's details maps with hotels, restaurants, sights, etc..

Another fabulous guide, because it's divided by neighborhood (as opposed to dining, hotels, etc.) with excellent maps is Access. It is way more comprehensive in every way than most others.

Though "MapEasy" maps are gorgeous and "whimsical", much is omitted (many subway stations, for example).

for my trip I bought a lonely planet and found that it was really comprehensive.I read it cover to cover b4 I left,and used it for reference all the time when I was there.It reviews lots of restaurants,entertaiment and breaks everything down by the neighborhood.For a map I bought a lets go lamenated map.Its great cause it has all the subway lines on it,all of manhattan on it and all of the landmarks have big pictures so you know where they are.It's also great to post any questions on here,theres so many knowledgeable people on here,I've had lots of great advice on here,enjoy!Once youve had a peice of the big apple you'll wanna go back.

Good hotel: Novotel 52nd and Broadway
Good restaurant (Price Fixed) entire meal $20 Dervish Turkish 47th and 6th

I am a native New Yorker.

Buy the DK New York guide for pre-trip planning and general orientation. Old edition is OK, most of the major attractions have been there for years. I love DK's rich pictures and comprehensive history section. Also, there are pix and instructions for stuff like how to ride the subway for newbies. Great for context.

Buy LAST YEAR'S Lonely Planet (they just revised all of their books and they are now rubbish) to use while you are here. It is very, very good. Has all price ranges and EVERY worthwhile attraction. Accuracy is exceptional.

Buy the Fodor's Flashmaps of New York if you are going to be here for a while. it is a very good book, but somewhat clunky for tourists, I think. Can be skipped. More for residents- do you really need the Zip Code maps?

The best city map, hands down, no contest, is NY@tlas by VanDam. I use it all the time. You can get it here at the Strand for under $10. It is a thick book but it will fit in a purse. You will not be lost, ever, if you use it - every street in the 5 boros, even Kennedy runways.

Zagat: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. I have had nothing but "dissapointment" and "frustration" at this "overrated, annoying" guide for "rich suburbanites" who like "overpriced, pompous" food. Reviews are also "terrified" of leaving Manhattan or of "anything" "too ethnic".

Chowhound.com is friendly and opinionated. Why not hear from the real locals? All price ranges covered, from Alain Ducasse ($350/person) to Gray's Papaya (Recession special for $2.15).

The Village Voice restaurant reviews and "Best of NY" issue (you can get to it from their homepage) will not steer you wrong for food. They also have heard of places outside the Manhattan Tourist Zone and/or that cost less than $20/person. Go here: www.villagevoice.com/bestof/2003/

Access guides are very nice, but you will miss a LOT if you rely on them 100%. Not so good for budget travelers and HEAVILY Midtown-centric.

Subway maps are free at any token booth and cannot be improved upon by spending more money. Online at www.mta.info.

I live in the city too, so thought I would add what I can to this thread.

First the 30th St area is great for staying in the city. Lots of good restaurants in the immediate area, and it's close to buses, and the Lex Ave Subway line (6 train, at 33rd and Park Ave just a couple of blocks away). You are very close to shopping and the Empire State is only a 7 minute walk from there.

We used to live at 29th and Lex so know the area really well.

Lots of places I would suggest for your trip, including the Cloisters if you have the time, take the D train from 34th and 6th Ave up to 145th St and change to the A train. Get off at 191st St (just follow the signs) to Ft. Tryon Park and walk through to the museum. The Cloisters is my favorite in the city and not as well known by visitors. It's part of the Met and has some amazing treasures. The park is also a nice walk, you would never know you are still in Manhattan, the views of the Hudson River from there are spectacular.

I would suggest getting an itenerary of some kind together so you make sure you see the things you all want to see. You also might want to get some tickets to broadway, or wait till you get here and get them at TKTS.

Let us know what other questions you have and most importantly have a great time while you are here.

Wow! Thanks all for the great responses! I think I'll camp out in the travel section of Borders and look for some of these titles.

We'll be leaving Michigan Thurs evening and then returning Monday AM. Doesn't give us much time! If you had that much time, what would you do and on what day? I definately would like to do the Met, but at the same time not at the risk of sacrificing time from doing other things. My head is spinning, and the more I research, the more I think I should just move there for a month!!!

"""MapEasy" maps are gorgeous and "whimsical",""
Sound much like Mrs Kal. But she's not waterproof like those maps.