New York City

THE GUIDE THAT GETS YOU TO THE heart "&; " soul OF NEW YORK CITY "upCLOSE New York City" is smart, hip, and informative.

Itgives you quirky, never-obvious facts about major sights, as well as thelowdown on the minor ones.

It's in-the-know about what's going on. Itreveals the essence of the Big Apple and helps you get the most NYC foryour travel dollar.

In short, it's the best of all possible travelcompanions.All the places to go, from the Battery to the BronxNeighborhood know-how: SoHo, Chelsea, Midtown, Upper East, Upper West, and beyond Museums and galleries galore Shopping secrets: new and used to trendy and time-tested Street scenes and urban sights, from Staten Island to City IslandTell-all reviews of small hotels, tidy hostels, and cozy B&; BsWhere to stay that's charming (and doesn't cost an arm and a leg) B&; Bs--from side-street walk-ups to avenue-view penthouses Hostels with character and characters All around town--the most convenient optionsThe buzz on restaurants, nightlife, theater, and the artsPerfect pints and brainy chitchat: cafe s and bars in all five boroughs Where to find jazz and karaoke, hip-hop and classical musicNYC eats: ethnic eateries, neighborhood joints, and top hot spots Dancing 'til dawn, comedy clubs for a laugh, cinemas with artsy flicksPractical info, great mapsAirfare deals and how to get around Tips on traveling smart and losing the crowds Clear, easy-to-read maps