Secret New York: Exploring the City's Hidden Neighborhoods

by Michelle Haimoff, Rachel Feierman (Photographer)

New York is truly the sum of its neighborhoods, all of which offer a different perspective on the history and attitude of the city, each of which is best explored on foot. Secret New York delves below the surface of this vibrant city into the areas that shape New York, with walking tours that consider both the prominent buildings of the skyline and the hidden gems beneath the grid. Secret New York offers a fabulous introduction to New York and its outer boroughs, as well as a deeper look at the areas that fall below the radar of traditional guidebooks. Full-color photographs capture the treasures tucked behind every corner, while clear, easy-to-follow route maps highlight places of special interest. For travelers and residents who want to gain familiarity with the city and know more of its peculiar hidden life, this book offers a rare perspective of a remarkable place.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

276 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kelley]

This books rocks - it's one I need to own. We go to NYC every fall (though this fall we'll be somewhere else doing honeymooning stuff!) but it's a great guide for those who've been to NY and want to continue to find cool out-of-the-way things to do!

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up a wonderful new tour book of New York City by Michelle Haimoff. Her book Secret New York: Exploring the City's Hidden Neighborhood's (Northampton: Interlink Books, 2008) offers 17 wonderful walking tours of the city. The tours are laid out simply first with straightforward, nicely illustrated maps, then written walking directions and information and photographs for everything along the way. (My only quibble with the layout is it would have been nice to incorporate the detailed information about each site in the actual text of the walking tour, rather than afterwards). I have always enjoyed such self-guided tours, I think they are much more fun than professionally guided tours, and can be filled with a sense of discovery and entertainment. It is rare to find such books so well written and filled with a wealth of information. New York City has always been one of my favourite places. A spot filled with majesty and wonder, and both good and bad memories. It has for so long been one of those special places and to discover it anew, even at a distance, through Haimoff's walks is enjoyable.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lays out exceptionally detailed walking tours of various New York neighbourhoods. The tours detail architecture, historical events, and cultural history of each neighbourhood. However, due to the physical weight of the book (thick, glossy pages) I will not be bringing it with me to NYC. It also tiresome to read this book ahead of time. Excellent for what it is, but not very useful for my current needs.