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Weird Travel Guides
Weird New York: Your Travel Guide to New York's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets
New York is one of the world biggest metropolises. It is also one of the weirdest. That probably comes as no surprise to anybody. But wait until you get your hands on "Weird New York", and read about Long Island's Big Duck, Moan and Groan Road in, of all places, a town called Hope, and the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy. This is a great alternative travel guide to New York - both City and State - to find out what the other books won't tell you, like what to do in Spook Rock Road, how to find the world's largest pet cemetery, or what to do if you bump into the Lady of Lake Ronkonkoma. This is your chance to find out why New York is the city that never sleeps...
268 pages, Hardcover
First published November 25, 2005
8 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Chris Gethard
12 books118 followersPHOTO CREDIT: Zac X Wolf
Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer, who most recently starred in Comedy Central’s series Big Lake. Longtime performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, he lives in Queens, New York.
Chris Gethard is an actor, comedian, and writer, who most recently starred in Comedy Central’s series Big Lake. Longtime performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, he lives in Queens, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 4, 2022
Interesting read about New York's legends and ghost stories and abandoned places and the special people there
January 14, 2018
I thought the stories in this book were great, and really, really entertaining. But, when I bought it, I had hoped it would be more about places I could actually visit. Unfortunately, it was mostly ghost stories and myths that didn't seem to come from very credible sources. (By this I mean they seemed like random accounts from one or two people, not well known legends.)
I did enjoy the book, though, and I am glad I have it. I was especially excited to see Magic Forest and The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum up in Lake George in the book, two places I visit almost every trip up there.
I recommend this book to everyone who loves fun stories and myths, but not for the actual travel suggestions.
I did enjoy the book, though, and I am glad I have it. I was especially excited to see Magic Forest and The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum up in Lake George in the book, two places I visit almost every trip up there.
I recommend this book to everyone who loves fun stories and myths, but not for the actual travel suggestions.
August 18, 2011
I always enjoy these books. It's nice light reading and it balances out things when I am reading weightier books.
May 12, 2023
Owned this as a kid in 2005 and at about 10 years old. Didn’t fully have the patients to read it so mostly looked at pictures. Then lost the book forever.
Recently found it at the Book Barn in Niantic CT and had to buy this nostalgic book. Finally finished it as an adult and enjoyed it.
Recently found it at the Book Barn in Niantic CT and had to buy this nostalgic book. Finally finished it as an adult and enjoyed it.
September 20, 2009
This is probably the best "Weird" book in the series next to Weird New Jersey. The book is filled with interesting stories, folklore, people, and places that weren't repeats. After reading several different "Weird" books, it is easy to start to notice repeating stories, or folklore that sounds like something from anywhere in the US.
The only problems I have with the book is that the last chapter on Abandoned Buildings could of been named "Old Mental Hospitals" seeing how 80% of the chapter was about some sort of hospital. Also the chapter on the Jackson Whites was practically identical to the Weird New Jersey book. Since the Jackson Whites are unique to New Jersey and New York, the story repeat wasn't annoying, but it is the fact that they didn't change much of the text that turned me off. Finally, the book is based mostly out of New York City and Long Island. I didn't mind it personally, but anyone from upper state New York might want to keep that in mind when picking up the book.
I know that I have a list of places to check out whenever I go to New York state, which generally means the book is successful.
The only problems I have with the book is that the last chapter on Abandoned Buildings could of been named "Old Mental Hospitals" seeing how 80% of the chapter was about some sort of hospital. Also the chapter on the Jackson Whites was practically identical to the Weird New Jersey book. Since the Jackson Whites are unique to New Jersey and New York, the story repeat wasn't annoying, but it is the fact that they didn't change much of the text that turned me off. Finally, the book is based mostly out of New York City and Long Island. I didn't mind it personally, but anyone from upper state New York might want to keep that in mind when picking up the book.
I know that I have a list of places to check out whenever I go to New York state, which generally means the book is successful.
April 3, 2014
My husband got me this book for my birthday...and it was very good. I enjoy the weird roadside attractions you find as you travel from town to town and this book is full of them. Most of the stories of course are in New York city....but i was able to find three that are fairly close by. Most of the stories are about haunted or creepy places...and I was hoping for more of the weird attractions like worlds biggest ball of yarn and things. Well written also includes small first hand accounts by locals. If you are headed to New York city definately get this book to try some of the things and visit some of the places. I would recommend this book....I am also going to get the Weird US. book by the same group.
January 30, 2023
This was one of those cool coffee table books I was excited to receive as a Christmas gift and then didn't get around to reading for 15 years or so. It's cute, but messy.
It leans heavily into folklore, myth, urban legends, conspiracy theories, and generally the sort of thing a quick internet search will clear right up as being complete fiction. The pictures and art are often low quality or unexciting. The writing isn't particularly engaging, and in many places is made up of random accounts (like "Todd", sharing his experience of a house full of Satan worshippers on Long Island). Ladies in white, sea monsters, bigfoot - all are showcased here.
Something that does actually exist, the Naked Cowboy, doesn't hold the authors attention: "While finding the answers to all of these questions are probably not too hard to do, we'd really prefer not to know". This is a book, I'm reading it to know, what a bizarre and pointless entry. Lazy, vague statements run amok, like: "... Personalized properties such as the ones described in this chapter may soon be a thing of the past. The recent Supreme Court decision supporting the government's right to seize private property makes it more possible every day that odd places like these could be destroyed". I have no idea what the author is talking about.
Addresses aren't provided, whether it's to a person's yard full of art or for pizza at John's of Times Square. The photo picked for the front cover corresponds to one of the smallest, most unremarkable blurbs in the book (Dolly Dimples) and is attributed only to "letter via email". We're given a cherry picked roadside attraction tour before returning to haunted highways and ghost stories from Joey V. at Verizon. There's even two whole pages dedicated to a place the author tells us does not exist, Mary's Grave, for the fun of the lore I guess. The last entry is an un-ghost story about a random shack at an unnamed campsite.
When the book is grounded in reality is when it most interests me: the 1935 Times article, "Alligator Found in Uptown Sewer", Moondog the blind viking busking composer, the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery. Unfortunately this is rare and everything has to be Googled for verification because there's so much sensationalism and personal accounts. The book doesn't deliver as a"tour guide", as much as it's the author having fun cataloging some of his favorite local legends. If you treat it like a campy walk though some dudes garage of oddities that has a jackalope hanging on the wall, it's a moderately fun time.
It leans heavily into folklore, myth, urban legends, conspiracy theories, and generally the sort of thing a quick internet search will clear right up as being complete fiction. The pictures and art are often low quality or unexciting. The writing isn't particularly engaging, and in many places is made up of random accounts (like "Todd", sharing his experience of a house full of Satan worshippers on Long Island). Ladies in white, sea monsters, bigfoot - all are showcased here.
Something that does actually exist, the Naked Cowboy, doesn't hold the authors attention: "While finding the answers to all of these questions are probably not too hard to do, we'd really prefer not to know". This is a book, I'm reading it to know, what a bizarre and pointless entry. Lazy, vague statements run amok, like: "... Personalized properties such as the ones described in this chapter may soon be a thing of the past. The recent Supreme Court decision supporting the government's right to seize private property makes it more possible every day that odd places like these could be destroyed". I have no idea what the author is talking about.
Addresses aren't provided, whether it's to a person's yard full of art or for pizza at John's of Times Square. The photo picked for the front cover corresponds to one of the smallest, most unremarkable blurbs in the book (Dolly Dimples) and is attributed only to "letter via email". We're given a cherry picked roadside attraction tour before returning to haunted highways and ghost stories from Joey V. at Verizon. There's even two whole pages dedicated to a place the author tells us does not exist, Mary's Grave, for the fun of the lore I guess. The last entry is an un-ghost story about a random shack at an unnamed campsite.
When the book is grounded in reality is when it most interests me: the 1935 Times article, "Alligator Found in Uptown Sewer", Moondog the blind viking busking composer, the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery. Unfortunately this is rare and everything has to be Googled for verification because there's so much sensationalism and personal accounts. The book doesn't deliver as a"tour guide", as much as it's the author having fun cataloging some of his favorite local legends. If you treat it like a campy walk though some dudes garage of oddities that has a jackalope hanging on the wall, it's a moderately fun time.
September 13, 2018
I picked up this book at the gift shop of the New York State Museum. Now, I'm really glad that I did! It's got the look and feel of a coffee table book - you know, the sort you leave on your table when guests arrive as a conversation piece. The pages are thick and most of the pictures are bright and colorful.
Inside, is a collection of weird stories from all over New York State. Some are of places that are supposedly haunted. Others are just interesting or odd landmarks - strange things that you won't find anywhere else. It was fun to see some that were close enough for me to visit and others that I can consider visiting one day. It's also a great reminder to stop and look a little closer at some of the things you encounter on a regular basis. After all, just because I've heard of Pratt Rock (for example) all my life doesn't mean it's not an interesting place to visit. It made me want to look into some of the lore a little closer to home, as well.
Inside, is a collection of weird stories from all over New York State. Some are of places that are supposedly haunted. Others are just interesting or odd landmarks - strange things that you won't find anywhere else. It was fun to see some that were close enough for me to visit and others that I can consider visiting one day. It's also a great reminder to stop and look a little closer at some of the things you encounter on a regular basis. After all, just because I've heard of Pratt Rock (for example) all my life doesn't mean it's not an interesting place to visit. It made me want to look into some of the lore a little closer to home, as well.
July 31, 2025
Definitely a solid heavy book with a lot of entries, however they read like “listener tales” written into a podcast, with lots of conjecture and vagueness but not as much in the way of specifics (names? addresses? GPS even?) or truth (in many cases there is actual history behind these tales, which would be as or more interesting than the ghost stories). I like creepy tales, but I like to have all of the information. Or at least be able to find the damn thing on the internet based on the clues in the anecdote.
September 18, 2021
This book contains lots of interesting tidbits of the weirder side of New York. Yet for each story in this book, there is is at least two more that were missed. Perhaps a sequel or two are needed. Weirder New York? More Weird New York?
The writing is not overly spectacular, but that is not the agenda for this book. As such, it mostly delivers on its premise.
The writing is not overly spectacular, but that is not the agenda for this book. As such, it mostly delivers on its premise.
July 13, 2022
Exploring non-necessarily weird things, people, structures and more within New York State as collected by 2005 (publication date).
There is the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co where you can have all your superhero needs met be it capes, invisible ray guns, and other gadgets. But it actually has a secret tutoring center for kids in back. Father Divine. Naked Cowboy who serenades in his hat, boots and briefs no matter the weather. Champ, Nessie's American cousin. The NYC Mole People. Alligators in the sewers legend which includes a copy of a NY Times article from 1935 in which an alligator was actually pulled out of sewer. Boldt Castle and it's sad history. The tiny Cross Island Chapel with enough room for a wedding party of 3 - minister, bride and groom - literally!
Haunted cemeteries. Ghost horses. Muffler men statues. Secret Caverns - just up the road from Howe Caverns. Abandoned asylums and decrepit mansions in the woods.
Quite the assortment and likely just a fraction of the tales and stories that the editors and authors received when the call went out for New York weirdness. There is an entire series of these books so it is possible that your home state has been featured and can give you a number of places to explore and visit. . . .Or maybe not. . . .
2022-146
There is the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co where you can have all your superhero needs met be it capes, invisible ray guns, and other gadgets. But it actually has a secret tutoring center for kids in back. Father Divine. Naked Cowboy who serenades in his hat, boots and briefs no matter the weather. Champ, Nessie's American cousin. The NYC Mole People. Alligators in the sewers legend which includes a copy of a NY Times article from 1935 in which an alligator was actually pulled out of sewer. Boldt Castle and it's sad history. The tiny Cross Island Chapel with enough room for a wedding party of 3 - minister, bride and groom - literally!
Haunted cemeteries. Ghost horses. Muffler men statues. Secret Caverns - just up the road from Howe Caverns. Abandoned asylums and decrepit mansions in the woods.
Quite the assortment and likely just a fraction of the tales and stories that the editors and authors received when the call went out for New York weirdness. There is an entire series of these books so it is possible that your home state has been featured and can give you a number of places to explore and visit. . . .Or maybe not. . . .
2022-146
June 18, 2010
I think I need to have a talk with the writers of this book about what should be considered 'weird'. Not that there aren't a lot of weird things in this book. There are. But there are also many things that are truly a stretch for an anthology of the weird. Things in this book that ARE actually weird:
Old abandoned mental hospitals that are haunted
UFO sightings in Westchester county
Clawfoot people
Monsters in Lakes
Things that are NOT weird:
Giant statues of Paul Bunyan/Indian Chief(s). There are these giant statues all over the country. I know there are giant statues of Paul Bunyan in at least 15 states.
Giant statues of a guy holding a burger outside a burger place. Are you serious? That's the opposite of weird.
The Unisphere in Queens. It's a big globe from the world's fair. Not weird.
A graveyard because it is next to a mall. Seriously, they list that as weird.
The fact that 2nd St. off of Bowery is called Joey Ramone Place.
Some old amusement park that closed in the mid-80s.
Look, I'm happy that people are driving around and are on the lookout for odd things to include in books like this, but when you count a tee-pee shaped shop that sells Indian trinkets as 'weird', you tarnish the whole concept of weird. Try harder guys. Or produce a shorter book. I would have been very happy reading about the lake monsters and UFOs and being done with it.
Old abandoned mental hospitals that are haunted
UFO sightings in Westchester county
Clawfoot people
Monsters in Lakes
Things that are NOT weird:
Giant statues of Paul Bunyan/Indian Chief(s). There are these giant statues all over the country. I know there are giant statues of Paul Bunyan in at least 15 states.
Giant statues of a guy holding a burger outside a burger place. Are you serious? That's the opposite of weird.
The Unisphere in Queens. It's a big globe from the world's fair. Not weird.
A graveyard because it is next to a mall. Seriously, they list that as weird.
The fact that 2nd St. off of Bowery is called Joey Ramone Place.
Some old amusement park that closed in the mid-80s.
Look, I'm happy that people are driving around and are on the lookout for odd things to include in books like this, but when you count a tee-pee shaped shop that sells Indian trinkets as 'weird', you tarnish the whole concept of weird. Try harder guys. Or produce a shorter book. I would have been very happy reading about the lake monsters and UFOs and being done with it.
March 7, 2008
If you live or are thinking of traveling in NYS do yourself a favor and pick up this book! It's full of fun information and neat destination. It just screams "ROAD TRIP!" (too bad no one can afford to road trip anymore. *sigh*) If nothing else, it will help you take a trip in you head and might even inspire you to research more weird destinations. I know they actually had a travel show on the air for a while, but I don't know if it's still on. It's a great coffee table book (I'll have to add that shelf...)with nice photos and interesting tidbits of information.
March 28, 2013
My former place of employment appears in this book! Beyond that, it had everything I like: stories about a real time traveler, the Naked Cowboy, The Witch of Wall Street and the Collyer Brothers, pictures of houses shaped like shoes, houses that look actually haunted, creepy abandoned hospitals, graveyards so scary that if you call 911 in there, they won't come...great stuff like that. Very enjoyable read.
October 10, 2009
whether it's because this edition of the weird series was written by a member of the upright citizen's brigade, or whether it's because it is actually for the most part, actually written instead of just compiled of (rather than from) various user-generated and submitted stories, weird n.y. is an extra level of compelling and stands above a lot of the other entries into the series.
April 29, 2008
The weird books are always great. They're filled with a bunch of interesting day trips to strange and/or scary places. I spent a large part of my teenagehood driving to the ones in Weird NJ. Most of the places of Weird NY are in Long Island... which honestly just figures. You all know what I think about that place anyway.
June 7, 2007
very weird indeed
May 31, 2008
I read this, thanks to my friend Emily, while I was vacationing in New York. Needless to say I got very little sleep from all the creepy stuff that's in NY.
June 4, 2009
LOVEEEE
August 29, 2012
Funny book about New York. Last year I actually saw some of the weird things. Interesting!
April 16, 2013
I actually live here in Buffalo and know many of the stories and legends. It made it even more interesting to read.
December 21, 2015
Fun book with short articles.
December 27, 2016
Wonderful adventure planning. I went through this book with a fine tooth in order to create an adventure list for our travels. Wonderful stories, well put together. Let the adventure begin
August 30, 2007
fun coffee table book that shows weird ass places to visit old haunts etc
Read
August 5, 2011I think my friends and I may need to make some road trips.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews