One for the Road: Dorothy Parker’s New York

by Kelly Amabile on

The ArtPlace Series from Roaring Forties Press is one of my all-time favorites. The concept is fantastic — each book describes the life of an artist (or group of artists) as it relates to the city that he/she/they lived in. The possibilities are endless, and in New York alone I’m sure a whole sub-series of titles could be created.

The one they have published for NYC is a real winner: A Journey into Dorothy Parker’s New York is a unique guide that explores over 100 locations associated with the famous poet, drama critic and political activist. Written by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, founder of the Dorothy Parker Society, the book takes travelers on a thorough and well-documented tour of the places where she lived and worked. Readers can use the five maps and 150 illustrations to trace the footsteps of this celebrated writer and founding member of the Algonquin Round Table.

Fitzpatrick conducts occasional literary walking tours in NYC that explore the haunts and homes of Parker and other members of the Algonquin Round Table. The next one is coming up on May 13. And this June marks the 40th anniversary of Parker’s death — a special celebration at the Algonquin Hotel is planned for August 22. Sign up for the Society’s newsletter to receive more info about that and other upcoming events.

One for the Road: Hidden New York

by Kelly Amabile on

Today’s New York book recommendation is for travelers in search of a more organic approach to exploring the city. This collection of 32 “Places That Matter” (and their offshoot “sister sights”) offers visitors a unique cultural perspective on the five boroughs. Hidden New York is the result of collaboration between folklorists and city historians, wishing to tell the story of NYC’s secret spots and distinctive communities.

Here’s an example of what sets this guide apart from the rest: While yesterday’s book suggestion offers travelers specifics on shops to visit in the Flower District, Hidden New York offers up a deeper look, including a 10-page history of the bustling W. 28th St. market and interviews with shop owners about the future of Manhattan’s wholesale flower business. They provide similar backstory for each of their 32 featured “destinations.”

The authors encourage visitors to explore the lore of subway art, wooden water towers and historic public spaces like Union Square and Grant’s Tomb. Unique communities where bird-watchers, fishing fans and chess aficionados can gather are also highlighted, underscoring the book’s theme of showcasing “where people and place intersect.”

This is a book that even locals will love and learn from — I can’t imagine that every New Yorker already knows about the Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken in Chinatown?! Hidden New York is a guide to be used again and again, by natives and those just passing through. The authors invite readers to visit and re-visit these landmarks, to engage with these sacred sights and gain insight on the importance of cultural conservation to ensure these traditions and spaces survive.

One for the Road: Curious Shopper’s Guide to NYC

by Kelly Amabile on

The Little Bookworm is a small New York travel publisher that produces a variety of niche culture and art titles, including walking tours and literary guides to great cities around the world. Shopping guides are another specialty, packaged and designed in such a way that they are stylish, yet functional for on-the-go shoppers.

Last year Pamela Keech penned The Curious Shopper’s Guide to New York City: Inside Manhattan’s Shopping Districts. It’s a quaint and elegant guide, small enough to fit inside just about any shopper’s purse. Keech has compiled a wonderful collection of specialty shops that sell kitchenware, drapery, antiques, fabrics, jewelry and musical instruments. For each shopping district (garment, diamond, millinery), she also includes several restaurant suggestions where hungry shoppers can refuel between spending sessions that may include purchases of fresh flowers, custom stationary, buttons, ribbon, lingerie or lamps. Each guide entry includes a short historical background about the shop, as well as address and store hour information.

Different in style but also smart in design are two NYC Pratique Guides also published by The Little Bookworm. These “Shopping Block by Block” guides include business listings and a clearly marked map for the Soho/Nolita and Meatpacking/West Village neighborhoods. The sleek packaging and practical design of all three of this unique travel guides make them simply superb for NYC shopping excursions.

Oh hey, and since this One for the Road keeps multiplying, let’s just make it an official Four for the Road: The Little Bookworm just announced that the second edition of their Jazz Guide: New York City has been released. An updated comprehensive look at over sixty city venues, with additional listings for music festivals and specialty shops. Sounds like a cool jazz club might be the perfect place to unwind after a busy day of shopping, huh?

One for the Road: Pauline Frommer’s NYC

by Kelly Amabile on

Adrienne first mentioned Pauline Frommer’s travel books last August, when the new series had just hit the shelves. And as you can see from the comments, Pauline stopped by to add some personal perspective on her decision to jump into the book biz directly, following in the footsteps of her famous dad.

Both father and daughter are can claim celebrity status these days — familiar faces that will be forever linked to the stellar guidebook business founded 50 years ago this year. Since the initial three-book launch of her adult budget guidebook series, which included the award winning Pauline Frommer’s New York City, Pauline and her team are hard at work on additional titles, including upcoming guides to D.C., Orlando and Costa Rica.

But back to New York for a minute: Honored as the Best Guidebook of 2006 by the North American Travel Journalists Association, Pauline’s NYC guidebook is a refreshing and affordable look inside the Big Apple. You can tell she just loves this city and worked really hard to collect data on the best creative accommodations, venues and restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Besides the emphasis on affordability and alternative lodging, her “Other” New York chapter really sets this guide apart from the rest. It highlights cheap and free opportunities for travelers to experience NYC through a local’s eyes, including lists of prominent houses of worship, popular pub quiz nights and behind the scenes factory and museum tours.

Pauline will be appearing at an author event on May 7 at Denver’s Tattered Cover Bookstore. Stop by her Amazon blog to keep up with the latest whereabouts of this travel savvy guidebook gal.

New York: Bowl at the Bus Station

by Kelly Amabile on

While it dons an exposed ceiling and unpainted walls, the lanes at Leisure Time Bowl in the Port Authority Bus Terminal are still drawing crowds. Bowlers don’t seem to mind the half-finished decor, as long as there’s beer, music and automatic scoring machines that add properly.

Last Saturday night the place was packed when I arrived with a few friends. Early for our 10 pm reservation, we grabbed some drinks in the malodorous lobby bar that shakes every time a bus rumbles overhead. The new mahogany island bar referred to in this lame renovations update appears to have been installed, however we didn’t see anyone serving drinks from it. But the DJ was spinning tunes and the only lanes available were for those with advanced reservations. Walk-ins are welcome, but pickings will be slim in the evenings. And after 9 pm no one under the age of 21 is admitted.

Play can be purchased by game (staring at $6.50) or per hour (starting at $50) and rates increase for evenings, weekends and holidays. It’s cheapest to bowl before 5 pm, but they do run Night Owl specials and discounts if you reserve online. If you’re in town and just itching to get your game on, this place is definitely worth a visit. We all love bowling because it’s so darn cheesy, and what could be cheesier than bowling in the back of a dingy bus station on a Saturday night? Be sure to order a $50 Tower of Beer too, because no bus station bowling experience is complete without one.