Manhattan Physical and Emotional Maps

New York City is over 300 square miles. We are all visitors to New York City even if we live here. Many  forget that the "other" four physically larger boroughs exist. We will not forget the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island but for now we will start at the beginning - The Island at the Center of the World - Manhattan.

Manhattan is all of 12.5 miles by 2.5 miles at the widest.  For some visitors, 12.5 miles is 10 minutes on an Interstate at 75 mph. For those of us who live here, Manhattan is hundreds of changing neighborhoods populated by the 1.4 or more million people who live here and the several million who work or visit here daily.

It helps to have a good map to find your way around - especially in the pre-grid structure world below 14th street.  When you are somewhere, you don't want to see the entire island - too much information.  You need to see the neighborhood around you and how to navigate on foot or by subway or bus. My favorite physical map book is called Manhattan Block by Block by John Tauranac. It effectively combines street, transportation, and good old neighborhood information with a great index.

What parts of Manhattan will be of interest to you? Michelle and James Nevius have put together a wonderful historical and contemporary look at Manhattan's famous places and spaces called Inside the Apple. The book provides, just enough information about each of 182 areas or buildings grouped by historical significance. At the end of the book, 14 really good walking tours are provided that reference the 182 selections. This is a great read before you visit and a handy self-guided walking tour book.

Comments

[Sue]

I went to hear John Tauranac speak this evening. He talked about the history of the subway. Wish he wrote a book on it because the lecture was great. You can find more about him here at http://www.tauranac.com/

[Andrew]

It's a pain to get to Long Island from Manhattan and it's not easy to actually get aounrd LI if you don't have a car. Yes, Manhattan is expensive, but there are cheap(ish) places to shop (and many have sales often) such as:Loehmann'sMacy'sTop ShopH M (a must)Forever 21 (also a must)Century 21StrawberryFor hostels/hotels you could get an okay priced room (depending on how you define okay priced' these are all about $80-125) Try the Red Roof Inn, Howard Johnson Express Inn, Chelsea Lodge, Chelsea Savoy, Apple Cores Hotels, Holiday Inn. Make sure, though, that you can check in by yourself if you're only 16 (you usually can).If you stay in a hostel in a good area, it will be safe (and if you're vigilant!) Try: Chelsea Lodge and the Vanderbilt YMCA.Have fun!!!

[Sue]

Andrew - How interesting but what does this have to do with the post?