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The 12 Best Bookstores in New York City

TripSavvy / Kelsea Watkins

New York City has been home to some of the world's most prolific literary icons— like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Dorothy Parke, Truman Capote, Toni Morrison and Edmund White—as well as some of the world's famed publishing houses. Unsurprisingly, NYC also offers a multitude of incredible, destination-worthy bookstores—including some of those publishers' flagships!

From familiar names like Barnes & Noble to secondhand shops and indie neighborhood faves like Brooklyn's WORD or Queens' Astoria Bookshop , these establishments don't just cater to literature lovers. Many specialize in niche publications and genres including photography, art, design, comics and graphic novels, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC works, mystery, feminism, eclectic self-published tomes and zines, and rare tomes. These stores also host guest author signings, panels, spoken word events, and community mixers. Quite a few have in-house cafes to boot!

Here are a dozen of our favorite bookstore to check out in New York City.

Strand Bookstore

Lawrence Ferber

Founded in 1927, the sprawling Strand is NYC's largest and most famous independent and family-owned bookstore, carrying a reported 18 miles worth of books. Like Portland, Oregon's Powell's , the Strand carries a combination of new and second hand tomes (treasures await in the stacks!), including many out-of-print and bargain priced titles - there's a floor devoted to rare, antiquarian and first editions - plus an expansive selection of Strand-branded T-shirts and merchandise. July 2020 saw Strand open a new, boutique-sized second location on the Upper West Side's Columbus Avenue , so add even more miles of books to their inventory - and browsing time to your itinerary.

Forbidden Planet

Located just a few storefronts from Strand, this first and only USA sibling to London's flagship store for all things related to sci-fi, horror, and comic books celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. Besides its impressive selection of graphic novels and new/recent comic books and publications, you'll find action figures, T-shirts, DVDs/Blu-rays, and ephemera including self-published hard-to-find zines.

If you want more comic goodness, also check out Midtown Comics ' three Manhattan locations while Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Desert Island Comics stocks a particularly eclectic, curated selection including underground comics.

Dashwood Books

Courtesy of Dashwood Books

Photography fans and photographers have made this basement-level NoHo shop a buzzing must since 2005. Dedicated to contemporary photography books from around the world, including some under their own house imprint, from freshly released to extremely hard-to-find, out-of-print tomes. Dashwood often hosts signings by new, edgy shutterbugs and curated the Gucci Wooster Bookshop , located within Soho's Gucci store and worth a look for more fashion-centric (and vintage) selections.

Rizzoli Bookstore

Courtesy of Rizzoli Bookstore

First established in 1964, the fashionable, upscale Rizzoli has occupied several addresses over the decades. It also broke the hearts of many book lovers in 2014 when Rizzoli shuttered its six-story 57th street townhouse location with no set plan to reopen. Happily, July 2015 saw Rizzoli open an engaging and dramatic NoMad flagship story, which includes a children's section at the rear! The bookstore also publishes gorgeous art, photography, fashion, cuisine, decor, architecture, and other tomes.

McNally Jackson

Desiree Navarro / Contributor / Getty Images

Egalitarian in its breadth of selections, this spinoff of a Canadian indie bookstore chain stocks something for everyone, including a small curated selection of international niche magazines like gay bimonthly Elska . The buzzy two-level Nolita store on Prince Street is ideal for browsing all genres including its own "McNally Editions" hidden gem line of paperbacks, plus a great gift card selection. Other McNally Jackson locations include the Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and Williamsburg.

Printed Matter, Inc.

Courtesy of Printed Matter, Inc.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2021, this nonprofit organization's flagship serves as a two-level retail space and gallery for just about every type of art book and publication you can imagine (and in some cases, objects), especially self-published and obscure. Signings and receptions are frequent, and Printed Matter presents the annual international Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1.

Another excellent and new space dedicated to similar publications, with a particularly rich selection from Mainland China, is the Beijing import Bungee Space , which opened during Summer 2021 in the Lower East Side.

powerHouse Books

Courtesy of powerHouse Books

Brooklyn's buzzy and oft-Instagrammed DUMBO district is the home of a warehouse-style flagship store for this fine art, photography, pop culture and celebrity-centric book publisher. Besides its own releases (2021 titles included powerful photography and essay collection, " The Stolen Daughters of Chibok "), powerHouse stocks a super browsable array of progressive literature, biographies, graphic novels, and children's books. That's in addition to gift items and artwork like signed framed prints by acclaimed, local Japanese-American cartoonist Adrian Tomine .

Bureau of General Services—Queer Division (BGSQD)

One of only about three dozen LGBTQ bookstores in the world, and possibly the newest, the BGSQD was founded by couple Donnie Jochum and Greg Newton as a crowdfunded pop-up shop in 2012. Occupying a spacious room on the second floor of NYC's LGBT Community Center in the West Village since 2014, it stocks a deep, largely new selection of LGBTQ+-interest fiction, nonfiction, art, graphic novels, international magazines, self-published zines, and art, with a robust calendar of events, guests, screenings, and exhibitions.

Also be sure to visit the Lower East Side's 22-year-old Bluestockings Cooperative , a proudly queer, trans, and sex worker-run feminist bookstore that stocks plenty of LGBTQ+ work as well.

Argosy Book Store

Courtesy of Argosy Book Store

Seen in dozens of movies and TV shows including 2020 Netflix docuseries "Pretend It's a City," 2019's feature "The Goldfinch," and 2019 documentary " The Booksellers ," the Argosy is a near century-old destination for first edition and antiquarian book hunters and those seeking an old school NYC atmosphere. Besides coveted and rare books, the Argosy's whopping collection includes vintage maps, prints, posters, and autographs. Yes, Lee Israel actually peddled some of her infamous letter forgeries here, as reenacted in Oscar-nominated 2018 film "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" If you have old tomes that need some TLC, the Argosy also offers binding and restoration services.

Sister's Uptown Bookstore

Courtesy of Sisters UpTown Bookstore

The Black female-owned Sisters Uptown opened in Washington Heights in 2000 when founder Janifer P. Wilson and daughter Kori N. Wilson sought to bring a burst of vitality to the local community that would also offer educational, emotional, and spiritual support for the community. The store is dedicated to written and spoken word works by and relevant to African Americans and other talented authors. Some 2021 bestsellers include Sister Souljah's "Life After Death," Ibrim X. Kendi's "Four Hundred Souls," and Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents."

Other fantastic BIPOC-owned indie bookstores include the collectively owned Word Up , Harlem's Revolution Books , and Brooklyn's Cafe con Libros .

The Mysterious Bookshop

Courtesy of The Mysterious Bookshop

First opened in 1979 in Midtown, this is the country's oldest mystery specialist bookstore though you'll find dozens of others in states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Illinois, and even bordering New Jersey. The Mysterious Bookshop eventually moved to Tribeca in 2005. Owner/founder Otto Penzler's passion for the genre (and subgenres) led him to write, edit, and publish books, with two Edgar Awards under his belt. One exclusive offering from the bookstore is its Bibliomystery series of short stories (authors have included Joe R. Lansdale and Ian Rankin), available in various editions and price points including signed and numbered.

Courtesy of Bookmarc

Located on Bleeker Street across from the Village's iconic Magnolia Bakery flagship (there's always a line even this many years post-"Sex And The City " ), designer Marc Jacobs' intensely curated arts-movies-music-design-fashion-centric bookstore opened in 2010 in the former space of Biography Bookshop. There's plenty to browse here, from massive coffee table tomes to the pocket-sized "33 1/3" series on classic albums, plus a selection of non-book merchandise including work by Marc Jacobs himself.

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New York City Bookshops: The Best Bookstores in NYC by a New Yorker

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no additional cost to you.

Are you a book lover that lives in or near, or is traveling to, NYC and you’re searching for the best New York City bookshops? Let me tell you that NYC really has some cool and famous places + other , off the beaten path spots that you should check out. In this post, you can find a curated list, per borough, of the Best Bookstores in NYC according to me, a Native New Yorker.

If there is one thing that you can say about New Yorkers is that they love books! New York City is a place where bookstores are still very much welcomed, especially the small, independent ones. Having some of the most educated citizens from all over the world living here has a tremendous impact on the reading culture in and around the city, and is continuing to leave a trail that wants to be emulated by younger generations.

So, if you happen to be in NYC, and are looking for new reading material, then you’ve definitely found yourself in the right place! Let’s go through the list, borough by borough, shall we?

The Best Bookstores in New York City

New York City Bookshops: Best Bookstores in Manhattan

Strand bookstore.

This one is one of the most popular bookstores in the city, and is known by almost every New Yorker who has spent more than a month living in the city. It’s a place where you can drop off your own books for donation, and browse through the classics, as well as more specialized sections, such as food-, travel-, or health-related books.

It gets crowded fast, but it’s a great store and, occasionally, you’ll see people on the subway or walking along the street carrying their fandom of the store around, their Strand-shopping bag, with them. Because ‘yes,’ you can also buy gifts and souvenirs there!

You might also enjoy this: The best travel books of all time!

Namaste Bookshop

This one is ideal for all of your spiritual needs! It’s a specialized bookstore that has a wide variety of books on meditation, healing, spirituality, religion and various philosophies. And it happens to be very close to Strand, your first stop, in case you want to save time and visit one after the other.

Shakespeare and Co.

This bookstore is designed for textbooks, mainly for Hunter and Marymount Manhattan College, but everyone is welcome, and it’s a nice stop for non-textbooks browsing as well. It has a cute café inside, so it’s easy to get lost for a while and sip coffee while reading a page or two.

Westsider Rare and Used Books Inc.

Ah, one of my absolute favorites! It’s a haven for collectors, since they sell many precious first editions. We should all be happy that it’s still around, because in 2019, it was THIS close to shutting its doors for good!

But by sheer luck, and through a Gofundme page that raised enough money, they were able to stay open for business. Locals pulled together and wouldn’t let this gold mine of a bookstore die out. It also sells music albums; another rarity in this day and age.

Kinokuniya New York (Best Japanese bookstore in NYC)

I honestly would have never given this store a second look, if a friend wouldn’t have forced me to go inside. Located right across Bryant Park, it seemed like just another Barnes and Nobles type-tourist trap, but let me tell you, it is not!

It’s a Japanese bookstore with a Western twist. On the first floor, you’ll encounter all the modern, current books, and on the second floor you are entering Anime heaven. It’s a diverse and very unique store with a little bit for everybody. On the lower floor, you’ll find magazines, another small shop that is separate from the bookstore, language books, and stationery.

Argosy Bookstore

Did I just time-travel? This will be your first thought upon entering Argosy Bookstore. It’s a magnificent and majestic looking shop, straight out of a 1920s movie depicting the Roaring Twenties.

In a way, that makes sense, since the store has been around since 1925! It’s enormous, with its 6 stories, and sells mainly out- of -print, antique and rare books.

The Drama Bookshop Inc.

If you’ve ever been involved with an actor or have tried acting yourself, you know that there’s a whole niche of books related to acting. In acting school, teachers will tell you to read and study them religiously, and constantly give you assignments to read a play and do character work.

Well, the store to find all of these books quickly is The Drama Bookshop Inc. Mostly everyone you’ll encounter in this store are theater people and drama students and, if you have just one ounce of love and passion for acting and/or theater, then you will definitely want to pay a visit to this iconic shop.

Assouline has 3 locations around the City, but the one that I’m referring, which is my favorite, is the one located at the Plaza Hotel, mostly because of its great surroundings.

From the store’s balcony, you can see the beautiful lobby of the hotel and, while there, why not purchase some of the Plaza’s gifts, their coffee table book or one of their specialties? It’s two shopping opportunities for visiting this one location!

RECOMMENDED: The best NYC gif t experiences!

Bluestockings

Some may call it radical, but I call it an essential bookstore that addresses some of the most important topics of the 21 st century, such as feminism, politics, inequality… you name it!

For an activist, this bookstore on the Lower East Side is a must visit. They even host regular workshops about these topics and, believe it or not, it is run entirely by committed volunteers. You go, Bluestockings!

Mysterious Bookshop

Located in the financial district, this is a true gem in the neighborhood. I’m sure that you’ve already guessed, based on the name, that its specialties are crime and mystery books, some of which are rare finds. It’s perfect for all the Sherlock Holmes lovers and hobby-detectives!

McNally Jackson

Wonderful, diverse bookshop with loads to offer, from book clubs to regular events, to the newest bestsellers readily available for purchase. The main location is in SOHO, with a café attached to it, but there are 2 more bookshops in Brooklyn.

Revolution Books (Cool Bookstore in Harlem)

It’s also a bit radical, but maybe in a less intimidating way for some than the Bluestockings.  It’s an indie-bookstore with a vintage feel to it.

Small, yet cozy, and it still sells the antiquated…here it comes: DVD’s! Harlem isn’t known for its bookshops, but this one definitely adds an element of curiosity to the neighborhood.

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in Brooklyn

Community Bookstore

Charming neighborhood store for the whole community, hence the inviting name! Very family-friendly, and its offerings are an array of books for adults, as well as adolescents and young children.

It has the classics and newest bestsellers, and combines both quite well. When in Park Slope, check it out!

Suggested reading: Best things to do in Dumbo, Brooklyn

Molasses Books

Bushwick is changing by the minute, and a new addition is this bookstore, which lets you trade in your own books for a glass of beer or wine at the bar. How amazing is it to find a bookstore that also has a great bar? It’s pretty unique, that’s for sure!

On a side note, they also sell coffee, just in case you’re not into mixing your drinking and book browsing. Must mention that they have a happy hour from 6-8pm, so keep that in mind when you plan your visit. Best of all, the majority of their books are dirt cheap, especially the $1 book selections in front of the store! It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Quimby’s Bookstore

You would expect this store to be exactly where it is, which is trendy Williamsburg. It’s focused on books for and about the LGBTQ community, and it rocks!

It’s a refreshingly, fun place to visit, supporting self-published writers and local artists in every way possible. The owner is awesome. It gets 5 stars from me every single time!

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in Queens

Kew and Willow Books

It’s THE bookstore in Kew Gardens and perfect for locals to gather! It attracts a crowd of children, youngsters, as well as well-read academics. They accept online orders, which is a huge plus, and sell their own merchandise to support the store.

Another Favorite: A perfect day in Queens, New York

Astoria Bookshop

As small as the store is, it does great things with the space provided! It offers a ton of book clubs to join, hosts regular events, such as author readings and creative writing workshops, and has a weekly children’s hour that is very well liked by families and their little ones.

It’s very cute and makes it easy to fall in love with the quintessential, local bookstore!

Aladdin Books

This is the most authentic and unique book store in Flushing, Queens. It sells K-Pop albums for very decent prices, as well as Korean books.

For the ones who can’t read Korean, they also have a great collection of photobooks to admire (and buy, if you’d like). Staff is very friendly and helpful, as can be expected from such a nice mom-and-pop store without their own website.

New York City Bookshops: Best bookstores in the Bronx

The lit. bar.

This is the very first independent bookshop in the Bronx, with hopefully many more to follow! It’s a pioneer for a New York neighborhood that needs and deserves the same love and attention as Chelsea, Midtown, and gentrified Brooklyn!

Grab a book and get cozy with a glass of wine. Yes, it’s also a wine bar – check! It’s a beautiful little place that has already won over the hearts of many locals.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE LIT. BAR Bookstore & Chill (@thelitbar) on May 3, 2019 at 2:14pm PDT

New York City Bookshops: Best Bookstores In Staten Island

Every thing goes book café and neighborhood stage.

That’s the store to visit if you’re looking for book bargains on Staten Island. It’s unique because of its versatility: You can use their computers and study while eating one of their pastries, buy used books, and/or also attend regularly held events, such as readings and small art exhibits. This bookstore has a little bit of everything!

As you can see, there are plenty of bookstores to choose from when visiting New York City. Often one is different from the other, providing many surprises along the way, but they’re definitely all worth exploring!

You may find enough reading material and inspiration for an entire year, and then you can plan a return visit when you need to replenish your shelves and bedside table. Happy exploring!

As I like to say:

“Reading is fundamental – Emphasis on the fun!”

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Best specialty bookstores in New York City

These bookstores represent some of the best places to geek out over specific literary interests

Need to find the latest Pulitzer Prize–winning play or that obscure crime novel your aunt recommended? You know you can find it in New York, but where? Well, here's a handy list for everyone from literary fetishists in search of the latest in design books to scholars seeking key feminist studies.

An email you’ll actually love

Archestratus

Archestratus bookstore offers a wide selection of culinary texts from all over the world as well as specialty cookbooks. At Archestratus you can find chef biographies, vintage cookbooks, local cookbooks and much more.

Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop

The city's only all-poetry bookstore began as a table at the Brooklyn Flea, and in 2013, owners Jared White and Farrah Field opened this brick-and-mortar dream. Drop in for the latest poetry books, hard-to-find chapbooks and readings almost every night.

Bluestockings

• Lower East Side
• price 2 of 4

This radical bookstore and café hosts readings and discussions on health, race, class and sexuality. The selection ranges from bell hooks, natch, to poetry zines, and recurring events include a feminist book club and k undalini yoga.

Singularity & Co.

• price 1 of 4

The mission of this Vinegar Hill shop: to pluck forgotten 20th-century sci-fi and fantasy titles from obscurity. You’ll find early editions of works by Ray Bradbury, Ursula K. Le Guin and less well-known cohorts, with all the awesome retro cover art that entails.

Mysterious Bookshop

• Financial District

Devotees of mystery, crime and spy novels will surely recognize owner Otto Penzler as one of the foremost editors and anthology compilers in these genres. His shop holds a wealth of new and classic thrillers, plus autographed first editions.

Printed Matter

• Arts, crafts & hobbies
• price 4 of 4

This nonprofit organization, which operates a public reading room as well as a shop, is exclusively devoted to artists’ books. Works by unknown and emerging artists share shelf space with those of veterans such as Yoko Ono and Edward Ruscha.

Bergen Street Comics

Comics devotees and newbies alike will feel at home among Bergen Street's easy-to-browse display tables and oak racks. That level of care extends to the wares too, which are expertly selected and arranged, highlighting both highbrow graphic novels and classic superhero strips.

Idlewild Books

• West Village

In this travel-obsessed shop, guidebooks, travel-related fiction and photo books line the shelves, while stools and glowing lights invite readers with wanderlust to stay awhile. Feeling adventurous? The stop also offers some of the city's best language classes.

The Drama Book Shop

• Midtown West

Sparsely furnished with vintage furniture (including a row of old theater seats), this pleasant shop covers both stage and screen. So, not only will you find plays, libretti, thespian biographies and tomes on acting technique, but also guides to writing screenplays, and scripts of current films.

Midtown Comics

Wild about Wolverine or mad for obscure manga? Billing itself as the largest retailer of comic books, graphic novels, manga and related collectibles in the U.S., Midtown also stocks magazines, books, DVDs, action figures and assorted swag. A true geek's delight.

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New York City Travel Bookstores

New York is an excellent base for those with a strong case of wanderlust. There are international flights to every corner of the globe, restaurants serving cuisine from countries you’ve never heard of, and frequent gatherings of travel addicts .

But what I sadly didn’t realize during my years living in the city is that New York is surprisingly well-rounded when it comes to another travel-addict necessity: travel bookstores. While internet searches followed by frustratingly fruitless trips around Manhattan showed me that many of these shops have shuttered their doors in recent years, there are still a few going strong. Next time you need a guidebook, a great travel novel or just a bit of inspiration, skip the big chains and head to one of these independent New York City travel bookstores instead.

Idlewild Books

I must have walked by Idlewild Books, just moments from Union Square, a hundred times during my years in NYC. So how did I never know this place existed? It was probably best for my college years’ productivity that I didn’t because I could lose hours exploring this undeniably charming little space.

Books are grouped by geographic location, with a mixture of guidebooks, novels, memoirs, cultural studies and more. There is even a children’s book section, perfect for inspiring the young traveler. Idlewild also offers a monthly book club and foreign language classes in Spanish, French, and Italian. They’ve recently added a second location in Brooklyn, which I hope means they are doing well and will be around for years to come.

I was deeply impressed by the selection and layout at this store. This is a must-stop shop for New York City visitors or residents who love to explore.

Website / Address : 12 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011 / Phone: 212.414.8888

Store Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12-7:30 Friday – Sunday: 12-6

Complete Traveller Antiquarian Bookstore

The Complete Traveller bookstore takes specialization to a new level: They feature antique and rare books that are also of the travel genre.

Don’t come here looking for the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Glasgow. Come looking for a fifty-year old signed copy of a book featuring hundreds of tartan designs, a coffee-table tome of highland landscapes, or an age-worn antique map to hang on the wall. This is a place for gifts and keepsakes rather than practical guides or modern memoirs.

Website / Address : 199 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 / Phone: 212.685.9007 / Email: [email protected]

Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:30-6:30 Saturday: 10-6 Sunday: 12-5

Traveler’s Choice Bookstore

The Traveler’s Choice Bookstore, located in SoHo, is a sister company to Turon Travel. They carry all major guidebook series and a world-wide selection of maps, as well as a few travel accessories. The selection here is nothing to get over-excited about, but if you want a one-stop shop where you can fantasize about a trip and then book it, this travel agency – bookshop hybrid might be the travel bookstore for you.

Website / Address : 2 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013 / Phone: 212.941.1535 / Email: [email protected]

Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 – 5 Saturday – Sunday: Closed

While this company has an office in NYC that welcomes visitors, it is primarily an online travel bookstore… making it the perfect destination to round out this list for my readers not based in New York! I really love the idea of supporting independent booksellers even if you live miles from anything but a big box store or simply prefer to do your shopping online. You can search their catalog by destination or by curated reading lists. www.longitudebooks.com

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I really enjoyed my little tour of New York City’s travel bookstores. Each had their own highlight, but for me the one I will return to again and again is Idlewild. In fact, I love them so much that despite being on a book-buying ban (my suitcase overfloweth) I just had to support them in some way. So instead of buying a book, I bought something for one of you!

To win this $25 giftcard simply subscribe to this blog via RSS or email and then leave a comment telling me your favorite travel book (it can even be a guidebook!). I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner next week. This gift card never expires, so even if you don’t live in NYC, please feel free to enter. You never know when you might find yourself in my favorite city!

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I never realized there were bookstores dedicated solely to travel books. Is that just a NYC thing?

Well as a matter of fact I just re-watched Notting Hill on a plane today and remembered that Hugh Grant’s character is the owner of a travel bookstore in London! So they must have them all over….

When I was last in New York (in October/November) I wanted to visit Idlewild Books, but unfortunately never made it there. Now I am cursing myself for this oversight!

It’s funny that you mention that some of these places carry maps, because a while back Tony and I traveled all over Nashville trying to find a world map, and after visiting 3 different stores, gave up the ghost. It just wasn’t going to happen. Google Maps is great and all, but sometimes you just want a big wall map to plan your travels, you know?

Anyway, lately my favorite travel book is The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost by Rachel Friedman. I actually reviewed it not too long ago on our site ( https://www.20yearshence.com/book-review-the-good-girls-guide-to-getting-lost-by-rachel-friedman/ ), and I think you would really enjoy it!

My parents have a whole drawer full of maps that they actually purchased and used to take on trips in their previous travels… guidebooks from another era, I suppose.

Loved your review of the Good Girl’s Guide… might have to pick up a copy myself! Thanks!

My “Bucket List” is filling fast. Idlewood Books is nearing the top

Oh my word how did I miss those while I lived in NYC??? I will have to check for the one in London when I go at the end of the month. Mmmh my favorite travel book is definitely the one I told you about last month. “Die Schmetterlingsinsel” (Butterfly island) It is set in England and Sri Lanka. Great book but unfortunately only available in German right now. =(

Well if it’s ever translated to English I’ll be the first to pick up a copy!

Interesting to see these type of bookstores. I would have never known about them or even thought to look for a bookstore solely related to travel.

As much as I’ve come to rely on blogs and my travel blogging friends for the best travel advice, I still secretly love getting lost in a travel guide or a book about someone’s lessons through travel. I don’t like being lost when I travel, but I could surely lose myself in a travel bookstore for days.

Great post and good share, Alex.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a travel addict, no matter how computer-dependent, who wouldn’t love these places! You’ll have to check them out if you are ever in NYC!

Great post Alex! For those of you going to London, also make sure to check out Daunt Books… They now have several locations around London but are a great indie bookstore and have a fantastic selection of books organized by country (where the action takes place and where the author is from)! The most fun you can have getting lost in a bookstore…

I’m currently doing a lot of travelling, and have really loved Alain de Botton’s “The Art of Travel” for interesting insight on why we travel.

Thanks for the recommendations, Jen! I’ll have to check out both Daunt and The Art of Travel!

thanks for the tip Jen!I am going in two weeks and I already wrote down all their locations and decided on a couple of books I wanna purchase there! =)

Taking note of these stores (especially Idewild) for next time I’m in New York. Sadly, I haven’t read a good travel book in way too long – Eat, Pray, Love not counting – so this will be the perfect opportunity to find some!

Confession here- I still haven’t read Eat, Pray, Love! It’s on my list though, and I’m also hoping to hear her second book, Committed.

This is a tough one! I’ll go with Bill Bryson’s In a Sunburned Country, an account of his travels in Australia. It had me laughing out loud on city buses! Definitely adding Idlewild to my NYC itinerary…Thanks!

Glad I could help, Heather! I’ve been meaning to try Bill Bryson for years, and I’m not sure how it hasn’t happened! Maybe this is the kick in the pants I need 🙂

Bryson’s writing is great! You might enjoy A Walk In the Woods as well; it’s his account of hiking the Appalachian Trail. And now I’m off to explore some of the books other commenters have recommended…

Ahh, that bookstore looks amazing! So far my two favorite travel books have been “The Lost Girls” and “Lonely Planet Tales from Nowhere.” But I also really liked Eat, Pray, Love…I love any book that makes me want to hop on a plane!

Andrea, do you know that I work for the The Lost Girls website? So funny! Amanda, one of the authors and my boss, is absolutely lovely. I’ve never heard of Lonely Planet Tales From Nowhere, I’ll have to check it out!

I’m pretty jealous about that! I was on the waiting list for the Kindle version of The Lost Girls at my library FOREVER and when I finally got it, I couldn’t put it down for the next few days! How did you get that gig?

I think you’d like the Tales From Nowhere book, it’s a collection of stories about different people’s experiences with traveling to places that are considered “nowhere.” I read most of it while I was preparing to move to Korea, and it is definitely inspiring!

It all started when I was featured as their Lost Girls of the Week… I started up an e-friendship with them and when an editing position opened up they asked and I accepted! I’m really grateful for the opportunity, they are really inspiring girls.

Nice! Their site is really fun, I like how it has become so much bigger than the four of them. Awesome that you play a part in that 🙂

My trips to NYC are always so quick. I usually sneak in an o’dark-thirty run and last time I finally got to run in Central Park.

Maybe next time you can nip into one of these bookstores for a little more inspiration 🙂

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New York Best Travel Guides & Travel Books

• Post author: Avoid Crowds
• Post published: May 15, 2021
• Post category: Travel Guides / Featured / New York City
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Updated January 24, 2024

Exploring New York City is an exhilarating adventure, but it can also be daunting. This bustling metropolis isn’t just any American city; it’s a vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures, iconic landmarks, and endless activities. As a visitor, you’ll find yourself amidst throngs of tourists and a whirlwind of unique experiences that are distinctly New York. The city’s sheer scale and variety mean that making informed choices is crucial to enjoy your trip fully. To help you navigate this urban jungle, we’ve meticulously selected a range of travel guides and books that are essential for planning your visit to the Big Apple.

New York City stands as one of the most renowned destinations globally, a place where the energy of urban life meets a rich historical tapestry. In recent years, issues of overtourism have brought new challenges to experiencing the city authentically. My wife and I have ventured to this incredible destination multiple times, learning how to navigate through the bustling crowds to uncover serene spots and hidden gems. The travel books we recommend here have been instrumental in our explorations, offering invaluable insights into experiencing the true essence of New York City. Whether you’re seeking the electric atmosphere of Times Square, the tranquil paths of Central Park, or the artistic enclaves of Brooklyn, these guides will equip you with the knowledge to create an unforgettable journey in one of the world’s most captivating cities.

• All books have been handpicked by us!
• Books with bad reviews are left out.
• This post includes affiliate marketing links on which we can earn a commission.

Five tips to enjoy your trip to NYC more!

🌆 Guided Tours for an Insightful Experience : Explore the vibrant streets of New York City with guided tours. Whether you’re interested in a comprehensive city tour, a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, or even a thrilling helicopter tour, you can find a variety of options on Viator . These tours offer insider insights and ensure you don’t miss any iconic landmarks.

🗽 Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island : Make the most of your visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by booking a guided tour on Viator . Skip the lines and gain historical context as you explore these iconic symbols of freedom and immigration.

🚁 Bird’s Eye View of NYC : Experience the breathtaking skyline of New York City from a whole new perspective with a helicopter tour. Book your adventure on Viator and enjoy panoramic views of the city’s landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

🏨 Accommodation Choices : New York City offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget. Use Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay. Consider location, amenities, and guest reviews to make an informed choice.

📱 Stay Connected with Roaming Data : Don’t worry about staying connected while exploring NYC. Check out the eSIM Roaming Data Plan on GetYourGuide to ensure you have reliable internet access on your mobile device throughout your trip. Stay in touch and share your NYC adventures hassle-free!

Explore the Vibrant Heart of the Big Apple: Lonely Planet's New York City Guide

Lonely Planet New York City 13 (Travel Guide) is an all-encompassing guide to the bustling streets and hidden gems of New York City. Extensive and detailed, this guidebook covers everything the city has to offer, from iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Broadway shows to the historic pathways of Ellis Island. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this guide is your ultimate companion to uncovering the best of New York City.

Highlights of the Guide:

• 🏙️ Lonely Planet’s Top Picks : A visually inspiring collection of the city’s best experiences.
• 🗺️ Tailored Itineraries : Plan your ultimate trip based on your personal interests and needs.
• 🍎 Local Insights : Gain a richer understanding of NYC’s history, culture, and people.
• 🍽️ Gastronomic Adventures : Discover the must-try dishes and drinks of New York City.
• 🌈 Inclusive Toolkit : Offers planning tools for diverse travelers, including solo, LGBTQIA+, family, and accessible travel.

Equipped with color maps, images, and essential language tips, this guide ensures you navigate New York City like a local. It’s filled with insider tips to save you time and money, helping you avoid the crowds and trouble spots.

Lonely Planet’s New York City 13 : Dive deep into the heart of the Big Apple, exploring neighborhoods from Lower Manhattan to Harlem, and extending to Brooklyn and Queens. Whether you’re looking to indulge in the city’s dynamic food scene, immerse in its rich cultural tapestry, or simply wander through its iconic streets, this guide is your key to experiencing New York City in all its glory. Get ready to create unforgettable memories in one of the world’s most exhilarating cities.

Frommer's New York City 2024

Frommer’s New York City 2024 (Complete Guide) , authored by Pauline Frommer, offers an exceptional insider’s perspective on the city that never sleeps. With a remarkable 4.8-star rating and the title of #1 Best Seller in General New York State Travel Guides, this guidebook provides invaluable insights into exploring New York City.

Key Highlights:

• 🗺️ Smart Itineraries : Whether you’re traveling with family or on a short stay, this guide offers well-planned itineraries.
• 🍽️ Local Dining Tips : Discover the best places to eat while avoiding tourist traps.
• 🗺️ Detailed Maps : Easily navigate the city with maps marked with attractions, hotels, restaurants, and subway stops.
• 💰 Exact Pricing : No more guesswork—find precise pricing for hotels, restaurants, attractions, tours, and more.
• 🚶 Self-Guided Walking Tours : Explore NYC with fun and informative self-guided walking tours, complete with maps.
• 🌟 Picks for Every Budget : Choose between splurging or being frugal with Frommer’s star rating system.
• 🗺️ Handy Pull-Out Map : Includes an indexed map of New York City for added convenience.

Pauline Frommer’s personal touch and extensive knowledge make this guidebook a must-have for anyone visiting NYC. It has consistently been named “Best Guidebook of the Year” by the North American Travel Journalists Association and has been the city’s top-selling guide for the last decade.

With its easy-to-read type and full-color format, this guidebook is your key to discovering the hidden gems and avoiding the crowds at the city’s top attractions. Frommer’s legacy of providing trustworthy travel advice for nearly 70 years makes exploring New York City a breeze. Get ready to immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture, history, and vibrant atmosphere with Frommer’s New York City 2024.

Moon New York City Walks- See the City Like a Local

“Moon New York City Walks” by Moon Travel Guides is your passport to discovering the city that never sleeps on foot. With its release scheduled for March 5, 2024, this travel guide promises an immersive experience of the Big Apple’s vibrant neighborhoods, cultural hotspots, and iconic landmarks.

Key Highlights :

• 🚶‍♂️ Explore on Foot : Take leisurely walks through NYC’s coolest neighborhoods, including Soho, West Village, Lower East Side, Williamsburg, and more. The guide provides color-coded stops and detailed turn-by-turn directions.
• 🍽️ Top Ten Lists : Find your scene with curated lists for the best restaurants, arts and culture, and coffee shops, ensuring you experience the city’s diverse culinary and cultural offerings.
• 🌆 Customizable Walks : Discover the real New York with six customizable walks. Whether you’re interested in iconic landmarks like the Flatiron Building or exploring the history of jazz in Harlem, this guide has you covered.
• 🏞️ Scenic Views : Enjoy breathtaking views along the High Line, shop in the trendy Meatpacking District, and explore renowned galleries and museums. Cross the Williamsburg Bridge, visit flea markets, and savor authentic cuisine from various cultures.
• 🗺️ Maps at Your Fingertips : Navigate the city easily with foldout maps for each walking route and a removable full-city map—all conveniently packed in a pocket-sized guide.
• 🚇 Public Transportation : Learn about public transportation options, including bike rentals, subways, taxis, buses, and ferries, making it easy to get around the city.

“Moon New York City Walks” empowers you to explore the city at your own pace, providing creative routes, transit options, and insider insights. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned New Yorker, this guide promises an authentic and memorable journey through the diverse neighborhoods and cultural tapestry of New York City.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon has been a trusted name in travel since 1973, prioritizing local businesses, outdoor recreation, and sustainable travel. Their expert authors share their favorite places, ensuring you have an unforgettable travel experience.

Get ready to hit the streets of NYC and uncover its hidden gems with “Moon New York City Walks.”

Walk With Me: New York

“Walk With Me: New York” by Susan Kaufman is a captivating visual journey through the heart of New York City, featuring over 200 stunning color images. With an impressive 4.8-star rating and the distinction of being the #1 Best Seller in City Photography, this hardcover book invites readers to rediscover the beauty and charm of the city that never sleeps.

• 📷 Intimate Photography : Susan Kaufman’s photography captures the essence of New York City, offering an intimate and personal perspective.
• 🏙️ From the Sidewalk : Experience the city through the lens of a seasoned photographer as she explores charming townhouses, parks, shop facades, and serene streetscapes.
• 🌆 Soulful Side : Beyond the hustle and bustle, discover the soulful and timeless allure of New York that has captivated generations.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a dreamy-eyed traveler, or someone who has only imagined the city, “Walk With Me: New York” provides a fresh and appreciative view of the iconic metropolis. Susan Kaufman’s keen eye for detail and her ability to capture the city’s quiet power make this book a must-have for anyone who loves New York or dreams of experiencing its magic.

Embark on a visual journey through the streets and buildings that have witnessed centuries of change while preserving the city’s enduring vitality and magnetic appeal. “Walk With Me: New York” is a celebration of New York City’s timeless beauty that will leave you inspired and enchanted.

United States Busiest Tourist Destination

What is the best time to visit nyc, fodor's new york city.

Explore the vibrant and iconic city of New York with the expert guidance of “Fodor’s New York City 2024.” This full-color travel guide, scheduled for release on November 28, 2023, is your ultimate companion for planning an unforgettable trip to the Big Apple.

Highlights of the Guide :

🏞️ Ultimate Experiences Guide : Begin your journey with an illustrated guide to the top things to see and do in New York City, curated by local experts.

🗺️ Multiple Itineraries : Organize your days effectively and make the most of your time with carefully crafted itineraries.

🗺️ Detailed Maps : Navigate confidently through the city using more than 30 detailed maps provided in the guide, including a free pull-out map.

📸 Color Photos : Be inspired by beautiful color photos that will ignite your wanderlust and help you visualize your trip.

🍽️ Local Recommendations : Receive honest recommendations from locals on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, and more.

🌆 “Best Of” Features : Explore special features such as “New York City’s Best Art Museums,” “Free Things to Do in New York City,” “New York City’s Best Cocktail Bars,” and “Under-the-Radar Things to Do in New York City.”

🗺️ Trip-Planning Tools : Get practical tips on when to visit, getting around the city, avoiding crowds, and saving time and money.

📚 Historical and Cultural Insights : Gain rich context about the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography, and more.

🗽 Special Features : Dive into topics like “Gateway to the New World: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” “The American Museum of Natural History,” and “What to Eat and Drink in New York City.”

✍️ Local Writers : Benefit from insights by local writers who uncover hidden gems in the city.

“ Fodor’s New York City 2024 ” covers Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and top attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Times Square, Empire State Building, Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and much more.

For travelers interested in exploring the Northeast further, Fodor’s offers guides for Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New England.

Get ready to embark on an adventure in the city that never sleeps with “Fodor’s New York City 2024.”

A History Lover's Guide to New York City

Delve into the rich history of the Big Apple with “A History Lover’s Guide to New York City” by Alison Fortier. This engaging guidebook, published on February 29, 2016, takes you on a journey through Manhattan’s streets, offering both visitors and residents a chance to step back in time and discover the city’s remarkable past.

Key Features :

🏛️ Historical Landmarks : Visit iconic sites like Federal Hall, where George Washington took his first oath of office, dine at the renowned Fraunces Tavern, and worship at historic St. Paul’s Chapel.

🌉 Architectural Marvels : Explore landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and stunning skyscrapers, which not only shape the city’s skyline but also celebrate its history.

📜 Heritage Exploration : Gain insights into New York City’s own history and its contributions to the nation’s heritage.

Author Alison Fortier takes readers on an intriguing journey, uncovering the history and heritage of America’s largest metropolis. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the city’s past, this guide provides a captivating perspective on New York’s remarkable story.

The Manhattan Nobody Knows: An Urban Walking Guide

Explore the heart of Manhattan like never before with “The Manhattan Nobody Knows” by William B. Helmreich. Published on December 4, 2018, this one-of-a-kind walking guide offers a unique perspective on the city that never sleeps.

🚶 Extensive Exploration : Author Bill Helmreich walked over 721 miles across Manhattan, uncovering hidden gems and lesser-known facts about the city.

🏙️ Neighborhood Insights : Dive into all thirty-one distinct neighborhoods of Manhattan, from the Financial District to Marble Hill. Each section provides a colorful portrait of the area’s most intriguing people, places, and stories.

🗺️ User-Friendly Maps : Detailed maps are provided for each neighborhood, making it easy to follow along on guided walking tours.

🗣️ Community Conversations : Helmreich’s conversations with hundreds of residents bring a personal touch to the narrative, revealing the unique magic and excitement of the island.

This vivid chronicle of Manhattan offers readers a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history and its diverse and fascinating neighborhoods. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, “The Manhattan Nobody Knows” is your passport to exploring the hidden treasures of this iconic metropolis.

Kids' Travel Guide - New York City: The fun way to discover New York City

Kids’ Travel Guide – New York City is the ultimate companion for young explorers venturing into the vibrant streets of the Big Apple. With a 4.5-star rating and the title of #1 Best Seller in New York City Travel Books, this guide is designed to make your child’s journey through New York City an unforgettable and educational experience.

Key Features:

• 🚀 Join Leonardo on a Fun Journey : Let Leonardo, the adorable tour guide, take your kids on an exciting adventure through NYC.
• 🏞️ Discover Iconic Attractions : Explore Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, bridges, museums, and more.
• 📚 Educational and Entertaining : Your kids will learn about NYC’s history, landmarks, transportation system, and fun facts.
• 🎨 Interactive and Creative : The guide includes coloring pages, challenging tasks, useful tips, and exciting quizzes.
• 🌍 Expands Horizons : Introduce your kids to the world of travel and exploration with other destinations in the Kids’ Travel Guide series.

This guide is the perfect gift for kids about to visit New York City, those who have already been, or young adventurers curious about this amazing city. It encourages kids to become experts on NYC, offering a blend of fun facts, activities, and educational content that will keep them engaged and excited about their trip.

Kids’ Travel Guide – New York City is part of a series that allows young readers to explore cities and countries around the world. It’s a fantastic way to spark their curiosity, expand their horizons, and create lasting memories during family adventures. Join Leonardo and embark on a journey of fun, learning, and discovery in the city that never sleeps!

Navigate New York City Like a Local with the Not For Tourists Guide 2024

If you’re a New Yorker, commuter, business traveler, or even a tourist, the “Not For Tourists Guide to New York City 2024” is your ultimate companion. Published on September 5, 2023, this map-based guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of the city’s neighborhoods.

🗺️ Neighborhood Exploration : Dive into detailed neighborhood descriptions written by locals, offering insights into each area’s unique character.

🍽️ Dining and Entertainment : Discover the best restaurants, bars, theaters, and entertainment hot spots, complete with user-friendly icons to help you find your way.

🏨 Travel Essentials : Find information on hotels, airports, banks, transportation, and landmarks. Whether you need the nearest coffee shop or a hardware store, this guide has you covered.

🚇 Public Transportation : A foldout map for subways and buses is included to simplify your travel within the city.

🌆 City and Neighborhood Maps : With over 130 maps, you’ll have access to a wealth of information about parks, landmarks, and places of interest.

The “Not For Tourists Guide to New York City 2024” is your indispensable tool for navigating the Big Apple. Whether you’re a local looking to explore new neighborhoods or a visitor seeking the best experiences, this guide ensures that you’re in the know about everything the city has to offer.

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Dk eyewitness top 10 new york city (pocket travel guide), by dk eyewitness (author), names of new york: discovering the city's past, present, and future through its place-names, by joshua jelly-schapiro (author), art hiding in new york: an illustrated guide to the city's secret masterpieces, by lori zimmer (author), maria krasinski (artist), lonely planet new york city 12 (travel guide), by ali lemer, anita isalska, masovaida morgan, kevin raub (authors), tiny new york: the smallest things in the biggest city, by suzi siegel (author), turner classic movies cinematic cities: new york: the big apple on the big screen, by christian blauvelt, turner classic movies (authors), new york city like a local: by the people who call it home (local travel guide), by dk eyewitness, kweku ulzen, lauren paley, bryan pirolli (authors), not for tourists guide to new york city 2024, by not for tourists (author), dk eyewitness new york city (travel guide), the kid's guide to new york city (kid's guides series), by eileen ogintz (author), new york in bloom, by georgianna lane (author), i love(ish) new york city: tales of city life, by ali solomon (author), not for tourists guide to new york city 2023, shrimp ‘n lobster: a new york city adventure (2), by charlotte rygh (author, illustrator), workhorse: my sublime and absurd years in new york city's restaurant scene, by kim reed (author), prettycitynewyork: discovering new york's beautiful places (2) (the pretty cities), by siobhan ferguson (author), murals of new york city: the best of new york's public paintings from bemelmans to parrish, by glenn palmer-smith (author), joshua mchugh (photographer), graydon carter (introduction), in the key of new york city: a memoir in essays, by rebecca mcclanahan (author), only in new york, by the photography staff of the ny times (author), david w. dunlap (introduction), the encyclopedia of new york, by the editors of new york magazine (author), new york in stride: an insider's walking guide, by jessie kanelos weiner, jacob lehman (authors), nyc storefronts: illustrations of the big apple's best-loved spots, by joel holland (illustrator), nicolas heller (foreword), david dodge (contributor), fodor's new york city (full-color travel guide), by fodor’s travel guides (author), new york city scavenger: the ultimate search for new york city's hidden treasures, by r. c. staab (author), new york bucket list adventure guide: explore 100 offbeat destinations you must visit, by casey wood (author), streetsmart nyc transit map by vandam-laminated pocket size transit map w/ subway, bus, ferry and train lines plus attractions in the five boros of ... bronx, queens & staten island, 2020 edition, by stephan van dam (author, editor, illustrator), minimal new york city: graphic, gritty, and witty, by michael arndt (author), frommer's new york city day by day, by pauline frommer (author), frommer's new york city 2023 (complete guide), all the restaurants in new york, by john donohue (author), kid's travel guide to new york city (kids' travel books), by julie grady, dylanna travel press (authors), lonely planet experience new york city 1 (travel guide), by dana givens, harmony difo, john garry, deepa lakshmin (authors), lonely planet new york city map 2, by lonely planet (author), lonely planet pocket new york city 9 (pocket guide), by john garry, zora o'neill (authors), fun guide to new york city 2023, by fun fun new york, michael d. koch (illustrator), juri koch (authors), eat like a local- new york city: new york food guide (eat like a local united states cities & towns), by alex auclair, eat like a local (authors), moon new york city walks: see the city like a local (travel guide), by moon travel guides (author), streetsmart® nyc map midtown edition by van dam-laminated pocket city street map of manhattan w/ all attractions, museums, sights, hotels, broadway theaters & nyc subway map; 2023 edition, streetsmart nyc five boro map by vandam-laminated pocket city street map w/ attractions in metro nyc & all 5 boros of ny city: manhattan, brooklyn, ... ... new subway map – folded map 2023 edition, streetsmart nyc top 10 map by vandam — laminated pocket size new york city street & souvenir map of manhattan, ny with all sights. museums, theaters, ... through the top 10 attractions 2023 edition, spy sites of new york city: a guide to the region's secret history, by h. keith melton, robert wallace (authors), joseph weisberg, joel fields (forewords), henry r. schlesinger (contributor).

Inside the Literary Travel Boom

Book butlers! Curated libraries! Custom cruises! Literary-themed vacations are the hot new trend in tourism.

In January, when packing my bags for a “reading retreat” in the Dominican Republic, I agonized about which books to bring. A few days later, bellied up to the beachside bar at the all-inclusive Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana resort (where, in place of barstools, swings are suspended from the thatched ceiling), I sipped a mojito, cracked open James Salter’s Light Years, a novel I reread annually, and knew that I’d chosen well.

But if I’d had any regrets, summoning a new paperback would’ve been as easy as ringing for a book butler. I was down in the DR to experience Pages in Paradise, a collaboration between the publisher Penguin Random House, Belletrist Book Club (the brainchild of actress Emma Roberts), and Apple Vacations (no relation to the iPhone maker). For readers who like to beach, the retreat left no page unturned. The programming kicked off even before check-in: Ahead of arrival, guests could log in to the resort’s app to reserve beach reads from an on-site library curated by Belletrist. Housed in the airy hotel lobby, the collection included buzzy contemporary fiction by the likes of Zadie Smith and Curtis Sittenfeld. Guests could also order books via room service (or personal butler) anytime or select one from the chic library carts located at the adults-only pool. The property’s various bars featured the “Pages Pour,” a specialty cocktail themed to the program’s inaugural book-of-the-month selection, Jenny Xie’s debut novel, Holding Pattern . They called the drink a gin-fashioned—a fruit-forward riff on the old-fashioned, zippy with pineapple-cinnamon syrup.

Exotic as this tropical gathering of book lovers might have been, it’s just one example of a fast-growing business trend: literary-themed travel. We have the pandemic to thank. Reading surged in the early days of Covid, and the habit stuck as lockdowns eased: The biggest two years on record for print book sales in the U.S. were 2021 and 2022. Hotels and tourism companies, eager to lure back travelers, seized on the surge and began featuring books in their marketing. What began as a travel perk has become a full-blown movement to cater to readers with an explosion of new programming, from big-ticket experiences promising author access to solitary retreats. I know, I know—planning a trip around your reading list may never replace your annual golf weekend, but when else will you get the time to actually enjoy that stack on your nightstand? And if it all sounds like giving yourself homework, don’t worry—there definitely won’t be a quiz, and did I mention the drinks?

As a professional book recommender, the question I’m asked most often is “What book should I bring on my vacation?” ​But now there’s a new question to consider: What kind of literary vacation should I plan?

Not every reader is content to lie by the pool and read for days on end. Some are looking for a more kinetic experience—one that lets them interact with fellow readers, and even their favorite writers. Enter the “ Gone Girl cruise.” In fall 2022, author Gillian Flynn set sail down the Danube with some of her biggest (and most well-heeled) fans as part of Avalon Waterways’ Storyteller Series, cruises that offer literary travelers a chance to voyage in close quarters with authors and other storytellers. When Flynn tweeted about the cruise, it quickly became a viral sensation. On-board accounts detailed a true-crime extravaganza, with guests returning to their rooms each night to discover blood-spattered notes, themed to Flynn’s novels, on their pillows. Sure, it’s a little dorky—but we’re all fans of something, and if crime novels are your thing, what could be better?

For readers who can’t splash out for getaways abroad, there are literary destinations closer to home, too. In the artsy hamlet of New Hope, Pennsylvania, the historic luxury hotel River House at Odette’s offers Riverside Reading (in partnership with Bedside Reading), a program that pairs complimentary access to a curated library (via digital app or hard copies throughout the hotel) with intimate author experiences. With bookshelves stationed on each floor and authors rolling through seasonally, guests can dip in and out of the programming as they please.

When I visited River House deep in the grips of a harsh Pennsylvania winter, I discovered a reader’s paradise: My room boasted a fireplace, a private balcony, and serene views of the rushing Delaware River. After turndown service, I found a keepsake leather bookmark on my pillow. That evening, a few dozen guests gathered for a talkback with the novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz. In a ballroom festooned with red carnations (a nod to the cover of her latest book, The Latecomers ), Korelitz fielded rapid-fire questions about her inspiration, her writing process, and her hit novel The Plot . After the formal conversation concluded, starstruck guests crowded around her at the bar. “When people come up to you and say, ‘I loved your book,’ that really means something to writers,” Korelitz told me. As the owner of BookTheWriter, a service connecting authors and readers through pop-up book clubs hosted in New York City apartments, Korelitz knows a thing or two about making connections. In the recent boom of literary travel experiences, she sees a broader post-pandemic trend of readers craving the chance to get up close and personal with their favorite writers. “The ways of access to authors have multiplied exponentially,” she said. “I find it to be very inspiring.”

For an early-career author like Xie, who was at Pages in Paradise, seeing her novel highlighted was both exciting and transformative. That’s the thing about literary travel—it allows us to transcend our ordinary lives in more ways than one. “There’s a certain sense that we don’t have the space to read unless we’re traveling or living outside of our day-to-day,” said Xie. “A book takes you outside of your physical environment and your lived experience. Travel does that, too, so they join together in this really beautiful way to truly transport you.” That’s a journey worth taking.

HOW TO PLAN YOUR OWN LITERARY VACATION

Ready to take off on a bookish getaway? Literary travel isn’t “one size fits all,” so whatever type of reader you are, we’ve got a prescription for it. Choose your own adventure below.

For the fan

The Gone Girl cruise is over, but Avalon Waterways isn’t slowing down anytime soon: Its upcoming slate of Storyteller Cruises includes actor Graham McTavish (sailing down the Rhine River) and Outlander phenom Diana Gabaldon (voyaging down the Danube).

For the R&R chaser

Looking for a more relaxed experience? At the Reeds at Shelter Haven, an upscale resort on the Jersey shore, guests can participate in Reeds’ Reads, a seasonal book club featuring guided discussions, with authors sometimes joining via Zoom for Q&A sessions.

For the aspiring writer

Chances are, your favorite author is side-hustling by leading retreats in pastoral Europe. To get in on the action, pay close attention to their social-media feeds, or search for guided trips through an experiential-tourism outlet like TrovaTrip.

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Frederick Anderson Is Opening a Store in New York That’s Also Meant to Feel Like Home

By Mark Holgate

On a warm April afternoon sunlight is flooding through the double height window of Frederick Anderson’s spanking new NoMad boutique, which is just around the corner from Dover Street Market. The light is hitting racks lined with sparkly tweed tailoring, handknit crochet sweater dresses, and a plentitude of Anderson’s slinkarama evening, and illuminating both the colorful abstract artworks on the wall by the artist Robert Santore and a Moroccan chaise cushioned with shaggy pillows. The chaise is a piece of furniture he bought in Marrakech that once sat in his midtown apartment, but which now takes pride of place under that sizable window.

The seat isn’t the only thing that has moved downtown. In launching his own store at 110 East 31st Street, Anderson has relocated his operations from his own home—the trials and tribulations of the pandemic—to a place where he can design and sell. His office and studio are at the back, out of the public gaze, though the opening hours will follow that of the working week: Monday will be appointment only, and Tuesday to Friday the space will be open to anyone who wants to just drop by. (When he was planning the store, he was thinking about those olde worlde storefront ateliers in New York and Paris—he loves what Azzedine Alaia had back in the day—and how they could make the experience of buying fashion more intimate, less transactional, almost as if you were in a home-like place.)

“When I started out in fashion [with the label Douglas Hannant] it was a different time; everything was ladylike, kind of…uptight,” says Anderson. “The whole thing was about the uptown girl. But that idea doesn’t really exist anymore. Now the conversation is about storytelling, essence, authenticity. I want people to see the full breadth of what I do, and I want people to come here and feel that they can shop and hang out, but for it not to feel pretentious. With me, what you see is what you get.”

One major benefit of that direct contact with his customers: He’s not sequestered away, hidden from the realities of designing for real women with real bodies who tend to have real ideas of their own about how they want to look. “When Douglas and I launched, we got the best advice from Geoffrey Beene,” he recalls. “‘Anyone can design anything,’ he told us, ‘but it has to make sense for her life. If you can do that, you can call it fashion.’”

While the official opening date of the Frederick Anderson boutique is still days away, his clients are already beating a path to its door. Like Malini Murjani, a designer and consultant, who has dropped by for a second fitting for a dress she plans to wear to her birthday party in Phuket in November: a sliver of golden satin-backed crepe with the effervescence of champagne, its deep décolleté formed from drapes falling from a halter neckline. Anderson and Murjani met, ooh, they can’t exactly recall where or when, but it feels like forever. What they do remember: the clothes of his that she has worn, like the purple dress that she took to a big wedding in India. “What I always say about Frederick,” says Murjani, “is that his clothes are effortless and chic—they’re just so easy to wear. Plus, he has the best laugh.” Says Anderson: “I think a lot of times the conversations I have are me trying to get into my clients’ heads. When we’re laughing, I get a lot of information.”

By now, Murjani is out of the blouse and jeans she arrived in, and into her birthday look-to-be. Anderson gets to work fitting it. Three fittings are, to his mind, enough: initial try-on; alterations check; then if need-be fine tuning. “I’ve had a lot of women come to me and say, ‘fittings always take so long and there’s too many of them,’” he says, “but they shouldn’t. It’s about getting it right by making it feel easy.” He notes that the waist is sitting perfectly, so his attention focuses on the drape at the front, for it to feel sensual without being too inadvertently revealing, and for the silhouette to gently work around her body. Anderson steps back to take it all in. “I don’t think we need to do too much more,” he says. “I want to work with the fabric to give the suggestion of your shape beneath. And…” he breaks off, giving a knowing look to the hem, which floods the floor; it’s the kind of look you give when you understand someone well. “I know you never like your dress to be too long, but to hit the toe.”

Plenty of his customer face time these days is spent debating how to wear sheer: His racks are full of filmy, wispy things which while revealing are also concealing—the dress may be transparent, but it also covers the body, usually top to toe. This sheerness thing is a bit of a tango between him and his women: He likes it from a design POV, while they gravitate towards it because they like the way it looks—a touch of daring that they can decide how far to go with. Anderson is full of suggestions: wear it lined, with teeny shorts, with leggings, with some veiling so the sense of reveal comes through but not that much. “ I was just in Dallas, at Stanley Korshak” he says, “and there were women who were like, ‘oh my God, I never thought about wearing sheer, but why isn’t everything lined?’ Because, I said, we are going to decide what we’re going to do with it. I want us to have that conversation.”

By Alexandra Macon

By Talia Abbas

By Leah Faye Cooper

Right on cue, he is having that conversation with another client who has come by, the beauty and fashion entrepreneur Alida Boer, who wore Anderson for the first time—a black, long sleeved, high necked, floor length dress, sheer save for the embroideries which resemble bullrushes, under which she put a black bra top and boy shorts—to New York’s City Harvest benefit. Boer says that when she visited Anderson, she tried a few things, but it was the diaphanous dress that won out. Despite her initial hesitation Boer says she felt supported venturing into unknown fashion territory. “It was fun to hang out with Frederick,” she says. “He has this energy that’s welcoming. Even though I was rushing that day—I have three kids, so I am always rushing!—we talked through it all and decided fast.”

Now she’s thinking about her birthday in early June, with a Cuban themed party in New York, and she knows exactly what she wants. It’s the white ruffled dress with a long train which was in Anderson’s spring 2024 show, which was, until she tried it on, taking pride of place in the store’s window. The dress was inspired by swans, as in swan swans, not The Swans swans. Regardless, this birthday will be her swansong to her thirties. Only thing is June is soon and Boer wants the dress made in a shade of hot, smoky red. Barely blinking, Anderson lets out another sonic boom laugh. “Well,” he says, “We’d better get started.”

Frederick Anderson, 110 East 31st Street, New York; https://frederickandersonshop.com/

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in the United States

The MICHELIN Guide announces top honors for U.S. hotels in 2024.

Hotels NYC California Washington D.C. MICHELIN Keys

New York City by The MICHELIN Guide

See the New York City guide

On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new list of One, Two, and Three Key hotels in the United States. In this first ever announcement of MICHELIN Keys in the United States, hotels in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Washington DC were eligible for the distinction. This announcement of the most outstanding hotels in the country comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in the United States includes 11 Three Key hotels, 33 Two Key hotels, and 80 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to look at all the Keys.

How To Look Through the List

Jump straight to the list or take a deeper dive into select key hotels..

Take a peek at SingleThread, the five room inn with Three Keys and Three Stars. Explore the one street in Chicago that leads to seven Key hotels. Or find out more the Cliff House suite at our only Three Key hotel in Big Sur, California. Subscribe to our newsletter for more like this.

Highlights of the United States 2024 Key Hotel List

The Three Key Club in New York City

Expect: The highest luxury and impeccable design in Soho, Midtown, and the Financial District. Within the small club of Three Key hotels in the United States, four make their home in New York City. The Aman New York (Midtown) and Casa Cipriani (the Financial District) both make use of glamorous Beaux Arts buildings, the former a gold-crowned skyscraper in Midtown, the latter a glamorously restored ferry terminal at the very southern tip of Manhattan. Each is a refuge: an elegant, painstakingly designed escape from bustling city life. Meanwhile, two Firmdale hotels round out the list of Three Key hotels in New York City. Each is a quintessential example of the style and execution of the group’s co-owner and interior designer, Kit Kemp. Click the links here to explore the whirl of colors and collage of art that define the Crosby Street (Soho) and the Whitby Hotel (Midtown). Also read: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

Jewels on the Coast: Up and Down California

Its sheer breadth of size and variety means it’s no surprise to announce California as the state with the most Key hotels in America. Here, we’ll point you towards coastal gems like the sublime architectural achievements in Big Sur ( Post Ranch Inn and Ventana ), beachside luxuries in Santa Monica (in particular: the newly opened Georgian ), and wine country favorites like SingleThread and the Madrona . What we love: how each one of these hotels opens the door to the very best of their locations — and gives us a look at each setting through fresh eyes.

Across America: The Golden Age of Celebrity

Our French Keys bask in the tradition of ancient vineyards, stone chateaus, and historic palaces. In the United States, we see a different tradition. In Los Angeles, places like Chateau Marmont , the Paramour Estate , Sunset Tower , and the Charlie date back to guests and residents as illustrious as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. These are spaces that play ingeniously with their history, even as they forge ahead with cutting-edge amenities and experiences. But it’s not just California. New York’s historic artist hotspot, the Hotel Chelsea , once hosted Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol. Today, it decorates every space with art donated by former residents. Look too to the Chicago Athletic Association , a former member’s club for 20th century business magnates and athletes — now among the city’s most impressive and vibrant hotels. Also read: Hollywood Glamor at the First Key Hotels in Los Angeles

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

California (Beverly Hills):  The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection California (Big Sur): Post Ranch Inn California (Healdsburg): SingleThread Inn California (Los Angeles):  Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection California (Rutherford):  Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection California (St. Helena):  Meadowood Napa Valley California (Woodside):  Canyon Ranch Woodside New York (NYC):  Aman New York New York (NYC):  Casa Cipriani New York New York (NYC):  Crosby Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels New York (NYC):  The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels

NEW: New York by The MICHELIN Guide – expert insights on where to dine, stay and explore

The two key hotels.

California (Beverly Hills): L'Ermitage Beverly Hills California (Beverly Hills): The Maybourne Beverly Hills California (Beverly Hills): The Peninsula Beverly Hills California (Carmel Valley): Bernardus Lodge & Spa California (Big Sur): Ventana Big Sur California (Guerneville): The Stavrand California (Healdsburg): Montage Healdsburg California (Healdsburg): The Madrona California (Laguna Beach): Montage Laguna Beach California (Montecito): Rosewood Miramar Beach California (Napa):  Milliken Creek Inn & Spa California (San Francisco):  Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero California (San Francisco):  The Battery California (Sausalito):  Cavallo Point Lodge California (West Hollywood): Chateau Marmont California (West Hollywood):  Pendry West Hollywood California (Yountville):  Bardessono California (Yountville):  North Block Washington D.C.:  Rosewood Washington, D.C.   Washington D.C.:  The Jefferson Florida (Miami):  Mayfair House Hotel & Garden Florida (Miami Beach):  Faena Hotel Miami Beach Florida (Miami Beach):  Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Florida (Miami Beach):  The Setai Miami Beach   Illinois (Chicago): Pendry Chicago Illinois (Chicago):  The Langham, Chicago Illinois (Chicago):  The Peninsula Chicago New York (NYC): Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York New York (NYC):  Nine Orchard  New York (NYC):  Pendry Manhattan West New York (NYC): The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel New York (NYC): The Fifth Avenue Hotel New York (NYC):  The Mark Hotel

The One Key Hotels

Washington D.C.

Hero Image: Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection — Aspen, Colorado

In Photos: Every Three Key Hotel in New York City

The ins and outs of the most outstanding hotels in the city.

The Most Outrageous Design Hotel In Miami

The Faena Miami Beach is a Two Key hotel with a $15 million gilded woolly mammoth.

A Brief Guide to All the Key Hotels in Washington D.C.

Seven hotels earned at least one MICHELIN Key in Washington D.C.

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Inside the Top Suite of the Only Three Key Hotel in Big Sur

The so-called "Cliff House" has the views you're looking for.

SingleThread: The 5-Room Inn with Three Keys and Three Stars

Revered for its Three MICHELIN Star restaurant and biodynamic farm, the SingleThread Inn earns Three Keys for its tiny, food-driven hotel.

Inside the Top Suite of Three Key Aman New York

The Aman Suite — among the most impressive suites in New York — brings the city to you.

The Guilty Pleasures of the Chicago Athletic Association

The One Key Chicago Athletic Association has had an illustrious and sometimes sordid history that dates back to 1893, when it wasn’t quite a hotel. A lot has changed since then, but the ghosts of the past are never far away.

Eaton DC Is a Launchpad for Progress

Katherine Lo’s Eaton DC isn’t just one of the best hotels in the United States capital. It’s also a headquarters for activism, community, social justice, and sustainability. And it’s not shy about it.

Key Street: Michigan Ave. Leads to 7 Key Hotels in Chicago

A brief guide to all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Chicago.

Hollywood Glamour at the First Key Hotels in Los Angeles

A brief guide to all the Key hotels in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills.

Chef Rob Rubba's Indefatigable Commitment to Sustainability

A Glass Act.

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .