Lonely Planet New York City

Style, energy, attitude, innovation: welcome to New York City, where sidewalks buzz with possibility and the next big thing awaits. Summit the Empire State Building, wander cutting-edge Chelsea galleries, bounce at throbbing Brooklyn nightclubs and gaze dreamily at glittering Broadway marquees. To best savor the city, arm yourself with this smart, street-wise guide to 21st-century NYC.

• SURVEY THE CITY - six local authors show what's on in NYC, from majestic Fifth Ave and revitalized Harlem to the laid-back East Village and trendy Meatpacking District

• SAMPLE ITS TASTES - thorough coverage of the city's world-class dining scene, from gooey thin-crust pizza slices to the best seven courses of your life

• SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP - extensive listings for hip urban fashions, shoes and couture, local art and antiques, vintage records and miles of used books

• GO ALL NIGHT - dive into hot nightclubs, cool lounges, raucous cabaret and an always-full calendar of live jazz, blues, hip hop and indie rock