New York Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insiders Guide to the City

I would like to share a new book I received for a review with you New York Curious: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore; An Insiders Guide to the City by Elisabetta Cirillo (Author), Monica Lovati (Illustrator). Inside this post is my affiliate links. If you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage from the products you purchase.

For my family there is places in the world that have a way of finding their way into our hearts long before we ever have the opportunity to visit them. New York City is one of those places for me. Which is why you will find it on both mine and Charie’s Bucket List.

New York is a city I’ve seen countless times in movies, television shows, and books. Growing up, New York was always somewhere in the background of the stories I watched and read. I’ve often thought that everyone should have the opportunity to visit it at least once in their lifetime.

For Charlie and me, visiting New York City is a dream of ours that we want to do together one day. LORD willing and the Creek don’t rise. Charlie wants to walk through the city, experience it for himself, and be able to say he’s been to New York. My reasons are a little more personal.

I would love to visit in memory of my daughter, who had the opportunity to travel to New York with her Big Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s one of those places that carries memories, dreams, and a little bit of history for our family. Since we aren’t packing our suitcases just yet, I decided the next best thing would be to travel from my armchair with a book!

Come discover New York Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insider’s Guide to the City by Elisabetta Cirillo, illustrated by Monica Lovati with my family. The book is published by Rizzoli Universe, this is another book from a publisher whose books we’ve enjoyed exploring.

Every book we’ve had the opportunity to read from this company has been entertaining, colorful, and educational. We’ve learned something new each time, and this one is no exception. Especially when it allows us to see New York as the locals do which would be a lot of fun wouldn’t it?

Instead of simply showing readers the traditional tourist attractions, this guide takes you into the neighborhoods, hidden corners, restaurants, shops, and everyday experiences that help make New York what it is. Imagine wandering through Soho, which I’ve always wanted to visit, exploring Greenwich Village, discovering Dumbo, and experiencing Harlem.

There’s something exciting about being introduced to places you’ve heard about for years but haven’t had the opportunity to see in person. And Dumbo? I had to stop and think about that one! It’s a Brooklyn neighborhood whose name stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. A #teachingmoment for my family and learning little things like that makes this book fun.

The guide covers everything from world-class museums and theaters to rooftop bars, street art, flea markets, comedy clubs, and music venues. David would probably enjoy the rooftop bars, Charlie would appreciate the street art, and I would be perfectly happy spending an afternoon browsing flea markets.

As for the comedy clubs, I can already picture all three of us laughing together. Although Charlie might eventually be telling me, “Stop singing, Mom! Sit down and stop dancing!” Some things never change! But that is what makes trips like this so much fun even though were not leaving home.

One thing I appreciate about this guide is that it doesn’t stop with sightseeing. It introduces readers to New York’s food scene, shopping, nightlife, music, local slang, and daily habits. It even explores the city’s LGBTQ+ culture. Making this a adult book and not something I support but I believe everyone should live there own life and that isn’t going to stop me from sharing this book with my friends and family.

There are practical travel tips covering where to stay, what to pack, health insurance, connectivity, money, and navigating the subway. I never really thought about how much you need to know before traveling somewhere like New York. Even something as simple as adjusting to the time difference deserves a little preparation.

There are sections about surviving the time zone, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and what life looks like for both a New Yorker and a tourist. I particularly enjoyed the idea of learning how to spot a New Yorker! The book also ventures beyond the five boroughs with suggestions for day trips to places like the Catskill Mountains and the Hamptons. And that’s only scratching the surface.

Before you even open the book, the cover makes you want to explore. You’ll find the Statue of Liberty, a New York landscape, two people sitting above the city, and a bridge near the bottom. The illustrations continue throughout the book, making it feel like you’re taking a little journey through New York one page at a time. The back cover even features food, including sandwiches and hamburgers that look absolutely delicious.

Once you open the book, you’ll find colorful pages, illustrations, photographs, interesting layouts, and plenty of information. Some of the writing is in cursive, while other sections use traditional print. Depending on the reader, that may make certain pages a little more challenging to read.

David and Charlie might find some of those cursive sections difficult, which is another reason I think this would make a wonderful family reading experience. Instead of everyone trying to read it independently, we can sit down together, take turns exploring, and discover New York as a family.

There are sections about parks, museums, theaters, gospel music, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, and the different seasons. You’ll even find a Thanksgiving section! And since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, that section caught my attention and had me marking it to share with David and Charlie. .

There is so much information packed into these pages that I could spend days telling you about everything inside. I’m not even going to try because part of the fun is discovering it yourself. Although I absolutely love this book, Charlie and David haven’t had the opportunity to explore it yet. That’s because I’ve tucked it away in my Christmas closet!

I purchased this book with Charlie in mind because I know that one day, God willing, he will have the opportunity to visit New York City. I want him to have something that helps him prepare, understand the neighborhoods, learn about the subway, and discover places he might want to visit.

The book is a paperback, but it has a sturdy feel while remaining flexible enough to carry in a bag. I could easily see myself taking it along while running errands and pulling it out whenever I have a few minutes to read. It would also be wonderful for our ten-minute reading challenge. I am also going to have Santa pack plenty of this book on the Sleigh for anyone who enjoys traveling or joins our 10 Minute Reading Challenge.

One feature I especially appreciate is the space in the back for travel notes and a to-do list. Once someone visits New York, they can record their experiences, favorite places, and memories. Those notes could eventually become something special to pass down to someone else who dreams of visiting the city. I love the idea of a travel book becoming part of a family’s memories.

Who Would Enjoy New York Curious?

• Dreams of visiting New York City.
• Is planning a trip or preparing to move to New York.
• Enjoys travel books and armchair traveling.
• Loves art, music, history, food, and culture.
• Is a teacher looking for additional educational resources.
• Homeschools and wants to explore American cities and culture.
• Enjoys discovering places beyond the traditional tourist attractions.

One important note for gift-givers: This is an adult-oriented travel guide. It includes LGBTQ+ culture and is best suited to readers who are comfortable with that subject matter. While some of the information may also interest older homeschool students, I would recommend parents previewing the material before sharing it with younger readers.

I absolutely love New York Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore. It has given me another opportunity to travel from my armchair, learn something new, and dream about a place that has been on my bucket list for years. You can join me if you pick up your own copy of the book.

It gives me something to share with Charlie and David. We can read together, laugh about the things we discover, and perhaps start making a list of places we’d like to see when we finally make that trip. For me, New York is more than a destination. It’s connected to my childhood, the movies and television shows I’ve enjoyed, and memories of my daughter.

For Charlie, it’s another adventure waiting to happen. And until the day we can walk those New York streets ourselves, we’ll have this little book to help us get there. Sometimes you don’t need a plane ticket to start traveling. Sometimes all you need is a good book, a little curiosity, and someone you love sitting beside you.

New York Curious would make a thoughtful Christmas gift for the traveler, dreamer, foodie, or New York enthusiast on your shopping list. Because every great adventure has to start somewhere! Which can include our living room and our favorite armchair and beverage.

Book: New York Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insider’s Guide to the City
Author: Elisabetta Cirillo
Illustrator: Monica Lovati
Publisher: Rizzoli Universe

Find New York Curious on Amazon

Thank you to Rizzoli Universe for continuing to introduce our family to books that encourage curiosity, learning, and adventures from our own front porch.

About the book: A colorful guide to New York for curious travelers, packed with tips for places to go on and off the beaten track and how to understand the city and its people.

Dive into the hidden gems, history, and restaurants of the Big Apple, immersing yourself in the art, music, and culture of the city that never sleeps.

From the brownstones of Brooklyn to Manhattan skyscrapers, explore every corner of the city, and the best it has to offer. Packed with illustrations, this guide paints a picture – and a feeling – of what it means to be a true New Yorker.

Whether you’re a fashionista seeking vintage shops and family run gems, or a foodie looking to discover the perfect NYC slice, this book is your key to discovering New York beyond the tourist trail.

About the Author Elisabetta Cirillo, a graduate in foreign languages, has traveled extensively and lived in cities from New Zealand to Moscow—and most importantly, New York City. Her perspective blends European sensibility with a local New York mindset, offering insider insights readers won’t find anywhere else. Monica Lovati, a renowned illustrator and former fashion and luxury art director, brings the city to life visually, adding artistry to every page.

Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

GreatfulMoments.com

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates