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Not for Tourists Guide to Washington, D.C.
There's a ton of essential information in this Not For Tourists Guide. Featuring clear, easy-to-read maps and graphics, listings of key services, restaurants, shops, schools, entertainment venues, public transportation, parks, pull out maps and more. NFT Guides put everything residents need to take advantage of the wealth of local services and resources at their fingertips in a convenient size.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 13, 2009
Do NOT, under any circumstances, buy, borrow, read, use, or consult this book. It is awful in every way. First, and most fundamentally, the book is chock-full of typographical errors: spelling, punctuation, grammar, you name it. This is distracting and serves to cancel out whatever small measure of credibility the guide might otherwise have had. I also found several instances where the "practical" information (hours, prices, rules, etc.) was completely wrong, specifically for some of the Smithsonian museums. (I mean, how hard is it, really, to check websites for correct visitor information as you write/edit a travel book?) But the thing I hated most about the "Not for Tourists Guide to Washington, DC" is its tone. The authors' disdain for tourists and, well, anyone else not as impeccably hip as they are is palpable. Again and again they sneer at tourists, suburbanites, families with children, military personnel, and middle-class residents of the DC area. A few choice quotes: the Pentagon and the people who work there are "scary;" neighborhoods around the Pentagon (Pentagon City and Crystal City) are "creepy;" Sibley Hospital is a "baby mill;" anyone pushing a stroller is "in the way;" etc. Leaving aside the fact that Washington, DC's economy depends hugely on tourism dollars, the commentary in this book is just plain mean. "Ooooh, look at us, we rip on everything, that proves that we are authentic!" No, actually, it just proves that you are assholes.
July 23, 2008
Like its title, this guide is created for newcomers to the city, those intending to live for extended period. Therefore not only you can find the usual recreational destinations such as the Smithsonian complexes, the Zoo, and historical sites in DC, but also the more mundane but essential spots for residents such as post offices, banks, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
The book's content is dedicated in the most part to providing readers with series of maps, 46 to be exact, and several sub-maps. So, instead of telling stories behind such-and-such place, the book will show you the map of the place so you can figure out yourself how to get there and what stuff is available in the surrounding neighborhood. The maps are very reader-friendly and interconnected with one another. So, instead of carrying a huge map everywhere (and being obviously tourist-acting), I just need to carry the book and stroll along.
In the following month during my stay, the book would provide tremendous help in getting me up to speed with DC's public transportation routes, key neighborhoods, street names, and essential venues (banks, post offices, etc).
The book's content is dedicated in the most part to providing readers with series of maps, 46 to be exact, and several sub-maps. So, instead of telling stories behind such-and-such place, the book will show you the map of the place so you can figure out yourself how to get there and what stuff is available in the surrounding neighborhood. The maps are very reader-friendly and interconnected with one another. So, instead of carrying a huge map everywhere (and being obviously tourist-acting), I just need to carry the book and stroll along.
In the following month during my stay, the book would provide tremendous help in getting me up to speed with DC's public transportation routes, key neighborhoods, street names, and essential venues (banks, post offices, etc).
April 8, 2008
i will never travel to a city again without first checking to see if there is one of an edition of this book for that city!
this book breaks up the city into sections, then you can just rubber band that page open--the band is attached to the book.
it lists things like drug stores, dry cleaners, etc--you might need, but could nit tell by a phone book-which is closest is to you. i live close to chicago and i keep one in my car--much easier, than a road map to read. just the right size to travel with. each time a friend has traveled to DC, i have loaned them this book, and they all have raved how it has helped them get around to well.
this book breaks up the city into sections, then you can just rubber band that page open--the band is attached to the book.
it lists things like drug stores, dry cleaners, etc--you might need, but could nit tell by a phone book-which is closest is to you. i live close to chicago and i keep one in my car--much easier, than a road map to read. just the right size to travel with. each time a friend has traveled to DC, i have loaned them this book, and they all have raved how it has helped them get around to well.
June 17, 2020
No longer using this website, but I'm leaving up old reviews. Fuck Jeff Bezos. Find me on LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/profile/...
This guidebook is ok. It's pretty banal (a map of gas stations?) and is rendered pretty obsolete if you have a high enough belt in google-fu.
I was excited by the title (as an anti-tourist DC resident), and my parents were given it by a friend and they didn't want it, so I took it. And it will collect dust on my shelf and make moving ~1 pound more annoying.
This guidebook is ok. It's pretty banal (a map of gas stations?) and is rendered pretty obsolete if you have a high enough belt in google-fu.
I was excited by the title (as an anti-tourist DC resident), and my parents were given it by a friend and they didn't want it, so I took it. And it will collect dust on my shelf and make moving ~1 pound more annoying.
March 16, 2012
I loved, loved, loved NFT/NYC. But the formula that made NFT/NYC so successful doesn't work as well for DC.
There's no single thing that is a deal-breaker; it's just more work to find anything. Monuments, for example, aren't typically on the numbered maps in the front -- they're on their own "Monuments" map, at a different scale, in the rear green pages. This made a lot of sense for NYC's parks, but not so much here.
There's no single thing that is a deal-breaker; it's just more work to find anything. Monuments, for example, aren't typically on the numbered maps in the front -- they're on their own "Monuments" map, at a different scale, in the rear green pages. This made a lot of sense for NYC's parks, but not so much here.
October 29, 2015
Very helpful for visiting DC a little off the beaten path. The China town restaurant recommended (Full Kee) is great, but I also think you can find other great restaurants in China Town. I do feel that the book undervalues the history in Washington a little, but I think that is kind of the point. If you want a book heavy on DC history, there are other options. Good for local food and bar suggestions.
July 24, 2010
This is an excellent guidebook for those moving to our capital. It has info about living in DC and the surrounding areas, parks, transit, and about everything you can think of. Very helpful for those unfamiliar with the area.
October 15, 2007
best guide around, especially for those of us who, well, aren't tourists. Paul, Kerri and I consult it all the time to, say, find a liquor store in district heights or find all night dry cleaners...
October 31, 2007
It indicates where gas stations, supermarkets, banks, coffee shops, and other essential destinations are located in every neighborhood in the D.C. metro area.
September 20, 2017
It has a lot of typos. But it's a really great guide for those who are about to move to DC.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews