Don’t have a week? Take a weekend! Lonely Planet Encounter guides allow you to discover twice the city in half the time. And with Americans traveling closer to home these days, these pocket guides to three of the most popular US cities are perfect for urban adventurers. Covering both the must-sees and the more-obscure destinations better than any other short break guide, Lonely Planet Encounter includes detailed information on the city and its neighborhoods, expanded entertainment, nightlife and dining listings and lots of local favorites.

SAN FRANCISCO
We’ll help you navigate Chinatown’s back alleyways or point out some of the hidden murals in the Mission District. Do you want a recommendation for the best Vietnamese sandwich shops in the Tenderloin? Or perhaps a tour of the most colorful Victorians before a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge is more your style. We have the hidden gems plus big tourist attractions that shouldn’t be missed all in one compact book.

With local experts chiming in, from Lemony Snicket on the city’s oddities to foodie author Raj Patel’s tips on seasonal and sustainable cuisine, San Francisco Encounter is brimming with homegrown feel and insider information.

NEW YORK
Whether you want a classic New York experience such as a romantic ride on Central Park’s Boathouse Lake and then watching the sun set and city lights flicker from the Empire State Building or something more unique like marketing through Chelsea’s flea and farmers’ markets and discovering the next great thing at the Dumbo Arts Center, New York Encounter is the only guide you’ll need to make the most of your short stay in the Big Apple.

Interviews with a hansom driver in Central Park about his best “Only in New York” moments and a skin-care specialist on her recommendations for fun (think Tango and gay bars), allow readers to share in the love of this remarkable city.

LAS VEGAS
Of course, there is plenty of information on the strip with a complete run-down on every major casino, dining establishment and nightlife option. But we’ll also show you how to party on First Friday nights in the Art District, end a wild night at the Fireside Lounge at the Peppermill, and choose a spa for some bodily bliss or discover real life at Springs Preserve. 

David Williams, a World Series of Poker champ, gives his top picks of poker rooms and Maggie Smith, the manager and all-around guru at the Atomic Testing Museum, talks about where to find Las Vegas’ hard-to-find history. Las Vegas Encounter is full of hedonistic pursuits and offbeat sites.