Premium New York travel advices

Recommended Broadway travel tips 2021? This new exhibition that has taken over almost the entirety of the New Museum and is set to stay put until June 6, explores the history of racist violence all throughout the United States. Back in 2018, curator Okwui Enwezor began working on the project, hoping to mount it by last year’s Presidential election. Unfortunately, the curator’s passing in 2019 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in plans that delayed the show’s opening to last week. In total, the work of 37 Black artists currently fills the museum’s lobby, its three main viewing floors, the building’s exterior and the South Gallery found in the building next door. Expect to browse through the amazing works of artists the likes of Kara Walker, who is the brain behind an entire wall filled with sketches and drawings; LaToya Ruby Frazier, who contributes over a dozen photographs from her “The Notion of Family” series; and Jean-Michael Basquiat, whose “Procession” can be glanced at as soon as the elevator doors open on the third floor. The show is a powerful one, with images ranging in style, theme and scope, but one that is necessary to delve into today more than ever. Given COVID-19-related guidelines, visitors have to purchase timed tickets ahead of their trip.

The August Wilson Theater is located on 245 West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan and is one of the larger theaters on Broadway. It has a capacity of 1,222 seats and is divided into an orchestra and mezzanine sections. Each evening the August Wilson turns into a pretty wild high school! Another great offer are the TKTS booths scattered around Times Square, and Theater District. There you can purchase cheaper tickets without a special discounted code. Also, the TKTS sells tickets for multiple Broadway shows, which might be a big convenience if you want to book seats for more than one musical. On the downside, the lines there are pretty, pretty long (set aside an hour or more). Still, if you don’t manage to buy from the theater itself, there are numerous licensed providers that will sell you affordable tickets for great seats. Several vendors provide excellent tickets for “Mean Girls: The Musical”.Bear in mind that these websites apply an additional service fee (usually around $10-$15 per ticket).

Vaccination availability has been poor so far. Places have no appointments even for seniors as myself. Given this and the aforementioned reluctance of some, we may see another lost summer here with closings, etc. We had hopes things might be under control, but that seems not the case. Dr. Fauci, a leading government expert in the field, mentioned that things might not return to normal until the fall of 2021. Whether new variants arise that will be resistant to the current vaccines is another concern. Find even more info at Travel to New York 2021.

When it comes to New York attractions, Rockefeller Center is on almost all tourist’s itineraries. This vast entertainment and shopping complex in the middle of Manhattan is home to NBC-TV and other media, but the centerpiece is the 70-story 30 Rockefeller Plaza, an Art Deco skyscraper that offers awesome views over Manhattan from the famous Top of the Rock Observation Deck. The “deck,” as it’s known, includes three floors, located on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. Indoor and outdoor viewing spaces offer spectacular views by day or night. You can buy a Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket in advance. These tickets come with a flexible voucher redemption policy, so you can change the date if your plans change or the weather doesn’t cooperate. Skating on the outdoor skating rink at the base of the tower is one of the most popular things to do in winter in New York City and a fun activity for families and couples. The rink is typically open from October to April. After Thanksgiving, a huge Christmas tree is erected in front of the skating rink, lighting up the complex for the holiday season. Many people visit New York in December just to see this site. Another point of interest in this area is the famous bronze sculpture of Atlas in front of the International Building. It’s a popular subject for photographers.

The Statue of Liberty has to be on your NYC itinerary! Though the line for the ferry from Battery Park is long, if you get there early, you can avoid most of it. (Come late and you’ll have to wait a few hours.) The Statue of Liberty is spectacular to see up close (she’s as big as you imagine), but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island, where you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC (you’ll even find my family’s name inscribed on the wall!). There’s such a great sense of history there that you can’t help but be impressed. Tip: If the line’s too long and you don’t want to wait, take the free Staten Island ferry for photos of the statue and harbor. Find many more details at https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60763-i5-k13476134-New_York_in_Summer_2021_What_should_I_be_aware_of-New_York_City_New_York.html.