Top New York travel recommendations 2021

Awesome Broadway travel guides in 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.

While the actors sang with marvelously crisp voices, especially the breathtaking performance by firecracker Eric Huffman (Damien) who displayed his vocal talent with an impressive amount of dancing, Casey Nicholaw took a remarkable route on the choreography. Instead of focusing on the skill and technique of the individual dancer, Nicholaw distorted the entire shape of the stage in a kaleidoscope of arms, pictures, and a clockwork of movement by the ensemble as one unit. Overall, every impression was given through the defining movement by each dancer onstage to craft Mean Girls into the innovative modern theatre it is.

I bet your kids will love The Lion King. We’ve seen it all, but watching it on stage is a completely different experience. The characters are as lovable as they are on screen. The show is adored by both kids and parents. Kids love it as much as they love Frozen and the parents feel especially nostalgic, since many of them have grown up watching Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and Nala. It’s almost certain that The Lion King will return. It is super popular and would quickly cover its losses. I found a great review some time ago, here’s a link to it. Your best bet would certainly be Hamilton. It has the highest probability of returning, since its producers made the most of the pandemic and are supposed to be financially stable enough. The rumored date for its first performance after the pandemic is the 4th of July (how patriotic, haha). Just keep in mind that Hamilton was sold-out like half a year ahead, so tickets might be scarce. Discover extra details at TripAdvisor Broadway 2021.

The World Trade Center’s twin 110-story towers once dominated the Manhattan skyline but were destroyed by suicide-piloted jetliners on September 11, 2001, with a tragic loss of life. Where the two towers of the World Trade Center once stood, now stand two square reflecting pools, each one acre in size. Known as the National September 11 Memorial, the area is a moving tribute to the almost 3,000 people killed as a result of attacks on September 11, 2001 and also the six people killed in the earlier World Trade Center bombing in February, 1993. Surrounded by trees and grass, the pools are recessed, with water cascading over the sides and flowing into a seemingly bottomless square. These are the largest manmade waterfalls in North America. Around the pools are bronze panels with the names of all those who were killed in the attacks. The 9/11 Memorial Museum is located in an awesome, curving glass building, between the two pools. It features displays that include artifacts, photos, and videos, presenting the story of 9/11, as well as the aftermath and impacts. The building is constructed around the remnants of the World Trade Center and incorporates the old structures within the extraordinary new museum building.

One of the most overlooked museums in the city sits across the street from the NY Stock Exchange (NYSE). Federal Hall, built in 1700, is where George Washington took his oath of office (you can see the Bible he was sworn in on!), was the first capitol building of the US, and was the site of the US Customs House in the late 1700s. It’s one of my favorite attractions in the area. I especially love the old vaults of Customs House. I highly recommend you visit, plus it’s small and doesn’t take long. Down the street from NYSE and Federal Hall is the Museum of American Finance. Housed in a historic bank building on Wall Street (of course!), it has permanent exhibits on the financial markets, money, banking, entrepreneurship, and Alexander Hamilton (the founder of the US financial system). If you want to understand the workings of what happens on Wall Street, this is a perfect place to start. Find many more info 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.