Awesome New York travel tips 2021? The New-York Historical Society has a new exhibit that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Service Organizations (USO) that shows off artifacts (a World War II-era aircraft fragment, mess kit, and other relics engraved to Hope), films, and rare photographs to illustrate how Bob Hope helped lift spirits with his USO and radio shows during a dark time in American history. There’s also a companion exhibition, “The Gift of Laughter,” that delves into Hope’s varied career after World War II as a USO entertainer, television star, and Academy Award host demonstrating the many hats worn by comedians. His legacy will be brought to life with many items, including costumes from the Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as objects related to other comedians—real and imagined—influenced by Hope.
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.
If I were you I wouldn’t buy Broadway tickets in advance at the moment. I know there are a few sites that will sell you tickets. But there are two things you need to be aware of. First, with all the uncertainty at present, there is a good chance that the particular performance for which you purchase tickets will be cancelled. This means that you will be on the phone for hours trying to get your money back. In 2020 there were a few large Broadway ticket companies that were not able to issue refunds quickly because the money they had collected were simply spent. I think you will be able to get your money but you might have to wait a little. I believe even ticketmaster had some delays with refunds for Broadway purchases. Second, ticket prices seem to be quite expensive now. Let’s take Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre for example. Vividseats will sell you tickets for June, but the primary market (ticketmaster or the box office) won’t . And the prices are starting from $164 (which doesn’ include the service fees which can be another $30-$40 per ticket) for the Rear Mezzanine. Generally you can find seats for Wicked in the Rear Mezz for $70-$80 per ticket. Read a lot more information on Travel to New York 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.
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. Discover a lot more information on 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.