NYC
The trip had two priorities: Broadway shows and good food. Anything else that happened would be a happy bonus.
My sister-in-law, Jenna, and I have talked about going to New York for awhile now. My first Broadway production was War Horse, which Brad took me to see in Minneapolis many years ago. It was beautiful. We have seen a couple of traveling productions since then: My Fair Lady, Peter Pan, Hamilton. When I heard one of my favorite podcasters talking about her whirlwind Broadway trip with her daughter, I knew it was time to make it a reality. Jenna was an easy yes.
the shows
We wanted to see as many shows as seemed feasible while we were in town. We arrived on a Wednesday and left on a Saturday, which are the two days on which most theaters offer a matinee in addition to the evening show, so that didn’t work out with our schedule. We ended up seeing three shows - one each night we were there. On average, we spent $180 per ticket for central, main floor seats. I really think most any seat would have been a good one in the theaters we were in. For two shows, we bought tickets well in advance. For the show we saw on the evening we arrived in town, we bought tickets same day through the TodayTix app.
The three shows we saw were very different vibes, but I loved each one and would absolutely see any of them again. Whether or not I would recommend them to others really depends on the audience in question.
Hadestown - This was our same-day option and I’m so glad it’s the one we chose. It is a Greek tragedy - the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Beautifully produced and so well cast. They certainly earned their Tony for Best Musical. “Wait For Me” and “Why We Build the Wall” still stick with me.
Six - I had no idea what to expect from this story of the six wives of Henry VIII but it was a real bop! A feminist pop concert by divas in sequins and glittering lights. So much fun.
The Book of Mormon - Satirical, vulgar comedy that is not for everyone. But if you like that kind of thing you’re in for a treat. So funny and well done.
The food
Lots of hits, and just one miss.
Bengal Tiger - Started the trip strong with an Indian lunch on day one. It was a chic cozy restaurant below street level. I love a meal-deal and their lunch offering was a choice of appetizer + choice of entree. Truly excellent garlic naan and a cool mango lassi on a hot day.
Liberty Bagels - One must eat bagels in NYC, that’s the rule. Liberty was a recommendation from Jenna’s coworker and it was well worth the walk. Another morning, we had Broad Nosh Bagels, and while both breakfast sandwiches were great, the bagel from Liberty was a cut above.
Culture Espresso - Their specialty is a Maple Freeze, dispensed from a slush machine, and it was delightful. Espresso, oat milk, maple syrup, maple whip. Complete with a very cute heart shaped straw. They also serve up “the best chocolate chip cookie in NYC”. (Of course we got one, don’t be ridiculous.)
The Ultimate New York City Street Food Tour - This Airbnb Experience with Greg was the perfect way to get a taste of a variety of expertly curated street foods. A lifelong local, Greg took us around to 5 or 6 of his favorite vendors in Queens within a few block radius. We had momo, quesadilla, passionfruit bunuelos, fuchka, halal chicken over rice, and Uruguayan cookie. Every bite was delicious and we were very full by the end. In addition to the food, it was a great way to see a different neighborhood than Manhattan, and to hear about it from a local. Queens is very diverse, with pockets of different Middle Eastern and Central American cultural groups. As the whitest person walking around amongst these folks shopping, eating, selling their wares, carrying their napping kids, chatting with their friends; at a time when people are being abducted off the street and deported to untold locations, I just kept thinking we really need to remember that this, too, is America.
$1.50 Fresh Pizza - Pizza by the slice from a hole in the wall was surprisingly good for a post-show snack. There was something different and delicious about the crust that I couldn’t quite identify.
Imm Thai - Thai wonton noodle soup with the coziest broth. Yummmmm.
Street cart ice cream - soft serve with pineapple topping was a new and tasty experience
Maison Patisserie - this was our last lunch before leaving and the sandwiches were pretty disappointing. They get some redemption for having a truly excellent almond croissant.
The extras
We came into the trip with no particular goals beyond the shows and the food, so everything else we did was a nice bonus.
Shopping - Jenna is a Coach girl and got a cute new bag. Souvenirs for the kids. A walk down 5th Ave. Perusal through Tiffany & Co. That’s about the extent of our shopping.
Times Square - On the whole: underwhelming. During the day we could have walked right through it without even realizing. A few more large screens on the buildings perhaps, but otherwise seemingly unremarkable. Friday night, however, was a different story. It was packed with people, street artists, vendors, and costumed characters. We shifted our route home from the theater over a block or two just to get away from the crowd.
Central Park - We ambled through the southern half of the park one lovely morning. Watched some kids practice baseball, bought handmade earrings from a vendor on the mall, saw turtles in the pond and people in rowboats, looked across at the skyline. If I lived in NYC it would have to be near the park, it is space in a city that otherwise feels quite close.
World Trade Center - I’m not really sure what I expected from the site, but what we found was different than I had imagined. The two reflecting pools are deep, and bear around their rims the names of those who died that day. Names that obviously come from a diverse array of cultures and backgrounds. Names that sometimes include “and her unborn child”. Names with flowers alongside. As we walked around we just kept thinking out loud “can you imagine if a plane flew into that building right now?!” Unbelievable. We walked through St. Paul’s Chapel, the church that remained standing and served as refuge for so many. It was a place of peace and reverence. There are little displays and reflections as you walk around the inside perimeter and I was moved by some of the excerpts.
“Jesus says, ‘You are the light of the world.’ I like even more what Jesus doesn’t say. He does not say ‘One day, if you are more perfect and try really hard, you’ll be light.’ He doesn’t say, ‘If you play by the rules, cross your Ts and dot your Is, then maybe you’ll become light.’ No. He says, straight out, ‘You are light.’ It is the truth of who you are.” (Gregory Boyle Tattoos on the Heart)
“So let us pick up the stones over which we stumble, friends, and build altars.” (Padraig O Tuama)
I would have loved to attend their Sunday evening Compline by Candlelight, but we were going to be back home by then. Maybe next time.
Statue of Liberty - Neither of us felt the need to go right up to Lady Liberty, but we did want to see her. The Staten Island Ferry was an excellent way to do it. It’s free, and it passes fairly close to the statue. We took the ferry over to Staten Island and got right back on to take it back. Easy peasy. It is moving to be in the presence of such a piece of history, to believe that what she stands for - freedom, democracy, resilience, welcome - still matters, even when our highest leaders seem to have forgotten.
We walked about 50,000 steps over 3 days, had a wonderful time, and experienced just the smallest fraction of what NYC has to offer. I will certainly be back again one day. Very likely for more Broadway shows and more delicious food.
