Category Archives: Arts & Entertainment

Arts, Arts & Entertainment, Cultural travel, Museums and Exhibits, See America

Nashville: Beyond the Honky-Tonks

January 18, 2026 krubin723

*“Honky Tonk Highway” is alive with neon lights and live bands. @Geri Bain*

by Geri Bain for Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

You don’t have to be a country music fan to tap your feet to the rich music scene here. The creativity spills over into its art, cuisine, and decor. And of course, there’s that famous “hot chicken” and barbecue and a surprising number of authentic ethnic eateries. No wonder so many reunions, conventions and bachelor and bachelorette parties happen here.

To get in the mood for my trip, I watch “It All Begins with a Song,” a documentary that features songwriters performing and talking about their music, the creative process, and the unique role Nashville has had in their lives.

The film leads me to expect live music everywhere 24/7, and sure enough, there’s a band setting up at the airport when I land at noon, and there’s live music at shopping malls and clubs all around the city. The iconic experience is bar- and band-hopping along Lower Broadway, a.k.a. Honky Tonk Highway. Here, dozens of bars serve up live music, often on multiple floors, from 10 a.m. until the wee hours of the morning. Most do not have a cover charge or minimum.

*Live music is easy to find along Lower Broadway. @Geri Bain*

One of my favorite Honky Tonk Highway spots is the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Opened by the charismatic Tubb (a.k.a. the Texas Troubadour) in 1947 before country records were widely sold, his shop quickly expanded to become a leading retail and mail-order country music record outlet and a low-key performance venue/bar with its own (still-operating) live radio show. Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley were among those who would stop by and perform after their Grand Ole Opry appearances.

A band is playing amped up music with a captivating beat as I enter Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop and a duo is performing on acoustic guitars in the back room. I listen for a bit, use the QR code to send a tip, and then head up to the fifth floor, where the roof bar affords a birds-eye view of the neon-lit street. It’s December and nippy though, so the outside bar is closed. Back inside, the bar/record shop feels like a mini-museum with vintage vinyl records for sale and displays of an Ernest Tubb Nudie suit (named for its designer Nudie Cohn, not for the amount of skin shown), a guitar with his name inset in pearl, a note from Johnny Cash, photos, and other memorabilia. (We learned after our visit that the Ernest Tubb Record Shop closed temporarily.)

*Fairlane Hotel features mid-century modern decor and works by local artists. @Geri Bain*

After bar-hopping, it’s an easy walk back to my Nashville home, the boutique 79-room Fairlane Hotel. While it’s smack in the center of town and a short walk to most of the city’s attractions, when I tuck in to sleep that night there is zero noise. Plus I love my room’s floor-to-ceiling window walls, colorful mid-century modern decor, and the works of local artists (subtly for sale) throughout the public spaces, part of the hotel’s mission to connect with local culture.

*Nashville’s Pathway of History is literally a walk through time. @Geri Bain*

The next day, I set out to ground myself in some local history (Nashville is more than music). I walk up to the hilltop Tennessee Statehouse and then stroll into Bicentennial Mall State Park, created in 1996 to celebrate 200 years of statehood. I follow a self-guided map to the 200-foot granite map of the state. Then I find my way to the Pathway of History where pillars mark key dates on one side of a 1,400 foot long walkway and a timeline of events, quotes and commentary are engraved run in parallel a three-foot-tall granite wall on the other. Among the interesting factoids I pick up is that the word “Tennessee” is thought to come from a Native American name meaning place where water meets—describing its strategic location at the confluence of rivers.

At the edge of the park, the Tennessee State Museum presents an easy-to-follow narrative of the state’s history with eye-catching artifacts like a full-size cutaway log cabin, a model of a Conestoga Wagon, and the hat Tennessean Andrew Jackson wore at his 1829 presidential inauguration.

*Liquor Lab offers mixology classes. @Geri Bain*

That evening at a Liquor Lab mixology class, I learn the most effective and theatrical techniques for shaking cocktail ingredients including, importantly, how to give a strong twist to seal the shaker tightly. We mix three concoctions; my favorite is a spiked hot chocolate topped with crushed peppermint and whipped cream. Dinner is not part of most classes but happily mine is catered by the award-winning Peg-Leg Porker, a family-run restaurant/caterer, and I get my first scrumptious taste of classic Nashville barbecue.

*The Country Music Hall of Fame offers classes for kids and adults. @Geri Bain*

A highlight of my trip is a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Dolly Parton is one of my heroes, and there’s a major exhibit devoted to her (running through September 2026). Watching a video interview, I learn that the song “Coat of Many Colors” refers to a true time when classmates made fun of her patchwork coat. Displays of her exuberant outfits, her guitars, the books she wrote and videos of performances and interviews convey a well-rounded picture of her work as a singer, song writer, businesswoman and philanthropist.

The permanent collection is equally lively, intimate and insightful. It is laid out chronologically with listening stations and displays illustrating the evolution of country music along with costumes, instruments and memorabilia of individual artists from the Carter Family to Elvis and Jelly Roll. Especially touching is a display of Roseanne Cash’s childhood drawings and writings, outfits and a video of her performing.

I’m drawn to the Taylor Swift Education Center, a two-story, 7,500-square-foot learning space within the museum which was opened in October 2013 with a $4 million gift from Taylor Swift to fund educational programs. I gravitate to a “Songwriting Station” which invites young visitors to create their own lyrics and providing markers and coloring sheets about musical instruments. A songwriting camp, craft classes and musical performances and talks are offered, but not during my visit. Next time I’ll plan ahead!

For lunch, I make my way to the nearby Assembly Food Hall which features everything from Vietnamese pho to Hawaiian poke. I’m excited to try the renowned Prince’s Hot Chicken but, coward that I am, I order the medium spice level because I’ve been warned the three hotter levels will burn through your entire digestive system. My chicken is delicious, tongue-tingling and sinus-clearing but not painful.

*You can make your own playlists at the National Museum of African American Music. @ Geri Bain*

My next stop is the National Museum of African Music, which had its ceremonial opening on January 18, 2021, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with the museum opening to the public on January 30, 2021. It may well be the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and impact of African American music genres.

At the ticket desk, I receive an RFID wristband; this allows me to download playlists I create throughout the museum which are emailed to me. Exhibits trace the history of African-American music from spirituals and gospel and their roots in indigenous African music to jazz, R&B and hiphop. I find it hard to move on from the interactive stations, especially the jazz table, where I play with layering on instruments and styles in the way a jazz musician might.

A short walk from here is the Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Outside the Ryman are bronze statues of stars including Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride. On a guided tour, I learn that the pew-like seats and stained glass windows come by their church feeling honestly. The building started its life as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892. It was built by Thomas Ryman, a onetime hard-partying riverboat captain who “saw the light” and was inspired to build this grand center for religious revivalist meetings.

Taking the stage during a tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman is affectionately known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” because it began as a church. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Over time, it hosted more concerts than church meetings and became known as The Ryman Auditorium, thanks to Lula C. Naff, the gutsy general manager from 1920 to 1955. She saved the building from the wrecking ball by booking A-list entertainers and lecturers and eventually arranged for the Grand Ole Opry radio show to broadcast live from here.

In the early days of radio, this show was the only one broadcasting country music around the country. (The original Grand Ole Opry radio show began in 1925, broadcast from a WSM studio in Nashville’s National Life & Accident Insurance building.) The show drew top talent to Nashville and effectively kicked off the city’s growth into the musical center (“Music City”!) it is today. The exhibits, such as Johnny Cash’s and June Carter’s outfits, are cool, but the most fun is the chance to ham it up for a souvenir photo, included in the tour price, on the very stage where Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, and more recently, Bruce Springsteen, Lizzo and Taylor Swift have performed.

*The Neoclassical Schermerhorn Symphony Center is beautiful, inside and out. @Geri Bain*

Nashville isn’t only about Country Music. In the evening, I attend a performance by Trisha Yearwood at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. She is accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, which prides itself on its mastery of diverse musical genres. The acoustics here are so good that without amplification voices can be heard in all parts of the nearly 2,000 seat hall.

On my last evening, I experience a show at the modern “new” home of the Grand Ole Opry, featuring Ashley McBryde, Riders in the Sky and five other acts. This venue is more than twice the size of the Ryman, with more than 4,000 seats. Interestingly, when people talk about the Grand Ole Opry, they aren’t talking about a place; they’re talking about the musical variety radio show which is still broadcast with live audiences in attendance, so we get to see how this radio show is produced. Commercials between acts, read by the announcer, and the “On Air” signs are reminders that this still is a live radio show.

*The Grand Ole Opry is a live radio show. @Geri Bain*

More than twice the size of the Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry House has more than 4,000 seats. Commercials between acts, read by the announcer, and the “On Air” signs are reminders that this still is a live radio show.

The highlight of the evening for me is the pre-show backstage tour; I get a kick out of seeing the dressing rooms and mailboxes of Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks and other country music icons. My tour even gets glimpses of the Gatlin Brothers and Ashley McBryde strolling through the halls before their performances.

*At Poppy & Peep, chocolate creation is a high art @Geri Bain*

Nashville, of course, is about more than making music. All that inventiveness extends naturally into the food, cocktail and cultural scenes. Chocolate can be high art as I learn at a chocolate-making session at Poppy & Peep, a father-daughter owned company that makes handcrafted small-batch bonbons and confections that are both playful and flavorful. The workshop steps through process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate and then places us in workstations with food coloring and paint brushes to create our own bonbon designs.

*8th & Roast offers seed-to-cup coffee classes. @Geri Bain*

This city also takes its coffee and cafes seriously. Among the acclaimed small batch brewers is 8th & Roast. I attend their “seed-to-cup” class, where I learn about their alliances with family farms that grow their beans and the various types of roasts, and participate in a traditional “coffee cupping” where we “slurp” and taste ten brews.

Nashville’s foods range from Michelin starred restaurants to casual barbecue joints. The city is also home to the largest Kurdish community in the U.S. along with many other immigrant groups, and this makes for some wonderfully authentic ethnic eateries. I head out of downtown into the neighborhoods to dine at Alebrije, a Mexican restaurant, where the mole sauce takes me back to Oaxaca, Mexico and taste my first Uzbek cooking at Uzbegim, a Michelin recommended restaurant, where I enjoy Tandir samosa, a savory pastry with spiced minced meat and veggies.

Among my favorites is Edessa Restaurant in “Little Kurdistan.” When I walk in, practically every table is taken, and several large groups have tantalizing spreads of kebobs, lamb shank, and sauces laid out. The food is done to perfection and the decor is authentic; a large painting on the wall is of the co-owner’s hometown in Turkey.

As I reflect on my Nashville getaway, what most impresses me is that the openness and collaboration that leads to great music seems to bubble over into the entire culture. Perhaps that explains the friendly, welcoming vibe that makes the city such a joy to visit.

Travel Tips:

Carry your id with you if you’re heading out to the bars—most are strict about requiring ID, even if you are obviously well over 21.

Plan to tip musicians you enjoy; that’s often their only compensation.

Plan ahead. Buy tickets for popular events and concert venues in advance, especially if you want to catch a top-name artist or attend one of the popular writer’s rounds.

For more information, go to www.visitmusiccity.com.

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© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, longislandpress.com/category/vacation-travel and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Festivals and Events, Holiday Travel, Holidays in New York

Wander the World With Wonder and Joy at Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights

November 20, 2025 krubin723

The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights celebration, which runs on select evenings from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, features millions of lights and 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry 100 fauna and flora species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the global conservation projects the Wildlife Conservation Society supports © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Wander the world with wonder and joy at the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights, one of New York City’s premier seasonal events.

The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights celebration, which runs on select evenings from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, features millions of lights and 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry 100 fauna and flora species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the global conservation projects the Wildlife Conservation Society supports.

*Walk along six different Lantern Safari trails to see 400 lanterns representing with extraordinary realism and artistry100 fauna and flora species © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Each year the event is enhanced and this year’s includes new interactive and sensory experiences: the Freeze Zone features massive snow tube slides, an illuminated ice throne photo opportunity, talking snowmen, and a snowball wall where you get to toss virtual snowballs. Enchanted Sea returns with more interactive elements and new captivating puppetry, immersing visitors in a magical underwater world brought to life through play and performance.

The signature experience is the Lantern Safari – a truly enchanting journey on immersive trails through six geographic-themed regions – Africa, Latin America, Asia, North America, Ocean and the magical Forest of Color – where you encounter some 400 lanterns representing 100 animal and plant species that inhabit the Zoo as well as the real wildlife and wild places that the Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the Zoo, works to protect.

*The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights makes for a great date night! © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You are amazed at the incredible artistry of these lantern animals, creatures, flowers, insects, in uncannily realistic (if whimsical) poses and configurations (some even have moving elements).

*Explore the marine life of the Oceans ons one of six Lantern Safari trails © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

As you walk the trails, you hear the sounds of animals, insects and birds, while there is festive music as you walk along the zoo paths.

*Wander with Wonder: one of the educators is ready to answer questions with hands-on materials © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are even “Wander with Wonder” educators available to answer questions, labels so you know what you are looking at, and field notes, frequently with tactile displays, when your curiosity is piqued.

Take a ride on the Bronx Zoo’s Bug Carousel, the first and ONLY carousel featuring an all-insect lineup. Choose from 64 different types of insects that you can mount — including fireflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. There are also two stationary chariots: a monarch butterfly (wheelchair accessible) and a dung beetle. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.c

There are also many opportunities for entertainment and engagement – a towering holiday tree with music and light performances (look for the animals that appear on the tree!), nightly ice-carving demonstrations, Wildlife Theater puppet adventures, s’mores roasting over fire pits, holiday treats and drinks, an amazing Bug Carousel (64 different insects to ride!), and a Holiday Train. (The Holiday Train ride is an extra $3).

*Puppeteers with illuminated animals bring special delight to the Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

None of the zoo’s live animals are out and about (they are sleeping), then again, you might count the illuminated stilt performers and puppeteers who bring added delight among the “live animals” who inhabit the zoo.

*Illuminated stilt walkers entertain and are happy to pose for photos © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

*The Bronx Zoo’s Victorian structures provide a perfect backdrop for Holiday Lights © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Holiday Lights occupies 12 of the Bronx Zoo’s 265 acres of hardwood forest – an oasis of wilderness amid the Bronx’s urban landscape – and is home to 10,000 animals. I love wandering and seeing the Victorian vestiges of the zoo’s glorious history, dating back to Nov. 8, 1899.

“Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights has become a New York tradition, where people come out to experience and enjoy the zoo in a different way at night,” Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, says as he switches on the lights. “The annual tradition is a meaningful way for us to engage community members with WCS’s mission while celebrating the season together.” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“We’re proud to be a holiday destination for so many families and to offer an even bigger Holiday Lights program this year,” said Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of WCS Zoos & Aquarium, switching on the lights on opening night. “Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights has become a New York tradition, where people come out to experience and enjoy the zoo in a different way at night. The annual tradition is a meaningful way for us to engage community members with WCS’s mission while celebrating the season together.”

He thanked Con Ed’s partnership and support. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without ConEd as a partner,” he said.

*The Holiday Train is a favorite added attraction at Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You can visit in one hour, but to really enjoy, expect to spend two or three (especially if you visit when crowded, when some of the activities might involve queuing up like for the carousel. (Note: there are no special tickets or cost for the special activities except for the festive Holiday Train ride, an extra $3.)

Event dates: Nov. 21-23, Nov. 28-30, Dec. 4-7, Dec. 11-14, Dec. 18-23, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 2-4

The event is rain or shine and tickets are date-specific, but you can pay extra for an “any night” ticket. Take advantage of a 20% discount through November 21. (Members get 40% off the ticket and discount on any night tickets).

*Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights offers many ways to interact and engage © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Tickets: General public tickets start at $26.95, with flexible Any Night ticket options available. General admission is $41.95 for adults, $36.95 for seniors, and $26.95 for children ages 3–12. Tickets are available on line, BronxZoo.com/Holiday-Lights ,

Ticket sales for Holiday Lights start at 3 pm. Lights go on and lantern trails open at 4:30 pm. If you arrive at the zoo before 4:30 pm, you have some time to visit animal exhibits before they close for the day, promptly at 4 pm. You can then stay to see the park transform and light up during the sunset transition (but you need the separate Holiday Lights ticket to stay). The Bug Carousel, Dancing Crane Cafe and Bronx Zoo store are all open to enjoy from daytime through night.

Holiday Lights and other special seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo, Harvest Glow, Brew at the Zoo, not only help educate visitors in such a fun, engaging and accessible way about the animals in WCS care at the zoo, but inform about the importance of conservation of biodiversity to our own preservation and help fund WCS’ important conservation efforts well beyond New York City’s borders.

WCS Members enjoy exclusive benefits, including 40% off special event tickets throughout the season and three free preview nights. Conservation-level Members receive free admission to Holiday Lights (a 20% discount on memberships going on now has been extended past November 30).

Membership packages also include year-round admission to all five WCS parks – Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Bronx Zoo, and New York Aquarium) while supporting wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. View membership options.

The Bronx Zoo, located on 265 acres of hardwood forest in Bronx, NY, opened on Nov. 8, 1899. It is world-renowned for its leadership in the areas of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, education, science and conservation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is the flagship park of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) which manages the world’s largest network of urban wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium. Curators and animal care staff work to save, propagate, and sustain populations of threatened and endangered species. WCS has educated and inspired more than 400 million visitors at its zoos and aquarium and host some 4 million guests, including 500,000 students, at the parks each year. The Bronx Zoo is the largest youth employer in the borough of the Bronx, providing opportunity and helping to transform lives in one of the most under-served communities in the nation. The Bronx Zoo is the subject of THE ZOO, a docu-series aired world-wide on Animal Planet.

Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blv.d, Bronx, NY 10460, 718-220-5100, https://bronxzoo.com

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© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Arts & Entertainment, Cultural travel, Entertainment, Festivals and Events, New York City travel, Uncategorized

Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park Production of TWELFTH NIGHT Opens Revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park

August 22, 2025 krubin723

The exuberant gender-bending curtain call of the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT at the reopened, revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

After 23 months and $85 million, the beloved Delacorte Theater has reopened, renewed and revitalized for its 63^rd season, but preserving what was always best about the iconic experience of the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park: a sense of excitement, shared joy and community, the delight to be dazzled at the creativity of making something spectacular out of a simple open-air stage, and the enchanting backdrop of the Belvedere Castle on a rocky cliff, framed by trees.

The star-studded Public Theater free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT which will run through Sunday, September 14, is the ideal choice among the Bard’s canon to reopen this New York City cultural icon.

But the performance begins with Shakespeare’s quote “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”- famous lines that are not even from TWELFTH NIGHT but from “As You Like It.” But the quote serves to pay homage to Joseph Papp, the founder of the Public Theater and the Delacorte, who began offering free Shakespeare in the Park from a truck and planted his cultural flag on this pastoral patch to claim the site and the culture for the people.

“This theater belongs to you, the people of New York,” writes Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater’s Artistic Director, in the Playbill.”We hold it in trust for you, to serve you. The culture belongs to all of us….We are, together, celebrating what makes us human.”

The music and song throughout TWELFTH NIGHT – so unexpected, but provides such an atmospheric, ethereal backdrop for the mythic Illyria– is composed by Michael Thurber and performed by “gender-defiant” singer-songwriter Moses Sumney – who has the audience transfixed (photo: Joan Marcus)

TWELFTH NIGHT is the perfect selection with which to return Free Shakespeare in the Park to Central Park, with its theme of immigrants – refugees who escape death after a shipwreck – who have to remake themselves to survive as strangers in a strange land, and its gender-bending plot. The production, brilliantly conceived by the Public’s Associate Artistic Director/Resident Director Saheem Ali, also stays true to Joseph Papp’s racial blindness – race is erased, irrelevant, while the cultural tapestry of New York is for all to enjoy and appreciate. Joseph Papp, the Public Theater and the Delacorte were “woke” before that was a term, and certainly before the crusade to demean, de-legitimize, and eradicate diversity, equity and inclusion from our culture and society, when it took 60 years to make DEI part of our cultural fabric.

“It’s been one year and 11 months since we closed The Delacorte for much needed renovations that have made the most beautiful theater in the world even more beautiful, safer and infinitely more accessible, and more sustainable, more comfortable and more ready than ever to serve the people of New York,” Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director for the Public Theater, writes in the Playbill. “This is a palace for the people, an infinitely precious New York landmark that money can’t buy, that isn’t gated or reserved for the wealthy, that is the common property of the whole city…

“In the time that The Delacorte has been closed, American democracy has undergone perhaps the greatest challenge it has faced in the last 150 years. … the reopening will certainly help the fight to maintain the vision of America I know we all share, an America that belongs to everyone, where our diversity is our strength, where the common good makes all of us better off, where what we share is infinitely more important than what separates us. The Delacorte Theater is not just a stage. It’s a platform for democracy. A gathering place. A commons. A celebration of what public space can be when it’s shaped by values we all share: access, community, inclusion, and joy.”

Patrick Willingham, the Public’s Executive Director, welcomes the audience to the reopening of the revitalized Delacorte Theater, where the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT is running through September 14 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The Delacorte has stood as one of New York City’s most iconic and democratic cultural institutions for over 60 years. It was founded on an audacious premise: the richest of cultural jewels presented for free, in a form that New Yorkers’ could identify with and find relevant to their own experience. Since the Delacorte opened in 1962, during JFK’s “Camelot” era, some 6 million people have enjoyed over 160 productions.

A hallmark the Public Theater productions of Shakespeare are the creative ways of preserving the original but making the 400-year old-English plays accessible, relatable and relevant to contemporary society.

*“What You Will”, provides the backdrop to TWELFTH NIGHT, with the dramatic Belvedere Castle in the background © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Among the fascinating devices:

“What You Will” – the backdrop of open letters that let you see out and performers walk through – is the subtitle for “TWELFTH NIGHT,” which director Ali has honed in on as the “heart of the show… Shakespeare lands these twins on a strange land” where they have to survive. “That’s an immigrant story. Someone coming from somewhere else and seeking a better life, a different life,” he writes in the Playbill.

The interjection of Swahili spoken by Viola and Sebastian makes very clear and real that Viola and Sebastian are immigrants – refugees – in a strange land with a strange culture, having escaped death during a shipwreck, and having to reinvent themselves in order to survive.

Also, the line “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” becomes a kind of mantra. I always thought the quote was meant to be heroic, but in this context, it serves to mock Malvolio for his self-importance.

The music and song throughout the play – so unexpected, but provides such an atmospheric, ethereal backdrop for the mythic Illyria– is composed by Michael Thurber and performed by “gender-defiant” singer-songwriter Moses Sumney as Feste– who has the audience transfixed.

Junior Nyong’o as Sebastian, Sandra Oh as Olivia, Lupita Nyong’o as Viola and Khris Davis as Orsino descend on the clever lifts from which sets and actors magically appear at the revitalized, modernized Delacorte Theater in Central Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Besides an outstanding cast, brilliantly directed, the creative staging is a marvel – indeed, the most significant improvements to the Delacorte are technical, allowing sets and actors to rise out of the floor, with a kind of sleight of hand that adds to the magic and enchantment – if you look away for a moment or are looking in one place rather than another, all of a sudden the scene is changed.

The flamboyant curtain call is itself a coup d’gras, a final slap to the Trump/MAGA WhiteChristoFascist anti-woke crusade, in which the performers dance out in androgynous costumes worthy of the Met Gala.

Sandra Oh as Olivia in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

People always delight in the stars that grace the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park stage and TWELFTH NIGHT is no exception: The star-studded cast, who clearly are enjoying their roles as much as the audience, includes real-life siblings Lupita and Junior Nyong’o playing the twins, Viola and Sebastian, Sandra Oh (Olivia), Peter Dinklage (Malvolio), John Ellison Conlee (Sir Toby Belch), Khris Davis (Orsino), Peter Dinklage (Malvolio), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Andrew Aguecheek), Daphne RubinVega (Maria), Moses Sumney (Feste), b (Antonio), Joe Tapper (Sea Captain/Priest), and Ariyan Kassam (Curio/Ensemble), and a marvelous ensemble of Dario Alvarez, Jaina Rose Jallow, Valentino Musumeci (Chinna Palmer (Ensemble), Sandra Oh (Olivia), Precious Omigie, Nathan M. Ramsey, Jasmine Sharma, Kapil Talwakar, Julian Tushabe, Adrian Villegas, Ada Westfall, and Mia Wurgaft.

Sandra Oh as Olivia, Lupita Nyong’o as Viola in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14 (photo: Joan Marcus.)

TWELFTH NIGHT is cleverly staged, featuring scenic design by Maruti Evans, phenomenal costume design by Oana Botez, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada and Palmer Hefferan, music composition by Michael Thurber, hair, wig, and makeup design by Krystal Balleza, prop management by Claire M. Kavanah, fight direction by Tom Schall, choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie. Karishma Bhagani serves as the Swahili dialect coach. Delacorte Veteran Buzz Cohen serves as the Production Stage Manager and Jessie Moore and Luisa Sánchez Colón serve as the stage managers.

Peter Dinklage (center) as Malvolioand and Daphne Rubin-Vega as Maria in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14 (photo: Joan Marcus)

The renovation of the 1,864-seat amphitheater dramatically improved the accessibility, sustainability and production facilities, and was funded through a mix of public and private support, including $42 million from the City of New York through the Office of the Mayor, New York City Council, and Manhattan Borough President’s Office; and another $1 million allocation from the New York State Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell.

The $85 million renovation of the Delacorte Theater has made it more accessible, more sustainable, more comfortable, and allowed for even more creative production while remaining true to the essence of Free Shakespeare in the Park and founder Joseph Papp’s vision © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The $85 million spent on the Delacorte renovation was only a part of the $175 million “Forever Public” fund-raising campaign intended to preserve all that the Public Theater does to promote the arts and access to theater and establish a Fund for Free Theater endowment. These free Shakespeare in the Park performances are what the Public Theater is most heralded for, but the Public Theater does much more to promote the arts and access to the arts.

At its six-venue Astor Place home at 425 Lafayette Street, the Public produces world premiere plays and musicals “giving voice to a diverse range of new and established artists, leading and framing the dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day.”

In addition to Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte in Central Park, the Public produces theater throughout the boroughs with its Mobile Unit, bringing free performances to correctional facilities, senior and recreation centers, parks with little or no access to the arts; working with partner organizations around the city, community members participate in workshops and classes, attend performances and join in the creation of participatory theater; some 700 shows are presented each year at Joe’s Pub at the Public, giving support to thousands of artists; and the emerging Writers Group, BIPOC Critics Lab and multi-year residences provide support for artists at all stages of their career, offering opportunities for development from idea to full production.

The Public has received 64 Tony Awards, 194 Obie Awards, 62 Drama Desk Awards, 64 Lortel Awards, 36 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 70 AUDELCO Awards, 6 Antonyo Awards, and 6 Pulitzer Prizes. The Public is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hell’s Kitchen by Alicia Keys and Kristoffer Diaz. Their programs and productions can also be seen regionally across the country and around the world.

The Public Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT at the newly reopened Delacorte Theater in Central Park through September 14 is a rollicking fun farce, crisply directed by Saheem Ali, and brilliantly performed by a star-studded cast who seem to be enjoying the experience as much as the audience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

TWELFTH NIGHT is on through September 14. There will be two American Sign Language Interpreted performances on Sunday, August 23 and Tuesday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m; an Open Captioned performance in English on Friday, September 5; an Open Captioned performance in Spanish on Saturday, September 6 and, for the first time this summer, Free Shakespeare in the Park will offer a Sensory Adapted performance on Sunday, September 7. The Audio Described performance will be on Friday, September 12.

The Belvedere Castle provides a perfect setting for picnicking and waiting on line for free tickets to the newly reopened Delacorte Theater where the Public Theater puts on Free Shakespeare in the Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

For all the improvement, it’s what’s the same about Shakespeare in the Park that is most important – the sense of community, the delight (and story) in how the tickets were obtained (who met while waiting on line, picnicking, how won lottery) – albeit in more comfortable seats (and much, much better bathrooms).

There are five ways to access free tickets for TWELFTH NIGHT:

Distribution in Central Park

In-person lottery at The Public Theater

Distribution across all five boroughs

Digital lottery with TodayTix

Standby line in Central Park

Also, you can become a member of the Public Theater with a donation of $600 or more to be able to reserve two seats. (To keep the majority of seats free and available for New Yorkers, only a limited number of seats are available for members to reserve.)

The “Forever Public” campaign to raise $175 million (there’s a sticker with QR code on the back of the seats) is aimed to keep tickets free for the vast majority of audience-goers. “Shakespeare for the city. Free. For all. Forever.”

You can become a Supporter with a gift of $100 or more which provides benefits including early access and discounted, no-fee tickets to the Astor Place season, dedicated customer service, discounted food and drink at Joe’s Pub and The Library. For a limited time, gifts are being matched by the Howard Gilman Foundation

To learn more, or to make a contribution, call 212-967-7555, or visit publictheater.org.

The full performance calendar and complete distribution details can be found at publictheater.org. (The Delacorte Theater in Central Park is accessible by entering at 81st Street and Central Park West or at 79th Street and Fifth Avenue.)

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Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Cultural travel, Museums and Exhibits

Summer in the City Offers Cornucopia of Mostly Free Cultural Happenings, Festivals, Events

May 31, 2025 krubin723

*The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a centerpiece for the annual Museum Mile Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

*The annual Museum Mile Festival is one of the biggest block parties anywhere © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

New York City’s summer cultural season kicks off with the 47^th Annual Museum Mile Festival – the Big Apple’s “biggest block party”–on Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 9 pm, rain or shine. Walk the mile on Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 104th Street and visit eight of New York City’s finest cultural institutions, open free during these extended hours: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (82^nd St); Neue Galerie New York(86^th St); Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (89^th St); Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (91^st St); The Jewish Museum (92^nd St); Museum of City of New York (mcny.org,103^rd St.); El Museo del Barrio (104^th St.); and The Africa Center (109^th St). Neighbohood partners participating include the New York Academy of Medicine, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Asia Society, and AKC Museum of the Dog join in this celebration. Arrive early and target your priority museums first because this extremely popular event draws huge crowds, which makes the fabulous street entertainment all the more appreciated. Children’s activity guides (and chalk for street art!) available. (https://www.nyctourism.com/events/museum-mile-festival/)

*Body art outside the Guggenheim Museum, one of the street happenings during the Museum Mile Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

*There are two weekends of opportunity to get into the swing of the Gatsby-esque Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island, June 14-15 and August 9-10. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island (11 am-5 pm, June 14-15 and August 9-10. 11 am-5 pm), starts with a magical ferry ride from Battery Park or the Brooklyn Navy Yard. People come dressed to the 9s in 1920s/Gatsby-style outfits, bringing picnics and take part in the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. With music and dancing led by festival founder and host Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra and a score of other entertainers. Entertainments are interspersed with fun events like dance lessons and a period bathing suit contest. This isn’t free. Tickets and info at https://jazzagelawnparty.com. (Reserve a ride on the ferry, from South Street or Brooklyn to access the location, https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/ferry)

One of the most popular and iconic of New York City’s rich summer cultural calendar is The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, taking place this year June 4-7 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, take place June 4–7, 2025. Gustavo Dudamel leads the series for the first time. Dudamel conducts the NY Phil in four free outdoor concerts at the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 4); Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 5); Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 6); and Cunningham Park, Queens (June 7); program to be announced. These performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks. (Following the Concerts in the Parks, New York Philharmonic musicians perform a free indoor concert,on June 8, at 4 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island.)

Lincoln Center’s fourth annual Summer for the City, offers hundreds of free and Choose-What-You-Pay performances and cultural activities from June 11–August 9, including performances of the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center at Choose-What-You-Pay prices. (Schedule, https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city.

Public Theater’s cherished Free Shakespeare in the Park, returns to the iconic, revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park after a nomadic season, performing ‘Twelth Night” August 7-Sept. 14. The star-studded cast includes stars b (Antonio), Bill Camp (Sir Toby Belch), Khris Davis (Orsino), Peter Dinklage (Malvolio), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Andrew Aguecheek), Junior Nyong’o (Sebastian), Lupita Nyong’o (Viola), Sandra Oh (Olivia), Daphne RubinVega (Maria), and Moses Sumney (Feste). Famously, tickets are available for that day at distribution points in Central Park and the boros, a daily digital lottery (TodayTix), and standby line at the Delacorte. But you can get a reserved seat by becoming a Supporter Plus with a gift of $300 or more (with year-round benefits). To learn more, or to make a contribution: 212.967.7555 or visit publictheater.org, https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2425/fsitp/twelfth-night/

The Delacorte reopens in July with a full schedule of tours, special events, and performances (For a full list of reopening events, visit publictheater.org/about/forever-public.)

In June 2025, the Public Theater’s Mobile Unit will tour a new production of Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Rebecca Martinez, across all five boroughs. From August 28 – September 1, Public Works will present an adaptation of PERICLES, with music and lyrics by Troy Anthony and directed by Carl Cofield at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

A very different Shakespeare-in-the-park experience comes from New York Classical Theatre, which creates and reinvigorates audiences for the theater by presenting free productions of popular and forgotten classical plays in public spaces throughout the City. This season, see Shakespeare’s “All’s Well that Ends Well”. Free performances are Tuesday-Sunday, 7 pm, at Central Park (June 3-22, with special evenings June 4, Bring Your Dog Night at 6:30; Family Nights, June 12, 21, 26, July 1; Pride Night, June 20); Carl Schurz Park (June 24-29), and Battery Park (July 1-6). Tickets are free, but you need to reserve. Nyclassical.org, info@nyclassical.org.

City Parks Foundation’s 2025 season of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, New York City’s iconic outdoor performing arts festival, is bringing more than 70 free and benefit shows to Central Park and 13 neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. Returning for its 39th year, the festival showcases established and emerging artists, highlighting an expansive array of talent, from diverse performances from across the globe to artists serving as curators to iconic DJs showcasing cultural sonic journeys and features a multitude of genres including jazz, hip-hop, indie-rock, salsa, reggae, Afrobeat, soul, pop, global, contemporary dance. Performances are free and open to the public, with the exception of ticketed benefit concerts in Central Park (www.SummerStage.org).

Bryant Park’s Picnic Performances, presented by Bank of America, is a free summer concert series May 30-Sept. 13 featuring music, dance, theater performances and movie screenings offering a diverse lineup of artists and performances from NYC cultural institutions (https://bryantpark.org/activities/picnic-performances)

Highlights:

New York City Opera (June 26 & 27, Opera Goes to Hollywood; Sept. 4, 5, Carmen)

Contemporary Dance (June 5-Limon Dance Company; June 6, 13; )

Jazz Mobile (June 14)

Emerging Music Festival (June 20, 21)

New York Guitar Festival, July 3 & 4

Carnegie Hall Citywide (July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 8

World Music Institute (Aug. 15)

New York City Circus Festival (Aug. 16)

Belongo (Aug 22)

Accordians Around the World (Aug 29)

The Town Hall (Aug 30)

American Symphony Orchestra (Sept 12)

Free seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early (performances start at 7 pm) and bring your blanket to sit on. Food is available for sale. (https://bryantpark.org/activities/picnic-performances for schedule, bryantpark.org)

*The Highline is not only a stunning art-filled garden affording incredible views of the city’s skyline, but is also a concert venue © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The High Line isn’t only one of the city’s most enchanting places – an elevated garden trail lined with art installations that zigs and zags amid modern windowed high rises – it is also an open-air theater, music and events venue (Star Gazing, Vinyl Nights, docent-led High Line Tour), throughout the year. A perpetual “happening.” (https://www.thehighline.org/art/performances/) or doNYC

Hudson River Park turns its four-mile riverfront into a cultural mecca with hundreds of free and exciting events, from sunset dance parties and live music to hands-on science and waterfront workouts. Expanded offerings this summer include six nights of Broadway-caliber performances with Broadway By The Boardwalk at Clinton Cove, and the debut of Science After Dark, a new series that invites curious adults to explore local ecology and learn from experts while socializing in unique Park settings. The crowd-favorite series, Jazz at Pier 84 presents star-studded musicians bringing smooth tunes to the Park at sunset. Pier 45 offers Dance Is Life! in July hosted by The Ladies of Hip Hop. Sunset Salsa returns to Pier 76 in July with lessons led by world-renowned dancers, offering instruction to everyone, from novices to advanced dancers, followed by an open dance party. https://hudsonriverpark.org/, https://hudsonriverpark.org/the-park/piers-and-places/

*The magical Little Island in Hudson River Park is a concert venue during the summer © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Little Island is a magical place that must be experienced (really recommend you listen to the free audio tour describing its landscape design). From June through September, Little Island presents over 110 performances across dance, music, theater, dance and opera ($25 tickets at littleisland.org and https://www.todaytix.com/nyc/category/little-island). In addition, there are free concerts Wednesday-Sunday in the Glade. With over 110 performances across music, theater, dance, opera and more, it’s the ultimate outdoor stage for New York’s best artists. (Tickets, https://www.todaytix.com/nyc/category/little-island)

*The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) is presenting the New York premiere of Passengers, a theater, circus and dance experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) is presenting the New York premiere of Passengers, a theater, circus and dance experience written, directed and choreographed by Tony Award® nominee Shana Carroll (Water for Elephants). Performances begin June 12 with an opening on June 15, for a limited run through June 29, 2025. Montréal’s acclaimed contemporary physical theater troupe The 7 Fingers express their hopes and dreams through an astonishing blend of cirque, music, and dance, telling human stories with superhuman skills. Poetic goodbyes. Anticipatory reunions. Fateful encounters. Each moment unfolds with breathtaking wonder and heartwarming storytelling. Performances are at PAC, 251 Fulton St. Tickets start at $30 and are available online at PACNYC.org or by calling 212-266-3000. (PAC NYC offers $30 ticket savings programs for audiences under 30, responders and educators. Student discounts of up to 50% are also available.)

Not-to-Be-Missed Exhibits

No surprise that in response to overwhelming demand, the Anne Frank House is extending its world premiere presentation of Anne Frank The Exhibition at the Center for Jewish History in New York City through October 31, 2025. Originally scheduled for just three months, tickets sold out within one week of opening on January 27, 2025, demonstrating the demand for this extraordinary experience. Anne Frank The Exhibition is the first time the Anne Frank House presents a pioneering experience outside of Amsterdam to immerse visitors in a full-scale recreation of the Annex rooms, fully furnished (unlike Amsterdam), where Anne Frank, her parents and sister, and four other Jews spent two years hiding to evade Nazi capture. Four exhibition galleries immerse visitors in place and history through video, sound, photography and animation; and more than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Anne Frank The Exhibition shows Anne Frank not as a victim but through the multifaceted lens of her life—as a girl, a writer, and a symbol of resilience and strength. This is a story inspired by one of the most translated books in the world. Timed entry tickets are available at AnneFrankExhibit.org. Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y. between 5th and 6th Avenues, https://goingplacesfarandnear.com/landmark-anne-frank-the-exhibition-in-nyc-personalizes-holocaust-as-never-before/

Opening June 13, The New York Historical highlights the intersection of politics, art, and culture that shaped America’s Red Scare in Blacklisted: An American Story, on view June 13-October 19, 2025 (credit: Civil Rights Congress, America’s “Thought Police”: Record of the Un-American Activities Committee, 1947. Courtesy of the Unger Family)

The New York Historical’s newest exhibit, Blacklisted: An American Story, an Exhibition Examining the Red Scare, the Hollywood Blacklist, and Its Impact on American Culture, on view June 13 – October 19. Blacklisted captures the tensions of the domestic Cold War, revealing how global politics infiltrated America’s entertainment industry in the late 1940s and 50s through a government crackdown on artistic expression. New York’s first museum, New York Historical (formerly New-York Historical Society) is a leading cultural institution covering 400 years of American history. A museum of museums and a collection of collections (the Tiffany lamps are exquisite), it is home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West (77^th Street), New York, NY 10024, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org.

*The Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History transports to other worlds © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The American Museum of Natural History is presenting Apex: The Largest Stegosaurus Ever Discovered, one of the largest and most complete stegosaurus fossils ever found, a 150-million year old stegosaurus measuring 27 feet long and 11.5 feet tall, discovered in Dinosaur, Colorado, through 2028. A destination that takes you to other worlds, Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History offers fabulous innovative exhibitions. Admission by timed entry, reserved online. Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm. American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, 212-769-5606, amnh.org.

The week before the start of the US Tennis Open in Flushing Meadows. Queens, you not only can see exciting qualifying rounds, but watch tennis greats practicing, like Rafael Nadal © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

If Summer in the City starts with the Museum Mile Festival, for me, it finishes with the US Open Tennis Championships, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. The tournament dates back to 1881, and since 1978, the tournament has found its home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a magnet for the best tennis talent worldwide .The tournament takes place August 24–September 7. Insiders tip: the week before, it is free to watch the thrilling play of the qualifiers’ tournament, and see the tennis stars practice. (usopen.org, https://tickets-center.com/search/US-Open-Tennis-tickets/)

For more to do and see in New York City, including information on free museums and exhibits and walking tours and arts and entertainment on a budget, visit nyctourism.com.

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Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Family Travel, Summer Vacations, Tips for Travel, Uncategorized

Smart Tips to Save Money, Beat the Lines at Summer Attractions

May 26, 2025 krubin723

*Universal’s Epic Universe, Orlando, is opening May 22 (photo: Universal Orlando Resort).*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Families are gearing up for trips to attractions from world-famous theme parks to local treasures. With shifts in consumer confidence, economic factors, and the general climate for travel, here are tips for saving and getting the most for your time and money and discovering memorable experiences.

“Summer is the perfect time for families to explore a variety of attractions, from world-class theme parks to hidden gems. Plan ahead, take advantage of special promotions, and consider weekday visits for a more relaxed experience,” advises Jakob Wahl, CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). “Whether you’re seeking thrills, interactive museums, or refreshing water parks, there’s something for everyone this season.”

The outlook for attractions in 2025 is strong, headlined by the much-anticipated opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando and many other investments in attractions and parks around the country. While large-scale themed entertainment and immersive experiences continue to captivate audiences, there is also growing demand for more budget-friendly options. Family entertainment centers, science centers, aquariums, and museums are becoming increasingly popular as affordable alternatives for family summer fun. Additionally, we’re seeing a surge in interest for interactive attractions, seasonal events, and family-friendly entertainment, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy, he says.

*Memberships in regional and local attractions like the VIA Aquarium in Schenectady are seeing a surge in interest © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Among the trends is a strong interest in smaller, regional attractions. “With shifts in consumer confidence and economic factors, many families are looking for experiences closer to home that offer great value and immersive entertainment. Attractions such as family entertainment centers, aquariums, and science museums are capitalizing on this trend by introducing special pricing, seasonal events, and interactive exhibits that appeal to a broad audience. This growing focus on affordability and accessibility is helping drive attendance and engagement across the industry.”

Here are more of Wahl’s tips and recommendations:

Money-Saving Tips: Planning ahead is the best way to save money. Booking tickets online, taking advantage of bundled packages, and visiting during off-peak seasons can lead to significant savings. Many parks also offer discounted evening tickets or multi-day passes that provide better value. Guests should also explore dining plans and bring their own essentials, like water bottles and rain ponchos, to avoid extra expenses. Loyalty programs and annual passes can be a great investment for those who visit frequently.

[Here’s another tip: many local and regional attractions offer annual membership passes that pay for themselves with just two visits, and in some cases include free or discounted admission to other partner attractions. For example: The annual family membership to the Museum of Science and Technology (MiSci) in Schenectady, NY includes six guest passes plus free or reduced admission to 300 museums and science centers nationwide through the ASTC Passport Program and the Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program. An annual membership to the New York’s Wilderness Conservation Society provides admission (and many other benefits) to the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium (wcs.org). Also some attractions let you return the next day on the same ticket, offer multi-day tickets or tickets that provide admission to multiple area attractions. Also consider the various multi-day city-passes that bundle attractions.]

The New York Historical is part of The Empire State Museums Reciprocal Program which brings together museums, art galleries, historic sites, and other great institutions from across New York State to share the benefits of membership. When you join one, your benefits extend to all. The New York Historical highlights the intersection of politics, art, and culture that shaped America’s Red Scare in Blacklisted: An American Story, on view June 13-October 19, 2025 (credit: Civil Rights Congress, America’s “Thought Police”: Record of the Un-American Activities Committee, 1947. Courtesy of the Unger Family)

Best Times to Visit: The best way to avoid crowds, enhance your experience and save money is to plan visits during off-peak times. Weekdays, especially Tuesdays through Thursdays, tend to be less busy than weekends. For seasonal attractions, early spring and late fall often offer fewer crowds and more pleasant weather. Arriving early in the day or later in the afternoon is also a way to enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times.

Smart Ticketing & Shorter Lines: Many theme parks now offer online reservations, mobile ticketing, and virtual queue systems, so you can secure your spots ahead of time. Purchase tickets in advance and take advantage of early entry programs when available. Express passes or skip-the-line options can be worth the added expense to maximize your day, particularly during peak seasons. Also, start your visit to the park from the back because most guests start getting on lines for the rides in the front of the park. Also, visit the most popular, busy rides during the peak lunch hour, when lines may be shorter.

*Make massively popular attractions like Le Louve in Paris accessible and affordable by purchasing a pass like the Paris Paris © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

[Another tip: When visiting destinations in the USA and abroad, check out whether there are city passes that provide admissions and entry to a score of attractions, experiences and tours. You can pre-purchase a city-sightseeing pass that provides admissions to the most popular attractions and experiences in cities like Prague (PragueCoolPass.com); Paris (parispass.com); Amsterdam (iamamsterdam.com); Berlin (citypasses.eu); Dresden (getyourguide.com). The added advantage is that the passes help organize the itinerary, provide info on hours, exhibits, save the time of waiting on line and the anxiety of being shut out and even save money over purchasing admissions individually. Go City sells passes in 25 destinations from major metropolises like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Singapore, London and New York to oceanfront oases like Sydney and Oahu – 1,500 attractions, tours, and activities worldwide, saving money over purchasing individual tickets, connected on your smart phone (GoCity.com, 800 887 9103). CityPass (https://www.citypass.com/) has pass programs in numerous US cities and Toronto. like the Paris Pass, Prague Cool Pass.]

Maximizing the Experience: At themeparks, planning ahead is key. Prioritize must-visit attractions, download themepark apps for real-time updates, and take advantage of mobile ordering for food to save time. For families, incorporating a mix of thrill rides, entertainment, and downtime ensures everyone stays engaged and energized. Taking breaks in shaded or indoor areas and staying hydrated can also help extend the fun throughout the day.

Staying Safe & Comfortable: Staying hydrated and wearing comfortable clothing and shoes are essential for an enjoyable visit. Bring refillable water bottles, wear sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and dress in layers for changing weather conditions. Have a light, foldable rain poncho. Many parks now offer shaded rest areas, cooling stations, and even heat-tracking technology to help visitors stay comfortable. Additionally, being mindful of personal health and recognizing when to take breaks can make a significant difference in the overall experience.

Special Events & Milestones: This year is filled with exciting anniversaries and celebrations across the attractions industry. Dollywood is marking its 40th anniversary with special events and limited-time experiences, while Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, celebrates 50 years of innovation and growth as a family-run destination. Many parks are also expanding their seasonal offerings, from immersive Halloween and holiday celebrations to vibrant food festivals that highlight both local and international flavors.

Trends Shaping Visitor Experiences: Families are increasingly drawn to parks and experiences that bring beloved characters and stories to life. A great example is the expansion of Peppa Pig Theme Parks, which cater specifically to younger audiences by offering immersive, character-driven attractions beyond traditional theme park experiences. These parks create an emotional connection with guests, making visits more engaging and memorable for families.

Another key trend is the evolution of on-site accommodations. Parks are expanding beyond a day-trip experience by providing themed lodging that enhances the overall visit. Silver Dollar City’splans for the new Heartland Lodge & Campground is a prime example, giving guests the opportunity to stay immersed in the park’s special atmosphere while enjoying added convenience and exclusive experiences.

[Also, many major camping resorts are located near (even within) themeparks, national and state parks and attractions, and offer glamping, cabins and RV rentals. Visit campspot.com; koa.com; www.spaciousskiescampgrounds.com, glampinghub.com and www.jellystonepark.com.]

Exciting New Attractions

This season brings a wave of groundbreaking attractions, from next-generation roller coasters to immersive themed lands. Among the highlights: Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, new family areas for Kentucky Kingdom and Lagoon Amusement Park, new roller coasters for Lost Island Theme Park, Six Flags over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags New England, and Six Flags Great America and unique Tilt Coasters for Cedar Point and the new Cotaland Park. Water parks are also unveiling innovative slides and experiences, such as Columbus Zoo, the new Okana Resort in Oklahoma, the new Bavarian Blast Indoor Waterpark and new Great Wolf Lodges in Foxwood and in Florida, keeping up with the growing demand for year-round aquatic fun.

Here’s what’s happening at some of the most popular themepark attractions:

Universal

Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, promises to be one of the most immersive and innovative theme parks ever created. With a total of more than 50 experiences that range from groundbreaking attractions to captivating entertainment to themed dining and shopping, guests explore five astounding worlds: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

Universal Orlando Resort has launched a variety of products to help guests maximize their visit including theme park upgrades like Universal Express (to bypass lines), VIP Experiences, My Universal Photos, and bookings for Dark Universe’s Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.

In addition to a 1-Day Universal Express Pass valid at Epic Universe, guests can also purchase a multi-day Universal Express Pass valid at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, and one-day at Epic Universe. (For information and to purchase upgrades, visit www.universalorlando.com/epicuniverse.

Additionally, Universal is enhancing seasonal events and themed experiences across its parks worldwide.

A major addition this year is Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round horror-themed attraction set to open in Las Vegas in August 2025. This marks Universal’s first permanent horror experience, catering to the growing demand for horror-based attractions and expanding on the success of Halloween Horror Nights.

Universal Studios Hollywood is offering its Buy A Day, Get A 2^nd Day Free ticket online through August 13, 2025 which allows returning for a second day free on select dates, with all visits completed on or before December 17, 2025.

Disney

As part of its evolution, Disney is bringing new attractions and entertainment to its parks, including:

A reimagined Test Track at EPCOT, set to offer a fresh take on the classic attraction.
- A brand-new Little Mermaid musical at Hollywood Studios, bringing the beloved story to life in an engaging new format.
- An all-new parade in Walt Disney World, adding to the lineup of must-see entertainment.
- The Zootopia 4D movie experience, coming to Walt Disney World, immersing guests in the world of the hit animated film.

Walt Disney Company is undertaking a $30 billion, multi-year expansion of its theme parks and cruise line. This includes:

Disney’s expansion of its theme parks includes the largest-ever addition to Magic Kingdom, featuring new areas inspired by the movie “Cars.”
Disney currently has seven ships in development, doubling the capacity of its cruise line business.

“We have more [projects] being designed, developed, and built today than at any other point in the 70 years we’ve been in the theme park business,” CEO Bob Iger stated.

Six Flags

Six Flags has expanded food and beverage offerings, enhanced park theming, and cutting-edge ride experiences. Popular seasonal events like WinterFest and Holiday in the Park will also return,

Georgia Gold Rusher (Six Flags Over Georgia) – A spinning splash coaster that enhances the park’s storytelling and guest experience.
- Seven new roller coasters debuting in 2025, reinforcing Six Flags’ reputation for coaster innovation.
- All-Park Passport Add-On Launching in 2025, this pass allows unlimited access to all 42 amusement and water parks in the Six Flags portfolio, offering unmatched flexibility and value.
- Expanded dining & beverage options across all parks, featuring new signature menu items and upgraded facilities.

2025 Season Passes are now available at the lowest price of the year to lock in a full year of thrills, entertainment, and seasonal celebrations.

Busch Gardens

Renowned for its world-class coasters and immersive animal encounters, Busch Gardens continues to evolve with thrilling new attractions and captivating guest experiences including:

The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge Busch Gardens Williamsburg (2025)

Busch Gardens’ all-new family-friendly inverted coaster.

Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2025)

An all-new immersive experience coming to the park’s Jungala area, featuring:

Tree Top Drop – A 35-foot drop tower with dynamic multimedia jungle scenes.

The Habitat Hideaway – A playful retreat for guests to explore.

The Canopy Climb – An elevated adventure through lush treetops.

The Rainforest Quest – A thrilling journey through exotic landscapes.

The Enchanted Falls – A serene yet exhilarating water attraction.

Hershey Park

Hershey Park continues to expand its thrill ride lineup and immersive dining experiences while focusing on guest comfort and entertainment.

Coming Summer 2025: Twizzlers Twisted Gravity giant swing. The high-thrill pendulum attraction will be thetallest Screamin’ Swing in the world when it opens – a giant swing ride reaching 137 feet, with speeds of 68 MPH and zero-G moments that defy gravity and provide breathtaking views of the park.

Hersheypark offers aone-price admission with three sweet experiences featuring more than 70 rides and attractions, weather and maintenance permitting, including the most coasters in the Northeast with 15; The Boardwalk At Hersheypark water park (open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend) with one million gallons of water among 16 water attractions; and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk-through zoo included with admission only by entering through the Hersheypark bridge during posted Park hours.

Save on tickets and Season Passes when purchasing them online. All tickets include the Preview Plan program (an incredible value unique to Hershey), which allows guests to enjoy two free hours of extra fun before closing on a night before their full-day visit if Hersheypark is open the preceding day. Hersheypark also offers ticket add-ons that allow guests to save on parking, dining and drinks and get to the thrills faster with the Fast Track program. Visit Hersheypark.com/tickets-and-passes to view the current offers.

Plenty of Amusement to be Found in New York State

*Iconic, historic Coney Island in Brooklyn was the site for a Bernie Sanders campaign event in 2016 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

New York State is loaded with amusement parks – some historical and world renowned, like Coney Island in Brooklyn. The editors at ILoveNY.com blog (https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/amusements/amusement-parks/) zone in on these: Hudson Valley is home to the largest LEGOLAND theme park in the world, with seven lands to explore, 50 rides, shows, seasonal events, and attractions on 150 acres. Six Flags Darien Lake, outside of Buffalo, is a hot-spot for all forms of entertainment, offering thrills like the Blast Off tower that simulates a NASA launch, a waterfront boardwalk, light shows, and concerts.

Seabreeze Park is the fourth oldest amusement park in America with more than 70 attractions, including a full water park, near the breezy shores of Lake Ontario. By Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a treasure trove of kid-friendly rides, games, and lakeside views. Sylvan Beach Amusement Park on Lake Oneida has all the favorites from bumper-cars to spinning teacups. Brave the pulse-pounding roller coasters and water rides at Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom near Lake George. While you’re in the Adirondacks, visit Santa’s Workshop Amusement Park where the magic of the North Pole lives year-round. Rye Playland in the Hudson Valley and Adventureland on Long Island reflect the charm and enchantment of classic theme parks.

(See more at https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/the-top-amusement-and-water-parks-in-new-york-state/)

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Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Cultural travel, See America, US Destinations

A River Runs Through It: Discovering Spokane, Washington

February 1, 2025 krubin723

A river runs through it: Spokane, Washington, is a marvelous synthesis of city and wilderness, historic and contemporary that makes it a delight to visit as well as live © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

My long-held desire to bike the award-winning Route of Hiawatha rail trail in Idaho provides the opportunity to discover the enormous appeal of Spokane, Washington, where the Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Idaho Trails bike tour begins. I cleverly arrange to come in three days early to give myself time to immerse, staying at the exquisitely grand and historic Hotel Davenport, so connected to Spokane’s story and walking distance to most everything I want, and even taking advantage of their bicycles to get a jump on the Centennial Trail which figures so prominently in the bike tour, too.

This is all new territory for me.

The first delightful surprise is how easy it is to navigate Spokane International Airport (if you’ve been through JFK and LaGuardia in New York, you will appreciate what I mean) – a few steps to the door, and a few steps more to a wonderfully convenient public bus that takes me steps from the Davenport’s door (the bus driver and fellow travelers are so helpful! – something I find throughout my stay in Spokane) – just $2 for the fare (which you can use to transfer or return within 2 hours; $4/day or $12 for three-days).

It doesn’t take long for me to realize why Spokane, with its natural and cultural appeal, isn’t just a great place to visit, but a great place to live.

*Walk over the bridges that connect the several islands of Riverfront Park to get a dramatic view of the rapids © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Imagine strolling over America’s largest urban waterfalls, walking 15 minutes from downtown to a rafting trip on a river that cuts through evergreen forest, and getting on a bike in the downtown city park – the site of the 1974 World’s Fair, appropriately themed for environmental protection – and biking 58 miles on the trail to Coeur- d’Alene in Idaho. This is Spokane, Washington – and even though it is 95 degrees outside, it doesn’t feel hot.

Spokane is this vibrant city organized for its people. Of course, it wasn’t always that way, but the same reasons it developed into a hub of the West – railroads, commerce and mining – Spokane was an early adopter of sustainability and environmental protection while transitioning into the 21st century by holding on to what was best about the past.

For me, the mark of a place that takes pride in itself and has community spirit is one that has historic markers and plaques and its respect for historic and cultural places.

You feel it especially in the historic Davenport Hotel – a truly grand dame that is very happy to share its stories.

So I begin my exploration with a tour of The Historic Davenport Hotel (see Historic Hotel Davenport Puts You into Spokane’s Story)

*The grand dame historic Hotel Davenport has helped spark Spokane’s downtown renaissance. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

From there, the concierge directs me to the public bus (the central depot is across the street), for a ride to visit the magnificent Manito Park. (1702 S Grand Blvd). This is a spectacular 90-acre oasis in the in the South Hill neighborhood that features five distinct gardens: the Duncan Garden (a formal garden where I notice the fountain is dedicated to Louis Davenport who built the Davenport Hotel), Rose Garden, Perennial Garden, Lilac Garden and (my favorite) the Japanese Garden. (If you come in the afternoon, save the enchanting Japanese Garden for last; if you come in the morning, see it with the morning light.)

*The Japanese Garden in Manito Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Most wonderfully, the Manito Park, is really a neighborhood park – much like Central Park in New York City, and Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco – grand and yet neighborly. Besides the gardens, Manito Park has spacious manicured lawns, playgrounds, walking trails and biking paths, topiary shrubs, a greenhouse conservatory, a conservatory and a duck pond. It gets some 150,000 visitors a year. (Best viewing May-October, http://www.manitopark.org/)

An absolute highlight for me – almost a homebase during my stay in Spokane – is Riverfront Park. Just a few minutes walk from the Historic Davenport Hotel, I found myself wandering into the park two, even three times during the day.

It is actually one of the rare successes in urban renewal: once a blighted space, the city seized on the opportunity to host the 1974 World’s Fair (notably the first expo themed around environmental conservation) to make major, lasting improvements serving the community in myriad ways. There is so much here, and it is so pleasant being here that I find myself coming to the park at least twice each day (morning and evening) of my visit.

*Numerica SkyRide gondola gives a birds-eye view of Spokane’s waterfalls © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Riverfront Park was opened by President Nixon (who made an eloquent speech about the importance of environmental protection and resigned by the time the Fair closed). It is pure delight for residents and visitors alike: stroll over bridges for spectacular views of the falls; be carried over the falls on the Numerica SkyRide gondola, channel your inner child on the historic Looff Carrousel, fantastic playgrounds and rides (slide down The Red Wagon, a giant Flyer), and feed the Garbage Goat (a clever way to encourage composting).

*Families enjoy the Red Wagon in Riverfront Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Enjoy a concert at the United States Pavilion which was saved and repurposed as an outdoor performance venue seating as many as 6000 (there was a concert there during my visit) – the roof replaced by steel ribbings that are lighted at night.

*The United States Pavilion, built for the 1974 World’s Fair, is now a performance venue accommodating 6,000 people © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The park actually is composed of several islands connected by bridges. One of the islands pays tribute to Spokane’s indigenous heritage. There is a totem pole and story board stations.

The bridges pass over the rapids and falls, for dramatic views you would never expect in an urban landscape. The pathways weave throughout – you come upon a fantastic playground; sculptures, attractions.

*The Garbage Goat is an iconic sculpture in Spokane’s Riverfront Park with a message of envirionmentalism © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

I stop into the Riverfront Park Visitor Center (actually the Visit Spokane tourist center), where I learn about the Great Fire of 1889 that destroyed 90 percent of the downtown – the only surviving buildings were those made of brick by the railroad company. What was left became the historic district (but there are some modern skyscrapers that seem so out of place, that were built before the new rules were put into place).

Also going through the park is the Centennial Trail, a biking/pedestrian/recreational trail that extends for miles into Idaho, which I will take from beginning to end the end on my upcoming Idaho Trails bike tour.

It is an interesting experience to be walking distance of a rafting experience in a major city – the Spokane River that goes through the city gives the city its special beauty and quality of life (as well as its hydroelectric power). It can be said that the river energizes the city – and this confluence of nature, urbanity and livability is what makes Spokane such a hot place for people to put down roots.

*Enjoying a pleasant float down the Spokane River © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Within minutes, we embark from the Peaceful Valley neighborhood on a two hour-long scenic Spokane River Float with Wiley Waters. (Wear water-shoes and a bathing suit; a dry bag is provided, as well as drinks). It’s the end of the season so is a very gentle glide – towards the end, we hop off the raft for a brisk dunk. The season runs May-September (Wiley E. Waters, riverrafting.net, 888-502-1900).

In the evening, I return to the Riverfront Park to once again stroll about as the sun set.

*The view from the Centennial Trail © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The next morning, I take advantage of the Davenport’s bike rental (two hours are included in the resort fee), to bike on the The Centennial Trail in Riverfront Park. I ride west, toward Riverside State Park, where the Centennial Trail begins. The trail in this direction goes along the high ridge that follows the Spokane River well below – just beautiful – and passed these beautiful housing complexes that are wonderfully designed, sharing the trail with families out for a stroll, runners, walkers, and cyclists. (Again, pointing to the livability of Spokane).

I bike up to the point where the trail has a sharp descent which I would have ride back up (with a three-speed city bike) so I leave that for the bike tour which will start at the very beginning of the trail and ride to where it ends, 58 miles away, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Instead, I cycle the trail in the other direction, going back through Riverfront Park, toward Gonzaga University campus in search of the famous singer/actor Bing Crosby’s childhood home, which is actually on the campus and now a museum.

*Bing Crosby’s childhood home is now a museum on the Gonzaga University campus © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

I knew that the museum would be closed when I arrive. I later learn that the museum has a Norman Rockwell painting of Bing Crosby, based on a promotional photograph from the 1949 movie musical “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

There is also a statue on the campus in front of the Bing Crosby Hall (Crosby made major donations to the university and though he quit school to pursue his career in music, the university gave him an honorary degree in 1937.)

(Crosby House, 508 E. Sharp Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258, 509-313-4064).

In the afternoon, I head to the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture.

To get there, I could easily hop on the purple City Line lightrail from just across the street from the Davenport and get off in Browne’s Addition, but I prefer to walk the mile.

*Spokane is still a cultural hub with theaters like the Fox Theater, which dates from 1931© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The walk takes me passed the Bing Crosby Theater, the Fox Theater (1931), gorgeous Art Deco buildings that exemplify Spokane’s importance as a cultural center for the Northwest, its legacy as an important commercial hub on the railroad line, and its wealth from nearby Idaho mines.

Strolling through the Browne’s Addition neighborhood enroute to the Northwest museum of Arts and Culture, you see some of the fabulous Victorian mansions reflecting Spokane’s wealth from commerce, mining and railroads © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

I pass stunning Victorian mansions – most of them now inns or museums – but none more magnificent than the Campbell House, which is now part of the museum and a “must visit” (be aware of the opening hours).

Founded in 1918, the Smithsonian-affiliated Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture presents an extensive, permanent collection of Plateau Tribal art and artifacts, Pacific Northwest art, regional historical objects and archives. It really offers a synthesis of the history and heritage here, with appropriate respect for the tribal people.

Having spent time in Riverfront Park, I am particularly fascinated to see the special exhibition, “It Happened Here: Expo ’74 Fifty Years After.”

A 50th anniversary commemoration exhibit of Spokane’s 1974 World’s Fair shows how the fair proved one of the most successful urban renewal projects, leaving behind Riverfront Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

In 1974, Spokane was the smallest city ever to host a world’s fair. During its six-month run, the fair presented exhibits from ten countries, featured a star-studded events calendar, sponsored three environmental symposiums and attracted 5.6 million visitors. “Fifty years later, Expo ’74 remains one of the single most transformative events in Spokane’s history, radically reshaping its natural and built environment. Expo ’74 ushered in a new era for the city – one centered on urban renewal, commercial growth, and political progress,” the notes state. The fair also kindled a community spirit.

*Liberace’s costume from Spokane’s 1974 World’s Fair © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are fantastic artifacts (Liberace’s bejeweled denim costume, Sister Paula Turnbull’s model for Spokane’s now iconic Garbage Goat, and an original Sky Ride gondola), but particularly interesting were the videos – Nixon’s speech on opening day extolling the virtues of environmentalism, which was the theme of the fair and how Spokane was a model and inspiration to emulate (Nixon had resigned by the time the fair closed 3 months later), and a video from the Soviet Union showing how the country is “enforcing” environmentalism. (The exhibit has since closed, but is indicative of what is presented.)

*The Northwest Museum of Culture & Arts hosted a riveting exhibit, ;1924: Sovreignty, Leadership, and the Indian Citizenship Act” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

I am fortunate to visit when the museum is presenting a riveting exhibit,”1924: Sovereignty, Leadership, and the Indian Citizenship Act.” 1924 was the year that American Indians were declared citizens and ostensibly entitled to vote (though the equivalent of Jim Crow laws prevented most from voting until the 1965 Voting Rights Act).

Shortly after Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all American Indians born in the United States, on June 2, 1924, Spokane announced it would host the first American Indian Congresses in 1925. These were some of the first events where tribal leaders, government officials, and community members from around the United States gathered to formally participate in talks on rights and advocacy. 1924 commemorates this 100-year anniversary, centering on early local tribal leadership as they and their people navigated the sometimes-conflicting nature of being both U.S. citizens and citizens of their own sovereign nations. One of the photos shows the Congress taking place in the Davenport Hotel’s ballroom.

*The Campbell House at the Northwest Museum of Culture & Arts © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Be sure you leave enough time to visit The Campbell House and its carriage house (admission to the house closes an hour before the museum, so in retrospect, should have done it first.).

The Campbell House is an absolute jewel with exquisite architecture, interior decoration (some of the furnishings are original to the house; others are appropriate period pieces). The mansion was designed in 1898 for the Campbell family by architect Kirtland K. Cutter (who also designed the historic Davenport Hotel). Cutter incorporated all the modern technologies available – indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, electricity, central heat and even a telephone.

*At the carriage house of the Campbell House, you get to know who this family was and what life was like in Spokane © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The carriage house holds the personal story of the Campbells and the Spokane community of the time – artifacts and photographs, a car that would have been very much like the one the Campbell’s had. It is so interesting to have such a personal look at this family.

Campbell made his fortune investing in the mines of north Idaho (that I will be visiting soon on the Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Idaho Trails trip). The Campbell family (his wife was a school teacher) lived here for 26 years and in 1924, after both parents had passed away, their daughter, Helen, donated the house to the Eastern Washington Historical Society which started the museum. Now it is under the auspices of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture.

(Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4 pm, admission included with museum ticket)

Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W First Avenue, Spokane 99201, northwestmuseum.org (give yourself at least 2 hours, more like 3)

In the evening I return again to the Riverfront Park (after dashing to REI before closing to buy bike gloves before my trip). The setting sun casts a pink glow in the sky and I am once again awed by the dramatic view over the falls – the largest urban falls in the country, apparently. And I finally get my chance to ride the Looff Carrousel.

*Riding the Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The beloved, iconic attraction of the park was hand-carved by Charles Looff in 1909 as a gift for his daughter and her husband. Looff, an immigrant from Germany, arguably was America’s first great carousel carver having made wooden animals for Coney Island’s carousel. This carousel was set in an amusement park, Natatorium Park, for many years before the park closed in 1968.

When Natatorium Park closed, in 1968, the carousel was put up for auction. Spokane’s parks manager was determined to save the carousel for the city, enduring criticism from those who felt he wasted money because there was no place for it, so it was put into storage. But then the 1974 Expos came, and the carousel was taken out and placed in the park, where it has remained.

*The Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

It is magical enough to ride the carousel, but I get to ride the carousel as night is falling, the colorful lights coming on – the kids grabbing for the brass ring and tossing it to try to win a free ride. The original organ – its 300 pipes equivalent to a 60-piece band – still operates but is used only for special occasions. As we ride, we hear the original music as it was recorded and digitized.

Equally exquisite is the view of the carousel reflected in the water from outside.

To plan your visit: Visitor Information Center, Riverfront Park, 6y20 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201, 888-SPOKANE, Visit Spokane, www.visitspokane.com.

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© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Festivals and Events, Holiday Travel, Holidays in New York

Holiday Festivities Kick Off Throughout New York City

November 24, 2024 krubin723

*Santa’s arrival to end the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the official kick-off to holiday festivities in New York City © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

by Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

New York City’s holiday season festivities kick off with the arrival of the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, heralding in a cornucopia of festive performances, winter exhibits, holiday light displays across New York City’s five boroughs, captivating and enchanting.

Here are some of the many ways to celebrate the holiday season in New York City:

Radio City Rockettes performing Christmas Spectacular Wooden Soldiers *© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, Nov. 8–Jan. 5: Experience the beloved holiday tradition as it returns to the iconic stage of Radio City Music Hall. For almost a century, this festive show has enchanted audiences of all ages with its stunning costumes, joyful music, precise choreography and innovative performances. Multiple shows daily.

*Radio City Music Hall, an iconic venue for the holidays in New York* *© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Nov. 29–Jan. 4, Lincoln Center , Manhattan: Immerse yourself in the magic of New York City Ballet’s George Balachine’s The Nutcracker, a holiday classic. Follow young Marie as she faces the Mouse King and dances through a flurry of ballerinas to the enchanting Land of Sweets, all set to Tschaikovsky’s iconic score. With stunning special effects, including a towering Christmas tree, dazzling sets and vibrant costumes, this production is a sensory delight for audiences of all ages. (https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/george-balanchines-the-nutcracker/george-balanchines-the-nutcracker/)

A Christmas Carol at Merchant’s House Museum, Nov. 26–Dec. 29, Noho, Manhattan: Summoners Ensemble Theatre presents A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House Museum, performed by John Kevin Jones as Charles Dickens. The 70-minute show takes place in an authentic 19th-century parlor adorned with period holiday decorations. Select performances from December 6–26 will offer a special reception featuring a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and holiday refreshments.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at New York City Center, Dec. 4–Jan. 5, Manhattan: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to New York City Center for its 66th annual winter season, offering a captivating mix of new works and beloved classics. This program features world premieres like Matthew Rushing’s Sacred Songs and Lar Lubovitch’s Many Angels, alongside the 25th-anniversary revival of Ronald K. Brown’s Grace and a new production of Elisa Monte’s Treading. (https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/)

Holidays with the New York Philharmonic Dec. 11–22, Lincoln Center, Manhattan: The New York Philharmonic, led by baroque expert Ton Koopman, joins the Musica Sacra chorus and soloists for a performance of Handel’s Messiah, highlighting its iconic vocal and orchestral melodies, with debut performances from soprano Maya Kherani, countertenor Maarten Engeltjes, tenor Kieran White and bass-baritone Klaus Mertens. Sounds of the Season matinee concerts feature joyful music perfect for the whole family, promising to brighten the holiday season. Additionally, the Philharmonic will spread holiday cheer with live performances of the heartwarming classic Elf, featuring John Debney’s score as the movie plays on the big screen.

*Lincoln Center features special performances of the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic during the holidays © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Magic Flute, Dec. 12–Jan. 4, Metropolitan Opera, Upper West Side, Manhattan: Experience the magic of Mozart’s Magic Flute at The Met Opera in a captivating, family-friendly production by Tony Award–winning director Julie Taymor. With stunning puppetry, vibrant visuals and timeless melodies, this abridged, English-language adaptation transforms the beloved fairy tale into an unforgettable New York tradition for all ages.

The Hard Nut, Dec.12–22, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn: This holiday season, the Mark Morris Dance Group brings their whimsical and humorous twist on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) with The Hard Nut. Featuring vibrant 1970’s inspired costumes, this beloved production offers a quirky take on the classic ballet.

HOLIDAY SIGHTS & LIGHTS:

*The Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan: An NYC tradition, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a treasure trove of adventure and discovery that takes you on journeys in time and place. But during the holidays, a special attraction is the Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche display. This originates from an assemblage of 18th-century Neapolitan figures generously contributed by American artist and collector Loretta Hines Howard in 1964.

A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript, Pierpont Morgan’s Library, Manhattan: Every holiday season, the Pierpont Morgan Library displays Charles Dickens’ original manuscript of A Christmas Carol. Bound in red goatskin leather, the manuscript was gifted to Dickens’ solicitor, Thomas Mitton, and later came into the possession of Pierpont Morgan in the 1890s. This season, the manuscript will be turned to page seven.

The Origami Holiday Tree: American Museum of Natural History, Manhattan: Showcasing more than 1,000 hand-crafted models, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree is a must-visit this holiday season at the American Museum of Natural History.

*New York-Historical Society displays its traditional Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection, New-York Historical Society, Manhattan: This annual wintertime favorite at the Jerni Collection is a display of handcrafted and hand-painted toy trains spanning 1850 to 1940. Alongside these, an assortment of toy train stations illustrates the design evolution from the early 20th century to the era of World War II.

Holiday Train Show, Nov. 16–Jan. 20, New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx: Model trains and trolleys wind through a festive outdoor lawn display and inside the Haupt Conservatory, showcasing replicas of New York City’s iconic architecture. By day or night, the show captures the magic of the season, with special evening events, Holiday Train Nights, offering illuminated scenes and holiday treats on select dates (https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/)

Season’s Greetings from PaleyLand at The Paley Center, Nov. 20–Jan. 5, Paley Museum, Manhattan, just steps from Rockefeller Center. Visitors are invited to revel in PaleyLand, a five-floor immersive holiday experience featuring photos with Santa, free hot chocolate, holiday train displays, crafts, holiday screenings and more.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Nov. 22-Jan.5, The Bronx: With more than 390 lanterns representing nearly 100 animal and plant species, the Bronx Zoo’s family-centric holiday lights festival will connect visitors with real wildlife and festivities. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration is complete with seasonal treats, classic holiday music, the Holiday Train, new interactive experiences and other entertainment. Date specific and any-night tickets. (https://bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights/tickets)

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Nov. 22–Jan. 5, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn: Lightscape returns to Brooklyn Botanic Garden, offering an enchanting after-dark experience like never before. This year, visitors will be immersed in a mesmerizing nighttime journey through light-drenched landscapes, with brand-new installations by renowned international light artists and design collectives from 10 countries on three continents. Visitors are invited to wander along the illuminated trail under the moonlight, marveling at the magical interplay of light and nature. Seasonal treats and festive music enhance the atmosphere. 21+ Nights on Dec. 12 &19 after 7 pm; Sensory-Friendly Early Entry on Dec. 18 & Jan. 3 at 4 p.m., for adults and children with disabilities or sensory sensitivity (limited capacity). (bbg.org/lightscape)

*Fifth Avenue celebrates its 200^th anniversary this holiday season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Fifth Avenue 200th Anniversary, Holiday Window Displays & Third Annual Open Streets Program, Manhattan: Fifth Avenue marks its 200th anniversary with in-store activations, exclusive merchandise and special events at luxury flagship stores and hotels. Throughout the season, custom tours explore the avenue’s rich history and iconic holiday window displays at stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Bergdorf Goodman.

*Macy’s Herald Square is famous for its magical window displays © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

34th Street Holiday Window Displays, Midtown Manhattan: 34th Street is a centerpiece of holiday festivities, with the Empire State Building celebrating the 21st anniversary of Elf and Macy’s Herald Square’s iconic, magical window displays. Penn Station will be festively decorated, and nearby stores have creative holiday windows.

*34^th Street gets into the holiday spirit © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Holiday Under the Stars at The Shops at Columbus: Mid-Nov.–Jan., Columbus Circle, Manhattan: The Shops at Columbus Circle, celebrating 20 years as one of the city’s culinary, shopping and cultural destinations, is featuring a new, glimmering “Holiday Under the Stars” installation, brimming with 300,000 twinkling lights and illuminated stars. Free to the public, newly choreographed light shows featuring 44 glowing, color-changing stars will dance across the dramatic 74-foot-high Great Room every 30 minutes from 5pm to midnight daily.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo, Hudson Yards, Manhattan: Presented by Wells Fargo, Shine Bright at Hudson Yards adorns the neighborhood with 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees and 16-foot-tall, illuminated set pieces in the shape of hot air balloons arranged through the Public Square & Gardens. A 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece is suspended in The Great Room of The Shops & Restaurants. Enjoy holiday shopping, festive dining and free photo opportunities with Santa.

Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Tour with On Location Tours, Nov. 29–Jan. 2, Manhattan: On Location Tours explore famous landmarks and uncover hidden gems featured in popular holiday films like Elf, Home Alone 2, Scrooged and more. Starting near Columbus Circle, the tour includes festive stops at Bloomingdale’s, Rockefeller Center and the renowned ice-skating rink at Bryant Park.

The Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights with A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours, December, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: The Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights invites visitors to explore this Brooklyn neighborhood, celebrated for its lavish and elaborate Christmas displays. Guided by locals who share stories behind the homeowners and their decorations, this 3.5-hour tour begins in Manhattan and is set to festive holiday music. It offers a mix of on- and off-bus views, taking in the dazzling lights of Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. Along the way, enjoy vintage Christmas TV specials, and at the end, take home a commemorative fridge magnet as a memento of the experience.

ICE SKATING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

*Holiday Shops at Winter Village at Bryant Park is a very festive place to look for gifts © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Festive shopping at New York City’s Holiday Markets, throughout the holiday season, Manhattan & Brooklyn: Find the perfect gift on anyone’s list at the three big outdoor markets—Union Square Holiday Market (Nov.–Dec.), Holiday Shops at Winter Village at Bryant Park (Oct.–Jan.) and Columbus Circle Holiday Market (Nov.–Dec.). Stay warm at the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair (Nov. 11–Dec. 24), Brooklyn Flea (Saturdays and Sundays, April–December) and Chelsea Flea (weekends only, year-round). Head to the Upper West Side for the indoor and outdoor Grand Holiday Bazaar (Sundays) or venture to the Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market in Downtown Brooklyn (Nov.–Dec.), featuring 100 vendors selling locally crafted wares.

The Rink at Manhattan West, Midtown Manhattan:Located a block away from Madison Square Garden, offering daily public skating amid skyscrapers in Manhattan West’s expansive public plaza, conveniently located steps away from Moynihan Train Hall.

Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn: Skate beneath the historic Brooklyn Bridge while taking in the stunning Manhattan skyline views at Glide, the newest ice rink in New York City. Savor café and beverage options.

*Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park features the city’s largest free-admission ice-skating rink © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Rink at Bryant Park, Midtown Manhattan: Returning for its 23rd season, Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park invites visitors to enjoy the City’s largest free-admission ice-skating rink, a vibrant holiday market with nearly 200 vendors and the cozy rinkside bar and food hall at The Lodge. Open through early March.

Wollman Rink, Oct.–March, Central Park, Manhattan: Enjoy skating in Central Park with the picturesque Manhattan skyline in the background.

*There is no place more magical to skate than the iconic rink at Rockefeller Center beneath the most famous Christmas tree in the world © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Oct. 12 through March, Midtown Manhattan: The world-famous ice-skating rink is back for the holidays, offering the classic NYC experience of skating under the iconic Christmas tree. Santa will also join skaters on the ice in December.

Classic Harbor Line Holiday-Themed Cruises, Manhattan: Visitors aboard elegant 1920s-style yachts enjoy breathtaking views of the NYC skyline while indulging in complimentary hot cocoa, sweet treats and live entertainment. Options include holiday brunches, festive cruises with carols and a New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks and captivating views of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

City Cruises Holiday-Themed Cruises, Nov. 28–Jan. 1, Manhattan Experience the charm of NYC from the water on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s with festive dining cruises with live entertainment. NYE cruises include fireworks display and an open bar.

*Waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve is a once-in-a-lifetime must-do. I did © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop, Dec. 31–Jan. 1, Manhattan: Watching the ball’s descent in person on New Year’s Eve is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime way to ring in the New Year. To be a part of the celebration, submit your wishes in person or digitally to be printed on the confetti that will be released during this year’s celebration.

New York Road Runners Clubs New Years Eve party at the bandshell in Central Park, features a Midnight Run with a fireworks display *© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park, Dec. 31–Jan. 1, Central Park, Manhattan Visitors Get a head start into 2025 at the NYRR Midnight Run. As 2024 comes to an end, the countdown to the new year begins at 11:59 pm, and at the stroke of midnight, a fireworks display lights up the night sky and kicks off the start of the four-mile race.

Coney Island Polar Plunge, Jan. 1, Coney Island, Brooklyn. Every January 1, the Polar Bear Club and fearless participants take the plunge into the icy waters of Coney Island. Come watch as hundreds of adventurous people dive into the freezing Atlantic Ocean. The event is free to join, but participants are encouraged to make donations to support local community organizations in lieu of an entry fee.

HOTEL OFFERINGS

*NYC Hotel Week: give the gift of a hotel stay © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

NYC Hotel Week: Give the Gift of an NYC Hotel Stay this Winter, Citywide: Give the gift of New York City with a 25% discount on hotel stays at over 100 hotels. Reservations open Nov. 19; valid for stays over Jan. 2–Feb. 9, 2025.

Winter Suite Savings Offer from Loews Regency New York, Nov. 15–Jan. 2, Upper East Side, ManhattanCelebrate the holiday season with festive decor, complimentary champagne and hot cocoa every Friday and Saturday in December, and holiday-inspired cocktails (including low- and no-ABV beverage offerings) from the Free Spirited by Loews Hotels program. Special seasonal menus for Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s at The Regency Bar & Grill; be pampered with beauty services at Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa. The Winter Suite Savings package offers exclusive discounts on suites.

Holiday Cheer and the Suitest Season of All offering at The Plaza Hotel, Nov. 16–Jan. 6, Midtown Manhattan: Celebrate the holiday season at The Plaza with Holiday Afternoon Tea, the Home Alone 2 experience, Eloise at Christmastime, Holiday Tappy Hour dancing performances, and beyond. This winter, the hotel also presents the “Suitest Season of All” offer, providing the ultimate holiday getaway in New York City. Your luxurious suite is adorned with a festive floral arrangement and a 7-foot tall, beautifully decorated Balsam Hill tree. A chef-inspired holiday-themed welcome amenity adds to the seasonal charm of this exclusive experience.

New Year’s Eve Exclusive Offer at M Social Hotel Times Square, Dec. 31, Midtown Manhattan: Celebrate the New Year and be a part of the Times Square Ball Drop with an exclusive package from M Social Hotel Times Square: save 10% on a room showcasing a full or partial view of the iconic ball drop and join in on the thrilling countdown firsthand.

The Ultimate New Year’s Eve Experience atop Times Square at The Knickerbocker, Dec. 31, Midtown Manhattan: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at The Knickerbocker Hotel, located 150 feet below the Times Square Ball—the closest live view available. This extravagant rooftop event offers luxurious packages, including a gourmet buffet at Charlie Palmer, premium open bar, live entertainment and a Dom Pérignon champagne toast.

Ring in 2024 at the New York Marriott Marquis, Dec. 31, Midtown Manhattan: Celebrate the New Year in style amid the vibrant atmosphere of Times Square: guests will experience spacious accommodations and prime views of the ball drop.

For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.

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© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Christmas holiday travel, Family Travel, Festivals and Events, Holiday Travel, Holidays in New York, Long Island travel

Holiday Season Begins on Long Island With Opening of LuminoCity Lights Festival

November 10, 2024 krubin723

*LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival enchants at Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

There’s a singing chocolate ice cream cone. A chocolate covered strawberry ballerina. Cakey and the Fairy. Not to mention an Ice Palace with penguins, polar bears, seals. A Giant Christmas Tree and of course, Santa in a Sleigh – all created in lights. The holiday season has begun on Long Island with the opening of this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, on view through January 5, 2025.

*“Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ballerina” by 8-year old Sophia Connors, and “A Singing Chocolate ice Cream Cone by six-year old Sia Raza* *are among the winning drawings at the Long Island Children’s Museum turned into lantern art for the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

An annual holiday event since 2019, each year the theme changes. This year’s theme, “Sweet Dreams,” is featured in 50 attractions as you walk the winding paths through a truly enchanted forest.

“Ice Cream Cones” by 14-year old Mia Li; “Happy Happy Candy Bowl” by 8-year old Penelope Bridget Mansfield; and “Cakey and the Fairy” by 7-year old Riley Dishman are among the winning drawings at the Long Island Children’s Museum turned into lantern art for the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

You wander through different scenes and settings with different themes. What is so impressive is the creativity and the artistry, the delicate precision and the exquisite quality and scale. There are nearly life-size deer, giraffes, lambs, then in another scene, wooly mammoths, saber tooth tigers, reindeer, and in another, cartoonish fantastical, fanciful and whimsical creatures.

You walk through arches, portals, tunnels of light. You walk through the mouth of a giant hungry caterpillar whose eyelids open and close; another is a pergola of candy canes. You come upon a train going through a tunnel made of fairy lights (“It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey,” a note reads.) It’s like finding yourself in a 3-D storybook.

*LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival enchants the forest at Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are hot air balloons, and holiday symbols of candy canes, snowmen, enormous Christmas trees, Santa on a sleigh – all in fairy lights.

*Stunning nearly life-size animals animate this year’s LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

And my favorite – which I purposely left for a dramatic climax to my walk (there are several ways to go) – an entire Ice Palace with penguins, polar bear, seals, and a moving winged horse (Pegasus) where I overhear a kid say, “Oh my god, this is the coolest thing in the world!”

*The Ice Palace at this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, themed “Sweet Dreams” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

It’s a non-ending smile, one delight after another.

And you can’t but be impressed by the incredibly beautiful artistry. It’s breathtaking.

A highlight are the lantern art characters and creatures created from winning drawings of children as young as 6 years old, in collaboration with the Long Island Children’s Museum, where you see their actual drawing and how it has been manifested in stunning life-size lantern art light sculpture.

Paola A. Aguilar’s “Sweet Dreams” character, “Chocolate Chip”is turned into lantern art at LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival enchants at Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Among them:

Chocolate Chip by Paola A. Aguilar, 15 years old

Cakey and the Fairy, by Riley Dishman, 7 years old.

Endless Sweets by Cameron Creighton, 8year’s old.

A Singing Chocolate ice Cream cone by Sia Raza, 6 years old.

Easter Bunny Ice Cream, by Michelle Aguilar, 10 years old.

Happy Happy Candy Bowl by Penelope Bridget Mansfield, 8 years old.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ballerina by Sophia Connors, 8 years old.

Ice Cream Cones by Mia Li, 14 years old

Candy Land by Catherine Liu, 8 years old

Ice Cream Man, by Dominic Recher, 6 years old

Riley Dishman, 7 years old, poses with the lantern sculpture made from her drawing, “Cakey and the Fairy” at this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, themed “Sweet Dreams” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

It is truly marvelous to see how the children’s drawings, imagining a character from a “sweet dream” have been realized in these giant lanterns – a cup cake, candy bowl, ice cream man, “Reach for the Clouds”, an Easter Bunny Ice Cream.

This is the second year of the festival’s collaboration with the Long Island’s Children’s Museum – last year, the festival creator, Chen, also collaborated with the Long Island children’s Museum on themed drawings of Long island’s marine life that were brought to life in these lanterns (the museum will be opening a Long Island Marine Life exhibit in fall 2025).

Each year there are new lanterns and themes to entrance and delight.

LuminoCity Founder Xiaoyi Chen at this year’s Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Long Island. The festival is on through January 5, 2025 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“Sweet dreams theme is close to my heart,” LuminoCity Founder and Creator Xiaoyi Chen said at the ribbon-cutting. “I wanted to bring out the wonder we had as kids – the magic. Walking through, transports you back to the holidays with family. We aim to bring light and happiness to all who visit.” She added, “Long Island is our home, too.”

Deputy Director Chinese Consulate, NY, Lee, spoke of the festival as not just a celebration of lights, but of creativity, community spirit and Chinese cultural heritage and tradition. “It reminds us of the importance of honoring diverse traditions.”

LuminoCity Founder Xiaoyi Chen celebrates the opening of this year’s Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, Long Island, with Nassau County officials, Long Island Children’s Museum and children whose winning drawings were turned into lantern art for the festival. The festival is on through January 5, 2025 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Chen says that Chinese lantern art was an important part of the heritage and tradition in Zigong City where her family is from in China – “a small city in the southwest with a rich history and known as ‘Lantern City’” for its legendary fame in the art.

“When I was a kid, I enjoyed the art. The root of my creativity comes from there.” She was introduced to lantern art by her first drawing teacher. She has gone on to graduate Pratt Institute, in Visual Communication, and said that creating such big-scale art installations as she has done with LuminoCity “is the dream.”

Wooly mammoths and saber tooth tigers are among the animals inhabiting the forest at this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, Long Island through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The region Chen came from is also famous for its dinosaur fossils, including feathered dinosaurs. Indeed, Zigong Dinosaur Museum, the first museum based almost entirely on dinosaurs in Asia when it was opened in 1987. claims the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world, covering 25,000 sq. meters – and was the inspiration for LuminoCity’s Dino Safari.

*Symbols of the winter holidays enchant at this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, Long Island through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Each year, she chooses a different theme for the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival. She chose this year’s theme, Sweet Dreams, “because when you celebrate with family, you always have sweets.” She wanted to trigger those sweet memories.

*LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival enchants Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Chen tells me it takes two months to design the lanterns, which are made of fabric and painted, three months to produce, and one month to install at the park; she has a production team of 50.

Each setting offers families amazing photo ops – and there are set ups, like a sleigh you can go in, and a bell in golden lights.

*Penguins visit the Ice Palace at this year’s LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, themed “Sweet Dreams” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There is a snack truck that offers all the fun snacks/indulgences you can think of hot dog ($5), hot chocolate, funnel cake, cotton candy, pretzel, popcorn, to match the dream of the festival.

The setting within Eisenhower Park is particularly special. You not only have the lights, the imagery, the colors and shape, the animation, the sound and musical effects, you have the smell of pine trees and walk through this truly magical forest.

You really feel you have come to a winter wonderland, an enchanted forest, a magical place – and not just the kids.

LuminoCity, has a similar Holiday Lights Festival at Freehold Raceway Mall (3710 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728, Nov. 15—Jan. 5), and also has Dino Safaris in Walt Whitman Mall, Huntington, as well as attractions in Orlando, Florida, and in Maryland and Georgia.

You can purchase tickets online, www.LuminoCityfestival.com (there may be discounts available), as well as at the entrance.

LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, Eisenhower Park,Parking Lot 4, 1899 Park Blvd, East Meadow, NY 11554, www.LuminoCityfestival.com.

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Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Cultural travel, Culture, Museums and Exhibits, New York City travel

Anne Frank House Coming to New York City Headlines Fall Culture Calendar

October 23, 2024 krubin723

De Boekenkast: bookcase in front of Secret Annex. New Yorkers will have the opportunity to actually tour a re-creation of Anne Frank’s hiding place, never before seen outside Amsterdam (© Anne Frank House, photographer Cris Toala Olivares)

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

New York is one of the premier cultural capitals of the world and fall is when the culture calendar gets into gear. But here’s a heads-up: the blockbuster exhibit of the year – the opportunity to tour a full-scale re-creation of Anne Frank’s Annex as it stands in Amsterdam – opens January 27, 2025, and tickets are on sale now. Here are highlights of what’s ahead on the culture calendar:

Groundbreaking Full-Scale Re-Creation of Anne Frank’s Annex

Amsterdam and New York – The Anne Frank House, one of the most visited historical sites in Europe, is presenting a pioneering experience: the opportunity to walk through an exact replica of Anne Frank’s hiding place where she wrote her famous diary. Anne Frank The Exhibition opens in New York City on January 27, 2025. Considering that tickets to visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam book up three months in advance, tickets for this exhibit are now available at AnneFrankExhibit.org.

This is the first time the Anne Frank House will present this opportunity for visitors outside of Amsterdam to be immersed in a full-scale recreation of the rooms where Anne Frank, her parents and sister, and four other Jews spent two years hiding to evade Nazi capture.

As a nonprofit organization helping to shape global understanding of the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance, including lessons on modern day antisemitism, racism, and discrimination, the Anne Frank House is entrusted with the preservation of the Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. This exhibition, presented in New York City in partnership with the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan, opens on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, 2025, to mark the 80th commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Anne Frank The Exhibition is a first-of-its-kind, full-scale recreation of the complete Annex, furnished as it would have been when Anne and her family were forced into hiding. Moving through the exhibition, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the context that shaped Anne’s life—from her early years in Frankfurt, Germany through the rise of the Nazi regime and the family’s 1934 move to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where Anne lived for ten years until her 1944 arrest and deportation to Westerbork, a large transit camp in the Netherlands, then to Auschwitz-Birkenau, a concentration camp and killing center in Nazi-occupied Poland, and eventually to her death at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany when she was 15 years old.

Designed for audiences who may not have the opportunity to visit the Netherlands, the new exhibition in New York City is anticipated to draw massive attendance for what will be among the most important presentations of Jewish historical content on view in the United States. Through the recreated Annex; exhibition galleries immersing visitors in place and history through video, sound, photography, and animation; and more than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Anne Frank The Exhibition will provide an opportunity to learn about Anne Frank not as a victim but through the multifaceted lens of her life—as a girl, a writer, and a symbol of resilience and strength. This is a story inspired by one of the most translated books in the world.

The New York City exhibition will occupy over 7,500 square feet of gallery space in the heart of Union Square. This marks the first time dozens of artifacts will be seen in the United States—many have never been seen in public.

Artifacts in the exhibition include:

Anne Frank’s first photo album (1929-1942);
Anne Frank’s typed and handwritten invitation to her friend for a film screening in her home (by 1942, anti-Jewish measures prohibited Jews from attending the cinema); and
Handwritten verses by Anne Frank in her friends’ poetry albums.

“Anne Frank’s words resonate and inspire today, a voice we carry to all corners of the world, nearly eight decades later,” Ronald Leopold, Executive Director of the Anne Frank House, said. “As a custodian of Anne’s legacy, we have an obligation to help world audiences understand the historical roots and evolution of antisemitism, including how it fueled Nazi ideology that led to the Holocaust. Anne’s legacy is remarkable, as represented in the diary she left us, and as one of the 1.5 million Jewish children who were murdered at the hands of Nazi officials and their collaborators. Through this exhibition, the Anne Frank House offers insights into how this could have happened and what it means for us today.

“The exhibition provides perspectives, geared toward younger generations, that are certain to deepen our collective understanding of Anne Frank and hopefully provide a better understanding of ourselves. By bringing this exhibition to New York—a place with many ties to Anne’s story— the Anne Frank House is expanding the reach of our work to encourage more people to remember Anne Frank, reflect on her life story, and respond by standing against antisemitism and hatred in their own communities.”

Anne Frank The Exhibition is a limited engagement, scheduled to close on April 30, 2025. Public programming and educational initiatives tied to the exhibition will be announced when the exhibition opens to the public.

Timed entry individual and family tickets are available at AnneFrankExhibit.org. The exhibition is designed for children (ages 10 and older) and adults. All general admission tickets include the exhibition audio guide. Visitors should plan to spend approximately one hour at the exhibition. Last entry is one hour before closing.

Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y. between 5th and 6th Avenues

Edges of Ailey at Whitney Museum of American Art

*Edges of Ailey* (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, September 25, 2024-February 9, 2025). Courtesy of Whitney Museum of American Art; Photo by Natasha Moustache.

Edges of Ailey at the Whitney Museum of American Art through February 9, 2025, is the first large-scale museum exhibition to celebrate the life, dances, influences, and enduring legacy of visionary artist and choreographer Alvin Ailey. This dynamic showcase brings together visual art, live performance, music, a range of archival materials, and a multi-screen video installation drawn from recordings of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) repertory to explore the full range of Ailey’s personal and creative life. Described as an “extravganza” by curator Adrienne Edwards, Edges of Ailey is the must-see event of the NYC fall/winter season. The landmark exhibition is on view only in NYC.

Presented at the Museum in multiple parts, Edges of Ailey consists of an immersive exhibition in the Museum’s 18,000 square-foot fifth-floor galleries that includes artworks by over 80 artists and never-before-seen archival materials. Artists featured in the exhibition include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Faith Ringgold, Alma Thomas, Jacob Lawrence, Kara Walker, and many others. A recent acquisition of Eldren Bailey and new works by Karon Davis, Jennifer Packer, Mickalene Thomas, and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye will be presented for the first time in honor of this landmark exhibition.

Edges of Ailey is part of a ‘Season of Ailey’ in New York City, which includes the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company’s annual engagement at New York City Center, December 4-January 5.

Also at the Whitney:

Opening November 1, Shifting Landscapes explores how evolving political, ecological, and social issues motivate artists’ representations of the world around them. The 120 works by more than 80 artists—including Firelei Báez, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jane Dickson, Gordon Matta-Clark, Amalia Mesa-Bains, andPurvis Young—depict the effects of industrialization on the environment, grapple with the impact of geopolitical borders, and give shape to imagined spaces as a way of destabilizing the concept of a “natural” world.

On view through January 5, 2025, Survival Piece #5: Portable Orchard marks the first standalone museum presentation of the fully realized indoor citrus grove conceived and designed in 1972 by artists Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison. Stretching across the Museum’s eighth-floor gallery, this installation of 18 live citrus trees explores the need for a productive and sustainable food system in an imagined future where natural farming practices are obsolete and cannot be taken for granted.

More information at whitney.org/exhibitions.

Inaugural Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC Icons of Culture Festival

This fall, the Perelman Performing Arts Center [PAC NYC] is staging its inaugural PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE FESTIVAL presented by BNY from Tuesday, October 29 – Saturday, November 2, 2024.

PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE FESTIVAL will bring audiences into the room with trailblazers in art, music, comedy, film, sports, and more to talk about pushing boundaries, making a mark, and elevating the everyday to the iconic.

Icons to appear in conversation at the festival include Misty Copeland, The Dogist, Alex Edelman, Renée Fleming, Michael Imperioli, Baaba Maal, Philippe Petit, Questlove, Marcus Samuelsson, Kathleen Turner, Serena Williams, and Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men Live!

A calendar of events is available at www.pacnyc.org

Rich Calendar of Cultural Events

*The Museum of the City of New York is the premier repository of the city’s 400-plus year story © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

Art Deco City: New York Postcards from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection at Museum of the City of New York, East Harlem, through February 17, 2025: Featuring over 250 postcards alongside decorative arts, fashion, and architectural models, the exhibition highlights the role postcards played in popularizing Art Deco landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center.

Make Way for Berthe Weill: Art Dealer of the Parisian Avant-Garde at Grey Art Museum, Noho, Manhattan, through March 1, 2025: Berthe Weill, the first woman modern art dealer, championed artists like Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani. This survey features around 110 works shown at her gallery in the early 20th century and highlights her work as a gallerist and advocate.

Pets and the City at The New-York Historical Society, Upper West Side, Manhattan, October 25, 2024—April 20, 2025: Featuring a diverse range of art, objects, memorabilia and media clips, this exhibition highlights pets’ lives in NYC, from early Indigenous cultures to today’s pampered companions. It also examines the growing pet population and addresses topics such as pet adoption and the importance of service animals. Also:

Most people think of Paul Revere solely as a silversmith, but his work as a printer and an artist was key to his role as a patriot seeking to break with Great Britain. His print of the Boston Massacre was significant to organize public opinion against the British. Paul Revere, ***The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated on King Street****, Boston. Hand colored engraving, 1770. American Antiquarian Society. Gift of Nathaniel Paine.*

From Paul Revere to Edward Hopper: Treasures from the Leonard L. Milberg Collection of American Prints, Drawings, and Watercolors, through October 27, 2024, showcases more than 140 prints, drawings, and watercolors from one of the most admired collections of historical American works on paper

Scenes of New York City: Selections from the Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection, through October 27, 2024: The inaugural display in the new Hirschfeld Gallery and Hall presents a selection of artworks from an extraordinary promised gift to New-York Historical by prominent philanthropists and art collectors Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld, who have amassed a stunning collection honoring their hometown. The collection features renowned artists—both national and international—and presents vivid snapshots of Gotham and its streetscapes.

Enchanting Imagination: The Objets d’Art of André Chervin and Carvin French Jewelers, through January 5, 2025: This dazzling exhibition of meticulously created objets d’art is on view to the public for the very first time. André Chervin (born 1927 in Paris), with his New York atelier, Carvin French, is one of the most acclaimed makers of handcrafted fine jewelry in the world.

A Billion Dollar Dream: The 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair on its 60th Anniversary at Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, November 3, 2024—March 9, 2025: A Billion Dollar Dream celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair by examining its legacy through social, political and environmental lenses. Featuring materials from the Queens Museum’s collection, the exhibition highlights the Fair’s promotion of progress and nationhood while reflecting contemporary issues, including civil rights and the women’s liberation movement.

Solid Gold at The Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, November 16, 2024—July 6, 2025: Solid Gold celebrates the allure of gold, presenting over 500 works that explore the color and material’s significance in art, fashion, film and design throughout history. Opening for the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th anniversary, the exhibition features stunning pieces from renowned designers like Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, alongside gold-ground paintings, sculptures and jewelry by notable artists such as Alexander Calder and Bulgari.

*The Metropolitan Museum of Art is featuring “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Upper East Side, Manhattan, November 17, 2024—February 17, 2025: Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now examines how Black artists and cultural figures have engaged with ancient Egypt through art, literature and performance over nearly 150 years. Featuring 200 works, the exhibition explores themes like the creation of a unifying identity and the contributions of Black scholars. It also includes a dedicated gallery for performance art, featuring live performances on select days.

Lillie P. Bliss and the Birth of the Modern at The Museum of Modern Art, Midtown Manhattan, November 17, 2024—March 29, 2025: The Museum of Modern Art will host this exhibition in celebration of one of its founders and her crucial role in promoting modern art in the US. The exhibit marks 90 years since Bliss’s contributions to MoMA and will feature about 40 works. The exhibition will also display archival materials, highlighting her lasting impact on the museum and the acceptance of modern art in America.

Ceremonies Out of the Air: Ralph Lemon at MoMA PS1, Long Island City, Queens, November 14, 2024—March 25, 2025: Showcasing over 60 works by Ralph Lemon, this exhibition presents dance, sculpture, video and more. Ceremonies Out of the Air will highlight his storytelling through movement and features the central installation Rant redux (2020–24). It will also include a series of live performances that enhance the immersive experience.

Magazine Fever: Gen X Asian American Periodicals at The Museum of Chinese in America, Nolita, Manhattan, through March 30, 2025: Magazine Fever: Gen X Asian American Periodicals examines the impact of Asian American magazines in shaping identity during the 1980s and ’90s. Featuring over 80 rare issues from notable publications like A. Magazine and Hyphen, the exhibition showcases how these magazines provided a platform for Asian Americans to assert their narratives and portray their identities.

FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, South Bronx, Through March 30, 2025: FUTURA 2000: BREAKING OUT is a retrospective of the legendary NYC artist’s career. Running through winter 2025, it showcases five decades of his work, including sculptures, drawings, prints and new installations. The exhibition highlights his signature techniques, science-fiction motifs and the iconic 1980 graffiti piece, Break, which cemented his influence in the art world.

The cast of New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players with NYGASP Founder Albert Bergeret taking bows at last season’s ‘Mikado.” NYGASP celebrates its 50^th anniversary and honors 150 years of Gilbert of Sullivan in its 2024-25 season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players Celebrates 50th Anniversary Season: New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP), America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, announces a Golden Jubilee, celebrating its 50th anniversary season and honoring 150 years of the wit and wonder of Gilbert & Sullivan. The celebrated full company and orchestra will perform “Ruddigore” on Nov. 23– 24, 2024; “The Pirates of Penzance” on Jan. 4– 12, 2025; and “Iolanthe” on April 5^–6, 2025 at the Gerald Lynch Theatre at John Jay College. Info and tickets at www.nygasp.org.

And on Long Island:

Billy Joel attends the opening of the first exhibit dedicated exclusively to LIMEHOF Inductee and Legendary Long Island Musician. Due to popular demand, the exhibit is being extended through Spring 2025 © Karen Rubin/going-placesfarandnear.com

‘Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey’ Exhibit at LIMEHOF Extended: The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) has is extending the run of the first ever exhibit dedicated exclusively to LIMEHOF Inductee and Legendary Long Island Musician Billy Joel through spring 2025. Billy Joel- My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey spans Joel’s life and career from growing up in Hicksville to his legendary run at Madison Square Garden. It includes over 50 years of Billy Joel’s most cherished items including rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes video, dozens of awards, rare audio and video recordings, vintage instruments and historic photos, many donated by Billy Joel himself. Timed entry and VIP tickets and special holiday packages and gift cards are available at www.TheBillyExhibit.com (LIMEHOF, 97 Main Street, Stony Brook, Long Island, www.limusichalloffame.org).

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Arts & Entertainment, Attractions, Festivals and Events, Halloween Happenings

Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a Long Island Halloween Treat!

October 5, 2024 krubin723

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration pays tribute to Long Island’s maritime tradition: stroll the trail lined by pumpkin jelly fish © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com

Historic Hudson Valley has brought its enormously popular “The Great Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Blaze” extravaganza to Long Island to our most fabulous living history destination, Old Bethpage Restoration Village, for the fifth year. They have brought the extraordinary artistry, charm and delight, and kept Sleepy Hollow’s Headless Horseman, but have tailored the displays and story around Long Island’s history, heritage and culture.

On view on select nights through November 3, this is a must-see attraction/experience that delights all ages, with more humor than horror.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a 209-acre living history museum with homes and buildings that date back to the 19^th century, is the perfect setting – the stories marvelously weave a context of reality to the fantasy, which makes them even more spooky.

Lots of scary monsters have taken up residence at the Hewlett House for the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, one of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration historic homes that are reportedly haunted in their own right © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Hewlett House is a stand-in for the Amityville Horror, with similar architecture, but has its own spectral story. The pumpkin cemetery is peopled by the Hewlett family, a prominent farming family who remained loyal to the Crown during the American Revolution whose farm was built in 1794, near Pequot Lane in Woodbury (the house was moved to a hilltop at Old Bethpage in the 1970s). Their actual house is one of several historic houses in Old Bethpage said to be haunted.

*For the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, the historic Hewlett House from a far built in 1794 by a wealthy farming family, plays the part of the Amityville Horror © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Doomsday Clock outside the house, is an enormous pendulum clock made of pumpkins such as would have been popular in the 19^th century and wealthy Long Island families like the Hewletts and Laytons might well have had one. But this one, standing 12 feet tall, features a single hand, ominously counting back the hour.

Witches come to Old Bethpage Village Restoration for the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze; an actual witch trial took place in East Hampton in 1658, 35 years before the Salem witch trials © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

And in 1658, some 35 years before the Salem witch trials, 16-year old Elizabeth Gardiner Howell of East Hampton was accused of witchcraft – but she was acquitted in her trial.

*The Hewlett family cemetery re-created out of carved pumpkins! © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

And the Blaze Long Island Hall of Fame inside the Visitors Center, before you start your walk on the trail, features intricate pumpkin sculptures of famous Long Islanders (Natalie Portman and Jerry Seinfeld are the newest, joining Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Sue Bird, and Dr. J).

*Jerry Seinfeld is immortalized in the Blaze Long Island Hall of Fame © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You walk the pumpkin trail through this 19^th century village and see more than 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, all carved by its team of artisans, each one unique.

*Blaze Long Island’s homage to the Statue of Liberty © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The structures – all built with carved and lighted pumpkins – are absolutely incredible: a display featuring a police car, ambulance, firetruck, firefighter spraying a hose and a firefighter climbing a ladder; a windmill; a Statue of Liberty as tall as a tree, a lighthouse with a working light (Montauk is Long Island’s most famous but this pays tribute to the lighthouse commissioned by President George Washington himself), an 80-foot long circus train with animal skeletons as passengers (a nod to Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey bringing its circus train to Long Island in 1972 to the newly opened Nassau Coliseum), a working carousel with horse skeletons.

The Montauk Point Light , the first public works project in America, commissioned in 1792 by the 2^nd US Congress under president George Washington and completed four years later. Blaze Long Island offers this version, which features a blazing beacon of illuminated pumpkins © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The displays pay homage to Long Island’s farming heritage, its maritime heritage (a whaling center!), and its cultural contributions, from the inventor of one of the first computer games, to the factoid that “Jaws” was inspired by the capture of a 4500 lb white shark off Long Island.

*The movie ‘Jaws”* “*Jaws” was inspired by the capture of a 4500 lb white shark off Long Island© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

There are also a series of displays that trace Long Island’s history, from the Native American tribes who first inhabited, to Long Island’s role in aviation history (Lindbergh took off on his historic flight in his Spirit of St. Louis to Paris in 1927 from Roosevelt Field, and nuclear physicist William Higinbotham’s of the Brookhaven National lab who in 1958 arguably developed the first video game, Tennis for Two, a primitive version of Pong and precursor to Pac-Man and Mario Bros.

*The pumpkin Circus Train, harkening to the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey train that came to the newly opened Nassau Coliseum in 1972, is 80 feet long © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Among the new displays this year is a stunning tribute to the Day of the Dead and a moving ferris wheel.

The sound effects, original musical soundtrack, lights, colors, motion of some of the larger exhibits, even smoke effects and bubbles, are pure delight. The ambiance in such a historic, rural setting is just phenomenal.

*Nicole demonstrates pumping carving at Blaze Long Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

You also get to see actual pumpkin carving and get to talk with the carvers and see the 100+-pound carved winners, a marvelous Blaze Boo-tique featuring seasonal gifts and merchandise, while Café Blaze, features fall treats like cider donuts and pumpkin beer.

*We encounter Rocco, a pumpkin carver, starting his “Bona Lisa” at Blaze Long Island © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The photo ops are precious.

Advance online purchase of timed tickets is required; no tickets are sold at the venue; capacity is limited and prices increase if you purchase on the same day.There are also FLEX tickets that allow you to visit at any time, even when it is sold out. (For a small fee, you can exchange a ticket up to 24 hours in advance.) New this year is a $10 flat rate children’s tickets (ages 3-17), valid for every date and every time slot.

*One of the new Blaze Long Island displays is this magnificent tribute to the Day of the Dead © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is open select evenings Oct. 4-Nov. 3 including Halloween.

It’s a pleasant walk along a dirt trail (about half the size of the Village), suitable for strollers – allocate 45-90 minutes to enjoy. (I suggest families try to come as early as possible so the kids aren’t too tired; others come later when it may be less busy, like 8:30 pm – last entry at 9 pm.

Proceeds support the education and preservation efforts of Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Historic Hudson Valley.

*The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Old Bethpage Village Restoration features some 7,000 carved pumpkins © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

The original Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, celebrating 20 “gourd-eous years” this year, is already underway at Historic Hudson Valley’s Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson through Nov. 17 (advance purchase tickets necessary, https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-hudson-valley.html). And other special Halloween events are underway at Philipsburg Manor and Sunnywide (historichudsonvalley.org)

Sponsored by Catholic Health, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is presented through a partnership of Historic Hudson Valley, Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Nassau County which owns and operates OBVR, with support of the NYS Council of the Arts, NYS Economic Development, and I Love NY.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd, Old Bethpage, NY 11804, https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-long-island.html.

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