New York City is a vibrant and diverse destination with a unique energy all of its own. It’s probably my most visited city in the world and I enjoy being there every time I go. There is always a lot to see and do, and if you’re part of the LGBTQ community, there are plenty of venues there just for us.

One of the first places I visited on this trip was The Stonewall Inn, which is of course an important and historic landmark in our community. It’s a bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan that was the site of the Stonewall riots in 1969, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

As I entered Stonewall, I could feel a sense of history and community. The bar was packed with people of all ages and backgrounds, and the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. I found a secluded spot at the back of the main floor to sit with friends, surrounded by some historic memorabilia on the walls. I also went upstairs to check out the drag show that was in full swing in an area packed with excited patrons.

Afterwards I walked over to Marie's Crisis Café, a piano bar in the West Village, that has been a gathering place for the LGBTQ community since the 1960s. I had to line up outside for a while, but once inside the atmosphere at was lively and energetic, with patrons belting out show tunes. As a fan of musical theatre, I had fun singing along to some of the songs, but it was very crowded with nowhere to sit, so I didn’t stay for too long.

In addition to these historic bars, I also took advantage of the CityPASS to explore some of NYC’s most iconic attractions on another day. The CityPASS is a discount ticket booklet/pass that provided me with access to five popular New York City attractions. One of the highlights was the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry tour. The ferry ride to the islands provided stunning views of the New York City skyline, and the museum on Ellis Island was interesting and informative.

Another attraction that I loved was the American Museum of Natural History. The museum is home to an incredible collection of exhibits on everything from dinosaurs to space travel. I could have spent the whole day there exploring the museum and learning about the wonders of the natural world. Although it can be easy to get lost or disoriented in the huge multi-level building, their app is fantastic for letting you know where you are and leading you through the maze of exhibits.

No trip to New York City would be complete without a visit to the Empire State Building and the CityPASS got me up to the top to enjoy spectacular views of the city. It is pretty breathtaking up there and you get to see the city from a whole new perspective.

Whenever I go to NYC, I make sure to see a show on Broadway and this time I went to the Tony Award-winning play Take Me Out. It’s about a famous baseball player who comes out as gay to his team and the rest of the world. It was a powerful and moving production, with great acting and a surprising amount of full-frontal male nudity. The cast included TV stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams, and the themes of acceptance and self-discovery really resonated with many of us in the audience.

I went to all of the attractions and the play on the same day so it was very convenient to have a nearby hotel to rest at afterwards. I stayed at the StayPineapple Midtown, which has a bright and modern feel, with cute rooms and friendly staff. I especially liked the convenient location, which made it easy to get around the city and walk over to Times Square.

This trip to NYC was not my first and definitely won’t be my last. From visiting the Stonewall Inn and Marie's Crisis Café, to exploring some of the city's most iconic attractions with the CityPASS, there was always something new and exciting to discover. Seeing "Take Me Out" on Broadway was a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and acceptance, and staying at the StayPineapple Midtown made me feel at home in the heart of the city. I already can't wait to return and continue exploring this iconic destination.

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Contributor Josh Rimer |

Locale New York City |

Topic Travel |