Culture

Travel

Milestones

Overview

Fraud

Financial Pathways

Take a new approach to managing credit, savings and making smarter financial choices with expert advice from Life and Money by Citi.

Money

Well-being

Credit Cards

Banking

Lending

Investing

Citigold®

Citi Financial Pathways

Around the world, Citi has strategic locations where our employees go to work each day to support our core businesses and drive solutions for our clients. 

Products and Services

NavBar

Home

FooterNav

<p><span>New Yorkers know there's little about their city that's quiet or unassuming.</span></p><p>In the wake of a dip during the pandemic, Manhattan now has more residents than it did before Covid-19 — and with that population of more than 8 million people hustling against the backdrop of skyward-stretching buildings, it can be an overwhelming place for unfamiliar visitors (and even for the locals on some days).</p><p>To avoid biting off more of the Big Apple than you can chew on a first visit, consider devoting each day of your stay to one set of spots that reveal a specific side of the city. Here is New York "three ways" — with time allotted for a bite here and a beverage there, of course.</p><p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-1034017818_web_0.jpg" alt="View of the island of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock Observatory "></p><h2>Day 1: New York classics</h2><p>For all that changes in a New York minute, plenty of places have stood the test of time. Get your bearings by walking through Midtown Manhattan, stopping to check out some of the most iconic sights.</p><p>Explore the Beaux-Arts beauty of the New York Public Library, the art deco style of the Empire State Building and the landmark Grand Central Terminal. Not just for commuters, it's a place where you can fuel up with trendy eats (tacos, donuts, lobster rolls) in the Dining Concourse or just-shucked oysters and chowder at the century-old Grand Central Oyster Bar.</p><p>Trade skyscrapers for towering trees with a walk or a bike ride through Central Park, approximately 840 acres of green stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street — with plenty of photo ops that include a castle, a zoo and a canoe-dotted pond alongside a boathouse. You can also sign up for one of the Central Park Conservancy's tours covering Strawberry Fields or kid-friendly nature hikes.</p><p>Cap a classic New York day with a Broadway musical. You can scout discount tickets at todaytix.com or browse last-minute options via the TKTS app, website or flagship booth in Times Square. After the show, wander over to The Rum House, an intimate cabaret-style piano bar, for one of its creative house cocktails.</p><p><strong>Insider scoop:</strong> For one of the city's best views, purchase timed tickets to visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck without having to wait on line.</p><h2>Day 2: History on the Hudson River</h2><p>New York's mark on the American story is indelible, and you can get a close look at that history with a boat cruise to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. (Allow about three hours for Ellis Island and five hours to visit both.) Buy tickets in advance from Statue City Cruises, authorized by the National Park Service, which offers service to both islands departing from The Battery.</p><p>Don't miss the free, park ranger-led 45-minute tour at the Immigration Museum at Ellis Island, on the site where more than 12 million people entered the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s.</p><p>Post-tour, go for a drink and oysters at the red brick Fraunces Tavern, where then-General George Washington bid farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution.</p><p>Heading north along the Hudson River, a visit to the glassy Whitney Museum of American Art, located in the Meatpacking District, offers more contemporary perspectives on the country and its culture. Tip: Save on admission with pay-what-you-wish tickets on Fridays, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.</p><p><strong>Insider scoop:</strong> After browsing the area's art galleries and boutiques, relax with a drink at the enchanting Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel, a tucked-away rooftop bar and restaurant.</p><p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-889101516_web.jpg" alt="Brooklyn bridge as seen from the waterfront park in DUMBO"></p><h2>Day 3: Slices of Brooklyn</h2><p>It's remarkable to think that just a decade ago it could be tough to convince some taxi drivers to venture from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Today, the city's most populous borough is practically its own global brand. A fitting introduction is to walk across the 1-mile-long Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883 and considered one of the top engineering feats of the 19th century. Snapping photos on the bridge is a tourist experience even the locals can't resist.</p><p>With an appetite worked up, fall in line with the inevitable crowd outside of the original Grimaldi's Pizzeria, famous for coal-fired, brick oven pies. For something more upscale, have a farm-to-table lunch at The Osprey at the sleek 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.</p><p>After, go on a hunt for oddball souvenirs — Brooklyn-theme tea towels, vintage kimonos, locally made pottery — at the Brooklyn Flea, a cluster of vendors and food trucks that convene under the archway of the Manhattan Bridge on Sundays (running April to October). You'll also want to pop into the many design stores, clothing boutiques, art galleries and independent bookstores nestled in the storefronts and converted warehouse buildings lining the neighborhood's cobblestone streets.</p><p>Have your cameras ready for the Lower Manhattan views you'll spy as you amble along the East River through Brooklyn Bridge Park. This 85-acre, waterfront green space with six piers is a favorite of locals who wander the landscaped pathways, use the sports courts and playgrounds, and meet up for picnics at the grilling areas. To end the day on a sweet note, order a homemade scoop (or two) from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.</p><p><strong>Insider scoop:</strong> For only $2, you can ride Jane's Carousel, a restored 1922 carousel. It's open Thursday to Sunday in winter and every day except Tuesday in summer.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i>— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.</i></p>

New York City: 3 Ways in 3 Days

<p>A birthday. An anniversary. A blow-out baby shower. It's Thursday and you'd like to raise a glass with your friends. </p><p>There are so many reasons to seek out a restaurant where you can reserve a table that will fit your whole crew.</p><p>And in this city that is big on everything except square footage, you just need to know where to look. There are plenty of hidden gems in the city that love hosting groups, from swanky cellar spaces to must-visit Korean barbecue dens (complete with karaoke!). Here's where you can go — and, of course, what to order — based on tips from New York City restaurant insiders who are in the big group dining know.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/empellon_1.jpg" alt="Empellon's main dining room" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://www.empellon.com/events/">Empellon</a></h3><p><span><em>510 Madison Avenue / Midtown</em> </span></p><p><span>This modern Mexican eatery is designed for a fiesta, with two private rooms (for 10 to 40 people) and the bird's-eye-view mezzanine that corrals three dozen guests. Throw a standing room cocktail party with a taco station or raw bar or opt for an $80-per-person sit-down dinner. Create a customized family-style menu with chef Alex Stupak's signature guacamole and crab nachos with sea urchin queso to start, followed by superb dishes like short rib confit, crisp pork belly and blistered shishito peppers. Inside tip: Order plenty of the avocado parfait for dessert. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/forwebHuertas_123_Joe Sarah_1.jpg" alt="Interior shot of Huertas dining space" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://www.huertasnyc.com/">Huertas</a></h3><p><em><span>107 1st Avenue / East Village </span></em></p><p><span>Sharing among friends is easy at Huertas, a Basque-inspired restaurant with endlessly poppable <em>pintxos </em>(small snacks)<em>. </em>Chef and owner Jonah Miller says, "Our dishes are built to be shared — plenty to go around and never too fussy that they're hard to split — so the bigger your crew, the more you can try." Smaller groups can choose from a family-style menu, or Huertas will create special menus for its private room, which holds up to 50 (generous for this neighborhood). Miller says groups devour <em>arroz frito</em>, their answer to paella, or the off-menu "Basque Dog," with house <em>chistorra</em> sausage and <em>piquillo mostarda, </em>a mustard sauce made with sweet peppers. Plus, Huertas is gratuity-free, including tip in the cost of dishes, simplifying the settle-up. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/croppedIMG_1899_1.jpg" alt="plate of spaghetti and meatballs with fork sticking up" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://www.themeatballshop.com/">The Meatball Shop</a></h3><p><em><span>200 9th Avenue / Chelsea </span></em></p><p><span>Slip downstairs to the Meatball Shop's basement-level dining room to discover the ultimate speakeasy: a secret space for 30 guests plus some of the city's most satisfying comfort food. The private bar, dedicated waitstaff and mix-and-match, locally sourced menu all make it hard to stay hush-hush about this place.</span></p><p><span>Packages range from happy hour bites to full family-style meals starting at $25 per person. "Most groups tend to get individual entrees, but split our veggie and pasta sides and our mini Buffalo chicken balls for the table," says Marketing and Events Manager Mitch Dorsey. Just don't forget to save room for the ice cream sandwiches. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/forwebDining Room Junker Mural_NF_1.jpg" alt="interior Lafayette's dining space" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="http://lafayetteny.com/">Lafayette</a></h3><p><em><span>380 Lafayette Street / NoHo </span></em></p><p><span>"Grand" is a fitting word for this traditional French brasserie, cafe and bakery. Two private dining rooms seat 10 to 100, and — hooray! — they accept group reservations for weekend brunch. (Make sure someone orders the lemon pancakes.) "From cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, to our 'Table du Marché,' to an individually plated sit-down dinner, there's something for every event," says Marie Lyons, Lafayette's director of events. Multi-course family-style menus are popular, with the rigatoni with duck Bolognese and scallops <em>a la plancha</em> drawing raves. Best of all, the on-site bakery stays open late for après dinner sweets to go. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/for webFreehand NY exterior - by Adrian Gaut_1.jpg" alt="Exterior of Studio at The Freehand" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://www.studiofreehand.nyc/">Studio at The Freehand New York</a></h3><p><em><span>23 Lexington Avenue / Flatiron District </span></em></p><p><span>Ready your cameras for Studio — an oasis with giant potted plants and oversized paper lamps — and one of the most photographed spots of the year. Located on the mezzanine of the artsy Freehand Hotel, there are windows aplenty and the creative North African and Near East-inspired menu features perfect-for-sharing plates like lamb kefta in pita and North African seafood stew. Similar to Happy Cooking Hospitality owner Gabriel Stulman's other buzzy restaurants — Bar Sardine and Fedora among them — Studio caters to crowds and is no stranger to planning private events. Which is particularly helpful if you're expecting out-of-town guests, who can also stay right upstairs. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/for web_Unknown.jpg" alt="interior of Insa with crowd of people dining" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="http://www.insabrooklyn.com/">Insa</a></h3><p><em><span>328 Douglass Street / Gowanus </span></em></p><p><span>This sleek Brooklyn restaurant slash karaoke venue isn't your typical sing-along joint — the food is top-notch — and best experienced with a group to taste more dishes (and drinks). "Ordering large-format drinks — bottles of soju, magnums of wine, pitchers of beer and [shareable] cocktails — is the fastest and cheapest way to go," says General Manager Jamie Seet. The menu is family-style-friendly, with barbecue crowd favorites like <em>samgyeopsal</em> (thickly sliced pork belly) and <em>yangnyum galbi</em> (marinated beef short rib) cooked by the staff at your table, eliminating work for you. For big groups, Insa accepts walks-in and reservations alike, but private karaoke rooms should be booked in advance — the large room fits 22 people, perfect for belting out post-dinner rock anthems. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Nicole Schumann - Duck side.jpg" alt="Platter of peking duck" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="http://www.decoynyc.com/">Decoy</a></h3><p><em><span>529 1/2 Hudson Street / West Village </span></em></p><p><span>Some dishes are best shared, and a Peking duck feast is one of them. This cozy underground haven and sister restaurant to upstairs neighbor RedFarm pays loving tribute to the crispy-skinned delicacy, which is served with wispy- thin pancakes. Communal table seating lends the dining room a friendly vibe. For $75 per person, prix fixe dinners arrive with Peking duck, small plates, mains like grilled pork "toro" with Korean rice cake and sides. Parties of eight or more can embrace an elevated, four-course menu. Be sure to call ahead, though; reservations for the duck are a must. </span></p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/nowadays.jpg" alt="Interior of Nowadays dining room" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://nowadays.nyc/">Nowadays</a></h3><p><em><span>56-06 Cooper Avenue / Ridgewood </span></em></p><p><span>Nowadays in Queens has the group dining trifecta: live music, dance floor and outdoor space. Open Thursday through Sunday, Nowadays feels (and tastes) like summer personified with healthy kale, lamb and brown rice basmati bowls, indulgent fried chicken sandwiches and four kinds of fries. Groups larger than five can choose from food packages, and tables can be reserved with a minimum $150 bar guarantee and deposit. Feel free to invite whomever you wish; the sprawling park can seat up to 350. </span></p>

Large Party? No Problem. Group Dining in NYC

<div style="margin-top: -25px;"><sub>Photo courtesy of Knockdown Center</sub></div>
<p>New York City's live music scene is the envy of every other city in the world.</p>
<p>On any given night, hundreds of parties are stirring, thousands of people are sitting quietly rapt, dancing wildly or rocking out with abandon. Live performances are popping all across the city &mdash; from historic concert halls uptown to intimate haunts in the deepest corners of the five boroughs.</p>
<p>"The live music scene in New York City really reflects the identity of the city itself," says Colin Keegan, talent buyer at Williamsburg's Brooklyn Bowl. "You can go to any neighborhood, any night, at really any time and find some of the best live music you'll see anywhere in the world."</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s always been this way. The intersecting histories of jazz, rock 'n' roll, disco, salsa, punk rock, new wave, hip-hop, electronic music and countless other genres have unfolded in New York, with live performance and nightclubs at the center of it all. And for musicians, some world-renowned venues are hailed as the end goal of an entire career.</p>
<p>The scene &mdash; and the venue size &mdash; are vast, but opportunities still abound to get up close and personal with your favorite musicians. Guitarist and composer&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kakiking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">Kaki King</a>, a local New Yorker, has played all over town but relishes that closeness between audience and performer. &ldquo;Everyone knows about the bigger venues...but some of the most special moments happen at the smaller independent venues like National Sawdust and (Le) Poisson Rouge, which have great sound and offer a more intimate atmosphere.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The history of many of the city&rsquo;s top venues is rich and long. Grand theaters built almost 100 years ago still stand as testaments to the city&rsquo;s passion for the arts. From venerable music halls to more recently refurbished rooms, like Kings Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn, or the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, the tradition of an extravagant night out for modern-day audiences continues.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In a city of millions, tastes are wildly varied, and both homegrown acts and international artists draw crowds.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In a city of millions, tastes are wildly varied, and both homegrown acts and international artists draw crowds. Take, for example, the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, whose program boasts salsa, freestyle, bachata, merengue and R&amp;B just to start, and hosts artists from Cuba, Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>Experimentation abounds all across town, where genre-bursting, multidisciplinary programming thrives at spots like ISSUE Project Room in downtown Brooklyn and Chelsea&rsquo;s venerable The Kitchen. Seeing a show doesn&rsquo;t always mean standing in a dark, crowded venue, either. The outdoor summer music scene is buzzing, and regularly scheduled warm-weather concert series offer dozens of shows, many of them free and kid-friendly.</p>
<p>There&rsquo;s so much music to see on a given day, in fact, that choosing can be challenging. Paola Prestini agrees. &ldquo;The sheer amount of talent in New York City makes it a phenomenal place to discover new music, and the number of spaces offering opportunities for artists is immense,&rdquo; says Prestini, a co-founder and the artistic director of National Sawdust. &ldquo;But it can be absolutely overwhelming.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In that spirit of de-whelming, here are a handful of the best live music venues in New York City to rock out, get down or groove to whatever moves you.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Marquee-of-the-Apollo-theater-in-New-York-city.jpg" alt="Marquee of the Apollo theater in New York city" /></div>
<div><sub>Photo courtesy of the Apollo</sub></div>
<h2><a href="https://www.apollotheater.org/" data-link-source="tiny">The Apollo Theater</a></h2>
<p><em>253 W. 125th Street, Manhattan</em><br /><br />The Apollo is more than a music venue &mdash; it's a hallmark of New York's cultural history. A place that has launched countless careers, every star of jazz, soul, gospel and R&amp;B has played here. Located on 125th Street in the heart of Harlem, the Apollo is a touchstone of black American history and remains an active beacon for music and comedy lovers around the world.</p>
<p>"The building has such a special energy, from the history to the folks that have walked across the stage &mdash; that makes the experience unlike any other venue in the country," says Kamilah Forbes, the Apollo's executive producer. Its most famous program, Amateur Night at the Apollo, has been going strong since 1934, and up-and-comers make sure to touch the famed tree stump at stage right for good luck.</p>
<p>Most nights, whether music or stand-up is on the bill, up to 1,500 people settle into their plush seats in this neo-classical theater that dates from 1914. Now landmarked and on the register of historic places, the Apollo continues to live on as <em>the </em>uptown spot to catch a show.</p>
<h2><a href="https://lpr.com/" data-link-source="tiny">(Le) Poisson Rouge</a></h2>
<p><em>158 Bleecker Street, Manhattan</em><br /><br />Some venues are underground in the sense that they are impossibly cool and hard to find. (Le) Poisson Rouge (LPR) is literally underground (though it's easy to locate on busy Bleecker Street). Formerly the famed jazz club the Village Gate, where many of the greats held court, the space was revived in 2008 as a cutting-edge cabaret with a dedication to jazz, classical, international, electronic and experimental sounds.</p>
<p>"Whether it's Ethiopian jazz, Icelandic ambient, psychedelic cumbia, domestic punk rock or anything in between, there is a deep and devoted audience for all genres here," says Jared Losow, LPR's marketing director. Depending on the show, the arrangement is either shared seating at cafe tables or open-floor standing room; regardless, shows at LPR feel intimate and accessible, curated with love for open-minded audiences.</p>
<h2><a href="http://www.mercuryeastpresents.com/boweryballroom" data-link-source="tiny">Bowery Ballroom</a></h2>
<p><em>6 Delancey Street, Manhattan</em><br /><br />Many an indie kid's favorite venue, this ornate, mid-sized hall on Delancey Street has a long history of memorable nights out for New Yorkers. Bowery Ballroom has been operating as a hipster haven since 1998, housed in a 1929 theater building that can pack in over 500 music fans nightly. From the mellow downstairs, to the main floor, up to the balcony where you can slide into deep-set banquettes or hang over the railing, there are bars on all levels; even a super-crowded show offers good sight-lines and nice vibes.</p>
<p>Genre-wise, the Bowery covers a lot of ground, with an emphasis on new and mid-career artists of the rock 'n' roll variety. Somehow, a night at the Bowery always feels like you're at the most important show in town.</p>
<h2><a href="http://rockwoodmusichall.com/" data-link-source="tiny">Rockwood Music Hall</a></h2>
<p><em>196 Allen Street, Manhattan </em>(Note: Stage 3's entrance is one block over at 185 Orchard Street)<br /><br />Rockwood Music Hall boasts no less than three stages over its mini-complex on the Lower East Side. Opened by folk-rock musician Ken Rockwood in 2005 (is there a better name for a club owner?), the venue has been a major player in the live music scene since its inception. Within its tiny rooms, there's little delineation between artist and audience, and Rockwood is a favorite of more established local musicians &mdash; you never know whom you might catch. With stages simultaneously showcasing performers across a wide array of genres &mdash; one recent Sunday offered up 16 different acts throughout the evening &mdash; there might be no better place to check in on the state of real-deal, live performance.</p>
<div><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Main-hall-at-National-Sawdust-Brooklyn-New-York.jpg" alt="Main hall at National Sawdust Brooklyn New York" /></div>
<div><sub>National Sawdust. Photo courtesy of Vicente Munoz</sub></div>
<h2><a href="https://nationalsawdust.org/" data-link-source="tiny">National Sawdust</a></h2>
<p><em>80 N. 6th Street, Brooklyn</em><br /><br />New York's avant-garde music scene has always been strong, and National Sawdust's arrival in 2015 delivered a fresh and vital energy to Williamsburg's already well-established live music scene. This is an architecturally significant space, designed from the bones of an actual sawdust factory; built with the utmost attention to acoustics and aesthetics, the performance area is flexible and movable, and the stage setup shifts from show to show.</p>
<p>National Sawdust is unusual in that it runs as a nonprofit with a membership model and a mission. "National Sawdust prides itself on our commitment to incubation and mentorship," says Paola Prestini, its artistic director. "We see our institution as a platform to showcase underrepresented voices in the music world."</p>
<h2><a href="https://knockdown.center/" data-link-source="tiny">Knockdown Center</a></h2>
<p><em>52-19 Flushing Avenue, Queens</em><br /><br />A cavernous former door warehouse so far out in East Williamsburg that it's actually located in Maspeth, Queens, Knockdown Center offers radical programming across myriad genres and always packs a wallop. With 50,000 square feet inside and outdoors and eight discrete areas, the space is uniquely multifaceted. "The building itself offers multiple spaces and countless configurations for seeing live music, so we try to match its versatility as a space with programming that's just as diverse," says Knockdown's marketing director, Andrew Kaplan.</p>
<p>Food vendors are often set up in the courtyard, and it's become an adaptable spot for mini-festivals, alternative art installations and special events. Electronic DJ culture and harder sounds like metal and noise bands are especially revered here, with a dark dance-hall vibe that can really get deep when the rooms reach their full, 3,000-plus capacity.</p>
<div><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/man-bowling-at-Brooklyn-Bowl.jpg" alt="Man bowling at Brooklyn Bowl" /></div>
<div><sub>Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Bowl</sub></div>
<h2><a href="https://www.brooklynbowl.com/brooklyn" data-link-source="tiny">Brooklyn Bowl</a></h2>
<p><em>61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn</em><br /><br />A fast-paced palace of fun, Brooklyn Bowl is, as the name suggests, a bowling alley. Yet it is also a rocking music venue and a full-service restaurant famed for its fried chicken.</p>
<p>Musically, the appeal is wide: "We program every genre from old-school hip-hop to outlaw country, electronic to indie rock," says Colin Keegan, the venue's talent buyer. "And of course what we are known for in the New York area is our jam-band scene." (Brooklyn Bowl's owner, Peter Shapiro, used to own the long-gone hippie haunt Wetlands.) Raucous and always happening, the crash of bowling balls is an occasional distraction from the music onstage, but a round of locally sourced, Brooklyn-made beers solves it all.</p>
<p>Every day, musicians take inspiration from the energy of the city and rejoice in performing for its inhabitants &mdash; a true reflection of its environment, there's absolutely no place that offers more diversity and scale of live music than New York City. "Music-lovers here are the luckiest fans in the world, because New York has something for everyone," notes Forbes. And at one of the hundreds of spots to catch an act, surely you'll find your new favorite artist or genre.</p>

A Guide to New York City's Live Music

<p><em>In support of the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure© exhibit in New York, the Citi Bike® bike share system has rolled out limited edition bicycles featuring the artist's iconic work.</em></p><p>Few artists exemplify the opportunity and free thinking of New York City quite like Jean-Michel Basquiat, a true native son — Brooklyn born and bred.</p><p>During his short life, New York's endless diversity and vitality served as both an inspiration for Basquiat's work and an urban playground when that work brought him fame. This theme is explored throughout the <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/culture/arts/A-Look-into-the-Jean-Michel-Basquiat-Exhibit">current exhibit</a> co-created by the artist's sisters Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/body_2_DSC06745.jpg" alt="Closeup of a Citi Bike adorned with Basquiat imagery" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://starrett-lehigh.com/">Starrett-Lehigh Building</a></h3><p>601 West 26th Street | Chelsea</p><p>Perched practically on the Hudson River, the Starrett-Lehigh Building occupies an entire city block in West Chelsea. Built in 1931 as a manufacturing warehouse and railroad terminus, the structure — and its subtle yet eye-catching red brick and pale green facade — evokes the function-focused aesthetic of the International Style popular during the interwar period. Its grand gallery space has proved the perfect backdrop for the monumental "Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure" show now on display.</p><h3>Basquiat's home and studio</h3><p>57 Great Jones Street | NoHo</p><p>The ground floor of this NoHo space served as Basquiat's home from 1983 until the artist's death five years later. Built in 1900, the bi-level building is fronted by a trio of arched windows and, for a few decades, the building was hard to miss thanks to the endless "tags" painted by artists to honor Basquiat's style. The exterior has since been painted over, but a small plaque remains in honor of the artist's life and legacy.</p><h3><a href="https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/historical-signs/listings?id=136">The Brooklyn Heights Promenade</a></h3><p>Montague Street and Pierrepont Place | Brooklyn Heights</p><p>A scenic bike ride across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, the Brooklyn Promenade is an 1,826-foot-long pedestrian platform that's just a short stroll from one of the elementary schools Basquiat attended. Completed in two phases in 1950-51, it's like an open-air living room with eye-popping views across New York Harbor and over to Lower Manhattan and the Financial District.</p><h3><a href="https://www.bam.org/">Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)</a></h3><p>30 Lafayette Avenue | Fort Greene</p><p>Brooklyn Academy of Music has been delivering cutting-edge dance, music and theater performances for 150 years in this landmarked Renaissance-revival theater with room for 2,200 viewers. It's located close to the Basquiat family home in the Boerum Hill neighborhood, and the Basquiat family frequented BAM to see performances and programs.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/body_1_DSC06602.jpg" alt="Two sisters in conversation as they walk down the street" class="right_image" /><h3><a href="https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/">The Brooklyn Museum</a></h3><p>200 Eastern Parkway | Prospect Heights</p><p>Basquiat's mother signed the artist up for a junior membership at the Brooklyn Museum when he was 6 years old. Today, the museum houses a handful of Basquiat's work, including a silkscreen of his seminal 1983 piece "Back of the Neck."</p><h3><a href="https://www.bbg.org/">Brooklyn Botanic Garden</a></h3><p>990 Washington Avenue | Prospect Heights</p><p>Founded in 1910 and located close to the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban oasis. Rambling across 52 acres, the garden is home to approximately 14,000 different types of plants and garden habitats. Wander the Celebrity Path with plaques honoring well-known Brooklyn natives including Basquiat, who was added in 2017.</p><h3><a href="https://www.prospectpark.org/">Prospect Park Long Meadow</a></h3><p>Grand Army Plaza entrance | Park Slope</p><p>At nearly a mile in length, Prospect Park's verdant Long Meadow is the longest stretch of "unbroken meadow" in a U.S. urban park. Basquiat regularly visited the park as a child, as memorialized in the "King Pleasure" show with a photo of the artist as an 8-year-old boy leading his little sisters by the hand.</p><h3><a href="https://www.green-wood.com/">Green-Wood Cemetery</a></h3><p>500 25th Street | Greenwood Heights</p><p>Founded in 1838, this 478-acre, non-sectarian cemetery in Brooklyn is where Basquiat is buried, along with many other New York City legends. Accessed via a massive Gothic arch, the cemetery is a National Historic Landmark and abounds with unexpected aesthetic flourishes ranging from Victorian mausoleums to gargoyles and cherubs — as well as a flock of bright green Monk Parrots native to Argentina.</p>

Explore Jean-Michel Basquiat's New York on Two Wheels

Boiler Plate 1

L&M Article Template

header