We recently made our first post-9/11 visit to New York City. It was a great relief to find that New York is still the vibrant, exciting metropolis that it always has been. But the people were kinder and gentler. Really. The only problem we had on our trip was the usual—how to cram in as much of the New York experience as we could in the time available to us. This time, we sampled several New York tours to see how much of the city they could show us. As you might expect, the New York organized tour scene reaches a certain level of sophistication. There are tours to entertain, edify, or do both.
Backstage tours
A backstage tour will take you behind the scenes of Broadway theaters, Madison Square Garden, or Radio City Music Hall. Being part of an authorized group is the only way you can gain entry to watch the Knicks or the Rangers practice or to catch a glimpse of a star in rehearsal. If you are traveling with a large enough group, there are endlessly creative ways to organize your own tour with a private guide. How about going back stage at a hit musical and learning a few dance routines—then going to the play that night? It can be arranged.
Along with a group from the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, we were able to experience a Lincoln Center behind-the-scenes tour and attend a session of its Meet the Artist program. Actually, it should have been called Meet the Diva. The program provides a unique opportunity to have an artist perform in an intimate setting and then have a Q and A period afterward. Our artist was a Metropolitan Opera soprano, and she loved chatting with the gay boys, especially. The whole experience totally exceeded our expectations.
Group tours such as these are ideal for gay/lesbian sports teams or social clubs.
Harlem Tours
Harlem has become a major New York tourist destination. The most popular Harlem tour is probably the Harlem Gospel Tours by Harlem Spirituals every Sunday and Wednesday. This is an opportunity to experience the real thing. Dress appropriately honey, 'cause you are going to church. (No shorts.)
We boarded a bus and headed up Central Park West. On the way, our erudite tour guide gave us a wonderful history of Harlem. We arrived at a local Baptist church. The guide escorted us up to the balcony, where we could experience the music without disrupting the ordinary churchgoers at their regular Sunday worship service. We were transported by soloists and two gospel choirs. The experience did not include the sermon. We were whisked down the stairs and out after the musical part of the service ended. You may also elect to enjoy a soul food brunch afterward. Harlem Spirituals also operates Soul Food and Jazz Tours during the week.
Touring by land, sea, and air
Let's not forget about the basic New York City bus tour. We've said it before, but it bears repeating. The best way to see the most of any city is to take a city bus tour. And that's what we did for the first time on our recent trip. Even the most seasoned travel professionals book a tour to get themselves oriented to a place. Then they can pick and choose which spots they would like to explore in depth later on. Even if—or maybe especially if—you've spent many a day at business meetings in the Big Apple, a city tour can be a real eye-opener. And it is a lifesaver for gay/lesbian parents wanting to introduce their children to this most cosmopolitan of cities.
A new stop has been added to the basic city tour—the site of the Twin Towers. No doubt this will be a pilgrimage that visitors to the city will make for decades to come just as visitors to Hawaii make a pilgrimage to Pearl Harbor.
There are several ways to see New York from the water. You can take a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry. You can take a 90-minute harbor cruise around the tip of Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. You can take a dinner cruise and enjoy sunset and the lights of Manhattan at night.
Then there is Manhattan by air. Liberty Helicopter offers a range of tours lasting from 5 to 30 minutes.
Gay touring
Now, you're on your own. The best place to start your own gay/lesbian tour of New York is in Greenwich Village. If you haven't been there before, a must-see is the Stonewall gay bar on Christopher Street, where a police raid in June 1969 set off the modern gay/lesbian rights movement. The Village is a great place for just walking around. Stop by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Center at 208 West 13th St. in the West Village for a welcome packet, information, and directions to bars and restaurants. And guys, check out the men's room of the gay center for art appreciation moments. The walls are covered with original Keith Haring murals devoted to topics you wouldn't see in public places. Ahem.
In the Village and East village, look for gay-themed off-Broadway productions, such as Naked Boys Singing at the Actor's Playhouse, 100 7th Ave., near Christopher Street. (Factoid: Broadway and off-Broadway refers to the number of a seats in a theater, not its location. A production in a theater with 500 or more seats is a Broadway show.)
The main gay scene is in nearby Chelsea with dozens of bars, coffeehouses, and restaurants. There are also several places to stay in this gayest of neighborhoods, among them are Chelsea Pines Inn, Chelsea Inn, and Chelsea Mews Guest House.
Don't shy away from NYC tours for fear of seeming 'unsophisticated.' New York does the tour scene extremely well, and tours are a great way to get the best value for your sightseeing buck in this still very expensive city.
Cynthia A. Marquard along with Ted Lally owns and manages Aqua Terra Travel, 1640 N. Wells St. in Chicago. You can reach Cynthia or Ted at 312-787-2400 or 1-800-44-ENVOY. Visit their Web site at www.aquaterratravel.com .
