JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — Whether it’s news reports or in personal conversations, there seems to be some growing consternation about the state of New York City and whether it’s still a destination worth visiting.
Are some of these concerns overstated? Perhaps to a degree, but there are also legitimate concerns, particularly around safety.
To be sure, high-profile crimes such as the brazen murder of a healthcare executive in front of a popular hotel among tourists capture the headlines. However, there are also concerns about taking the subway, which is an integral form of transportation to explore The Big Apple.
On top of that, a mayoral election in which a candidate who called for defunding police won raises additional questions about what role public safety will play in New York City in the immediate future. It may still be too early to tell.
For years, it seemed like traveling to the Big Apple was an absolute must. While it still is, it has more competition than ever.
Big cities like New York City, Paris, London, and Tokyo are all certainly locations worth visiting. They have world-class museums, Michelin-starred dining, luxury shopping, and unique attractions that have earned their deserved reputations for culture, art, history and more.
Today, however, just like you can find a Saks Fifth Avenue in more than 100 locations across the country, you can find Broadway-style shows, world-class museums, fine dining and shopping in many midsized cities today.
Just consider Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, Tulsa.
I was first drawn to the city for the Bob Dylan Center. That museum is worth exploring, not just for Bob Dylan fans but for anyone who appreciates rock and roll music.
Musicians and music fans will also love the Woody Guthrie Center and the Church Studio, the former Recording Studio of Leon Russell, where the likes of Tom Petty have recorded over the years.
People who love kitschy America and random roadside oddities will find plenty to see and experience in Tulsa, and its dining scene is a lot better than you might expect. There’s also a great craft beer scene and a remarkable food hall in the Mother Road market.
And if you really want to explore somewhere closer to a bigger market, it’s within driving distance of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
If you look at the worries surrounding New York City, there’s some truth to them.
They may be exacerbated, but the reality is, if you’re worried about traveling to a city like New York but still want great food and culture, the good news is you don’t have to go there to get it.
That said, we’re never going to replicate the Statue of Liberty. But come to think of it, even Tulsa has you covered there.
Be the first to comment