New York City deeply influences Alicia Keys. She shares her NYC state of mind through music, a Broadway show inspired by her life, and a new Brooklyn Museum exhibit displaying art she and Swizz Beatz have collected. Discover her favorite NYC spots.
Less“The Brooklyn Museum is incredible! They always do some of the coolest exhibitions. They break the mold and create so many opportunities to learn about art in a new way! We’re SO excited to be exhibiting Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys there February 10–July 7! The Dean Collection is so special to us, and for it to be in such an exceptional venue for us all to enjoy is really a dream come true! This is a family event! Everyone in your family will love this!”
“The Shubert Theatre is one of the most iconic theaters in New York City! I passed this theater all the time growing up in NY! Some of the greatest theater of all time has played there, and now we get to open the doors to my new musical Hell’s Kitchen here! A New York story IN New York!! I can’t even tell you how excited I am! Book by Kris Diaz, directed by Michael Grief, choreography by Camille Brown, and music by yours truly. You are going to fall in love instantly!!”
“I love the Butcher’s Daughter, it is sooo good. This is a vegan spot, but they also do it in a regular way. I like to eat dairy-free and meat-free, so I love how they make so many delicious things you can eat, and you don’t even realize that it is vegan. That’s the best. I’m a tea fanatic and I love their teas. They have a golden turmeric latte that’s amazing. It’s in a really cool neighborhood downtown. It’s beautiful, easy, and super casual. I love this place!”
“The Class is one of my favorite workout places. Taryn Toomey is a very beautiful soul. Here it is all about challenging your mind to think about the endless reservoir of strength inside you. They use sounds and movements to remind you to push through hard things. The atmosphere is beautiful. It’s an intimate studio, but it’s also a boutique to find great gifts. I go here with my homegirls or by myself. It definitely feels like a safe place to be.”
“This is, of course, one of my favorites. I had some of the best memories here recently. I did two shows back-to-back here for my world tour, the Alicia + Keys World Tour, and it was magic. The most beautiful part about Radio City is not only how it looks—it’s one of the most stunning and aesthetically beautiful theaters in the world—but I also love how it’s a relatively big place, but it just feels so intimate. It feels like you’re with your family, with your friends.”
“This is another phenomenal place. So much fun. They take the ice rink of Rockefeller Center and turn it into a roller rink in the summer. Even though they can’t fit a ton of people on it, which makes it even better, you’re outside, you’re in New York—under the stars, under the buildings, in this iconic Rockefeller Center space. You’re able to roller-skate and have fun and listen to great music. It’s absolutely unforgettable. You’re going to love it.”
“This is another spectacular place in New York. This is Jamaican food at its finest. The energy and the vibe in this place is unforgettable. You walk in there, the reggae music is playing, and you just are in an instant vibe. The food is incredible. This is an amazing place—the energy, the vibe, the music, the food. It’s all you’re looking for. You can go with friends, you can go late night. It’s a great night spot.”
“Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem is one of my favorite parks. I grew up in Harlem and I spent a lot of time in this park, especially when I needed to decompress, be easy, and when I needed a little bit of time in the green in the city. It was right down the street from the apartment I was living in. I remember walking here and having some really important times with just myself. The park is a really special memory for me, and Harlem is a favorite.”
“The Apollo Theater of course is one of one! The minute you walk in there, you feel the energy of history and greatness. The shows are always going to be electric. It’s literally one of the most special theaters in the world just because so much has happened there and so many people have performed there. When I go there, I just feel all this performance greatness. It’s right there for me. I love it there. You are always going to catch a great show at the Apollo, and it’s beautiful.”
“It’s one of my favorite places to visit in New York. Definitely during the holidays, when the family and I go there and we help feed the community in that area. The people are so nice there. They are really focused on doing this beautiful, good work. I definitely encourage you to visit the Bowery Mission if you’re looking for a place to donate or even looking to spend some time and reach out to people and impact them in a beautiful way.”