May 20, 2021
Brooklyn and Queens are so entrenched as ideas, we forget that, as global tourist destinations, they’re still emerging markets.
Sure, they’ve been iconic characters in American history since the Revolution, and especially throughout the 20th century, but it’s only been a decade or so since travelers desired not just to visit the outer boroughs, but to sleep in them too. That means the hotel stock isn’t quite as robust as, say, Midtown. That’ll take some time. But the dining, the neighborhoods, and the culture are as rich and rewarding as anywhere in Manhattan.
Case in point, our favorite New York happening this summer isn’t happening in Manhattan, it’s happening in Queens. On August 20 and 21, the LETSGETFR.EE festival kicks off in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with performances by Missy Elliott, Anderson .Paak, Wizkid, and many more.
Please note that on July 22 the LETSGETFR.EE festival was postponed until 2023.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Founded by some good friends of Tablet, LETSGETFR.EE is a purpose-driven music experience — the largest event of its kind in the United States — whose mission is to close the equity gap for Black, Brown, Asian, and other underrepresented people in the entertainment industry. Modeled after Brazilian Carnaval and Caribbean sound system culture, the festival is focused on radical self-expression and the celebration of diversity. So it’s only natural that it’s going down in Queens, one of the most diverse places in the world.
LETSGETFR.EE will also have a food fair, a bazaar, and a ton of other exciting activities to enjoy. Most importantly, it’s going to make an impact. In their words:
Imagine a world where Black, Brown, Indigenous and Asian/Pacific Islander people work together and build institutions together, forging affiliations, and coalitions, as we step out of the margins to become the protagonists in our own stories and the leaders of industries. If you want to live in that world, and not just imagine it, now you can. It’s called LETSGETFR.EE.
If you’re planning to attend, we won’t tell anyone if you’re planning to stay at a hotel in Manhattan. There are a number of excellent options just a quick subway ride from Flushing Meadows. But if it’s the full outer-borough experience you’re after, here’s a handful of our favorite hotels in Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond.
