Make a day out of ‘Six’ in New York City

Discover attractions, restaurants, parks, and activities perfect for fans of the award-winning pop musical that reimagines the history of Henry VIII's wives.

Joe DziemianowiczAugust 26, 2024, 04:00

Get ready for a royal treat at Six, the critically acclaimed musical that, since its 2021 opening, has taken its place among the must-see crown jewels of Broadway.

The two-time Tony Award-winning musical reimagines the six wives of 16th-century English monarch Henry VIII as a contemporary girl group. Creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss made sure each Queen — Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr — gets a standout solo song.

Each tune in the Tony-winning score combines historical narrative, a feminist twist, and pop, R&B, and hip-hop stylings as the highnesses take center stage and tell their stories their own way.

For before and after the show at the Lena Horne Theatre, we’ve curated a New York itinerary of attractions, sights, and sips that pair perfectly with a Six trip. Fans of the show should check them out and get Six tickets for an NYC day to rule them all.

Get Six tickets now.

Queens Botanical Garden

Stop and smell the English roses (and more)! This serene 39-acre oasis, nestled in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, boasts lovely landscaped gardens fit for a queen. It's an ideal accompaniment to a show that lets historical figures bloom anew after centuries of being glossed over.

The garden of earthly delights offers educational programs and tours, seasonal events, art exhibits, and tranquil spots to chill out.

Address: 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, Queens
Price: $

Belvedere Castle

Six will change the way you look at Henry VIII’s six wives and their royal palace lives. Belvedere Castle (the name means “beautiful view”) is a whimsical landmark in Central Park designed in 1869 by architect Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould. The castle sports Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish elements, and it's all about the view.

Belvedere Castle offers panoramic vistas of the Great Lawn, the city skyline, the Delacorte Theater, and other landmarks. Birdwatchers flock to the castle to get a look at hawks and kestrels. Visitor center personnel will gladly fill you in more on the history of the building and the urban green space.

Address: Within Central Park at 79th Street
Price: Free

Tea & Sympathy

For an hour and 20 minutes, Six steeps you in a fresh and invigorating take on British history. Tea & Sympathy is a charming eatery known for British fare that provides a delightful escape to England without leaving NYC.

The menu features classic dishes such as shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and fish and chips. There’s also an afternoon tea service complete with scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches. It’s easy to keep calm and carry on while tucking into a sweet and savory spread like that.

Address: 108 Greenwich Avenue
Price: $$$

Women’s History Walk

Girl power explodes on stage at Six, and that's not the only place. NYC parks showcase many celebrated statues of and made by women. A recent example is Meredith Bergmann’s 2020 Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument, which depicts three women activists at work: Sojourner Truth speaking, Susan B. Anthony organizing, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton writing.

The statue gets our vote as a must-see, and you can learn more about it as part of a self-guided, hourlong Women's History Walk tour of Central Park, downloadable via your phone.

Learn more about statues honoring women throughout NYC's parks.

Address: Mid-park at 68th Street
Price: Free

Brooklyn Bridge

Behind every great man, there’s a great woman. Six summons that saying, considering that Henry VIII looms large in history while his wives get footnote status. Make no mistake, they were remarkable too. The same dynamic of hidden history applies to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Emily Roebling, an engineer and the wife of original Brooklyn Bridge chief engineer Washington Roebling, stepped into her husband's role when he fell ill. She managed the project's daily operations and saw the construction to its completion.

Washington Roebling’s name is on a plaque on the bridge. But if you love the landmark and its many appearances in pop culture — think Spider-Man or Sex and the City — thank Emily, too.

Address: Entrances at Centre Street, Manhattan (across from City Hall) and in DUMBO, Brooklyn (near Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard)
Price: Free

Tudor City

Henry VIII ruled England from 1509 to 1547 and was the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty. Tudor City is a residential neighborhood in Manhattan's Midtown East neighborhood. Its name is a nod to the Tudor period of English history, but you’ll find a mix of architectural styles on a leisurely stroll here.

When you visit, stop by the Tudor City Greens. These lovely, privately owned landmark parks – north and south – are open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pull up a seat on a bench and chat with your companion about the show you’re seeing – or just saw – on Broadway.

Time your visit right, and you can catch a concert, yoga class, holiday celebration, or installment of the parks' book talk series. A recent topic: “Let’s Go To The Theater — Literary Inspirations for Broadway Musicals.”

Address: Between 41st and 43rd Streets and First and Second Avenues
Price: Free

Six on Broadway

Now that you’ve visited six attractions to complement the show, it’s time to see Six on Broadway! Fittingly, it’s at the Lena Horne Theatre, named for the actress/activist who's a queen in her own right in the entertainment world.

Six is about being seen and heard in a modern, pop-driven style. The show turns the tragic and often overlooked lives of historical women into a vibrant celebration of empowerment and individuality. That alone makes Six a 10!

Learn more about Six on Broadway.