New York City is coming back to life and Broadway is re-opening again after being closed for the longest time in history due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. But there are a few things you should know before you travel to the Big Apple again.
- It feels like NYC again. During the height of the COVID quarantines, I saw several eerie photos of empty city streets, no cars, no people, nothing. It looked like a ghost town, especially in the more touristy areas around Broadway. But now the city is coming back to life. We had heard rumors that the city had changed for the worse, that’s not what we found. Jesse and I have already been back to New York three times since September and it feels just like the old New York we remembered and loved. It may not be as packed with people as it was pre-COVID, but everything that keeps us coming back to the city had returned to normal. On our last trip to NYC, two weeks ago, we visited East and West Village, SOHO, the Upper West Side, Hell’s Kitchen, and Union Square and they all were bursting with activity and life. Traffic was just as backed up as always, people crowded the sidewalks(many people were masked but not everyone, while walking outside), and restaurants were busy with patrons dining on dishes that resembled mini works of art. It felt good, like a bit of normalcy had returned to this crazy world.
- Have Proof of Vaccination, picture id, and your mask- Probably the most important thing you need to know before planning a trip to New York City right now is that you need to bring a photo id and proof of vaccination if you want to go into a restaurant or theater. Every restaurant and theater is 100% strict on enforcing this city-wide law. No one will be allowed inside an eatery or theater without it, no matter what. We heard several people, even with reservations, being turned away because they forgot to bring proof with them. Theaters also require everyone to wear a mask while inside.
- NYCCOVIDSAFE App-Get the app on your phone! It is free to download and so easy! Just upload a picture of your vaccine card and driver’s license or other id. When you enter either a theater or restaurant open the app and show your document photos. This is by far the easiest way to show your vaccination status and all the restaurants and theaters seem to much prefer this method. It is quick to show both documents by just swiping from one screen to the next on the phone and you’re in. If you’re not vaccinated, you can still enter theaters and restaurants if you have proof of a recent negative COVID test. There is a spot on the NYCCOVIDSAFE app to upload a picture of your negative test as well. There are also several places throughout the city that you can get a test if needed.
- Get a Reservation for a table. One consequence of the city coming to life again is that you still need reservations for the most popular restaurants like Don Angie. It’s a mild inconvenience but it’s a welcome sign that hopefully the worst of the pandemic is over. Open Table and Resy are the best apps to use to make reservations. If you have an American Express card there are some good deals when you book a table through Resy.
- Outdoor dining-To handle all the COVID social distancing requirements, many New York City restaurants built outdoor dining extensions with separate covered seating bays that take up a portion of the street. Decorated with pretty curtains, artificial flowers, string lighting, and heaters, they are a welcome addition to the dining scene. I hope they continue to allow these seating extensions even after the threat of COVID has diminished.
- Broadway is BACK! The energy surging through the crowds makes it clear that audiences are not taking live theater for granted often bestowing multiple standing ovations upon the cast like as soon they first appear on stage as well as occasionally during an exceptionally moving number. Everyone seems to be very appreciative to be back in a theater again.
- Tickets aren’t cheap- Don’t assume that show tickets will be inexpensive because Broadway just reopened. Theater seats aren’t quite as pricey as they were pre-pandemic, but for most shows they are still selling at a premium and people are buying seats up fast, so plan ahead and start by checking out Playbill.com which lists all the shows and available discounts, how to get rush seats and enter the show lotteries.
- Show lotteries are open- If you don’t have the money to spend on tickets and you are willing to take a chance on whether or not you get to spend the evening in a theater or not, try entering a couple different shows’ lotteries. All the info on where to find each show’s lottery is at the above Playbill link. You can enter the lotteries on your phone and you don’t have to wait in line all day. If you win you can head to the theater to pick up your cheap tickets, if not you get to go spend the rest of the day walking around Washington Square watching all the adorable doggies or checking out the new Drama Book Shop.
- Off Broadway is back- when people think of shows in NYC most people only think of the big Broadway productions, but you can find wonderful plays and musicals Off-Broadway as well. Many big name shows make their start in smaller Off-Broadway houses before they make their move to Broadway. So don’t forget to check out what’s playing at The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, or several others. For a complete list of current shows go to Playbill.com
- The new Drama Book Shop is a destination to see. Open since 1917, The Drama Book Shop is an iconic part of New York City’s theatre scene. In 2011, it won a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in the Theatre and is known as the best source in the city for theatrical works. It has moved several times in its one hundred year history and is currently located on W. 39th Street. The Drama Book Shop, now co-owned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is a gorgeous little shop complete with a coffee and pastry bar a few tables and several sitting areas to read or write the next great musical or play.
If you were thinking about going to NYC but just weren’t sure if you should yet, go for it! Take a little extra time for planning and then head to the Big Apple for a wonderful city adventure!
