NYC’s reopening is underway, but the state estimates that the city has lost two-thirds of its tourists and may take five years to recover. The city is open and ready to be explored, with information on transportation, weather, public restrooms, and more available. To stay safe while traveling, visitors should know city etiquette, the latest COVID-19 advisories, and the five boroughs of New York City.
New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that face masks are now optional in multiple settings where they were previously. Overseas travelers are back in New York City after the U.S. borders reopened, but many businesses do not expect a major rebound until next year. New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are pushing ahead with May 19 reopening plans, and the subway will return to 24-hour service.
The tourism industry is hoping that the Big Apple’s travel and tourism sector will rebound from its pandemic lull. However, today’s visitors are arriving with new agendas. Central New York, the Catskills, and Adirondacks have seen growth, while New York City has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. A new report from the New York state comptroller’s office says the tourism sector in New York City is heading towards a “complete recovery”.
Unvaccinated travelers from abroad are no longer allowed to enter the city. New York City received a ninth consecutive annual record of approximately 65.2 million tourists in 2018, making it the busiest tourist city attraction. Tripadvisor has 4200335 reviews of New York City hotels, attractions, and restaurants, making it your best New York City resource.
📹 New York City (and tourism) is back!
“New York is everything.” 🏙️ As U.S. borders reopen to international travelers, NYC & Co CEO Fred Dixon talks tourism, …
How to safely tour New York?
New York City, known as the “Big Apple”, attracts millions of tourists each year, offering a variety of experiences from iconic sights like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty to the tranquil greenery of Central Park. Navigating the city safely is crucial for a memorable and positive experience. Beat of NYC provides safety tips for first-time visitors, including avoiding standing close to the edge of the subway platform, keeping belongings close, and avoiding displaying expensive jewelry or gadgets openly.
The NYPD released 2024 crime rates in February, showing a decline in car theft, overall index crime, shooting incidents, burglaries, robbery, and Jewish hate crimes. To ensure a safe and memorable trip, it is essential to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying expensive jewelry or gadgets openly.
Is now a good time to visit New York City?
New York City offers a wide range of attractions and activities year-round, making it an ideal destination for any trip. However, winter is not the best time to visit due to snow and crowds. However, for an affordable and crowd-free escape, consider visiting museums, shops, and underground spaces like the Oculus and Brookfield Place. Summer offers warm, sunny weather, but expect higher hotel and attraction rates and a large number of tourists. To counteract the cold weather, take advantage of the city’s many museums, shops, and underground spaces. Overall, New York City is a versatile and enjoyable destination for any traveler.
Is it ok to travel to New York City now?
NYC is currently considered a safe city, with a crime rate of low among its 8, 175, 133 residents. According to FBI data, NYC is the safest big city in the U. S., ranking above San Jose and San Diego, California. This makes it an ideal destination for travelers planning work or leisure trips, or those seeking a change of scenery.
Are people coming back to NYC?
New York City’s tourism industry is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, according to an analysis by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The pandemic caused a 66. 5 decline in visitors in 2020, reaching 22. 3 million people. In 2023, visitor numbers reached 62. 2 million, 6. 6 below 2019 levels. The city expects full recovery by 2025, with major conferences and events like the 2026 World Cup providing opportunities for further growth.
How to be safe when visiting New York City?
To ensure safety while traveling in New York City, it is essential to be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas. Keep your belongings close and avoid displaying expensive jewelry or gadgets. Beat of NYC recommends holding your phone with both hands when using the subway. When taking a cab or rideshare, check for bikers before opening the door and exit curbside. If you hear yelling, head in the opposite direction and get as far away as possible.
Use reliable transportation options like official taxis, recognized rideshare services, or the subway. Avoid accepting rides from anyone other than rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft or official NYC Yellow Cabs. Stay in well-lit areas and avoid empty subway cars, especially late at night.
Secure your belongings by using securely closed bags, anti-theft backpacks, or cross-body style bags. Additionally, make digital copies of important documents like your passport and ID and store them securely online.
Is NYC the safest big city?
NYC has the 96th lowest crime rate among America’s 100 largest cities due to increased police presence, fewer gangs and members, and hardworking residents. Despite high rents and housing costs, NYC remains a safe and wonderful city to live in.
Is tourism open in New York?
The travel industry has recovered in 2021, with over 62 million visitors in 2023, representing 93% of 2019 levels. The city now expects to surpass pre-pandemic visitor numbers by 2025. However, travelers’ mindsets and behaviors have shifted, with a greater interest in experiences and a desire for unique adventures beyond Manhattan. While the most famous New York City sites remain popular, they are venturing beyond Manhattan for one-of-a-kind adventures and outdoor activities.
Business travel is recovering at a slower pace than leisure, but post-pandemic corporate travelers are looking to make in-person connections and find New York one of the best cities to meet and deepen relationships with clients, customers, and colleagues. New York’s unique history, culture, diversity, grit, and glamour offer a unique opportunity to delight visitors while showing them the “real” city in ways they might never have seen it before.
Is New York still a good place to visit?
New York City is considered one of the safest big cities in the world, with its vigilant police force constantly protecting visitors. However, caution is still necessary to ensure safety. To prepare for your trip, research the city’s hazards and be pragmatic and prepared. The crime rate is relatively low, with most crimes occurring in tourist-heavy areas around Manhattan, such as Harlem and the Bronx.
Most tourists are unlikely to visit areas like Harlem or the Bronx, where crimes are most likely to occur. Understanding the city’s hazards and being prepared is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip.
Has tourism dropped in New York City?
New York City, which accounts for 60% of all tourism spending in the state, has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, despite rapid improvements. In 2022, 62. 2 million people visited the city, a decrease of 7 compared to 2019, and a 1 increase in spending despite high inflation levels. This contrasts with several upstate regions experiencing significant increases in tourism spending, such as Central New York, which saw over 80 growth in 2022 compared to 2019, and the Catskills and Adirondacks regions, which saw over 40 growth in 2022. Despite being typically ahead of the rest of the state in terms of tourism numbers, New York City is currently experiencing a slight decline.
Does New York have a lot of tourism?
New York City’s tourism has experienced a strong rebound since the reopening of borders in 2022, with over 66 million visitors in 2019. The city’s tourism demographics are complex, with business travel accounting for 20 percent of the total, 80 percent leisure travel, and 20 percent international travel. This mix of visitors makes New York the most popular international destination in the U. S., with a strong pull on global markets.
In 2024, the city expects tourism to return to 97 of the visitation levels in 2019, surpassing 2019 levels in 2025. However, there are headwinds, such as the strong dollar against foreign currencies, limited air capacity, particularly from Asia, and inflation.
China is one of the opportunities for growth, as it was the second-largest market in 2019 and is expected to see a stronger rebound this year. By the end of 2024, the city expects to reach 800, 000 visitors, but it will take a couple of years to return to pre-pandemic levels.
In conclusion, New York City’s tourism has experienced a strong rebound since the reopening of borders in 2022, with a complex mix of visitors and opportunities.
What are the travel restrictions to New York?
Asymptomatic travelers who do not work in healthcare settings are not required to undergo testing, furlough, or quarantine upon returning to New York after domestic or international travel. However, those who are not vaccinated or recently recovered should be tested three to five days after arrival, consider non-mandated self-quarantine, and avoid contact with people at higher risk for 14 days. Testing is also recommended for fully vaccinated individuals who have not recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months at three to five days after arrival in New York from international travel.
📹 Why Tourists Became Repulsed by NYC | History of Tourism in New York City
Today’s video covers the fascinating history of tale Tourism in New York City, tourist traps, and why some visitors may find their trip …
I’ve lived in the area and go to manhattan a lot for work or sight seeing. To my eyes, one of the biggest changes is how the waterfronts have been reclaimed for public use. Also, NY is building a really thoughtful and safe bicycling environment. If the day is nice I can bike in from NJ for free in a couple places, ride bike, take ferries (manhattan to rockaway 4$), bike to beaches (coney island) . I can even sail around the area and see the same places from water. and the musuems have a ~100$ pass for a year. its a great stop if your bicycling and you want to avoid the heat in the summer or cold in the winter for a couple hours.
I worked in NYC, commuting from New Jersey for over 43 years. Yes, some areas of the city are ‘tourist traps’, phony, some areas at higher crime risk, the subways are the filthiest of any international big city, and expensive, but with care, you can enjoy it as a tourist for a reasonable price if do your research. NYC is a lot more than Manhattan. Don’t go to the Statue of Liberty – take the free Staten Island Ferry round trip on a nice sunny day in the late morning or early afternoon and see the harbor. Do see the 9/11 memorial but act respectable. Too many act like jerks. Hotels can be very expensive, but some stay in New Jersey although you may have a commute of an hour or more each way. Times Square isn’t the city, it is the worst place for the ‘tourist traps’. Yes, NYC/Manhattan and its Subway can be filthy, dirty, smelly, especially in the summer. Best to go in the Spring and Fall to limit exposures. Yes, crime is a problem in NYC, but other smaller cities in the USA are far more dangerous. Take advantage of the parks, the elevated former rail line site that is like a park on part of the west side of Manhattan. The museums can be crowded, especially on weekends. Go on middle weekdays. Do take advantage of student or ‘seniors’ rates if qualified. If to be in Manhattan for more than a few days, center your choices by areas of the city for each day there. Yes, it will be expensive to eat, if the weather is nice, get eats from vendors with the longest lines. Some areas like Union Square have farmer’s markets on selected days.
Has this guy even been to NYC? Apparently all he knows is Times Square. I’ve lived in Manhattan for 17 years and NY is not without it’s problems, but dude needs to have someone who knows the city show him around. Stuff to do: Brooklyn Bridge/Dumbo, Central Park, Empire State Building, the Highline, the Transit Museum, The Met, Yankee Stadium, The Edge, Oculus, WTC, ice skating rinks, The Circle Line.. I can go on, but you get the idea..
The opinion of NYC is subjective. Does it smell? Yes, but I actually like the smell. Is it crowded and expensive? Of course, it’s NYC. Nowhere in the world will you find Rockefeller Center at Christmas. Radio City, Central Park, Empire State bld., Chrysler bld., World Trade memorial, Statue of Liberty, a hot dog or pretzel on the street all while seeing the human diversity all living (in most part) perfect harmony? And that is just a very small piece of the experience. I live on Long Island and NYC is about the experience, the history and the culture that does not exist any where in the world. However, Ryan is right on one point. If you go looking for something different you may be disappointed.
Tourists go to three or four different places tops when visiting here. Those three or four places where we know tourists go are tourist traps, because it’s where the tourists go. Do tourists come to my neighborhood? Nope. Any of the other neighborhoods I’ve lived throughout my life? Nope. None tourist traps.
It’s easy to enjoy NYC if you don’t spend a bunch of money on crap. I drive to Walmart near Newark, leave my car, take the PATH into Manhattan, walk everywhere, if I need a locker I rent one to safekeep my items, or if I need a bed I get one at 31 and Broadway where you have to share a bathroom but SO WHAT it’s only like 50 bucks a night for a room with a bed, TV, fridge, microwave. Use your brain and enjoy the city. I’d never live there but I love visiting there. I usually walk like 5 miles a day when I’m not visiting NYC so it’s nice to walk everywhere. I walked from the Battery all the way to Harlem already. Manhattan isn’t that big of an island. Enjoy
What a GREAT watch, so much detail. I have been to NYC many times over the years, it’s a fun place to visit but I would not want to live there (traffic.) Hope those are souvenir or movie prop $100 dollar bills being burnt. My last trip to NYC was a letdown because of the crime and trash, even Times Square looked better in the past, well maybe not counting the 70’s…. NYC is a great city that needs help, a new mayor and new DA would be a good start. Thanks for posting. Top Notch Work
I visited NYC in 2016. It was part of a trip to Ireland and the UK. The only thing that disappointed me was that I made the mistake of underestimating the vastness of the city. I picked a brownstone hotel, due to my love of Victorian architecture, but it was in the Bronx. It ended up costing 100 for a cab ride from the airport. I also made the mistake of wanting to see as much as possible, which didn’t exactly fit with the 2 days I had allotted for the layover. I do want to go back to see more sites. I didn’t mind going to the shops that sold various items with the I ❤ NY logo.
I’m a native New Yorker who has lived and traveled overseas. I get more disappointed everytime I return home to the city. Yes, you can argue there’s a beautiful waterfront, new pedestrian plazas and walkways, a safer Time Square, etc. The city has lost its edge, its character, its risque after Disney took over Time Square. The city has become a safe Disney ride–a little thrill, but not enough to cause any worry. I no longer conisder the city the “IT” city it once was. There are far more interesting cities dotting the globe.
I agree that the late 19th and early 20th Centuries were the best periods of architecture, at least in the United States. I would love to see buildings built today with architecture that authentically replicates the architecture of that time period. It’s a shame that architecture today is often ugly. It’s also a shame that most buildings built during a given time period look similar. People need to learn to think for themselves when it comes to architectural styles instead of just mindlessly copying whatever the current trend is. When it comes to tourism, I prefer to visit state and national parks, and small towns and mid-sized cities over massively big cities like New York.
There are more museums and places of interest in Manhatten and the other boroughs than any other place that size in the world. When I used to live on Long Island, I would take the train to the city every weekend and do something different. Tourists (none I❤NY residents), have to understand, if you are visiting Monday to Friday, you are touring around the largest workforce IN THE WORLD! Happy Traveling.
A guy whose main means of earning money is making YouTube vids visits NYC and the horrible people there don’t acknowledge his obvious genius and superiority, so he makes a YouTube article mocking them. Nope, never saw that on YouTube before. Totally original content. I think I’ll go and watch something interesting now…like the bikini waxing how-to vids.
As much as I like cityscapes and architecture I am not a city person so I’ll enjoy the cityscapes in photos and call it a day. There’s probably only three things in NYC that interest me as a whole and they’re not enough to get me to travel 7 hours just to see them in person. Big cities are way too crowded for my liking. I was born and raised in NY State but I’m located closest to Canada. I have a supervisor at work who grew up close to NYC, though I don’t remember which province he said it was. But he has told me of how any time he’s come across and spoken to anyone from Brooklyn or Queens they’d ask where he’s from, he tells them Upstate NY. Their first response is “Oh, so you’re from Albany?” Which is funny to me because most people from the city think that’s where NY State stops. Of course those who travel often know there’s many more areas to explore. There’s not much that’s very exciting here where I am. But I’ll take trees and fields over high-rise concrete any day. 🙂
I lived in New York state for 27 years, but on the western end of the state. You know, the part that has Niagara Falls. In the time I lived there I only had been to NYC three times. To me it’s always come across as overblown and overrated. Sure it’s a place to see, but what can you really do there without taking out a second mortgage to pay for it? New York State has some incredible natural scenery. Go to the Finger Lakes region and you’ll come across some of the finest wineries in the entire country (as well as some truly beautiful views). The state has an incredible State Park system, the crown jewel of it being Letchworth State Park, “The Grand Canyon of the East” and voted as the best state park in all the United States. But it’s far from being the only one. Take a trip into the Adirondack Mountains and tour the facility that gave us The Miracle on Ice. The Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River is a fantastic spot to go to. New York State has way more to offer in terms of tourism and culture than just the tourist trap that is New York City. Honestly, the rest of the state would greatly benefit from tourism. And it really does have everything. Want to see a Broadway show or take in some fine art? Buffalo has Shea Theater and The Albright-Knox Gallery. Rochester has a world renowned museum dedicated to play, The Strong Museum of Play. And if you’re into photography, visiting “The Flower City” is where Kodak was located. My point is New York City is a very thin and very expensive facade of New York.
Not many tourists enjoy NYC, you either hit the few spots you want to visit as a tourist on one day, or you will discover NYC does not have much more to offer than any other older city. Most of he people that live there mostly wished they did not, but are trapped in dead end jobs and do not have enough money to start over somewhere else.
Thing I have always heard about NYC is that the people are rude. This goes back many decades. I grew up in San Antonio, TX and could identify a New Yorker by their behavior in my early teens. Plus the city is known as being dirty and crime-ridden. I do thank you for the comments about capitalism/consumerism, which have made it far worse. I have no urge to visit.
I’ve got a friend who loves visiting New York. Louise along with her Mum Val or her husband Adam they love New York and they don’t seem to have any trouble there. Louise is from Wales but now lives and works in London. She is also my 3rd cousin and we met through both doing our family history. My maternal granddad was born in New York but when he was 3 his parents returned to Taunton in Somerset
Use to drive limos and vans through NYC to the harbors and such. I can’t say I enjoyed my stays in manhatten, every side street smelled of urine and all the main streets of exhaust gas. One good note is that I enjoyed some good food, but I’m not sure it’ll ever be enough to lure me back lol. Some people like cities, some don’t, I’m the later for sure lol.
Repulsive? Really? Good click bait word. I thought your actual article was thoughtful and interesting but the click bait title is just as offensive as a 200 foot wide Times Square LED screen. I agree that tourists should spend most of the their valuable time away from Times Square and the “must see” sights. There are far more interesting and affordable attractions right next door. This is not just a problem in NYC. You also see it in London, Rome, Paris, etc., etc.