NYC in the Time of COVID
June 30, 2021 8:03 AM Subscribe
Visiting NYC in July, and I'm curious what my options are for stuff to do during this bizarre historical moment.
I've been to NYC before, but my trip is usually attached to a specific event (a concert, an author reading, etc.). This time I'm visiting a friend of mine, and the agenda is pretty open. Normally I'd expect to be indoors around seas of people; I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.
Thus I'm in search of sights/activities/etc. that are:
Outdoors or, if indoors, managing crowds
Relatively inexpensive (free would be ideal, but I know that's not easy to come by)
Open for business (I'm not sure how fully reopened the city is)
Appealing to a writer/artist who appreciates pop culture/geekery, natural beauty/a good photo opp, and history (among other things)
We're already considering the Staten Island Ferry, the Cloisters, Central Park, and maybe a quick jaunt to the Strand. Other suggestions welcome, even if you think someone would have checked the box previously. (It's been nearly ten years since my last visit, so I imagine much has changed.) Thanks in advance!
I've been to NYC before, but my trip is usually attached to a specific event (a concert, an author reading, etc.). This time I'm visiting a friend of mine, and the agenda is pretty open. Normally I'd expect to be indoors around seas of people; I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.
Thus I'm in search of sights/activities/etc. that are:
Outdoors or, if indoors, managing crowds
Relatively inexpensive (free would be ideal, but I know that's not easy to come by)
Open for business (I'm not sure how fully reopened the city is)
Appealing to a writer/artist who appreciates pop culture/geekery, natural beauty/a good photo opp, and history (among other things)
We're already considering the Staten Island Ferry, the Cloisters, Central Park, and maybe a quick jaunt to the Strand. Other suggestions welcome, even if you think someone would have checked the box previously. (It's been nearly ten years since my last visit, so I imagine much has changed.) Thanks in advance!
Little Island is amazing, and that'd put you right on the Hudson River Park. I'm biased as that's my running route, but it's equally as enjoyable as anywhere else outdoors in NYC. But NYC is very open now and is getting busy again, have fun!
posted by signondiego at 8:26 AM on June 30, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by signondiego at 8:26 AM on June 30, 2021 [3 favorites]
Maybe the New York Botanical Garden? Tickets are on the pricier side but the flowers are amazing. If you go with a NYS or NYC resident they can get tickets for free or significantly discounted.
Highline? Union Square Market?
Bryant Park + NY Public Library?
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:32 AM on June 30, 2021
Highline? Union Square Market?
Bryant Park + NY Public Library?
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:32 AM on June 30, 2021
Green-Wood Cemetery has nature, views, and history, and it's free!
posted by moonmilk at 8:44 AM on June 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by moonmilk at 8:44 AM on June 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
The best outdoor, affordable thing to do is the NYC Ferry line - its $2.75 a ride and you can bounce around the East River and see a bunch of fancy ass gentrifier parks on the water, or take the loveliest 45 minute ride from Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to the Rockaways. Only $2.75 more than the Staten Island Ferry and I'd say more enjoyable. (You can go to the beach, get some food in the Rockaways, or just come back to the city.)
Governor's Island hits all your interests - cheap, spread out, outside, art, photo-ops, etc.
If you want to avoid taking the subway, you can use CitiBike or one of the electric scooter apps, Revel or Lime. In general, NYC is rapidly opening up (whether that's good or bad) but you'll be able to get around and do lots of things.
posted by RajahKing at 9:15 AM on June 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
Governor's Island hits all your interests - cheap, spread out, outside, art, photo-ops, etc.
If you want to avoid taking the subway, you can use CitiBike or one of the electric scooter apps, Revel or Lime. In general, NYC is rapidly opening up (whether that's good or bad) but you'll be able to get around and do lots of things.
posted by RajahKing at 9:15 AM on June 30, 2021 [5 favorites]
Going to link a couple answers I left for a similar question recently here and here.
Overall, the city is basically fully 'open'. What businesses/attractions survived the pandemic are in full swing so expect busy restaurants and long lines. Some museums are still doing timed entry to reduce crowding, so if you want to hit any up, try to buy tickets ahead of time.
Most people still do a pretty good job of masking indoors/on public transportation, but those restrictions have let up quite a bit too and it feels overall more relaxed, which may or may not be to your liking.
Also, ubers/lyfts are hugely expensive right now (some articles say over 50% increasing in pricing from previous years) so keep that in mind too while you are going from place to place.
And have fun!
posted by greta simone at 9:20 AM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Overall, the city is basically fully 'open'. What businesses/attractions survived the pandemic are in full swing so expect busy restaurants and long lines. Some museums are still doing timed entry to reduce crowding, so if you want to hit any up, try to buy tickets ahead of time.
Most people still do a pretty good job of masking indoors/on public transportation, but those restrictions have let up quite a bit too and it feels overall more relaxed, which may or may not be to your liking.
Also, ubers/lyfts are hugely expensive right now (some articles say over 50% increasing in pricing from previous years) so keep that in mind too while you are going from place to place.
And have fun!
posted by greta simone at 9:20 AM on June 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
I went to NYC last week and enjoyed Little Island, Madison Square Park (especially the Maya Lin piece on display), the Whitney Museum, the High Line, and Chelsea Market. All but the Whitney are free. Little Island is open without timed tickets in the morning and requires timed tickets in the afternoon. Generally, I'd advise planning ahead for what you want to see -- a lot of places may require timed tickets. Hope you have a great time with your friend!
posted by wicked_sassy at 9:29 AM on June 30, 2021
posted by wicked_sassy at 9:29 AM on June 30, 2021
The Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows Park is a super-fun opportunity to try a lot of interesting food. Going on every Saturday night; tickets required before July 10th.
posted by neroli at 10:44 AM on June 30, 2021
posted by neroli at 10:44 AM on June 30, 2021
Aim to have your visit fall in the latter half of the week/weekend. Most museums have reopened, but a number of them still aren't open on Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
Co-signing the East River ferry, which has considerable outdoor seating.
posted by praemunire at 11:28 AM on June 30, 2021
Co-signing the East River ferry, which has considerable outdoor seating.
posted by praemunire at 11:28 AM on June 30, 2021
I want to add that as someone who used it to commute, the ferry to Governors island on a summer weekend was a horrible shitshow nightmare and if it’s as crowded now as it was then I would be really uncomfortable.
posted by degoao at 12:59 PM on June 30, 2021
posted by degoao at 12:59 PM on June 30, 2021
ive only had good experiences with the governors island ferry - i think they have been limiting capacity and there is the upper deck outdoors and its maybe a 5 minute ride? Governors island is an awesome thing to see/do, and if youre there and hungry i highly recommend pizza yard for a neopolitan pie.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:44 PM on June 30, 2021
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:44 PM on June 30, 2021
Depending on what dates you’re here, Bryant Park is putting on a bunch of free outdoor shows from major NYC cultural institutions like the NYC Opera and the NY Philharmonic. Just have to show a vax card or a negative COVID test. For reference it’s about 15-20 blocks south of Central Park.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:25 PM on June 30, 2021
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:25 PM on June 30, 2021
Most museums have reopened, but a number of them still aren't open on Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
The Met has switched to being open on Mondays but closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Definitely got wrong-footed by this the other week!
posted by babelfish at 6:28 AM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
The Met has switched to being open on Mondays but closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Definitely got wrong-footed by this the other week!
posted by babelfish at 6:28 AM on July 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
« Older Physics question - Slingshot Ride but not strapped... | Is there such thing as a JSON editor for... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by moonmilk at 8:10 AM on June 30, 2021 [1 favorite]