As we come down the homestretch on 2021 we are feeling thankful at City Guide. Thankful for the return of international tourists. Thankful for vaccines and the new treatments that will allow us to come together again. Thankful for governmental support and its promotion of our city. Most of all we are thankful for our colleagues and all our loyal partners. As we reflect with friends and family this weekend, we will feel grateful we have such a strong, vibrant community in New York City tourism, one that has better times ahead on the near horizon. 

It's been a little over a week since international tourists were allowed back in and already we're starting to see the impacts. One promising note in an article on big bets by midtown restaurateurs is a report of a sushi counter already fully booked through Christmas—and that's at a place that just opened! It's all thanks to international travelers.

Covid cases are plunging in NYC. Headlines like "Here Comes the Travel Boom" are everywhere. Delta reports a 450% surge in international bookings. Tourism research firms have shaved a year off the rebound timeline in their latest forecasts—U.S. hotels could be fully recovered by next year. At City Guide we certainly think so, and we're backing that with our newly redesigned magazines hitting the city next week.

This week we're confronting the E.U.'s decision to drop the U.S. from its list of COVID-safe countries for travel. Strictly taking a tourism point of view, New York becomes an even stronger attraction for those seeking European lures without enduring passport control. The word is getting out about New York's commitment to safety, too—a round-up of top Labor Day destinations includes NYC at #5 thanks to our vaccine requirements (the Washington Post called us out as well for being a safe option).

Although the major tourism headlines this week were about postponements—both the Philharmonic and Broadway are pushing off to at least summer 2021—a scan of the wider scene reveals green shoots of rebirth. NYC luxury is making a comeback, suggesting the affluent may be making their way back to the city—Louis Vuitton is open again, Bergdorf Goodman is expanding its hours, and Per Se returns tomorrow. Read on for more on NYC and broader tourism trends.

As one of the world’s great shopping capitals, New York City is at the forefront of dynamic new retail. Digital brands open their first brick-and-mortar stores here, while other brands look to incorporate digital experiences into the store environment. Still other stores invite greater hands-on exposure to their products with the help of photogenic environments and personalized help from staff members. Below are 11 new ways to shop in NYC, including Empire Outlets, Sonos, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Showfields, and others.

Read on for cruises, karaoke, and gaming spots where you can do something a little bit different for your next birthday celebration.

Here are some top-notch traveller tips for maximizing your time in the Capital of the World.

It’s almost time for New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which kicks off September 6 and runs through September 14. The shows will be held at Spring Studios as well as other spaces throughout New York. Even if you haven’t nabbed an invitation, you can still indulge in some great people watching. Whether you’re jetting from show to show or simply yearn to unwind among the uber-stylish, there’s a host of Manhattan hotspots that are ideal for dining and drinking in style.

Hornblower Cruises and Events presents the ultimate night out in the best city in the world: the Broadway on the Water Cabaret Cruise.

A host of New York City destinations are offering free fitness classes in outdoor spaces—from courtyards to waterfront parks. A fun and full lineup of classes includes everything from yoga, Zumba, and dancing salsa to high-intensity fitness and cardio.

New York Water Taxi opens up the whole city for a day of fun! We’ve put together a day that will make the most of your New York Water Taxi All-Access Pass and give you some of the best sightseeing the city has to offer. Hop on and hop off at the Taxi’s four locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and while you’re on board you’ll hear the history and wonder of the city’s most famous landmarks as a guide narrates the journey. Here’s a day starting at the New York Taxi dock in Midtown Manhattan, taking you all over the city until dinner in The Seaport District.

The Seaport District, formerly known as South Street Seaport, has been getting some serious upgrades lately. The former shopping center there has been torn down, replaced by rows of shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and an outdoor concert venue.

Cocktail spots and wine bars are a dime a dozen below 14th Street, but a truly good happy hour is harder to come by. Don’t pay full price for drinks (or snacks) at these 15 downtown watering holes, offering very happy happy hours throughout the week.

When the weather gets warm, the city spills outside to enjoy every moment of its hard-won good weather. In the next few months, you can take a trip to Coney Island or linger in Central Park to hear musical acts from Cardi B to Dead & Company to Morrissey. Here are some of the best places to listen to live music and boost your vitamin D at the same time in New York City.