You probably never thought you'd be uplifted by reports of increased rat activity in the city, but such are the times we're living in. The uptick in rodent complaints reflects an increasingly bouncing back city. In more pleasant indicators, subway ridership just had its first 2 million-plus rider day in eons; nationally Uber saw rides spike almost 10% in March. There's much more on the opening front, too:
- Regal Cinema to open 500 theatres nationally
- Shakespeare in the Parking Lot performs free Shakespeare on the LES April 23rd-24th (Shakespeare in the Park will be back in the summer)
- In person performances return to the Y April 29th
- Arthur Avenue in the Bronx brings back its al fresco “Piazza di Belmont” starting April 30th
- The Museum of the Moving Image reopens its galleries and theater April 30th
- An in-person Met Gala returns in September
The travel trends suggest summer in the U.S. will be dominated by domestic travel. New York should do well on that front: Destination Analytics has us #2 on the most-desired domestic destination list, between Las Vegas and Florida. And look for international visitors to be back soon—New York has now lifted its COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements for all travelers.
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New Hurricane Maria Memorial honoring Puerto Rican community now open in Battery Park. Image governorandrewcuomo/Flickr.
Links of Interest
Ad pros push NYC in new #nowyork campaign.
NY state budget includes major COVID relief for small businesses.
Manhattan retail market still searching out the bottom.
Still time to help The Actors Fund set a new Guinness World Record.
Dippin' Dots opens first-ever NYC shop.
Live talk tomorrow at 6:30pm, A Helluva Four Decades: Tom Dyja and Meg Wolitzer on NY, NY, NY.
HOTELS
Has New York hospitality finally turned the corner to recovery?
Margaritaville Resort Times Square now taking reservations.
Hotel Pennsylvania to be razed.
CLOSING TIME
Longtime elite player Del Posto ends its 16-year run.
Village Korean fusion fave ZusikNY is done.
City top ramen contender Mu Ramen walks away in LIC.
New Weekly Video Series Behind The Experience
What kind of spy would you be? Would you have the nerve? Behind The Experience takes you behind the scenes of SPYSCAPE, the immersive espionage experience in midtown. We share some secrets, like the story of the double agent assigned to find himself and why New York is where it all began, and tell you about a perfect idea for a first date. SPYSCAPE joins our recent visits to Madame Tussauds and the Museum of the City of New York. CHECK IT OUT—it’s fun! If you'd like to share secrets and connect with our thousands of followers, please reach out.
Posts of the Week: Everything to Do NYC Facebook Group
Another barometer of the returning city is the increase in interest in City Guide's Facebook Group Everything to Do NYC. More than 18,000 New York superfans are interacting here daily, including:
- Over 1,000 new members this week
- 90 posts this week
- 1,500 comments this week
This is a community, helping locals and tourists looking to get the most out of NYC. Check out the answers to these recent posts:
- Has anyone been to the Edge in Hudson Yard? I’ve never been to that part of the city, and wonder if it’s worth seeing/experiencing.
- Staying in Times Square for 3 days with 2 teenagers. What are some must do’s?
- Hey! Any ideas for where I should take my daughter for her 18th bday... I want it to feel adultish, but still appropriate (if that makes sense)
- Is it worth visiting Coney Island? This is about our 10th trip to the city.
- I’ve seen some people and even YouTube accounts commenting that NYC is not very safe right now but I’m not exactly understanding why. I’ve always felt very safe visiting the city. I’m visiting in a couple of weeks and I’m bringing my toddler, is there anything we should be aware of besides using the same normal common sense we would use traveling in any part of the world?
Stop by the group for insight into what locals and visitors are thinking.
