Coronavirus Latest for Tourism
Another week sees another reduction in NYC's coronavirus load and another spate of reopenings. A highlight this week is the return of Top of the Rock, open daily from 1 to 9pm. Kids 12 and under get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket through Labor Day. Also coming back is the American Museum of Natural History, which has slotted September 9th for its public opening; capacity will be limited, days will be Wednesday-Sunday, and the planetarium will remain closed. Downtown, The Rooftop at Pier 17 has a new, pandemic-friendly way to chill, with 28 mini-lawns seating groups of up to 8, facing bridge and skyline views.
Traveler confidence is down nationally, but there are opportunities for NYC. Our thriving outdoor dining scene makes the city a substitute for travelers who won't be going to Europe any time soon. The falling dollar may boost the city's attractiveness when foreign travelers return. More data is out that NYC's density was not a cause of our COVID-19 outbreak and that transit systems around the world are not leading to virus spread—evidence of a safe subway will go a long way for NYC's comeback.
Links of Interest
NYC
Yankee Stadium Tours go virtual: online visits now available Tuesdays at noon and Thursdays at 2pm.
Food tourists returning (some) for NYC's al fresco dining scene.
Hilton’s lifestyle brand opens Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District.
Ken Davenport's predictions for when Broadway comes back, Part I and Part II.
For the first time since 1933, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes will not go on (the tradition is expected back for 2021).
NYC party spaces struggling during the pandemic.
TRAVEL
As summer domestic travel stalls, the U.S. Travel Association promotes "STEP Act" to provide travel industry relief.
Will "revenge travel" bring visitors back?
RESOURCES
Live music spots and promoters form the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and #SaveOurStages advocacy campaign.
The local live event industry comes together with the NY / NJ Live Events Coalition.
WEBINARS
An Audience with Roger Dow: Continuing to Navigate the Road to Recovery tomorrow morning at 11am.
CLOSING TIME
Keith McNally's Augustine in The Beekman bids adieu.
The Bryant Park Hotel packs it in, to be converted to boutique office space.
Meatpacking District food hall Gansevoort Market clears out.
Everything to Do NYC Facebook Group Post of the Week
Everything to Do NYC is a group of passionate New Yorkers sharing their expertise with city visitors and newcomers. Growth is picking up as the city reopens, with membership climbing over 7,000 now. We see a lot of engagement, for example 47 comments on this recent post:
What do “weekend plans” look like these days?
Signs of a resurgent city included responses like outdoor dining, beach visits, urban walks, and Manhattan trips. Check out the whole collection here. Other recent posts provide insight into what locals and visitors are thinking.
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