As we wrap up 2021, we look back at a year full of challenges, but also a time with many green shoots of growth—the return of Broadway, the return of international travelers, the return of New York City tourism. Even in the context of the Omicron variant, there remains plenty of supporting data indicating an ongoing return for New York City. Despite the high-profile Broadway cancellations of the last few days, and the early end of the Rockettes's run, a look at the Broadway League's new resource for schedules shows the majority of shows going forward as planned. (And grosses have been up, while capacity holds steady.)

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. 

The White House has new details for the return of international travelers on November 8th. Tweaks to the guidance will make it easier for families to travel (children under 18 will be exempted from the vaccine requirement) and there will be exceptions for emergency, humanitarian, and medical reasons. Recent data shows a rise in bookings to the U.S. in tandem with reopening borders, with clear peaks at the point of reopening and again for the winter holidays. In mid-October, NYC's weekend hotel occupancy reached a pandemic-era high of over 80%. Read on for other signs of NYC and tourism comebacks.

As much as I’d like to dazzle you with a complete list of Broadway previews, openings and re-openings, the current roster is far from complete. Still, considering the Great White Way has been dormant for over a year and a half, the evolving influx of announcements is dramatically optimistic!

Your favorite characters are all in one place: The Disney Store in Times Square NYC! Disney princesses, Star Wars characters, Marvel superheroes, Mickey and Minnie all welcome you at this essential—and rather magical—shopping destination.

It happens every year: the fall portion of the new Broadway season comes in like a lamb and moves into winter like The Lion King. Unlike the spring, musicals in fall are generally outnumbered by plays, which come packed with big name stars from the U.S. and U.K. For those willing to congregate at the stage door after the show, handshakes, autographs, and selfies with celebs add up to pretty awesome rewards.

Let me be among the first to welcome you to a new season of theatre—New York style.

Pedal-to-metal doesn’t begin to describe the annual frenzy surrounding Broadway’s busiest time of year--spring.

Thanks to a scorecard of white-hot shows laced with a jolt of celebrity voltage, Broadway is positioned to become a mega theatre mecca for January, 2018.