You can feel it in the air—New York City is back. There’s an energy that signals what we all know and love – this is the one-and-only New York City. The city that never sleeps is gradually crawling out of an enforced nap with a buzz and activity that says, “Hey, check us out.” Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate the concrete jungle in its current state.

Five Tips For Navigating Your Visit to New York City

Stay Healthy

Are you feeling under the weather? If you’re in need of a COVID-19 test, you’ll quickly find testing kiosks on many prominent street corners. You can also find testing facilities inside pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens. Rapid testing options are available as well, in case you need to know your test results quickly for travel back home. Flu tests are also available at some testing facilities, and it’s also easy to find flu and COVID-19 vaccines around the city.

Plan Ahead

If you’re hoping to see as much as possible on your trip, make sure to purchase tickets and make your reservations as soon as possible. Many venues still utilize timed tickets to encourage social distancing and allow for more space (this also means better photos for you). Some attractions are also seeing significantly increased attendance which can mean sold-out times/dates. Book ahead to ensure you see everything you want to see on your trip to the Big Apple!

Enjoy the Nightlife

New York is one of the most vibrant cities in the world after dark, with plenty of bars, clubs and lounges to explore. Don’t forget to visit Times Square at night—even if you have already visited during the day. When the city lights are on after dark, everything looks extra vibrant. Make sure you’re aware of the subway schedules, so you don’t get stuck late at night. Many lines don’t run overnight, so you’ll want to make sure you know the schedules for substitute lines that are going to those areas (or close).

Stop and Smell the Roses

Take time to relax. New York can be an exciting but also hectic place. Just because the city never sleeps doesn’t mean you don’t need to! Make a stop back to your hotel to recharge or visit one of the many stunning parks and green spaces in the city for a mid-day pick-me-up. You can also find a little peace and quiet while admiring art in some of the city’s stunning museums.

Do Everything You Can

Eat out, tip well, go to museums, gardens and parks. There’s so much to do as New York City continues to move forward—everything from Broadway shows to brand-new restaurants and attractions. For updated health and safety information when visiting as well as daily updates, visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov.