NYC is over 70% vaccinated and most everything is open. We still have some distancing guidelines and reservations required, but, thankfully, things are slowly moving more towards how they were before.
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can’t wait to show you them all!!!!
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel – right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- Sky Room @ Fairfield Inn Times Square – ‘the city’s highest rooftop lounge’ on 34th floor (photo)
- The Empire Hotel – year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.
NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town
NYC Travel Health & Trip Insurance
If you are traveling to NYC from a country that supports/pays your healthcare (lucky you!), you may want to consider a short term medical plan for US Travel, especially one that specifically says “Covid-19 Medical Covered” or “Covid-19 Cancellation Covered.”
My research shows plans start at $20 USD per week per person that include Covid Medical Care, and you can add trip cancellation and other travel insurance coverage (luggage, delays, etc) in the online comparison tool. Our US medical expenses are not for the faint of heart, or anyone used to medical care being paid for (our ACA-Obamacare charges $600/month + the first $7,000 of medical expenses per year be paid per person and then denies 17% of care as “not medically necessary” so you have to pay for that care outside of the $600/$7,000).
NYC Travel & Health Guidelines
Most indoor establishments require masks be worn: subway/public transportation, Broadway theaters, attractions, shopping, museums, etc and most ticketed events (shows, sports) require vaccination proof.
Check the latest NYC Travel requirements. As of November 2021, Before boarding a flight to the United States, you are required to show one of the following:
- If you are fully vaccinated: Proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before travel.
- If you are NOT fully vaccinated: A negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.
Children under 2 years old do not need to test. There is also an option for people who have documented recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
