Things to do in New York during COVID

By Suz Pathmanathan

It’s still summer out there but creeping into fall, and with most of us having spent the best part of the year indoors, you’re wondering how to make the most of all the sunlight and slightly cooler temperature. This 'things to do in New York during COVID' list has been designed to take in your key considerations during this time including:

Be safe. Get active!

On Location Tours: Central Park Filming Location Walking Tour

Did you know that Central Park’s 18,000 trees play a critical role in fighting climate change by cooling the urban heat of Manhattan? Team your appreciation for stunning outdoor spaces (and everything they do for us) with your love of entertainment, while getting your step count up. Join an On Location Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour to visit the places your favorite movies were shot. Step into the shoes of Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2 and feed the pigeons. Visit the Boathouse Café used in When Harry Met Sally. Your expert guide will point out key locations from iconic movies to ensure that you swap passing by for being part of the action! There are also some points to consider on the timing of your visit here so read is New York Safe for further tips.

Availability: Daily

Ages: All ages

Duration: 2 hours

Great for: Entertainment and nature lovers, outdoor types, sightseers, local explorers

Booking Type: Pre-book or join free with The New York Pass

Virtual TCS Marathon

The great thing about a crisis is that creative minds among us think of inventive ways to the things they love uninterrupted. So while most conventional marathons are cancelled, for now, New York Road Runners virtual marathon is allowing runners to race five boroughs virtually, from around the globe. To learn more about and sign up for the Run for Guaranteed Entry or Run for the Medal tiers, visit the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon guide. And if you need a bit of a training boost, enjoy 10% off NYRR Coaching Lab Essentials 26.2 and a 30-day Strava subscription. This is definitely one of the more challenging things to do in New York during COVID, so if you're entering, good luck!

Availability: October 17 - November 1

Ages: All ages

Great for: Fitness enthusiasts, locals

Booking Type: Pre-book

Brooklyn Bridge Tours & Rentals by Unlimited Biking

Twenty-one elephants walked across the Brooklyn Bridge in 1884. Why not trace their footsteps on your bike in the present day? This Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tours & Rentals brought to you by Unlimited Biking, allows you to see some of the best parts of Brooklyn from the saddle. Opt for an all-day self-guided bike ride or be part of a 2-hour guided bike tour. Spot the Statue of Liberty. See Ellis Island and Staten Island. Coast past New York Harbor. All while soaking in views of the famous New York City skyline.

Availability: Daily

Ages: All ages

Duration: 2 hours

Great for: Outdoor types, fitness enthusiasts, sightseers, local explorers

Booking Type: Pre-book or join free with The New York Pass

Get excited for Halloween

Pumpkin picking at Decker Farm

If you’re worried about the pandemic affecting your Halloween, it's time to get back into the spirit of the season. Set in Historic Richmond Town, Decker’s Farm is NYC’s oldest working family farm. Impressively, it was also designated a New York landmark in 1967. Visiting the attraction not only supports the farm itself, but bolsters the work they do. They're a key part of the Staten Historical Society, who preserve and present centuries of American life.

Have a great day searching the patch for the perfect pumpkin. Learn about the farm. And have some delicious autumnal food, all while making a little slice of history.

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays in October

Ages: All ages

Great for: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, food lovers, history enthusiasts

Booking Type: Pre-book

Re-embrace culture

The Guggenheim Museum

The Guggenheim is an NYC architectural masterpiece. It's also home to one of the finest modern art collections in the world. If you haven’t been before, why not go during this quieter period? The museum opens its doors again on October 3, giving adoring art enthusiasts the opportunity to safely experience the art housed within. Ascend the landmark's grand spiral and experience the Guggenheim’s special exhibitions and permanent collections.
Availability: Daily from October 3

Ages: All ages

Great for: Art & culture lovers, families, sightseers, local explorers

Booking Type: Pre-book or enjoy free entry with The New York Pass

The Whitney Museum of American Art

As a thank you to the local community, The Whitney is asking visitors to donate what they want to enter. Just remember to pre-book. The affordability and general experience of The Whitney make it one of the best things to do in New York during COVID. Explore one of New York City's most prominent art museums, specializing in art from the 20th and 21st centuries. And surprisingly so. It features works from artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Jasper Johns and Jackson Pollock. But the museum has also made a reputation for purchasing art from upcoming artists within the same year the pieces were created. Expect dynamism that captures your attention and imagination from this great museum.

Availability: Closed on Tues & Weds

Ages: All ages

Great for: Art & culture lovers, families, sightseers, local explorers

Booking Type: Pre-book or enjoy free entry with The New York Pass

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA)

With limited tickets available, it’s worth mentioning from the offset that art lovers need to pre-book early to avoid disappointment. With over 5,000 years of art, more than 2 million works and more than 30 annual exhibits behind its doors, it’s no wonder the Met is one of the most famous museums in the world. Discover the art centre of the city (and one of the best things to do in New York during COVID).

Availability: Daily - check the official site for updates

Ages: All ages

Great for: Art & culture lovers, families, sightseers, local explorers

Booking Type: Pre-book or enjoy free entry with The New York Pass

Be a part of nature

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is New York’s beloved oasis. From the 500-year-old Shogun lantern from Japan to its Fragrance Garden for the visually impaired, the attraction is an amazing piece of American horticultural history. And it's home to secrets that make every visit unique.

Creating a paradox between the city’s urban landscape, every garden on display showcases a rich and diverse mix of botany in every color and size. It’s a great day out for the entire family. Kids will love the Children's Garden, which also features award-winning raised fruit and vegetable beds. The project was designed to teach children the importance of a sustainable environment for growing food.

Availability: Daily - check the official site for updates

Ages: All ages

Great for: Families, sightseers, local explorers, nature lovers

Booking Type: Pre-book or enjoy free entry with The New York Pass

There's still so many things to do in New York during COVID, make sure you check them out. And keep an eye on our attractions page for a reactive list of open and closed attractions.

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Five New York Museums You Mustn't Miss

New York has no shortage of museums, so how do you even know where to start? Below, we’ve done some of the work for you—we’ve picked the five New York museums you must not miss. (You still need to do the walking around yourself –but hey, that’s the fun part.) The Metropolitan Museum of Art Why visit the Met? The Met (not to be confused with the opera) is one of the world’s great museums for a reason—it has two million works of art and 17 curatorial departments; the works range from ancient times all the way up the present day. The building will wow you from the moment you see it from the Fifth Avenue—with its Beaux-Arts façade and sweeping Great Hall, you could easily spend quite a while just gaping at the entrance. But there’s so much more to see! How do you choose where to start? Start off with the not-to-be-missed galleries—take a right when you enter, and wander through the Egyptian Galleries, making sure to see the centerpiece--the Temple of Dendur, which was given as a gift to the United States. (The galleries are arranged chronologically, which makes it easier.) Check out some of the small, out-of-the-way study galleries too. When you leave those galleries, you’ll be right near the Arms and Armor Court. Start off in the center gallery, in which the cavalry armor is displayed, and don’t mis the non-western armor, like that worn by Samurai warriors. When you leave, be sure to visit the American Wing Courtyard with its glass widows facing Central Park. And highlights? Everyone wants to see the Impressionist works of art, so swing by the second floor--while you’re up here, check out the recently renovated musical instruments galleries. You won’t be able to see everything in one visit (or 20) so leave some time to simply wander. Maybe the vast Asian art galleries? The masks in the African galleries? Don’t forget the Treasury full of gold pieces in the Ancient Americas galleries, or the beautiful period rooms. If you need some peace and quiet, the Astor court with its calming koi pond is the place to go. [caption id="attachment_3001" align="alignnone" width="800"] Put The Metropolitan Museum on your list of the five New York museums you must not miss[/caption] Museum of Modern Art Wasn’t MoMa recently renovated? How do I explore it? Yes. With its expanded gallery spaces, completely reinstalled collections, and new spaces for live and experimental programs, it’s pretty much like a completely new museum. Drop into their new Creativity Lab to ask questions, participate in conversations, and even make some art. Check out the new store and dining options (an art lover’s gotta eat). And that’s a good question that doesn’t have a right answer. You probably won’t want to miss the section that showcases works of art from the 1880s-1940s (yes, Starry Night is there) and the one that will undoubtably prove to be among the most popular--the space that showcases works from the 1970s-1970s. Some permanent installations will be switched every six months (so they’re not really permanent.) Different kinds of art are now displayed in the same gallery, as are works of art from different periods of time; there’s more of sense of connection among different works. You’ll want to visit several times--and that’s kind of the point. [caption id="attachment_2978" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Installation view of Architecture Systems (gallery 417), The Museum of Modern Art, New York. © 2019 The Museum of Modern Art. Photo: Robert Gerhardt[/caption] The New Museum So, it must be asked. What’s new about the New Museum? The New Museum was founded in 1977, so it’s new-ish. When it was first founded, it was the first museum dedicated to contemporary art in New York since World War 2. The museum encompasses art forms ranging from sculpture to photography, from artists around the world. It’s the place to go to see cutting-edge works; it’s focused on new art and new ideas, and is also focused on under-represented and emerging artists. Think of as the anti-art-museum art museum. It’s also got a cool building that’s worth checking out in and of itself---it looks like a stack of rectilinear boxes that are somewhat off-center. Interestingly, it's a non-collecting museum, which keeps its focus on the new. It’s also the place to check out what’s happening globally and in the art world in general; make sure you have a lot of battery power, because no matter what’s happening there, it’s great for photos. The Frick Hasn’t the Frick been around like, forever? If by “forever,” you mean, “since the early 1930s,” then yes, it has. The museum is kind of like one of those grand dames you see having a pot of tea and some crumpets at an elegant but faded tearoom—a little incongruous, but somehow reassuring and necessary. Housed in an elegant mansion on Fifth Avenue, the building is home to the collection of Henry Clay Frick. It includes works by eminent European artists including Fragonard and Vermeer, as well as gorgous porcelain and furniture. Just strolling through the galleries is like stepping into another era, and because it’s small, you can cover pretty much everything in one visit. It’s also incredibly calming just to walk around. Fun Fact: The Frick is the model for the Avengers Mansion in the Marvel Comics. [caption id="attachment_3003" align="alignnone" width="6000"] The Frick, on Fifth Avenue, is one of our picks for the five New York museums you must not miss[/caption] The Brooklyn Museum [caption id="attachment_3008" align="alignnone" width="800"] Across the Brooklyn Bridge you’ll find the world-class Brooklyn Museum[/caption] Is it worth going to Brooklyn to visit the museum? Yes, absolutely. Did you know that the Brooklyn Museum has 1.5 million works of art? Or that it has one of the finest collections of Egyptian art in the world? Even if you didn’t (well, now you do) it’s worth a visit—or several. They also have a fine American art collection (Rothko, Hopper, Rockwell, and Homer, to name a few of the artists), as well as a Memorial Sculpture Garden, featuring salvaged architectural pieces from around the city. They’re also known for great special exhibits and public programs. Looking to up your cool factor after you've explored some museums? Check out the way hipsters inhabit Brooklyn
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New York transport
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Public Transportation in New York City - New York MetroCard

From the New York subway to hop on, hop off buses, our guide will help you get from A to B (the A train to the B train, that is!)
Shashia Mitchell
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Top Things to do in NYC this Spring

With Spring time right around the corner, New York City is buzzing with great activities for the entire family. Get an early start on planning your trip so you know all the places to go with your New York Pass. Hopefully the weather will steadily get better and better, so you can enjoy New York City outdoors, on two feet. [spacer height="20px"] St. Patrick's Day Parade [caption id="attachment_1063" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC | Photo by Shannon Stapleton for Reuters[/caption] March 17 Nobody knows how to properly celebrate quite like the Irish. St. Paddy’s Day has a long tradition in New York City, due to its large Irish population and a long history of Irish immigration. This year, St. Patrick’s day falls on Friday, March 17 and kicks off with a big parade, which starts at 11am on 44th St and 5th Avenue. The whole day will be laden with celebrations and merriment, while people all over the city dress in green. The parade will end at 5pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th St. After the parade, sip on some quality stout at some of the best Irish bars in NYC. [spacer height="20px"] South Bronx Renaissance Walking Tour [caption id="attachment_1070" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] South Bronx Renaissance Walking Tour[/caption] Opens March 1 As weather finally starts getting better, it's time to get out there and experience New York City as intended, on foot. Inside Out Tours offers a variety of informative tours in some of New York's most interesting neighborhoods. South Bronx is the epicenter of New York City counterculture, and this tour takes you on a walk through its renaissance and rebirth from the derilict neighborhood to the birthplace of hip hop and street art. The South Bronx Renaissance Tour, along with other Inside Out Tours starts up again on March 1st, at 10am on Fridays. [spacer height="20px"] Coney Island Luna Park [caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Luna Park at Coney Island[/caption] Opens April 8 The legendary Luna Park in Coney Island opening on April 8th after a seemingly endless Winter hiatus. The Luna Park welcomes visitors of all ages to its adrenaline-boosting thrill rides, as well as abundant kiddie rides. Try the Steeplechase, a New York Pass team favorite, for shockingly fast acceleration that will bring tears to your eyes. Coney Island is also home to one of New York City's most popular beaches, and the famous Nathan's Hot Dogs. With the New York Pass, you get a free unlimited 4 hour wristband. [spacer height="20px"] Bike Around Central Park [caption id="attachment_1092" align="alignright" width="1500"] Central Park from Belvedere Castle | Photo by Marley White via nycgo.com[/caption] Year round Biking in the Winter is not great. It's worth waiting for warmer weather and better road conditions to get out and rent a bike to ride around Central Park. There are three different bike routes of varying lengths, depending on how athletic you're feeling. Choose from routes that are 6.1 miles, 5.2 miles or 1.7 miles, for the ultimate way to explore this gigantic urban oasis. With the New York Pass, you have multiple bike rental options. Choose from Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours and Rentals, Central Park Bike Rentals and Tours or Blazing Saddles to find the bikes that best fit your needs, from cruisers, state-of-the-art hybrid bikes, to children's bikes and tandem bicycles. If you'd prefer having a tour guide with you, you can also take a guided bike tour of Central Park. [spacer height="20px"] The High Line Tour [caption id="attachment_1067" align="aligncenter" width="1042"] The High Line | Photo by Liz Ligon[/caption] Open year-round Even though the High Line is accessible year-round, the beauty of this suspended park starts shining through in the spring. The local flora blooms with all different colors and the lush green grass provides an inviting atmosphere. Look down and see the busy streets of Manhattan as you walk along the High Line tour. Learn how the meatpacking district's factories and slaughterhouses came to be what it is today. Tour is available for free with the New York Pass. [spacer height="20px"] Clipper City Tall Ship Cruise [caption id="attachment_1066" align="aligncenter" width="2111"] Clipper City Tall Ship[/caption] Starting April 22 The ice is finally melting and the river will be clear for sailing on April 22nd, which is when the Clipper City Tall Ship sets sail again for the season. Get your camera ready and sail the New York Harbor aboard this replica of a classic 1800s sail boat, offering unparalleled views of Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Downtown Manhattan. The boat is equipped with a full bar and helpful staff. If you're more into Gatsby-Era sailboats, take the Shearwater Classic Schooner for a chic sailing experience. [spacer height="20px"] Mummies Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History [caption id="attachment_1075" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Mummies exhibit at American Museum of Natural History[/caption] Opens March 20 For thousands of years, peoples around the world practiced mummification as a way of preserving and honoring their dead. Mummies brings you face to face with some of these ancient individuals and reveals how scientists are using modern technology to glean stunning details about them and their cultures. American Museum of Natural History is one of New York City's most revered centers for knowledge. Spend the perfect afternoon with your kids walking through this magnificent space, right next to Central Park. [spacer height="20px"] Smorgasburg 2017 [caption id="attachment_1081" align="aligncenter" width="1001"] Raindrop Cake, popular desert at Smorgasburg | Photo by Tim Ireland[/caption] Starting April 1 No Summer in New York is complete without making a trip to Smorgasburg. This seasonal food flea market takes place at East River State Park and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Each year Smorgasburg reunites New Yorkers with tons of local tastes and introduces them to new dishes from around the world. Make sure to visit Smorgasburg to experience Brooklyn's favorite summer pastime, while munching on insta-worthy classic and novelty foods. For many more exciting springtime activities for all weather conditions, check out the New York Pass and everything it has to offer. Over 90 attractions in New York City for one price, no need to put limits on your next New York City trip.
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