I toured Manhattan during the coronavirus lockdown. A year later, I retraced my steps and found subtle signs the city may be returning to normal.

Frank OlitoApr 6, 2021, 21:56 IST

Times Square in 2020 vs. 2021.Frank Olito/ Insider

In March 2020, I toured Manhattan's landmarks during the lockdown. I retraced my steps a year later.
Now, there are more people passing through Grand Central Terminal and Times Square.
I saw signs the city may return to somewhat normal by the summer.

When the coronavirus pandemic started, I toured Manhattan's landmarks and found a completely empty city.

Grand Central Terminal in March 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

A year later, I retraced my steps to see just how much the city has changed. I returned to Grand Central Terminal and found a glimmer of what it used to look like.

Grand Central Terminal in March 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

In 2020, there were signs in the terminal warning travelers about the dangers of the coronavirus.

Grand Central Terminal in March 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

A year later, the screens are inviting New Yorkers to enjoy museums, zoos, and parks this spring.

Screens in Grand Central Terminal in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

The dining concourse in the basement of Grand Central was completely closed last year.

The dining hall in Grand Central in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

Now, the dining concourse is slowly coming back to life.

The dining hall in Grand Central in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

After touring Grand Central last year, I walked through the streets and found them completely empty, too.

A street in New York City in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

That same intersection today has traffic and pedestrians again.

A street in New York City in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

In fact, the streets are beginning to look like the city I've come to love.

A street in New York City in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

Located down the street from Grand Central, Bryant Park was another wasteland a year ago.

Bryant Park in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

When I returned a year later, I found workers preparing the park for springtime.

Bryant Park in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

After Bryant Park, I walked to Times Square last year and found it completely empty.

Times Square in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

Now, Times Square is slowly coming back to life.

Times Square in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

The streets flowing into Times Square were also completely empty last year.

A street in Times Square 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

In 2021, there are more cars and pedestrians filling the streets.

A street in Times Square 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

In fact, most of the traffic has returned.

Times Square in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

At the same time, foot traffic has picked up as well.

Times Square in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

Stores that were closed a year ago now have customers.

Times Square 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

Last year, the famous red staircase in Times Square was locked, so no one could sit on the steps.

The red staircase in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

Now, there are some people enjoying the tourist attraction again.

Times Square 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

In March 2020, Broadway shows closed indefinitely.

Broadway theater in 2020. Frank Olito/ Insider

A year later, the theaters are still closed, but some lights are turned on, signaling a hopeful future for the city.

A Broadway theater in 2021. Frank Olito/ Insider

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I toured Manhattan during the coronavirus lockdown. A year later, I retraced my steps and found subtle signs the city may be returning to normal.

When the coronavirus pandemic started, I toured Manhattan's landmarks and found a completely empty city.

A year later, I retraced my steps to see just how much the city has changed. I returned to Grand Central Terminal and found a glimmer of what it used to look like.

In 2020, there were signs in the terminal warning travelers about the dangers of the coronavirus.

A year later, the screens are inviting New Yorkers to enjoy museums, zoos, and parks this spring.

The dining concourse in the basement of Grand Central was completely closed last year.

Now, the dining concourse is slowly coming back to life.

After touring Grand Central last year, I walked through the streets and found them completely empty, too.

That same intersection today has traffic and pedestrians again.

In fact, the streets are beginning to look like the city I've come to love.

Located down the street from Grand Central, Bryant Park was another wasteland a year ago.

When I returned a year later, I found workers preparing the park for springtime.

After Bryant Park, I walked to Times Square last year and found it completely empty.

Now, Times Square is slowly coming back to life.

The streets flowing into Times Square were also completely empty last year.

In 2021, there are more cars and pedestrians filling the streets.

In fact, most of the traffic has returned.

At the same time, foot traffic has picked up as well.

Stores that were closed a year ago now have customers.

Last year, the famous red staircase in Times Square was locked, so no one could sit on the steps.

Now, there are some people enjoying the tourist attraction again.

In March 2020, Broadway shows closed indefinitely.

A year later, the theaters are still closed, but some lights are turned on, signaling a hopeful future for the city.