Photos show how crowded New York City is becoming as vaccinations ramp up - and locals say the energy of the city is coming back

Joey HaddenMay 10, 2021, 21:06 IST

Washington Square Park on May 1, 2020, and Times Square on April 10, 2021.Joey Hadden/Insider

As vaccinations ramp up in the US, crowds are coming back to the streets of New York City.
Tourists and locals alike told Insider that it feels like the New York energy is coming back.
Photos Insider took in April and May 2021 show people hanging out and packing parks once again.

Before the pandemic, New York was a place where you could sit anywhere and never run out of people to watch, and it's starting to feel like that again.

People visit Union Square Park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

More than 6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New York City as of May 3.

Crowds in Times Square on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

As vaccinations ramp up, tourists and locals are starting to return to hot spots like Times Square, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Times Square packed with people on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

The streets in Times Square were full when Insider visited in April, with characters walking around and people snapping pictures.

People gathered in Times Square on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

In Times Square, some 200 businesses, including stores and hotels, have reopened, Patch reported.

A crowd in Times Square on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Broadway is allowed to reopen at full capacity on May 19, Deadline reported, but the theaters likely won't be ready for performances until September.

A crowded Times Square on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

But people were already filling the space where patrons used to wait in line for play tickets when Insider visited in April.

People sit in Times Square on April 10, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

At Union Square Park, people have been enjoying the warmer weather.

People in Union Square Park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

On May 1, the park was filled with people demonstrating, shopping, and relaxing.

Union Square Park crowds and vendors on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Ajalynn Baxter told Insider she's lived in New York since 2017 and loves talking to strangers and making new friends.

Ajalynn Baxter at Union Square Park on May 1, 2021. @ajalynn/Instagram

It's been easier to make friends in places like Union Square Park since vaccinations have been ramping up because it feels safer, she said.

People walk around the park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Tim Clegg, who's lived in New York for 20 years, went to Union Square Park with friends after receiving his second shot on May 1.

Tim Clegg at a restaurant in New York City in late April. @mistertimo/instagram

Clegg said he spent most of the pandemic walking around New York, and the city felt deserted. "It was interesting but eerie," he said. "It's nice to see the streets full again."

Clegg snapped this picture in Union Square Park on May 1, 2021. @mistertimo/Instagram

Clegg said he spent most of the pandemic walking around New York, and the city felt deserted. "It was interesting but eerie," he said. "It's nice to see the streets full again."

Washington Square Park seemed to be even more crowded than Union Square when Insider visited in May.

Washington Square Park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

The benches were pretty full, with people sprawled out on the lawn.

People sit in the park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Sanoq Mooney, who said he was vaccinated and visiting New York from Delaware, spent May 1 relaxing in Washington Square Park with friends.

Sanoq Mooney, right, in the park with friends on May 1, 2021. @issablaus/Instagram

He said he's been visiting the city since he was a kid, and this time the energy was overpowering, in a good way.

People walk through Washington Square Park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Zane Taylor, who moved to New York in the middle of the pandemic, said being in the park felt like being a part of history.

Zane Taylor sits in Washington Square Park on May 1, 2021. @znctylr/Instagram

"It feels like the city is really waking up," he said. "It's energizing more and more every day."

People pack benches in Washington Square Park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

Marjorie Zien, a photographer who's lived near Washington Square Park for over 30 years, said the area was starting to feel normal again.

Marjorie Zien made this photo in Washington Square Park on May 1, 2021. @marjfz/Instagram

"It does feel like some form of normalcy is returning," she said. "Combined with the nice weather of the season, one might forget for a minute what the past year has been like. It's refreshing, good for the soul."

People pack benches and walk through the park on May 1, 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

"It does feel like some form of normalcy is returning," she said. "Combined with the nice weather of the season, one might forget for a minute what the past year has been like. It's refreshing, good for the soul."

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Photos show how crowded New York City is becoming as vaccinations ramp up - and locals say the energy of the city is coming back

Before the pandemic, New York was a place where you could sit anywhere and never run out of people to watch, and it's starting to feel like that again.

More than 6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New York City as of May 3.

As vaccinations ramp up, tourists and locals are starting to return to hot spots like Times Square, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The streets in Times Square were full when Insider visited in April, with characters walking around and people snapping pictures.

In Times Square, some 200 businesses, including stores and hotels, have reopened, Patch reported.

Broadway is allowed to reopen at full capacity on May 19, Deadline reported, but the theaters likely won't be ready for performances until September.

But people were already filling the space where patrons used to wait in line for play tickets when Insider visited in April.

At Union Square Park, people have been enjoying the warmer weather.

On May 1, the park was filled with people demonstrating, shopping, and relaxing.

Ajalynn Baxter told Insider she's lived in New York since 2017 and loves talking to strangers and making new friends.

It's been easier to make friends in places like Union Square Park since vaccinations have been ramping up because it feels safer, she said.

Tim Clegg, who's lived in New York for 20 years, went to Union Square Park with friends after receiving his second shot on May 1.

Clegg said he spent most of the pandemic walking around New York, and the city felt deserted. "It was interesting but eerie," he said. "It's nice to see the streets full again."

Washington Square Park seemed to be even more crowded than Union Square when Insider visited in May.

The benches were pretty full, with people sprawled out on the lawn.

Sanoq Mooney, who said he was vaccinated and visiting New York from Delaware, spent May 1 relaxing in Washington Square Park with friends.

He said he's been visiting the city since he was a kid, and this time the energy was overpowering, in a good way.

Zane Taylor, who moved to New York in the middle of the pandemic, said being in the park felt like being a part of history.

"It feels like the city is really waking up," he said. "It's energizing more and more every day."

Marjorie Zien, a photographer who's lived near Washington Square Park for over 30 years, said the area was starting to feel normal again.

"It does feel like some form of normalcy is returning," she said. "Combined with the nice weather of the season, one might forget for a minute what the past year has been like. It's refreshing, good for the soul."