scorecard
BUSINESS
TECH
MARKETS
REVIEWS
AI
VIDEOS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. Photos show how crowded New York City is becoming as vaccinations ramp up - and locals say the energy of the city is coming back

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 Hadden   

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

Before the pandemic, New York was a place where you could sit anywhere and never run out of people to watch, and it
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.

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

Source: NYC Health

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

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.

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.

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

Source: Patch

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.

Broadway is allowed to reopen at full capacity on May 19, Deadline reported, but the theaters likely won
A crowded Times Square on April 10, 2021.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Deadline

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

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.

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.

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 told Insider she
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.

It
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, who
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 said he spent most of the pandemic walking around New York, and the city felt deserted. "It was interesting but eerie," he said. "It
Clegg snapped this picture in Union Square Park on May 1, 2021.      @mistertimo/Instagram

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

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.

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, 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.

He said he
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, 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."

"It feels like the city is really waking up," he said. "It
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, a photographer who
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."

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

READ MORE ARTICLES ON

Popular Right Now

Advertisement