“Most cities are nouns. New York City is a verb.”—John F. Kennedy

New Yorkers and tourists alike are impacted by COVID-19, but we are resilient. Read on for the latest info about entertainment resources, restaurants still serving amazing meals, closures, and more.

NYC RESOURCES

The Metropolitan Opera will be streaming operas FREE nightly.

The New York Public Library has access to more than 300,000 FREE e-books and e-audio books.

NYC Health information page for COVID-19.

NYC restaurant world information.

15 Broadway shows you can watch from home.

Broadway performances live—from stars’ living rooms.

51 New York TV shows and movies.

5 eras of New York to enjoy in books and movies.

2,500 museums and galleries you can visit virtually.

Livestreamed fitness classes.

Fun at-home activities for kids.

6 podcast series to help you understand New York.

Discover the best of New York, from hidden gems to iconic landmarks, through The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s “Tourist in your own Town” Video Series.

(3/19-3/29) 2020 Queens World Film Festival will be streaming online. The festival presents cinematic treasures presented in thematic blocks from filmmakers residing all over the globe—yet all engaged in similar conversations.

NYC UPDATES

On Thursday, March 12, New York City declared a State of Emergency, due to the spread of COVID-19. We are updating this page about closures as quickly as possible.

As of Sunday, March 15, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered that bars and restaurants must close to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, but venues may expand their takeout capacity. A timeline for reopening is to be determined.

Some other travel guidance notes from the CDC:

• Foreign nationals who have been in China or Iran within the past 14 days cannot enter the United States.
• U.S. citizens, residents, and their immediate family members who have been in China or Iran within in the past 14 days can enter the United States, but they are subject to health monitoring and possible quarantine for up to 14 days.
• On March 11, a similar policy was expanded to include 26 European countries for a period of 30 days.
• On March 14, a similar policy was issued to include the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
• Additionally, CDC has issued the following additional specific travel guidance related to COVID-19.

Harlem Meer/Facebook.

As of Monday, March 16, Governor Cuomo waived all state park fees. It’s a good opportunity to go with family or friends outdoors, to city or state parks, while still observing social distancing.

NYC CLOSURES

As of March 17, The High Line is closed indefinitely.

*All Broadway shows are now closed until April 12. 

*American Museum of Natural History closed indefinitely.

*Brooklyn Bowl is closed indefinitely.

*Brooklyn Museum is closed indefinitely. 

*Circle Line service suspended through May. 

*The Color Factory is closed temporarily.

*Hornblower is closed until April 5. 

*Edge observation deck is closed temporarily.

*Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is closed through March 27.

*Kings Theatre closed indefinitely.

*9/11 Memorial & Museum closed indefinitely. 

*New-York Historical Society is closed through the end of April.

*Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum closed through the end of April.

*Lincoln Center Theater closed indefinitely. 

*Whitney Museum of Art closed indefinitely.

*Metropolitan Opera is closed indefinitely. 

*Metropolitan Museum of Art is closed indefinitely. Also, this year’s Met Gala has been postponed.

*Morgan Library & Museum is closed through April 30.

*Museum of Modern Art closed through March 30.

*National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey is closed through April 12.

*All NCAA March Madness tournaments are cancelled; NBA will reassess in 30 days. NHL games are suspended.

*Major League Baseball is suspending spring training and pushing back opening day.

*The Kentucky Derby will be postponed until September.

*Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre are closed.

*Barclays Center is temporarily closed. 

*Madame Tussauds is closed.

*New York Botanical Garden is temporarily closed.

*The Apollo Theatre is temporarily closed.

*The Shed is closed through March 30.

*Ripley’s Times Square is closed through March 27.

*Rose Mansion is temporarily closed.

All gyms are closed, along with movie theaters and casinos.

ARTECHOUSE NYC is now temporarily closed. This pioneering digital gallery, new to Chelsea, has launched the #SupportARTECHOUSE campaign. Anytime Access passes can be purchased at a discount and redeemed for a later visit at any ARTECHOUSE location, which includes D.C. and Miami in addition to NYC. You can find this offer, as well as the option to simply donate to support the future of large-scale digital art, HERE.

NYC PROMOTIONS

Effective March 12th through April 30th, the code Cityguidespring will be good for discounts of $40 off flights with the spectacular rides at Helicopter Flight Services. Passengers can book by visiting heliny.com or by calling 212-355-0801.

Morton’s The Steakhouse in midtown is open daily from noon until 8pm for pick-up. They are rolling out special dining kits, which include Cryovac-sealed steaks with Morton’s signature seasoning and house-made au jus, ready-to-bake side dishes, a fresh chef’s house salad with your choice of dressing, and homemade dessert. The “Table for Two” special ($69) includes the salad, two 8-oz. center-cut filet mignons, two 5-oz cold water lobster tails, and a choice of one side: bacon and onion mac ‘n’ cheese, grilled jumbo asparagus, or smoked gouda au gratin potatoes. Save room for dessert, which is a double chocolate mousse. A second special is also available, the “Ultimate Grill,” a $99 deal that includes the salad, four 6-oz. center-cut filet mignons; a choice of two 16-oz. prime rib-eyes or two 16-oz. prime New York strips,  two 5-oz cold water lobster tails, and a choice of two sides and dessert, You can also ask for their full a la carte delivery menu. Grubhub link.

You can find American cuisine with French influences at NYC favorite The Ribbon on the Upper West Side. You can expect delights for all palates, including spit-roasted meats, seafood, and Blue Ribbon classics like legendary chicken. With dining rooms closed, the Bromberg brothers’ 25+ years of renowned hospitality is being focused on delivery. Look for a special offer on the GrubHub, Postmates, and Uber Eats platforms featuring $5 off all deliveries; $10 off with an order of $65 or more; and $10 craft cocktails and 50% off beer/wine. theribbonnyc.com/delivery

Indulge all your senses when you experience famed New York City steakhouse Strip House. An innovative menu features signature prime cuts of beef and an extensive wine list and they’re still available despite the city’s pause. Right now at both locations, midtown and near Union Square, they’re offering 10% off all food for takeout or curbside pickup (not valid on delivery) and 50% off select wines with a food purchase for curbside pickup. Look for meal to-go kits with some family packages or the option to buy the meat sealed to cook at home.

Among the top steakhouses in the city, Benjamin Steakhouse serves its guests with class and plenty of taste. Extraordinary sirloins, ribeyes, and filets are dry-aged by the steakhouse and served with sides like crab legs and bleu cheese-topped home fries, as well as Benjamin’s own steak sauce. Although dining rooms are closed, their full menu is available for pick-up at Benjamin Steakhouse New York City and Westchester locations. Revised hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8pm. There are offering special deals on packaged meats to cook at home! Look for a very appetizing $5 a burger patty and $20 a pound for any cut of meat. benjaminsteakhouse.com

EVERYTHING TO DO NYC

Want free advice on what to do and see in New York? Join our Facebook group Everything to Do NYC, a place for people to ask questions and get tips on how to make the most of the city.

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For the month of March we are going to try a different format – on some days we will go visual and offer a selection of the very best NYCity Instagram photos, YouTube videos, or Pinterest Pins. On other days you will find info on the Best NYC Restaurants or Top OnlineTravel Forums with NYC info. We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here. Today it’s The Nifty Nine NYC News sources.

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