Is New York City Safe to Visit in 2021?

New York City was particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, especially in Spring 2020. Since then, the city has largely succeeded in keeping cases low.

Locals tell us that the city is definitely open for travel. Vaccinations are well underway in the state, and NYC currently allows both outdoor and indoor dining (albeit at a reduced capacity). 

So, what should travelers keep in mind? 

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are permitted to visit New York City, although unvaccinated travelers are encouraged to quarantine. 

And, as of November 2021, travelers from outside the United States can enter the country with proof of vaccination (from a WHO-approved vaccine) and a negative test no more than 72 hours old. 

Overall, everyone visiting is expected to follow pandemic rules — wear a mask, keep your distance from others, and if you feel sick, isolate. 

Is NYC safe? Absolutely! In fact, New York City recently rated amongst the top 25 safest cities in the world.

NYC came out ahead of Paris, Rome, Washington D.C., and Dallas. So if you’re comfortable picking out baguettes in Paris, you’ll be fine purchasing hot dogs in Manhattan. 

With a strong safety record and a million things to do, see, and experience, New York City is a favorite destination for solo female travelers.

Locals in NYC rave about all the wonderful solo activities in NYC. (Browse the books at The Strand! Take a stroll in Central Park! Check out an incredible museum!) They tell us that catcalling is no worse than in any other major metropolitan area. And just like anywhere else, ignoring it is your best bet.

Plus, locals in NYC tell us that it's surprisingly easy to keep a New York trip under budget when traveling alone—table for one, please! 

NYC keeps getting safer and safer.

In February 2021, the NYPD reported that crime was down across the board in New York City. Overall, the crime rate fell 21% between January 2020 and January 2021. 

Now, that could have to do with everyone being indoors all the time... But it actually follows a larger trend — the crime rate has been dropping in New York City for years and years. In March 2019, the New York City crime rate reached low levels not seen since the 1950s. 

Translation: These days, New York City is more “Friends” than “Jessica Jones”.

One of the most frequently asked questions about travel to NYC concerns the subway: is it safe? Absolutely! Subway crime has fallen drastically since the nineties. In 1990 the subway saw more than 17K crimes per year—today, that number is closer 2k (and pickpocketing accounts for much of today’s transit crime).

Before the pandemic, four million people used the subway every day. With so many places to visit in New York, locals tell us that the subway is the best (and cheapest) form of New York transportation — even now. 

Taking the subway for the first time can be intimidating. Our NYC locals say it's easy once you get the hang of it, but they can share more tips if you're nervous. 

Serious and violent crimes—murder, robbery, etc.—largely take place far on the outskirts of the city. NYC crime rates in the past year are highest in remote neighborhoods in outlying boroughs (e.g. the north Bronx and southeast Brooklyn). Manhattan, most of Brooklyn, and Queens have much lower rates of violent crimes.

Given its size (eight million people!!) New York doesn’t do too badly when it comes to clean streets. In 2017, the Department of Sanitation recorded that 95% of the streets in NYC were “acceptably clean.” Still, the city has an *interesting* way of gathering trash—i.e. leaving it out in front of buildings in bags.

But hey—the water quality is world-renowned for its quality. It comes from the fresh, cool springs of upstate New York. So you don’t have to worry about the tap water at all; in fact, it’s better than the bottled stuff.

New York City is safer than ever. But it’s still one of the biggest cities in the world. And as James Madison once noted, men are not angels—which means normal precautions are still important. Locals recommend following these common-sense safety tips: 

• Don’t keep your wallet or phone in your back pocket (especially on the subway)
• Stay aware of your surroundings at all times
• Avoid dangerous neighborhoods with bad reputations (for more info on this, talk to a local who knows the city).

As most New Yorkers will tell you, living in a city this big means dealing with some wild stuff. Yes, there will be buskers on the subway, aggressive performers in Times Square, and some out-of-this-world fashion. It’s all part of the magic NYC experience. Take it in stride!