New York City Before And After The Coronavirus [Part 2/2]

“The City That Never Sleeps”, our New York City, is now resting. We’ve compiled an amazing 2nd selection of photos of New York City before and after the Coronavirus.

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Fifth Avenue Vlad Hilitanu Dalia Maidi
Fifth Avenue. Before: Vlad Hilitanu; After: Dalia Maidi

I’m sure that after seeing our post “New York City Before And After The Coronavirus [Part 1/2]“, you got curious to continue exploring NYC streets during this unique time in history, right? Or am I wrong?

Well, like we mentioned, photographers have been doing a fantastic job reporting different corners of the city. Now, as most of us know, the city’s reopening will be done in phases, and slowly the city will awake.

Until then, let’s take a look at a few more extraordinary shot with scenes of New York we’d never imagine even in our craziest dreams.

And again, thank you to ALL these talented eyes behind each lens, that are sharing us us this great work!

Take a look at more shots of New York City Before and After the Coronavirus:


St. Patricks Cathedral

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus St Patricks Cathedral Miltiadis Fragkidis Alex Carvalho
St. Patricks Cathedral. Before: Miltiadis Fragkidis; After: Alex Carvalho

One of the most famous Cathedrals in the world is nestled right in the heart of Manhattan, on 5th Avenue! St. Patricks Cathedral is a neo-gothic Catholic cathedral dating back to 1879.

“The story of New York’s great cathedral mirrors the story of the city itself. Created to affirm the ascendance of religious freedom and tolerance, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in the democratic spirit, paid for not only by the contributions of thousands of poor immigrants but also by the largesse of 103 prominent citizens who pledged $1,000 each.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral proves the maxim that no generation builds a cathedral. It is rather, a kind of ongoing conversation linking generations past, present and future.” ~ St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Rockefeller Center

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Rockefeller Center Noel Y Calingasan Alex Carvalho
Rockefeller Center. Before: Noel Y Calingasan; After: Alex Carvalho

Maybe one of the first places people ask to visit when they come to New York City, is the Rockefeller Center. In our opinion the Top of the Rock has the best observatory in the city. Why? Well, you’ll have a 360º view where you can spot the Statue of Liberty looking South, as well as gaze at the see of trees at Central Park, to the North. And, of course, you can see New Jersey on one side and Brooklyn / Queens on the other.

Also, the Rockefeller Center is the home of New York’s famous Christmas Tree that people anxiously wait for every year! It’s truly a beauty and kicks off the holiday season in style, once the tree is lit up!

Oh, and it’s part of our post: 10 Top Secrets Of New York City That You Probably Don’t Know! There’s always a little secret behind these famous attractions, so go take a look!

Radio City Music Hall

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Radio City Goh Rhy Yan Alex Carvalho
Radio City. Before: Goh Rhy Yan; After: Alex Carvalho

Completed and open to the public in December 27th, 1932, Radio City Music Hall is an important piece in New York’s entertainment history.

“More than 300 million people have come to the Music Hall to enjoy stage shows, movies, concerts and special events. There’s no place like it to see a show or stage a show. Everything about it is larger than life. Radio City Music Hall is the largest indoor theatre in the world.

The popular movie-and-stage-show format remained a Radio City signature until 1979, when the mass showcasing of new films called for a new focus. Today, the Music Hall still premieres selected films, but is best known as the country’s leading hall for popular concerts, stage shows, special attractions and media events.” ~ MSG

Read more about Radio City Music Hall’s history, if you’re curious!

5th Avenue

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Fifth Avenue Vlad Hilitanu Dalia Maidi
Fifth Avenue. Before: Vlad Hilitanu; After: Dalia Maidi

Did you know that 5th Avenue starts at the North end of Washington Square Park and stretches all the way up to West 143rd Street, in Harlem? It’s quite a stretch, right?

But, many people crave the walk up and down 5th Avenue starting at 59th Street, where The Plaza Hotel and the iconic Apple’s Fifth Avenue “Cube” store are located – and heading South!

The biggest retailers in the world from the top luxury brands like Harry Winston, Bulgari and Valentino, to more accessible fashion brands like Gap, Nike and Uniqlo are spread throughout the blocks. Now, the streets are as silent as you can imagine.

East Village

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus East Village Noel Y Calingasan Alex Carvalho
East Village. Before: Noel Y Calingasan; After: Alex Carvalho

The East Village is certainly one of our favorite neighborhood in Manhattan. It’s the home of countless fantastic local businesses, while still not attracting a huge touristy crowd. Good for us! While tourists are crazy exploring and fighting their way through Times Square and Midtown, the more niche tourists are uncovering the beauties of this neighborhood.

It’s also the home of some pretty amazing graffiti works, like this one called Black or White (featuring Michael Jackson) – on 180 1st Avenue. The artist is the world-known Brazilian artist, Kobra. New York currently has a total of 19 murals by Kobra spread throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Bryant Park

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Bryant Park Noel Y Calingasan Clara Kesser
Bryant Park. Before: Noel Y Calingasan; After: Clara Kesser

New York City has so many amazing, and well cared for parks, but Bryant Park has something special. It’s located between West 40th and West 42nd Streets, and 6th and 5th Avenue.

Even though it’s literally steps from Times Square, it has a totally different vibe. It’s also the home of one of our favorite “getaways” in the City: the New York Public Library. We do tend to go a lot there and just chill for a few hours in The Rose Main Reading Room.

During the warmer months, the park hosts open air movie sessions on their lawn, and in the winter, they have a skiing rink with great vendors in their Holiday Shops, selling winter apparel and delicious hot chocolates.

DUMBO

Curiosities City Secrets New York City Before and After the Coronavirus Dumbo Dalia Maidi Leo Macias
Dumbo. Before: Dalia Maidi; After: Leo Macias

Many people don’t know that DUMBO is actually short for: Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It’s on the very tip of Brooklyn, right on the East River.

This area has immensely grown not only with businesses like Burrow and Foragers City Grocer, but with new high-end residential renovated apartments and modern office spaces. Yes, rent there is crazy expensive and a 1-bedroom can cost over $4,000/month in rent. Only in New York City, right?

In addition, one our favorite hotels, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, is just “around the corner”.

This view you see in the picture above is one of the most sought-after corners that not only tourists, but influencers and photographers come to shoot. It’s the intersection of Washington Street and Water Street, in case you’re curious.


New York is a strong city, and New Yorkers are one of the most resilient people on this Earth.

That said, we know that we’re passing through really, really tough times. The world is changing, we are surely changing and we CAN’T go back to normal….after all the normal was not working!

Together, we are stronger and we will get out of this with more clarity and hopefully the whole of humanity will come out of this with more compassion, empathy and love for each other!

Stay safe, guys! Stay strong!



(This piece was originally written for and published on Glamour Brazil Online.)

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Clara Kesser (@PommePommeNYC), Noel Y. Calingasan (@NycLovesNyc), Dalia Maidi (@nyc.from.my.eyes),  Alex Carvalho (@AlexCarvalhoNY), Leo Macias (@LeoMacias) and Unsplash photographers

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