Fifth Avenue closes to cars as holiday season Open Streets program kicks off Sunday
NEW YORK -- It's a first for the city. Starting Sunday and lasting through the next two weekends, Fifth Avenue will be open to pedestrians but closed to vehicular traffic ahead of the holidays.
CBS2's Kristie Keleshian was there hearing from tourists, small businesses, and, of course, drivers who are less than joyful about the initiative.
READ MORE: Mayor Eric Adams unveils largest holiday season Open Streets program ever
The usual sight of packed-in cars is now being replaced by people walking down Fifth Ave leading up to Christmas. It starts at noon on the Sundays, with some set-up time beforehand.
It offers more room and accessibility to Donna Loper visiting from South Carolina with family.
"This first year with the wheelchair, so it's enjoyable," Loper said.
"Midtown is back. New York City is back," Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said.
The city officially cut the ribbon on Fifth Ave on Sunday, opening up the street to tourists on the first year since pre-pandemic times without international COVID travel restrictions.
"One international traveler equals the spending of four domestic," said Fred Dickson, CEO of NYC & Company.
Starting Sunday and also on Dec. 11 and 18 from noon to 6 p.m. Fifth Ave from 48th to 57th streets will be closed to vehicular traffic, but its cross streets will still be open.
A stretch of Fifth Ave, known for its name brand stores, also leaves room for Grey's Donuts and other small businesses organized by the city's Food Truck Association.
"They're the backbone of New York City. Just to think that we have the opportunity to be among some of these big brands, it's amazing," Grey's Donuts co-owner Jeremy Sanz said.
"It's terrible. It's better to take the subway," said tourist Bo Tomkiw of Sacramento, California.
But, of course, this doesn't come without throwing a frustrating monkey wrench into your drive or bus ride though the city. Obviously, bus routes had to be rerouted during these hours.
Max, a 6-year-old from Greenwich, Connecticut had to sit through the cross street traffic. His mom, Karen, got dropped off in the middle of it, and was already tired before the fun started on Fifth Ave.
"But the magic of the city has its way of making it all worth it, so we're looking forward to it," she said.
New Yorkers who aren't used to this appreciate the extra breathing room. They can get on the street itself, even if it's packed.
"Kind of forces you to slow down and enjoy life a little more," said Kertrey Mangual of the Bronx.
"Just take it easy and be easy like Sunday morning," added Idonna Mangual.
Tourists and New Yorkers alike who say there's no place like the Big Apple during the holidays said they want to see this every year.