New York City is an amazing city to visit, with tons of places to see and things to do all over the city. New York is also home to world-class art, culture and, of course, Broadway theater. Around the Theater District, some of the world’s best shows are being performed, and it can be hard to know what to see. This is where our guide to Broadway in New York comes into play!
Broadway is a treasure trove of performances: from musicals to plays, from comedies to dramas, from old favorites to the most popular songs. You name it, you’ll find it on Broadway.
You see, Broadway’s history goes back many years, with some of the world’s greatest actors, singers and dancers performing in its iconic theaters; And that’s still true to this day, with heaps of current Broadway shows being performed most nights.
That being said, there is a lot to sift through when it comes to choosing the best Broadway shows and getting the best tickets. So, to help you get the most out of your visit to New York, I’m detailing all the nitty-gritty details you need to have the best time in the Big Apple.
Have a wonderful time visiting New York. It really is a fun city!
1.) Don’t cheat with terrible meetings
The shows on Broadway are incredible! Not only that, the theater is beautiful and intimate, with amazing views of the stage and actors. You really feel very close to the action. That being said, seating is always subjective. What is right for you, may not be the best fit for someone else.
For example, I like to sit in an orchestra. I love watching the action on stage. That being said, I know some friends who prefer to sit in the mezzanine for a more direct view – often at a lower cost. It all comes down to personal preferences.
Now, to avoid being scammed with terrible seats, make sure to book your tickets with a reputable site or ticket provider. We always visit the show’s official website to book tickets with their preferred vendor. That way, not only do you know you’re directly supporting the theater and artists, but you’re also able to easily select seats from actual ticket inventory. But now I have found out The Broadway Collection. It is an official website that makes it even easier by listing the most popular shows and linking to the official and most reliable booking sites for each show.
You see, sometimes, when you book from random stores on the street, or from unofficial sites you find online, you will be told that you are getting ‘best available’ tickets. In theory, this is great, but you never actually choose your own seats, and you won’t know until you get to the theater. And many times you are charged a service fee which is quite high. There are many ways to shop smartly and safely, and The Broadway Collection It provides easy access to sites. It makes booking so easy, without any fear that you are not buying ‘real’ tickets.
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2.) Arrive early
Look, I’ll be honest, you really shouldn’t be late for a Broadway show; That’s a given. However, sometimes things happen. Traffic, missed connections or too much time exploring… I guess it’s a natural part of being in a city.
We always plan to get inside the theater about 25 minutes before the show starts. That way, it gives you enough time to grab a drink, head to the restroom, and settle down before the show starts.
However, don’t worry if you are late. Although entry is restricted during parts of the performance, theaters will usually escort you during set changes to quickly find your seat.
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3.) Book special Broadway seats
We are all familiar with the seating plans while booking theater tickets, right? Well, if you’re looking for an extra-special experience, go to the theater’s website and see what they have to offer in terms of special seating options, including “premium seating,” which costs a bit more but offers stunning locations.
We found this out only when we booked the tickets for Moulin Rouge! The musical on Broadway. We were already sold out on booking stall seats for the show. However, when we went to the theatre’s website, we also had the option of booking a ‘can-can’ seat with a table.
These seats were located inside the stage area and it was a special experience. Yes, the ticket price is a little higher, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for unique seats to a Broadway show.
4.) Broadway shows to see
The world is your oyster when it comes to the best Broadway shows to book. It really comes down to personal preference, but we’ve noted some of our favorite Broadway shows (insert link) that we really think you’ll love. These shows, like & Juliet, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and many more are just incredible to experience.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out our guide to the best current Broadway shows to watch (link included). You’re going to have the best time.
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5.) Explore the area around Broadway
One of the benefits of Broadway being centrally located in Manhattan is that it’s a great area to explore; Especially the restaurants and attractions around Times Square and the Theater District.
Whenever we have a Broadway show booked, we spend a few hours exploring the vast grounds. For instance, on our last theater trip, we also combined it with a visit to Rockefeller Center and saw the view from the Top of the Rock.
Oh, and don’t forget, you have the Museum of Broadway, Times Square, and Fifth Avenue all within easy reach. There are so many things to do in Midtown Manhattan (insert link) that you’ll be spoiled for choice.
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