Around here, we like to say that no trip to New York City is complete without seeing a Broadway show. Broadway is the pinnacle of live theatre, synonymous with New York City—this is where musical theatre started, and where it continues to thrive.
But what about the rest of the city? What else should you do when you’re here? Where should you stay? And where should you eat? And how will you get around?
Whoa — slow down. All great questions, filled with possibilities. New York City is an endless treasure map of neighborhoods, dotted with gems of museums, restaurants, and attractions. All you have to do is decide where to begin — and let the city do the rest.
In this video—the third in our Broadway 101 series, Broadway Inbound’s leadership team—Allison French, Jered Fournier, and Fatima Figarola—talk Broadway and beyond, sharing some of their favorite things to do in New York City, from neighborhoods to explore to sights to see. Let the adventure begin!
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.
Allison French: Hi, I'm Allison. I'm the Senior Director of Broadway Inbound.
Jered Fournier: And my name is Jered. I am the Director of Sales.
Fatima Figarola: I'm Fatima. I'm the Director of Operations.
Allison: Together we have over 50 years of experience working on Broadway. We're here today in a Broadway rehearsal studio. We wanted to share tips with you on how to book Broadway shows and how to make the most of your trip to New York City and going to see a Broadway show.
How does Broadway compare to London's West End or other theatre districts?
Jered: Broadway is similar to shows on the West End or other places where you can see live theatre. It's all magical. Many shows do start in London and then move to Broadway, or start on Broadway and move to London—or play both places at the same time.
But there's nothing quite like Broadway in New York City. It really is the cream of the crop of live theatre.
Which Broadway Shows should visitors see?
Allison: There's a lot of options to choose from, so don't let the choices overwhelm you. Check into the shows, and don't be afraid to try something you've never heard of before—it might surprise you and delight you!
There are shows that have iconic brands that you definitely have heard of before. There are smaller plays and musicals that might tell the story of one person. There are big shows that have lots of choreography and huge casts.
No matter what, you're going to have a great time.
I'm coming to NYC and hope to see a few shows. Where should I stay?
Fatima: There are so many options at so many different price levels. You could stay in midtown within walking distance of the theatre. You could be uptown near Central Park or downtown near SoHo.
What are the best places to eat before or after a show?
Allison: There's so many options for restaurants in New York City. I wouldn't say that anything is "the best," because there's just everything from all over the world. So many different price points as well. One of the things I like to do is just walk up 9th Avenue, and you're going to see things all across the scope of restaurant options.
But one of my favorite pre-theatre options is to go to Sardis, and sit at the bar, and have a martini and some fries.
What else can I do in NYC besides Broadway shows?
Jered: There are so many things to do in New York City… the possibilities are endless. There are sightseeing cruises. There are a bunch of museums. There are five observation decks where you can get all different views and perspectives of the city.
If you want to do some free things, you can just wander through beautiful Central Park. You can walk the High Line.
I like to just walk around the city and explore the neighborhoods.
Besides the Theatre District, what other neighborhoods should I explore?
Fatima: You could also explore Little Italy, SoHo, go uptown by Central Park, the West side, the East side of Manhattan. Don't forget we have five boroughs, so you could also visit the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
How can I mix culture and arts into my trip?
Allison: It's really easy because there's so much arts and culture in New York City. If you go to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, you can see the Metropolitan Opera or the New York City Ballet. You can also explore Fifth Avenue, which is referred to as "Museum Mile,” which has lots of the iconic museums of New York City.
You could even go to the Museum of Broadway if you’re a Broadway fan, and learn more about the behind the scenes of a Broadway show.
Why should Broadway and live performances be the centerpiece of my NYC trip?
Jered: Broadway is the heartbeat of New York City. It is a quintessential New York City experience and it brings stories to life live on stage in a way that movies and TV shows just cannot do.
Broadway is alive and incredible.
Any tips for getting around the city?
Fatima: Sure the city is very walkable, so make sure you wear your comfy shoes. And don't forget, the subway is so easy and affordable.
What's the best time of the year to visit NYC for Broadway?
Jered: There is no wrong time of year to visit New York City. It is wonderful any time of the year.
I personally like the fall to see the fall foliage in Central park or around the holidays with the amazing Christmas tree up at Rockefeller Center. But there truly is no wrong time to visit New York. It is alive every day of the year.
How can I make my Broadway experience extra special?
Allison: There's lots of ways to make your Broadway experience special. One of the things that is really fun is to do a walking tour of the Theatre District. You can learn all about the historic venues that are in and around Times Square, the history of Times Square, and how Broadway became where it is today.
Another thing that you could do is participate in a talk back at the show you're going to see. A lot of the shows will do scheduled talkbacks, and so you can stick around after the show for a little while and hear from some of the actors. There's also ways that you can participate in workshops if you're traveling with a group.
You'll have that workshop take place in a studio like this. You can do a dance class, an acting class, or a Q&A with a Broadway performer—all sorts of ways to be able to experience what it's like to put a show on stage.
Now that your interest is piqued, why not look around the Broadway Inbound website and start building your New York City itinerary today? There are show pages with more information about the plays and musicals running on Broadway, descriptions of the workshops and classes on offer for groups, and even more travel tips for a complete New York City adventure.