New York
Broadway shows in New York: how to get tickets and where to stay
It is just after seven and the queue outside a theatre on West 45th Street wraps round the corner. Here is how to get Broadway tickets, where in the house to sit and which hotels are five minutes from the curtain.
Broadway is both a street and an industry. The avenue runs diagonally through Manhattan, while the name stands for the big playhouses around Times Square. A theatre counts as Broadway when it seats at least 500 and sits in the Theater District.
Plenty of visitors keep one evening free for a show and decide on the day. That can work, but the biggest productions sell out weeks ahead, and your seat matters more than you might think.
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In short
To see a particular Broadway show, book through its official box office before you fly. If you are flexible, try the digital lotteries and same-day seats. Stay in the Theater District and you can walk back to your hotel in five to ten minutes.
Our first choice: Civilian Hotel in Hell's Kitchen, a couple of blocks west of the theatres.
Book your stay: See rooms at Civilian Hotel (Paid link)
Tickets and experiences: See things to do in New York (Paid link)
Four ways to get a ticket
Book from home
The safest route is the theatre's own box office or the show's official ticketing site. Buy there or from an established seller. Resale sites can charge far more for the same seat, and fake tickets do circulate.
Digital lotteries
Many shows release a handful of low-priced seats by lottery the day before or on the day. You enter through an app or the show's website and pay at once if you win. Enter several shows for the same night to improve your odds.
Rush tickets at the box office
Some theatres sell a small number of rush seats when the box office opens in the morning. You need to queue early, and the rules differ from show to show. Check the production's website the night before.
Same-day booths
The TKTS booth beneath the red steps in Times Square sells leftover seats for that day. Choice is widest for shows that have been running a while and on weeknights.
Where to sit
The stalls are called the orchestra, the first circle the mezzanine and the top tier the balcony. The front rows of the mezzanine often give the clearest view of the choreography, and many theatregoers prefer them to the back of the orchestra.
Watch for seats marked partial view. They cost less because a pillar or the balcony rail hides part of the stage. In the largest houses the balcony is a long way back, so bring opera glasses if you want to see faces.
Archer Hotel New York
Archer's rooftop sits above the quieter streets south of Times Square.
Hotels in the Theater District
Civilian Hotel
Civilian is in Hell's Kitchen, west of the theatres, and its walls are hung with costumes and props from Broadway productions. After the show you stroll back through the side streets past the restaurants on Ninth Avenue. It suits travellers who have come to New York for the theatre.
Book your stay: See rooms at Civilian Hotel (Paid link)
Kimpton Theta New York
This hotel is on Eighth Avenue at 48th Street in the middle of the theatres, with a ground-floor restaurant that makes pre-show dinner easy. It suits couples who want a simple theatre night with no taxis.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kimpton Theta New York (Paid link)
Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square
Riu Plaza is on West 47th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, a block from Times Square. It is a big, modern hotel with playhouses on every side. Rooms are plain, but for a theatre weekend the location is hard to beat.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square (Paid link)
Archer Hotel New York
Archer is on West 38th Street in the old Garment District, south of Times Square and a few minutes' walk from the southernmost theatres. The surrounding streets are calmer than those further north. It suits anyone who wants to walk to the show and sleep away from the Times Square noise.
Book your stay: See rooms at Archer Hotel New York (Paid link)
Good to know
Times: Most evening performances start between seven and eight. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday often have afternoon matinées.
Dress code: There is none. You will see suits and jeans side by side, but many auditoriums are chilly, so bring a jumper.
Arrive early: There are security checks at the door, and large bags are not allowed everywhere. Aim to be there half an hour before.
Dinner first: Theater District restaurants run pre-theatre menus and serve quickly. Book a table for two hours before curtain.
Broadway: frequently asked questions
How do you get cheap Broadway tickets?
The cheapest Broadway tickets usually come through digital lotteries, morning rush seats at the box office and the TKTS booth for same-day performances. Weeknights and long-running shows give the best choice. The biggest hits rarely take part, so for those you pay full price in advance.
How long is a Broadway show?
A Broadway show usually runs between two and two and a half hours, with one interval. Some shorter productions play without a break. The running time is on each show's website, and it is worth checking before you book dinner or transport afterwards.
Which Broadway shows are best for first-timers?
For a first Broadway show, a long-running musical with a familiar story is the easiest choice, because the music carries you even if you miss some words. Shows with lots of dialogue and wordplay reward a closer ear. Check current listings, as the line-up changes every season.
Where should I stay to see a Broadway show?
To see a Broadway show, stay in the Theater District, Hell's Kitchen or around Bryant Park, so the walk there and back takes about a quarter of an hour. Civilian Hotel, Kimpton Theta and Riu Plaza are all within walking distance of most theatres.