Broadway tourist guide: How to plan a theatre-filled trip to New York City

Here's how to plan your trip to New York to see Broadway theatre, and experience the best theatre, restaurants, and sightseeing the Big Apple has to offer.

Planning a trip to NYC? It simply wouldn't be complete without seeing a Broadway show (or a few). New York is a theatre capital of the world with hundreds of shows to discover on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and beyond. And if you're looking to see as much theatre as you can while you're here, you're in the right place.

Here's how to make the most of your trip to New York, whether you're here for a whirlwind weekend or an extended stay. Read on for Broadway ticket buying tips, plus recommendations for what to do before, after, and in between your shows.

Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.

How to get to Broadway in the Theatre District

The Theatre District, the area surrounding Times Square where nearly all Broadway theatres are located, is part of Midtown Manhattan. Here are the major transit hubs in NYC that you can travel into in order to reach the Theatre District.

• Airports: LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Airport (in nearby New Jersey)
• Train stations: Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal
• Bus terminals: Port Authority Bus Terminal, George Washington Bridge Bus Station

Read our guides with directions to NYC's Theatre District from each of these transit hubs and directions to every Broadway theatre by subway, bus, and car.

Hotels near the Theatre District in New York

There are dozens of hotels in the Theatre District for everyone's budget and group size. Theatre mavens might opt for the Marriott Marquis Hotel, which houses a Broadway theatre; the CIVILIAN Hotel, developed by an award-winning Broadway set designer; the Sofitel New York, where Broadway actors stay before the annual Tony Awards; or simply a Hampton Inn, with multiple locations in the neighborhood and always a convenient distance from Broadway theatres.

Read our complete guide to the best hotels in NYC's Theatre District.

Tips for planning a Broadway trip

Check out our tips and tricks for creating an exciting Broadway itinerary, including pre-and post-show activities, with no stress once you arrive.

Get your theatre tickets early.

The best way to fit as much theatre into your trip as possible is to plan ahead, so you know exactly what you'll be seeing and when. This is especially important during the holiday season, when tons of people are on winter break and are planning vacations. Take your time to browse what's playing in New York, and make a list of every show you want to see.

And don't forget — Broadway shows are great, but there's plenty of Off-Broadway shows to see, too. Getting tickets to Off-Broadway shows is a great way to diversify your trip by seeing a different genre of show or traveling to a neighborhood besides the Theatre District. Shows range from opulent operas at The Metropolitan Opera to immersive experiences to new plays and musicals like the ones on Broadway, but performed in more intimate spaces.

Attend matinee and evening performances.

If you want to see as much theatre as possible, plan your trip for the days of the week when you can see two shows a day! Most Broadway shows offer a matinee and an evening performance on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and some add a second show on Sunday as well. Plan your trip during these days for the best chance of fitting in the most shows.

In addition, some shows deviate from this schedule, offering matinees on different days or at in-between times. If you're feeling really adventurous, you could even try to fit in three shows in one day with a schedule like this! (We once managed six.)

Take advantage of rush and lottery tickets.

We did just say to get your theatre tickets in advance, but sometimes plans change last-minute or you decide to fill more of your free time with theatre. Rush and lottery tickets offer a chance to get last-minute seats for a performance a few days in advance or even, in the case of rush tickets and some lotteries, the day of. Certain shows have rush tickets available right at the box office, and others host lotteries and distribute rush tickets digitally. Read our guide to all the New York shows that currently offer rush and lottery tickets.

Lottery tickets are subject to chance, and rush tickets are subject to limited availability. But if you're lucky, you might be able to get some extra shows into your schedule!

Grab a bite at a restaurant in the Theatre District.

If you're going to a Broadway or Off-Broadway show in the Theatre District, there are plenty of restaurants nearby that cater to theatregoers. Restaurants like Sardi's, Glass House Tavern, and Joe Allen are just some of the go-tos for the Broadway crowd — and you never know who you might spot there. The restaurant-packed Hell's Kitchen district is nearby, as is Restaurant Row, the stretch of 46th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues lined with eateries conveniently located near Broadway.

Check out our guide to restaurants to eat at before or after a Broadway show. Wherever you go, be sure to book a reservation in advance, as Theatre District restaurants get crowded pre-show!

Budget some money for souvenirs.

Memorabilia from a show — from apparel to mugs to posters and much more — is a great way to support a show and take it with you long after it's over. Plus, show merchandise is a great conversation starter. You might discover fellow fans if one of you is wearing or carrying something from a show. If you talk with them, they might have recommendations for more theatre to discover, whether during the rest of your trip or the next one. Theatre merch also makes for great gifts!

Go beyond the theatre.

Want to experience the magic of Broadway in other ways besides a traditional show? Walk through decades of theatre history at the Museum of Broadway. Go to Schmackary's, the unofficial cookie shop of Broadway, for a sweet treat inspired by a hit play or musical. Go to Marie's Crisis, a piano bar in Greenwich Village where everyone sings along to show tunes. Those are just some options — read our complete guide.

How to get Broadway tickets

You can get Broadway tickets right here on New York Theatre Guide. So what are you waiting for? Browse shows to see while you're in town, and get ready to see some theatre in New York on your trip. No matter who you're traveling with (or if you're flying solo), plan your trip to New York and see the best musicals, plays, and more that the city has to offer. Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.