Summary
New York City is a remarkable destination with numerous attractions and activities throughout the city. The city is renowned for its exceptional art, culture, and, importantly, Broadway theatre. Within the Theatre District, some of the world’s finest performances unfold, making it challenging to decide what to see. This guide to Broadway in New York aims to assist you!
Broadway is home to an extensive array of performances, including musicals, plays, comedies, dramas, timeless classics, and the most talked-about new hits. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it on Broadway.
Broadway boasts a rich history, featuring some of the most distinguished actors, singers, and dancers who have graced its legendary theatres, a tradition that endures today, with a plethora of contemporary shows being staged regularly.
However, selecting the ideal Broadway show and securing the best tickets can be quite intricate. Therefore, to ensure you fully enjoy your visit to New York, this article meticulously outlines the key aspects required for an exceptional experience in the Big Apple.
1.) Avoid Poor Seating Options
The Broadway experience is captivating! The theatres themselves are stunning and intimate, offering magnificent views of both the stage and the performers. You genuinely feel immersed in the action. However, seating preferences can be subjective; what may be ideal for one individual might not suit another.
For example, I personally prefer sitting in the orchestra section where I can gaze up at the action. However, some friends of mine favor sitting in the mezzanine for a more direct view, often at a lower cost. Ultimately, it is a matter of individual taste.
To avoid being caught off guard by unfavorable seating, it is advisable to purchase tickets through reputable sources. We typically visit the official website of the particular show to obtain tickets directly from authorized sellers. This method ensures that you support the theatre and its artists directly, while also allowing you to select seats from genuine ticket availability. Alternatively, you can explore The Broadway Collection, which is an official platform that aggregates the most popular shows and links to the most reliable ticket vendors for each performance.
It is essential to be cautious of random vendors on the street or unofficial websites, where you might encounter claims of receiving the ‘best available’ ticket. While that sounds appealing in principle, it typically means you cannot select your own seats and may only discover your actual seating upon arriving at the venue, often incurring exorbitantly high service fees. There are smarter and safer ways to purchase tickets, and Broadway Collection facilitates easy access to trustworthy sites, minimizing the risk of securing fake tickets.
2.) Timeliness is Key
It is crucial to arrive on time for a Broadway show; this is a well-known guideline. Nevertheless, unexpected occurrences can happen, such as heavy traffic, delayed connections, or becoming overly engaged in exploration. These circumstances are simply part of experiencing a vibrant city.
We typically aim to be inside the theatre approximately 25 minutes before the performance. This allows sufficient time for refreshments, using the facilities, and settling in prior to the show commencing.
If you happen to arrive late, don’t worry. While entry may be restricted at certain points during the performance, theatres typically facilitate your entry during intermissions to help you quickly find your assigned seats.
3.) Consider Special Seating
Most of us are familiar with viewing seating charts while purchasing tickets for theater productions. However, if you seek an extraordinary experience, visit the theatre’s website to explore available premium seating options. Premium seating typically incurs a slightly higher cost but provides exceptional views.
This valuable idea surfaced during our reservation for Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. Initially, we were content with booking seats in the stalls. However, after exploring the theatre’s website further, we discovered the option of reserving ‘Can-Can’ seats, which included table service.
These seats were located within the stage area, making for a truly unique experience. While they may cost a little more, the distinctive seating for a Broadway performance is worth the investment if you seek something different.
4.) Recommended Broadway Shows
The choices for Broadway shows to attend are expansive, truly catering to personal preferences. Nonetheless, we have noted some of our favorite performances that we highly recommend, including & Juliet, Wicked, and The Book of Mormon, among many others, which are exceptional to witness.
Additionally, it is advantageous to refer to our updated guide on the best current Broadway productions to catch as they can provide a diverse range of options.
5.) Explore the Broadway Area
One significant advantage of Broadway’s central location in Manhattan is the incredible variety of areas to explore nearby. Times Square, along with numerous dining options and attractions around the Theatre District, make for an excellent exploration area.
Whenever we have a Broadway show planned, we enjoy taking a few hours to explore the surroundings. For example, during our last theatrical outing, we combined our visit with a trip to Rockefeller Center, where we enjoyed the breathtaking views from the Top of the Rock.
In addition, you can visit the Museum of Broadway, Times Square, and Fifth Avenue, all conveniently accessible. The breadth of fascinating experiences in Midtown Manhattan makes for an exciting outing.
