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One of the most frequent questions we get is "I'm going to see [Musical Name]. What else do you recommend I do on my trip to New York?" For years, we've doled out wisdom one email at a time, but this fall we're excited to announce our Visit NYC Guide for Theater-Goers: A list of our top recommendations for visitors traveling to New York City to catch a Broadway show.

Whether it's your first visit to NYC or your thousandth, you'll find the latest trending activities, restaurants and more to do between seeing the latest shows, as well as our recommendations for where to stay and the best means of getting to and around the city.

This will be an ever-evolving guide; what you see here now is just the beginning of our Visit NYC converage. So bookmark this page and subscribe to our blog for theater-goer discounts, exciting highlights, reviews and deep dives, and more to help you plan your perfect Broadway vacation.

New York City

Don't See Your Favorites? Do you live in NYC and think we're missing a must-have place? Traveled there recently and had the best time doing something? Own a business that you think will appeal to Broadway fans? Help us curate our list of the best of New York and build out this guide by sharing your favorites via this form.

Musicals & Plays

If you're like us, any trip to New York starts with determining which shows you want to see when. Show schedules vary more these days than they used to, with different dark days and a variety of curtain times; holiday schedules vary greatly for shows as well. Click the button below to see a list of all of the plays and musicals currently running and opening soon on Broadway, and click into the show pages for details on theater, schedule, run times, discounted tickets, and more. Once you've determined the shows you want to see, the rest of your trip planning can begin. (PRO TIP: If trying to squeeze in two shows in a day, be sure to check out where they're located. The last thing you want to do is hoof ten blocks to make curtain for show two. Check out our map of the Broadway theaters.)
See What's Playing Now and Opening Soon

Activities & Museums

Saying there's a lot to do in New York is the understatement of the century, but we know you don't want to just camp out in front of the theatre all day. Once you get your tickets, here are a number of recommendations from the BMH team. (PRO TIP: First time to NYC and want to hit lots of the tourist spots? The GoCity pass will save you up to 50% off attractions.)

Our Top Pick

The Museum of Broadway

Any Broadway fan cannot visit NYC without hitting the Musuem of Broadway. This excellent museum includes memorabelia from tons of shows, behind the scenes fun, and numerous instagram-worthy photo opps with sets inspired by Oklahoma, Company, Hair, A Chorus Line, and more. We went in nervous it was going to be nothing but a silly tourist trap, and ended up loving every second of it and geeking out with their lovely staff every step of the way.

(PRO TIP: Can't set aside the time for the full museum this trip? Make sure you at least hit the gift shop before you leave NYC.)

Most Popular

  • Statue of Liberty: Take a ferry ride to see lady liberty and explore Ellis Island. You'll also get great views of the city from the water or from her crown. PRO TIP: If you want to get off on the islands, you must book through Statue City Cruises.
  • The High line: One of our favorite free activities, the high line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line. Trust us, this is one of the loveliest ways to walk in New York City.
  • The Empire State Building: The iconic building is one of the world's top attractions with an awesome observation deck and tours.

New and Trending

  • The Witney: The new Witney Museum is an awesome combination of modern art and awesome rooftop views (PRO TIP: It is at the end of the High Line -- combine a couple of our recommendations in one trip!)
  • Summit One Vanderbilt: An immersive art experience with a view. A highly instagrammable activity that's not to be missed.
  • Edge at Hudson Yards: Assuming you're not afraid of heights, get incredible panoramic views of the city from the highest sky deck in the western hemisphere.

The VIP Treatment

  • Central Park Carriage Ride: Nothing will make you feel like a VIP quite like a carriage ride through central park. Book a ride in advance or find one at one of the main entrances.
  • Architecture Boat Tour: If you're like us, you'd love to stand staring up at the buildings, but don't want to look like a tourist doing so. Enjoy a private table and a drink as you enjoy Manhattan from the water.
  • The Met: One of our favorite museums. PRO TIPS: Make sure you stop to see Washington Crossing the Delaware, the statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa, and the Damascus Room.

Good for Kids

  • Brooklyn Children's Museum: Though a bit out of the way, this is a great way to earn some repreive from your littles on an NYC trip. Tickets are only $15 with free access every Thursday from 2–5 pm.
  • Top of the Rock: If you want a great photo that includes the Empire State Building, this is the one you want. Designed to be family-friendly, you can get 360 views of the city and for an extra fee participate in other fun attractions.
  • Yankee Stadium Tour: For baseball-loving kids of all ages, a tour of this historic stadium will be a homerun. Kids under 14 save $10 off the tour price.

Don't See Your Favorites? Help us make this resource even better for travelers. Share your favorite activities via this form.

Restaurants & Bars

There are a million excellent restaurants throughout New York, and we're not going to try to cover everything, instead, since we know you're gonna be seeing some shows while in town, we're going to highlight some of our favorites near the theatre district. (PRO TIP: Give yourself plenty of time, arriving for an early meal, and always let your server know you are seeing a show and the curtain time so they can help you keep an eye on timing.)

Our Top Pick

The Alderman NYC

One of the newest theater pre-fixe menus in the theater district is also one of the most delicious and affordable. Tucked away inside the Motto by Hilton, this lovely art-deco themed restaurant has an incredible drink menu and an excellent new $45 4-course pre-fixe menu. On a recent trip to Times Square, we had to give it a try and were blown away -- we highly recommend both the burrata and salmon. Just off 7th on 48th, you're right around the corner from most theaters, and you really can't beat the price; honestly, we would have paid twice as much for this. From ambiance to taste to price, this really is our top restaurant pick in the area right now - consider a visit the next time you're catching a show.

(PRO TIP: Save room for desert. The final course might be the best ice cream we've tasted in the big apple.)

Pre-Show Theater Menus

Broadway-Themed

  • Sardis: Wine and dine with caricatures of broadway stars (PRO TIP: Come during off hours to wander freely and find your favorites)
  • Lady Blue: Broadway-show themed drinks (PRO TIP: Show your ticket for 10% off your bill)
  • Glass House Tavern: A Broadway industry spot - keep your eyes peeled for stars

Quick Bites

Local Favorites

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Transportation

Let's start by acknowledging the obvious - New York is expensive and if you want to be in the thick of things, you're going to pay for it. Below we offer a numbers of recommended areas to look into, depending on what kind of stay you'd like. Hotel recommendations in each area are coming soon.

Our Top Pick

The Jet

If you happen to be traveling between Washington D.C. and New York City, boy do we have a recommendation for you. One of the newest travel options is a luxury bus service called The Jet that gives you the VIP treatment. Designed to give passengers an experience akin to traveling on a private jet, this company delivered one of the most comfortable rides to and from the city (and this from someone who normally rides business/first class on Amtrak's Acela). With solid wifi, in-seat service, swanky bathrooms, the biggest standout of the ride are the motion cancelling (and super comfortable) seats that give you a smooth ride. And starting at $99 one-way, it won't break the bank either.

(PRO TIP: Don't count on exact arrival times. The company controls much of your ride, but sadly cannot control traffic.)

Getting to NYC

Depending on how far you're traveling, there are a number of great options to get into the city:

  • Via Bus: Looking to save some money? Taking a bus is usually the least expensive route. Depending on when you're leaving, you might get stuck for an extra hour in traffic, so review arrival times before you book. (PRO TIP: Check where the bus is dropping you off. Some locations are a lot more central and close to subway stops than others.)
  • Via Train: The mid-level option is to take the train - you will get you there quickly, and avoid the stop and go of traffic, but depending on what time you're traveling and if you want to do a fast train or not, you might pay a little more. Most will end at Grand Central Station, which is centrally located, connected to the subway and a tax-hub, so it'll be easy to get around the city from there.
  • Via Plane: Most expensive will be traveling via plane. We usually fly into LaGuardia and take the M60-SBS to Manhattan (where you can hop on the subway) or hail a cab from the airport. There is also a free shuttle (LaGuardia Link Q70) that'll take you into Queens and other subway lines there.
  • Via Car: You can also drive into the city, but know that you'll be paying $20-60 per day to park your car, unless you have free parking somewhere, and that gas prices in the city are astronomical. You'll likely not be using your car once in the city but just leaving it parked.

Getting Around NYC

Once you've made it in, there are plenty of ways to get around:

  • Via Foot: If you have good walking shoes, once you're in Manhattan, most of the time the best way to get around is on foot. You'll avoid some of the crowds and get a better sense of the city this way. (PRO TIP: The grid in NY makes it very easy to calculate the number of blocks you'll be walking. Streets are longer, avenues shorter. At a brisk pace, each avenue can be traversed in one minute, each street in three to five.)
  • Via Subway: The subway in New York is very well connected and will take you most anywhere. You will want to download the App, and at the turnstyle can use OMNY or a metro card. Fares will be $2.90 for each trip, no matter how far you're traveling, or if you're staying a week, it might be worth getting the 7-day unlimited MetroCard. (PRO TIP: Avoid rush hour on the subway if you can. Walking will be far more comfortable.)
  • Via Bus: Depending on where you're staying, you might want to use a bus instead. (PRO TIP: Express buses come at a premium rate of $7, but will give you a nice coach-style ride around rush hour between boroughs.)
  • Via Taxi/Rideshare/Limo: If you've got the cash to spend, getting a taxi or booking a ride via a rideshare service can feel luxurious and give you a break from the crowds. (PRO TIP: Avoid rush hour or you'll be paying a lot to sit on the same block for half an hour.)
  • Other Fun Options: If you're looking for a ride that's more than from point A to point B, there are carriage rides, pedicabs, or ferries that are very touristy, but a fun way to see more of the city. You can reserve in advance or grab these at many of the popular landmarks.

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Hotels & Accommodations

Let's start by acknowledging the obvious - New York is expensive and if you want to be in the thick of things, you're going to pay for it. Below we offer a numbers of recommended areas to look into, depending on what kind of stay you'd like. Hotel recommendations in each area are coming soon. (PRO TIP: If you travel fairly often, we highly recommend Select, a discount card that'll save you big at hotels and more in a handful of major cities.)

Our Top Pick

You only live once, right? If you can afford it, our absolute favorite place to stay is the Plaza. This luxurious oasis is located right where 5th Avenue abuts Central Park. It will cost you, but boy is it worth it. Just walking through the front doors makes us feel like a million bucks, and most rooms include a bathtub where you can soak after a long day of trapsing all over the city. Want to up your experience? White glove butler service is available upon request, and you can enjoy their complimentary house car service for a ride within 10 blocks of the hotel.

(PRO TIP: Whether you're staying here or not, right now you can come enjoy a Wicked-musical themed high tea in The Palm Court.)

In the Thick of Things

For the best convenience, staying in Midtown will have you closest to your theater and centrally located for all other activities, but it will come with a high pricetag and lots of tourists. The good news is this part of town has the highest concentration of hotels, so you should be able to find a deal. (PRO TIP: don't worry about booking something right near Times Square unless you love crowds and noise.)

Laid Back Neighborhood

If you're looking for more of a relaxed and less-tourist filled stay, some of our favorite nearby neighborhoods are Greenwich Village, Upper West Side and Upper East Side. All of these come with pricetags, but you're also likely to find AirBnBs and other non-hotel options here. You'll be near some of the best restaurants in New York and just a train or taxi ride away from your show. Willing to hop over the river? Brooklyn Heights will give you incredible views of the city and offer up those cozy neighborhood vibes, and it's just a slightly longer train ride away.

Cool and Trendy

Looking for great nightlife or cool city vibes? Chelsea's urban charm is incredible, and the club and bar scene there awesome. SoHo is one of the best shopping spots. Over in Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Greenpoint are hipster heaven. The Meatpacking District is somehow both gritty and glamorous and super fun. New York is ever evolving and hot new neighborhoods popping up all over the place. Pricing will vary, but you could find an awesome gem in some of these spots.


Give Me Quiet

For those who don't want city vibes and are looking for some peace and quiet at the end of the day, Long Island City or Greenpoint might be some of your best bets. We've also stayed in The Financial District on previous visits and this part of town is really a day-time area, shutting down at night with some of Manhattan's most affordable prices. You can also go further out of town - taking in the fall foilage and more in upstate New York or Jersey - and take a train in to the city. (PRO TIP: Calculate travel time into your plans if you go this route.)

Don't See Your Favorites? Help us make this resource even better for travelers. Share your favorite place to stay via this form.