Travel Through Theatre: Planning a Trip Around Broadway

Do you enjoy the theater? Do you love watching productions on stage? If you replied yes, you are not alone. Planning a trip around Broadway in New York City is a common activity for many people. 

Do you want to make the most of your trip to New York City? It might be your first time or your tenth time seeing a show on Broadway, but it’s always a good idea to plan ahead to make sure your trip to Broadway is a success. 

By the way, we use the term “Broadway” to describe the theater district. Broadway Street has a few theaters, but many are located in the surrounding area, not directly on Broadway. Keep reading, we’ll dive deeper into the locations of certain theaters and the Broadway area in this article. 

Where to Stay

Choose a hotel near Broadway and in the theater district. Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen, and Midtown are all good areas to stay. 

Here are some hotels for you to consider:

• Best Luxury Hotel: The Knickerbocker Hotel – Perfect location!  Right in the heart of Times Square in the thick of the action. 
• Best Budget Hotel: Hotel Edison – Timeless Hotel in the theater district, right off Broadway. It’s a no-fluff hotel with everything you’ll need for a great stay in NYC.
• Best Themed Hotel: The Chatwal, New York – You’ll find timeless luxury at this historic landmark 5-star hotel restored with art-deco inspiration. 

Remember, weekends (Friday to Sunday) at most hotels tend to be more expensive.  Weekday bookings can be up to half the price of a weekend booking in certain accommodations. 

How to Get the Best Broadway Tickets

Getting Broadway tickets can be quite an adventure. If you plan ahead and want to ensure you see all your favorite shows, it’s best to purchase your tickets online at broadway.com or ticketmaster.com. 

You can purchase same-day tickets at huge discounts from places like todaytix.com and the TKTS booth. You can score up to 50% off the price of a popular play.

Theater tickets in the Theater District of NYC are generally priced between $50 and $300. The price depends on the play’s popularity and the theater where it is being performed. These prices apply to standard seats; premium seats or special limited-run tickets tend to have higher prices. 

Which Broadway Shows to Choose

Which Broadway show you choose to see is up to your personal preferences. Let’s take a look at some of the top-rated Broadway shows. 

Here’s a list of some of the top-rated 2025 shows:

• Hamilton – This play has been showing for over 10 years and is a fan favorite. It’s a historical saga at the dawn of a nation, blending hip-hop, R&B, and jazz music. The show is at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. 
• The Lion King – Winner of six Tony Awards, Disney’s The Lion King’s stage adaptation is another long-running and popular show on Broadway. Showing at the Minskoff Theatre on West 45th Street.
• Moulin Rouge! – The Musical – A world of glamour in Paris. Moulin Rouge! – The Musical is playing at the Hirschfeld Theatre on West 45th Street.
• Wicked – Visit the witches of Oz before Dorothy showed up. Playing at the Gershwin Theatre on West 51st Street.

Here’s a list of the all-time top-rated shows:

• Hamilton
• Les Misérables
• The Phantom of the Opera
• Wicked
• The Lion King
• West Side Story
• Rent
• Cats
• Mamma Mia!

Typically, shows are once a day and sometimes twice a day on weekends. Many theaters don’t have any showings on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Which Theater to Visit

New York City doesn’t lack theater halls. A large concentration of theaters are in the Theater District. Although it is called Broadway, not many theaters are actually located on Broadway Street. 

The Theater District is situated roughly between West 40th Street and West 54th Street, and between Sixth Avenue (also known as Avenue of the Americas) and Eighth Avenue.

Here are some Theaters to consider:

• Most famous Theater: The Majestic Theatre
• Smallest Theater: The Helen Hayes Theatre
• Largest Theater: The Gershwin Theater

What Else to Do in New York City for Theater Lovers

Here are some activities to do in New York City for theater enthusiasts:

• Visit the Broadway Museum
• Eat where the performers eat: Joe Allen Restaurant, Sardi’s
• Take a tour of Radio City Hall

Tips on How to Make the Most of Your Theater Trip 

• Time your trip around the Tony Awards, if possible (June). 
• Dress up for the shows. It’s part of the experience! Add some sparkle and glamour to your outfit.
• Arrive at the theater at least 30 minutes prior to the show’s start time.
• Make it dinner and a show. It’s a New York City tradition! Many restaurants around Broadway serve early dinners so you can make it to your 7 PM show on time. 

Read more: Play Reviews for Theater Lovers

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy the theater? Which is your favorite play? Have you been to Broadway? Do you plan your trips to NYC around Broadway? Tell us about it in the comments below.