The Broadway Theatre District is the area around Times Square, roughly from West 41st to West 54th Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues, where most of New York's big Broadway theatres stand. There are around forty of them, many built in the early 20th century, on side streets that fill with crowds before curtain time. Seeing a show is the main reason to come, but the Broadway Theatre District is also a fun place to walk in the evening, with the marquees lit up and Times Square a block away.
What the Broadway Theatre District is
A "Broadway" show is defined by the size of the theatre rather than the address: the official Broadway houses are large theatres in this part of Midtown, and only a few actually sit on Broadway itself. Most line the cross streets, such as West 44th, 45th and 46th. Smaller venues elsewhere are called Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway.
Look out for Shubert Alley, the private lane between 44th and 45th Streets, and Restaurant Row on West 46th between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, a long-standing strip of pre-theatre restaurants.
Getting to the Broadway Theatre District by subway
The neighbourhood is very well served. The station listed for it here is 49 St on the N, R and W lines, under Seventh Avenue, which puts you in the northern half of the district. Other stations nearby:
- Times Sq-42 St: one of the biggest hubs in the system, served by the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S shuttle, and linked to 42 St-Port Authority on the A, C and E.
- 50 St on the C and E at Eighth Avenue, convenient for theatres on the western side.
- 50 St on the 1 at Broadway.
After a show, the station entrances at Times Square get very crowded. Walking a few blocks to 49 St or 50 St can be quicker.
How to buy Broadway tickets
Ticket prices vary enormously by show, day and seat, and change with demand, so no single figure applies. Some general guidance:
- Buy from the official source. Each show's official website links to its authorised ticket seller. The theatre box office also sells tickets in person and avoids some online fees.
- TKTS. The TKTS booth under the red steps in Father Duffy Square, at the north end of Times Square, sells discounted same-day tickets for many shows. Availability depends on the day; the biggest hits are often not offered.
- Lotteries and rush. Many shows run digital lotteries and in-person rush tickets for a limited number of cheaper seats. Rules differ by show, so check each show's official website.
- Avoid street touts and unofficial resale sites that look like box offices.
The Broadway League's official site, broadway.org, lists current shows and theatres.
Best time to go
Most evening performances start at around 7 or 8pm, with matinees on some weekdays and at weekends. Many shows have one dark day a week, often Monday, but schedules vary. Midweek performances are often easier and cheaper to get into than Friday and Saturday nights. Winter, outside the holiday weeks, is generally a quieter season for tickets.
Arrive at the theatre at least 30 minutes before curtain. Lobbies are small, there may be a bag check, and lines for the restrooms at the interval are long.
Highlights of the district
The marquees after dark
Even without a ticket, a walk down West 44th and 45th Streets in the early evening, as the crowds gather under the lights, is a good taste of the district.
Stage doors
After many shows, fans wait at the stage door for autographs. It is informal and depends on the cast's schedule.
Times Square
The giant screens are right next door, and the red TKTS steps make a good spot to sit and take it all in.
Where to eat
Restaurant Row and Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen have a wide spread of restaurants at different prices. Book ahead for a pre-theatre dinner and tell the staff your curtain time.
Nearby on the same subway stop
- Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock: a short walk east.
- Radio City Music Hall: on Sixth Avenue at 50th Street.
- Bryant Park: a few blocks south-east, with seasonal markets.
See more around this stop on the Broadway Theatre District on Around the Metro, or browse every station on the New York subway map.