New York City’s 13-block theater district has more than 40 theaters to select from. With all that theater, plenty of traffic comes, because downtown Manhattan is probably the most congested places in the city. If you are trying to go to a Broadway show in town, it can seem impossible to grab tickets while still making curtain time when you are up against a crowd. Here’s a fast guide with some tips for navigating 41st Street to 54th Street during the busiest time of the day. And do not worry, you will get to your seat without missing the opening act!
Avoid Times Square Completely
It may seem a little contradictory, but it is the best way to navigate TimesSquare is to avoid it altogether. All New Yorkers know this. Avoid the most crowded central part of the square. All along Broadway, from 42nd Street to 47th Street, the sidewalks were stuffed with tourists gazing at the city’s buildings. You’ll most likely even have people trying to trick you into souvenir photos. Make your life easier and avoid this stretch altogether – unless you want pictures of tourists. And if so, we do not recommend trying before you get to your Broadway show.
Walk on the Edge
Nearly all Broadway theaters can be found between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue. Head to 6th Avenue for shows located at Stephen Sondheim, Lyceum, Belasco, Minskoff, Marquis, Palace, Cort, Winter Garden, and Broadway Theatre. Or if you see a show at St. James, the Majestic, the Golden, the Bernard B. Jacobs, the Al Hirschfeld, the Brooks Atkinson, the Samuel J. Friedman, the Longacre, the Eugene O’Neill, the Surround Square, Gershwin, Neil Simon, August Wilson, or Studio 54, then walk along 8th Avenue.
You’ll save a ton of time by avoiding the insanity of Times Square (hint Tip 1). You just want to cut to your theater once you get to the street it is on.
You Must Know Shortcuts
Another way to avoid the onslaught of crowds in the middle of the city is by cut directly through the streets. Starting at 44th Street, walk between 8th Avenue and 7th Avenue to find Shubert Alley or the Minskoff Theater underpass. The two underpasses will take you from 44th Street to 45th Street. Once you are in the middle of 45th Street, walk through the Marriott Marquis underpass to get to the middle of 46th Street. On 46th Street, cut through the Hotel Edison entrance to walk through the lobby and exit on the other side. For the next few blocks, you will need to head back right down to 8th Avenue if you need to go any further, but once you get closer to 50th Street, you can cross the underpass by the Gershwin Theater and Circle in the Square to reach 51st Street.
Hit the subway
you’ll find subway entrance to the C, E, 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, and W trains also on or near 42nd Street, but you can exit on 40th or 44th Street depending on where you are going. The W, N and R trains will drop you off at 49th Street or 57th Street. The C, E, and 1 trains will take you to 50th Street. For cinemas approaching the 50th, take the train. Or if you are going to Lincoln Center, take 1st to 66th Street.
It’s time to shop for tickets to your first (or next) Broadway show once you understand how to navigate NYC like a pro! There are many various genres of performances to see in the theater district. Take time to look around and read event reviews before you buy tickets. Did you know that you can find discounted Broadway tickets the day before the show? Seeing a show does not must break the bank, so take advantage of all that NYC has to offer!
Author: Alex Johnson
