Theater District in New York

What are the highlights of the Theater District in New York?

The Theater District, like the name suggest, is famous for its nightly shows. The neighbourhood has 41 world-renowned theatres in and around Times Square. These historic venues host diverse musicals, productions, concerts and events throughout the year.

The Broadway Theater District is a 33-mile-long road dating back to the early 1900s. The New Amsterdam and Lyceum Theatres have been around since 1903, both of which designed by renowned architects, Herts and Tallant.

Head to 42^nd Street if you prefer an intimate theatrical experience. The area, known as Theatre Row, mostly consist of non-profit companies and off-Broadway theatres with limited seat capacity (less than 500). Best of all, tickets are comparably cheaper than the ones in Broadway.

You can buy Broadway tickets online via several official websites, but most are at premium rates. If you have a modest budget, head over to the TKTS Booth on 47th Street, in central Times Square. This booth sells tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows at discounted rates. It’s also a great viewing point, thanks to a red-lit glass staircase overlooking Times Square.

The Theater District has many family-friendly attractions if your little ones aren’t keen to catch a show. Must-visits include the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Madame Tussauds New York – both are also great when the weather is less than favourable for sightseeing in Manhattan.

Where to eat in the Theater District?

There are virtually endless options for eating and drinking in the Theater District. A favourite among foodies is Restaurant Row on West 46th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. You’ll find cuisines from all over the world, including Italian, French, Japanese and American.

Many restaurants specialise in pre- and post-show meals at reasonable prices – remember to inform the staff of your curtain time when reserving a table.

Besides Restaurant Row, you’ll find a mix of swanky restaurants and national chains throughout the Theater District. Broadway has familiar names like Starbucks, Chevy’s, TGI Friday's, and Red Lobster.

Good to know about Theater District in New York

The Theater District is within walking distance of several New York landmarks. Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park are less than 10 minutes away, while prominent skyscrapers like Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, and Flatiron Building are within a 30-minute walk of the neighbourhood.

If you’re taking the subway to the Theater District, the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R and S lines have stops at the Times Square-42nd Street station. This puts you right below the famous Times Square, from which you can walk to the district within 10 minutes.