Theater District in New York

The Theater District in New York is the centre of entertainment in the city. Stretching from West 40th to West 54th Street and from 6th to 8th Avenue, crossed by Broadway and spanning Times Square. Undoubtedly, New York’s vibrancy stems from this area. There are approximately 36 theatres, all crammed into this rather small district.

Entertainment Centre

There is a reason that the Theater District is known as the heart of Manhattan! It received this name due to the abundance of theatres. Furthermore, you can find recording studios, record labels, theatre agencies and ABC Television Studios here.

From the ’60s to the ’90s Times Square was considered to be a dangerous neighbourhood due to go-go bars, sex shops, and adult theatres. Yet, in the mid-1990s Mayor Rudolph Giuliani initiated a ‘clean up’ of the area. He closed the seedy places and opened more tourist-friendly attractions. Walt Disney Co had a most noteworthy part to play in the improved image of Times Square. Purchasing the run-down New Amsterdam Theatre, in addition to working on the whole area, stretching from 42nd to 53rd Street and from 6th to 8th Avenue.

Broadway runs right through the Theater District in New York. It is the oldest North to South Road in Manhattan: a whopping 29 km long! The section that runs through the district is known as the Great White Way, home to the bright lights and billboards. There are plenty of Broadway musicals to choose from, really something for everyone.

The difference Between Broadway and Off-Broadway

The theatres are divided into two categories: Broadway and Off-Broadway. Don’t take the difference too literally as it actually depends on the kind of theatre and size of the show. Off-Broadway shows accommodate between one and five hundred people. These shows are often more experimental productions. While Broadway shows have larger audiences and are typically blockbusters that run for years. Most relevant are famous musicals like The Lion King, Hamilton, and Chicago. Almost all forty official theatres are located on and around Broadway. Fun fact: if the show isn’t performed in an official Broadway theatre, it can’t compete for an acclaimed Tony Award!

Broadway Theatres

Seeing the shows is the main appeal of visiting broadway. Although it’s worthwhile just to see the theatres themselves. For example, the Winter Garden Theatre, home to some of the top-grossing shows ever made, was initially built as a horse exchange. It was re-designed as a theatre in 1911. The two oldest functioning theatres in New York are the Lyceum and The New Amsterdam. Both opened their doors in 1903. Furthermore, Lyceum is one of the smallest theatres, despite the fact it has 3 levels! The New Amsterdam, one of the most beautiful, is the flagship for all Disney Theatrical Productions. Currently showing Aladdin, it’s rumoured to be haunted by a woman in a green dress who wanders the stage at night. According to legend, she was a showgirl.

Broadway Tours

Broadway tours are an interesting way to learn more about the colourful area. Exploring Broadway alone is great, yet, if you are interested in learning the history, about the actors, buildings and their secret spots, I recommend booking a guided walking tour of Broadway.

Do you want to learn more about the ins and outs of Broadway? Take this Broadway Theater walking tour. In two hours the guide takes you through the history of Broadway. You visit all the major sites; from statues to theatre landmarks and hear all the background stories along the way. A must for true Broadway fans!

Do you want to go behind the scenes on Broadway? With this Broadway Behind the Scenes tour, you will visit a rehearsal studio, that gives you the chance to have a peak behind the curtains. The guide takes you on a 2-hour walking tour of the Theater District and tells you everything about the history of Broadway.

You can also visit the Museum of Broadway where you can learn more about the history and importance of Broadway. This interactive museum highlights the development of Broadway and will let you have a look behind the scenes.

Times Square

In the middle of the Theater District lies Times Square. The popular New York tourist attraction with the red staircase, yellow cabs and bright lights. Times Square is one of the most photographed spots in Manhattan. Consequently, it is often extremely busy and not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, many New Yorkers will avoid this area completely. It is also the place where famous brands have their flagship stores and you can find most major restaurant and hotel chains. It’s also where I recommend starting the tour with Hop on Hop off bus as you’ll find the most empty buses.

Theater District Hotels

If you’re planning to visit several Broadway musicals, it’s nice to book a hotel close by. There’s a great choice of hotels in the Theater District. Good options are the Riu Plaza and Sheraton Times Square for example. If you want to stay in an apartment, Radio City Apartments is my favourite in the area.