Memorial Day – New York Theatre
Take a Stroll on Broadway this Memorial Day
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pleeker/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
With so much to do in New York City, it can be a challenge to prioritize your activities during a short stay. And though Memorial Day weekend gives you a whole extra day to explore (not to mention you’ll probably encounter fewer crowds since many of the City’s 8 million residents tend to flee to the beach for the long weekend), it’s still next to impossible to cram everything in to just a few days. But one thing is for sure, whether it’s your first trip to the big city or you’ve been watching the Rockettes kick since you were born, a New York theatre experience should always be at the top of your tourist to-do list.
So, what’s the big deal about theater in New York? With the prevalance of traveling Broadway shows and the birth of local and regional theatre companies, New York is definitely not the only place to find regularly scheduled productions. But, there is a huge difference between a local production with part-time actors and homespun sets and the magic that is Broadway. From the lights on the marquee to the beautifully preserved theaters themselves, the Broadway experience begins the moment you approach the front doors. Intricately crafted sets, world-class actors and often amazingly detailed costumes make for an unforgettable performance. Plus, on any given day, there are usually dozens of shows to choose from, so you’re sure to see something wonderful when you’re in town.
But, like everything else in New York, theatre tickets can be quite expensive, with seats often going for more than $100 a head. A Google search of “Broadway shows New York City” yielded more than six million results, with many claiming to be the “official” place for tickets and advertising various deals. So where does the average traveler start when pursuing New York theatre tickets?
Taking on the Ticket Window
The best advice we have is to proceed with caution when ordering discount Broadway tickets online. There’s nothing worse than learning that the great deal you scored turns out to be a seat in the back of the house with a view of a pole. If you have your heart set on seeing a particular production at a certain time, your best bet is probably to pay full-price and order through Ticketmaster. Just try and overlook those costly convenience fees. However, if, like me, you tend to be more of a last minute Leroy when you travel, head over to the half-price Broadway TKTS booth in Times Square. Located on the corner of Broadway and 47th, the cash-only TKTS booth offers same-day seats for up to 50% off, with the priciest seats going for just $35. The TKTS booth opens at 3pm Monday – Saturday and at 10am on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for matinee performances. You’ll have to wait in line for about an hour for tickets, but the cost savings are certainly worth it. One caveat, the most popular shows rarely have tickets available at the booth. But, you’ll find plenty of option for fabulous performances. For a very New York evening, choose an off-Broadway show – though if you’re bringing the kids, proceed with caution – off-Broadway tends to run on the racy side.
If you like to plan a little further ahead but are in the market to save a few bucks, another option is the TKTS booth at 199 Water Street at the corner of Front and John Streets. Open 11am – 6pm Monday – Saturday and 11am – 4pm on Sunday, this booth offers a limited number of discount seats for the following days’ shows.
And with tickets in hand, stop for a pre-show cocktail and enjoy the glamour of a truly New York experience on Broadway.
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 at 9:03 pm and is filed under Cyber Roadtrip 2010, Holiday travel, New York, Travel Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
4 Responses to “Memorial Day – New York Theatre”
Memorial Day – New York City | Vacation Rentals May 18th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
[...] UP NEXT: EXPERIENCE THE THEATER IN NEW YORK [...]
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[...] And speaking of theater, make time to Experience New York Theater. You’ve read about it here, a glamorous New York evening that you just can’t get anywhere else. Budget for decent seats, [...]
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[...] you’ll have more than enough left in the vacation budget to enjoy an evening (or two) at a New York theatre or indulge in some serious retail therapy in the shopping capital of the [...]