Centrally located in Manhattan, the Theater District is New York City’s premier entertainment hub. Comedies, tragedies, dramas, and other theatrical productions can be enjoyed in dozens of Broadway Theaters that are scattered in this vibrant district. Most of these world-famous theatres are easy to spot as they’re marked by bright neon signs and other eye-catching billboards. Click to book your Broadway Theater District and Times Square walking tour.
Broadway Theaters
More than 30 performance venues collectively make up the Theater District of New York City. Located on or just off the famous Broadway, the theatres have great visibility in high-traffic areas.
The Roaring Twenties sparked a great interest in live entertainment in the heart of The Big Apple. There was an enormous demand for dramas, musicals, and other types of genres of traditional theatrical productions. Theatres started popping up one after the other during this cultural renaissance that rocked the United States of America.
Many of the original theatres that opened in the 1920s are still in business today. The Al Hirschfield, Ambassador, Bernard B. Jacobs, and Ethel Barrymore theatres are some prime examples of venues that opened in that prosperous decade. In terms of seating capacity, the majority of Broadway Theaters can accommodate well over 1,000 spectators.
After World War II, the Theater District fell into severe decline because of economic and social problems that plagued other parts of NYC. Thanks to the efforts of Joseph Papp and other passionate individuals, the Broadway Theaters were revived to their former glory.
Established in 1973, the Minskoff Theater has more than 1,700 seats. This prominent theatre has hosted the Lion King, which is one of the most acclaimed and longest-running productions in the Theater District. Mamma Mia, Cats, Les Miserables, Chicago, and Phantom of the Opera are some other shows that have enjoyed tremendous success on the Broadway scene. These acclaimed productions have branched off into off-Broadway tours in other urban areas in the United States of America and other countries.
Other Attractions
The Theater District is home to several other popular attractions that aren’t related to the performing arts. Located in the heart of Times Square, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has more than 500 artifacts of oddities from all over the world. This intriguing museum has 20 galleries that focus on diverse topics ranging from biology and religion to sports and pop culture.
At Madame Tussauds New York, you’ll enjoy close encounters with life-size wax figures of your favorite celebrities, athletes, and other famous people. Additionally, Discovery Times Square hosts traveling exhibits on fascinating topics ranging from ancient mysteries to futuristic technology.
Location and Transit
Spanning more than a dozen blocks, the Theater District is cantered in Midtown Manhattan. Broadway cuts throughout the heart of this vibrant part of the Big Apple. The iconic Times Square roughly marks the center of this entertainment district.
More than 10 New York City subway lines serve the Times Square–42nd Street Station, which is an underground rail complex with several entrances and exits. Therefore, Times Square is directly connected to all parts of Manhattan and some parts of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is another major transportation hub that’s located in the Theater District. MTA Regional Bus Operations, commuter, and intercity bus services are available at this massive bus hub. Finding a parking garage in this busy part of Manhattan should be simple. However, street parking is severely limited because of the heavy traffic, especially on Broadway and 7th Avenue.