Broadway & Theater
Broadway is not just a street in Manhattan — it is the center of world theater. The 41 official Broadway theaters around Times Square showcase the most elaborate, expensive, and best musicals and plays in the world. Over 14 million people attend a Broadway show every year.
Current Long-Runners: "The Lion King" (since 1997, the most commercially successful show of all time), "Wicked" (since 2003), "Hamilton" (Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop musical about the Founding Fathers — the cultural phenomenon of the 2010s) and "Chicago" (since 1996).
Tickets: Broadway tickets cost $80–350 for regular seats. Money-saving tips:
- TKTS Booth at Times Square — Discounted same-day tickets (25–50% off) for shows on the same day. Line up from 3 PM (evening shows) or 10 AM (matinees). Not all shows are available, but the selection is good.
- Lottery/Rush Tickets — Many shows raffle off 20–30 tickets daily for $30–40 through apps (TodayTix, show-specific apps). Hamilton Lottery: $10 for front-row seats!
- Standing Room Only (SRO) — For sold-out shows, sometimes standing room tickets are available for $25–40 on the day of the performance.
Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway (smaller theaters with 100–499 or under 100 seats) often offer more experimental, avant-garde plays at lower prices. This is where tomorrow's hits are tried out — "Hamilton" started Off-Broadway.
💡 Tipp
Broadway tickets are cheapest and most readily available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (less demand). Sunday matinees are popular with families. The "Preview" performances before the official premiere are often cheaper, and the experience is the same.
