Visiting Broadway for the first time is a super exciting moment in any theater fan’s life. You’re finally in New York, ready to see the biggest shows in the most famous venues, and you’re keen to pack in as much of what Broadway has to offer as possible.
Depending on the length of your trip, you may need to have a finely tuned itinerary here, but that’s totally up to you.
But while you’re in town, we’re keen to make sure you have the best experience possible. If you love stage plays and musicals, and you’d love a chance to wait outside the backstage door to spot some stars, the tips below will help you craft a plan for your trip that’ll help you to accomplish it all.
Have Your Tickets Ready Right Now
You likely already have your tickets for the one or two shows you’ve been dying to see, which is always a good idea, but make sure they’re easily accessible for the trip.
Print them off if you have the option, but at the very least make sure they’re downloaded to your phone so you don’t have to access the internet to get them checked or scanned.
This way, if there’s a spotty 5G connection, you won’t hold up the line and be left feeling very awkward! You’ll also be less likely to end up with only 10 minutes to get a snack, find your seat, and use the bathroom!
Get to the Show Early
Always get to your show as far in advance of the doors opening as possible. For most productions this occurs around 30 to 45 minutes before the show starts, but sometimes you may even have an hour to make use of.
Either way, get there before doors open to ensure you get inside without any delay.
If you’ve not been able to check into your hotel yet and you’re still lugging a suitcase or an over-packed holdall around, don’t try to get into the show while you’ve still got the dead weight. Instead, stop off at one of the luggage storage new york centers and stash any non-essentials there for the evening.
This way you won’t need to pay to use the cloak room, and you certainly won’t need to try and stash your oversized bags into the aisle with you!
Visit The Museum of Broadway
The number one place for a theater fan to end up, The Museum of Broadway is a one-stop collection of Broadway history stretching as far back as the 1730s.
See famous costumes and props from the many different shows that found their fame in the neighborhood, and get an insight into what makes Broadway synonymous with the very concept of theater itself.
You’ll probably need around 2 hours to see the museum in its entirety, so if there’s space in your trip itinerary for it, make sure you get some tickets!
Take Some Time to Get Off Broadway
Broadway is a fantastic place to be when you’re a stage lover, but it’s not the only place in New York where you can find an amazing production.
If you’ve got the time for it, be sure to see Off-Broadway shows and discover the smaller, more indie productions that are going night after night in theaters all over the city. After all, you could end up discovering the next big thing while it’s still on its initial run!
There’s also a whole host of well reviewed, raved about shows going on Off-Broadway right now, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on them
Be Respectful
If you’d really love to get someone’s autograph or a picture with them after the show, make sure you’re respectful about it. It’s easy to think that everyone who’s been on stage will come outside to all the fanfare and cameras waiting for them, but that won’t be the case for every performer.
You likely won’t be the only fan waiting to see if someone you enjoyed is willing to come out and engage, but don’t expect them to do so. Indeed, if they exit via the stage door and keep on walking, respect their choice.
It’ll probably feel quite disappointing, but stay where you are and wait to see if any of the other actors come out. Quite a few will want to stop, chat, and sign your items!
If you’re heading to Broadway for the first time, use the tips above to make your trip unforgettable.
