Broadway
About
What It Is
Broadway theatre refers to the professional theatrical performances staged in 41 large venues located in the Theater District and at Lincoln Center along Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. [1] Each qualifying theater holds at least 500 seats, and together with London's West End, Broadway represents the highest commercial tier of live theater in the English-speaking world. [1] The Theater District is an internationally recognized tourist destination, and Broadway shows generated approximately USD 1.54 billion in ticket sales during the 2022–2023 season, a figure matched again in 2023–2024, with roughly 12.3 million attendees per season. [1]
Activities & Experiences
Visitors attend live professional theatrical productions, the majority of which are musicals. [1] The Tony Awards, presented annually by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, recognize outstanding achievement across Broadway productions and serve as a marker of the industry's highest standards. [1] The Theater District itself functions as a prominent attraction, closely identified with Times Square, and draws audiences from around the world. [1]
Practical Access
The 41 Broadway theaters are distributed across the Theater District, running from West 41st Street north to West 53rd Street on either side of Broadway, with one additional venue, the Vivian Beaumont Theater, at Lincoln Center on West 65th Street. [1] Only three theaters — the Broadway Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Winter Garden Theatre — sit directly on the Broadway thoroughfare itself; the remainder occupy the numbered cross streets in the surrounding blocks. [1] Ticket prices vary by production; the sources do not specify standard admission amounts, hours, or reservation procedures.
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
Broadway holds a singular position as one of only two venues worldwide — alongside London's West End — recognized as the pinnacle of commercial English-language theater. [1] Historian Martin Shefter has noted that Broadway musicals, particularly those of Rodgers and Hammerstein, became deeply influential in American popular culture and contributed to establishing New York City as a global cultural capital. [1] The scale of the enterprise — 41 professional theaters, over 12 million annual attendees, and more than USD 1.5 billion in seasonal ticket revenue — distinguishes it from any comparable theatrical district. [1]
Sources
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 3h
- Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-19:00
Access & fees
- rush / lottery tickets
- standard admision
- tickets premium and high demand
- tkts booth discounts
Things to do
- attend a broadway musical or play
- attend live theatre
- attend seasonal special performances and premieres
- buy tickets online
- dine at nearby restaurants before or after a show
- explore the theater district
- meet performers at the stage door (when permitted)
- photograph the iconic theater marquees
- shop for theater merchandise and souvenirs
- take a backstage or theater history tour
- visit the museum of broadway
Amenities
- hotel and dining guide
- multilingual show information
Events & seasons
- tony awards ceremony
Features
- 41 professional theaters
- highest-tier english-language theatre
- midtown manhattan location
Nearby
- lincoln center
- times square
Good to know
- ~12.3 million attendees/season
- variable ticket pricing