NYC Broadway help

[bobcat]

My daughter wants a trip to NYC for her graduation present, specifically to see a broadway show. We've visited before and done the touristy things so this trip will focus on a show (or two as money allows) and maybe a museum, she's mentioned the Natural History museum might be fun. Since these will both be new experiences for us I need some help to plan.

I have looked at a few shows she is interested in, Phantom, Avenue Q, and Next to Normal (which looks to end before we want to visit in late May) I also know you can get discounted tickets the day of performances which would be an option for a second show. How exactly does that work and what types of shows can I expect to find. Off Broadway is fine, we saw Blue Man Group last trip and had a blast!

Budget is an issue, especially since we will have college expenses shortly afterwards, but what else should we look into doing on our three day trip? We've done Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, WTC etc. I looked at the gray line tour which may be an option since we can tour Brooklyn and Harlem. Are there any theater tours that anyone has done?

Also depending on flight costs we may drive and stay in NJ, really really don't want to but flights are insane right now so I need to look at my options. Friends of our just did this and it worked out well for them but I don't want to drive into NYC like they did. Is there a place in NJ to look at with easy access transportation to Manhattan? My only concern is the evening trip back from seeing the show.

We really enjoyed our trip to NYC a few years ago but I didn't do any of the planning and I'm feeling like a fish out of water!

 

[Art 1]

There is an area at Duffy Square that sells tickets the same day of the show. I think it's located at the bottom of the bleachers. Cash only I think. My wife gets tickets on-line before going to NYC. Also, she has got same day tickets for the hard to get shows from the concierge at the hotel that we stay at.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I'd skip the gray line and just do a combination of subway and walking. Also, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge just for the fun of it.

 

[bobcat]

I'd skip the gray line and just do a combination of subway and walking. Also, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge just for the fun of it.

We didn't have time last trip to do this, darn teenage girls wanted to shop! We had a ton of fun riding the subway and walking all over Manhattan but I did miss the up close view of the Brooklyn bridge.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

I've purchased discounted tickets from TKTS many times, Even when the line looks really long, it moves pretty quickly. Have several shows in mind and you are likely to get tickets for something you are interested in. My friend and I got tickets 1/2 off for Phantom over the summer, they were orchestra seats and were about $60.

I like to stay in the middle of things and would prefer to pay more to be closeby everything. If you really want to stay in Jersey I've heard people on the boards say they have stayed in Secaucas. You might want to try Priceline, I've had good luck with that before and my friend used it for a room in NYC when she came to visit. She got a room at a hotel just a few blocks from the B'way shows.

Have fun!

 

[HeatherC]

I would suggest BroadwayBox.com for discount codes on theatre tickets.

For same day discounts, you can get them at the TKTS booth. There is one right in Times Square and another at Southstreet Seaport...which is far less crowded and only a couple subway stops away from Times Square.

In New Jersey, there is a Doubletree Hotel (Jersey City) that is basically right at the waterferry that will take you on a quick 10 minute trip across the river.

Just google Jersey City hotels and you will come across it. There are a couple other ones as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[bobcat]

That's what I'm looking for! Thanks! Keep the info coming...

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Ticket wise I would try either www.broadwaybox.com or www.playbill.com, both of which are great sites to use. You will need to keep checking for specials. I have tried the tcks booths day of and have never been given a good price or a good seat. I just may have bad luck though.

We walk, subway, or even use cabs. Cabs are actually inexpensive compared to what I thought they would be.

The museums each have days where it is reduced admission at a certain day/time, and most of all admission is actually based on a donation. You pay what you can. Check out the websites for explanation.

If you plan earlier, it will be less expensive. Enjoy your trip.

 

[HeatherC]

One tour I've never done but heard good things about is a food tour of New York City. I forget which one it was, but just do a google search and they should just pop up. One of them is highly rated and sounds like a lot of fun.

As far as staying in Jersey City, just google the water ferry and you will be able to see the schedule. I don't think you'd have a problem getting back to your hotel after a show.

 

[Floridagal23]

You can either go to the TKTS booths (in times square, south street seaport, etc) that day and purchase tickets (go EARLY), or sign up for playbill.com. They will send you emails - I just got one about upcoming next to normal tickets starting at 33 dollars. You can either take the playbill email offer over to the box office, or purchase them online for a small additional fee. If you can go during the week, tickets are definitely cheaper through playbill. It's convenient for me because I live in NYC and my office is in midtown, so it's a quick lunchtime dash to any of the theaters to grab tickets for a cheap show at night. I usually see $69 tickets, to give you an average, during the week and a little higher on weekends. Do it in advance, online, and you should be in good shape.

Does your daughter like sex and the city or gossip girl? They have some fun NYC bus tours that take you by the places featured on the show, and show episode clips on the bus as you approach each spot.

 

[MM27]

TKTS now takes credit cards. If you are really open as to what you see, I would certainly get on line that day and see what they have available. On the other hand, if you really have your heart set on something, I would purchase in advance because it's never a guarantee to what will be available.

As far as seating, I've gotten everything from front row center seats to last row balcony.

 

[lila]

One tour I've never done but heard good things about is a food tour of New York City. I forget which one it was, but just do a google search and they should just pop up. One of them is highly rated and sounds like a lot of fun.

That's the Big Onion Multi Ethnic Eating Tour you are thinking of:

http://www.bigonion.com/description/index.html#20

 

[bobcat]

You can either go to the TKTS booths (in times square, south street seaport, etc) that day and purchase tickets (go EARLY), or sign up for playbill.com. They will send you emails - I just got one about upcoming next to normal tickets starting at 33 dollars. You can either take the playbill email offer over to the box office, or purchase them online for a small additional fee. If you can go during the week, tickets are definitely cheaper through playbill. It's convenient for me because I live in NYC and my office is in midtown, so it's a quick lunchtime dash to any of the theaters to grab tickets for a cheap show at night. I usually see $69 tickets, to give you an average, during the week and a little higher on weekends. Do it in advance, online, and you should be in good shape.

Does your daughter like sex and the city or gossip girl? They have some fun NYC bus tours that take you by the places featured on the show, and show episode clips on the bus as you approach each spot.

I will sign up for playbill.com. She has a few shows in mind that she wants to see so I figured I would purchase tickets for one show now and take a chance on the TKTS booth for a second show.

She's not into Gossip Girl or sex in the city but I would love to find a theater tour.

We plan on traveling mid week the end of May, between her finals and graduation. I will check into Jersey City and Seacaucus. I've been reading the better bidding forums about the priceline hotels in the theater district so that may be an option.

The more info I can gather the better!

 

[CapeMayMommy]

My daughter wants a trip to NYC for her graduation present, specifically to see a broadway show. We've visited before and done the touristy things so this trip will focus on a show (or two as money allows) and maybe a museum, she's mentioned the Natural History museum might be fun. Since these will both be new experiences for us I need some help to plan.

I have looked at a few shows she is interested in, Phantom, Avenue Q, and Next to Normal (which looks to end before we want to visit in late May) I also know you can get discounted tickets the day of performances which would be an option for a second show. How exactly does that work and what types of shows can I expect to find. Off Broadway is fine, we saw Blue Man Group last trip and had a blast!

Budget is an issue, especially since we will have college expenses shortly afterwards, but what else should we look into doing on our three day trip? We've done Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, WTC etc. I looked at the gray line tour which may be an option since we can tour Brooklyn and Harlem. Are there any theater tours that anyone has done?

Also depending on flight costs we may drive and stay in NJ, really really don't want to but flights are insane right now so I need to look at my options. Friends of our just did this and it worked out well for them but I don't want to drive into NYC like they did. Is there a place in NJ to look at with easy access transportation to Manhattan? My only concern is the evening trip back from seeing the show.

We really enjoyed our trip to NYC a few years ago but I didn't do any of the planning and I'm feeling like a fish out of water!

You could also stay at the Sheraton in Weehawken.

Weehawken is closer to mid-town (theatre district) than Jersey City/Seacaucus. The Sheraton has the ferry terminal right there and transportation directly to Manhattan. Plus, the view from the Palasades is to die for. You can even get the dinner package.

Trust me---Weehawken is closer. (I lived there for 10 years) Plus the view from the Palasades is to die for. (I love Weehawken, and miss it everyday!!!) BEST Manhattan skyline view, bar none.

 

[HeatherC]

If you decide to stay in the city, I would suggest looking into the Marriott Courtyard/Midtown East. We have stayed here several times and just booked it again for 3 nights over April break.

I am paying $161 a night for room with 2 queens and a sofa bed. The rooms are huge by NY standards and fit our family of five nicely. It is in a great location and within walking distance to all the sites...Times Sq. Rockefeller Ctr. Central Pk., etc..

You won't find a better deal on a Midtown New York hotel.

Check out the reviews on tripadvisor. I'm not the only one who thinks this.

Hope this is helpful to you!

 

[krcit]

I would really advise trying to stay in the city. I got a room at the Sheraton Towers last April for $115 on Priceline. It was a nice hotel in a great location. I live on Long Island but every spring I spend a weekend in the city with my 2 dd's(11 and 14) They love, love, love the energy and excitement of being in Times Square. Have fun!! BTW, Rock of Ages is a great show-how old is your daughter? I would think an older teen would enjoy it.Mama Mia also.

 

[mjkacmom]

You could also stay at the Sheraton in Weehawken.

Weehawken is closer to mid-town (theatre district) than Jersey City/Seacaucus. The Sheraton has the ferry terminal right there and transportation directly to Manhattan. Plus, the view from the Palasades is to die for. You can even get the dinner package.

Trust me---Weehawken is closer. (I lived there for 10 years) Plus the view from the Palasades is to die for. (I love Weehawken, and miss it everyday!!!) BEST Manhattan skyline view, bar none.

I think the bus from Secaucus pulls up out front, and takes you right to Port Authority, walking distance from the theater district. Does the ferry from Jersey City take you downtown? If so, I'd go with an area that takes you to midtown. OP, yes, you can get discount tickets to many shows, and we take advantage, because we're so close, but how about full price tickets to Jersey Boys or Wicked? Maybe get discount tickets to another show?

 

[AmandaSparks730]

www.broadwaybox.com

Wonderful discounted tickets! It saved me a ton on our latest adventure, which was Shrek: The Musical (11/21/09, matinee).

I've seen several (meaning, loads) of Broadway shows (I'm a bit of a nut...guilty as charged!), and as a teenager, I recommend:

Wicked (one of my favorites)
Avenue Q (great irrevrent fun)
The Lion King (great for all ages!)
Phantom of the Opera (lovely, just beautiful)
Chicago (pretty good)
Mamma Mia! (very fun, albeit a little campy)

If they were still playing, I'd have HIGHLY recommended Spring Awakening (my all-time favorite), RENT, or Hairspray, even Legally Blonde or The Producers.

Definately browse 5th Avenue and Times Square. Check out some of the museums. Go down to the Village or SoHo. Perhaps go to South Street Seaport.

I've been going to NYC regularly since I was about 6, and I never tire of it

 

[PipesofLirael]

Shows also have lotteries for $25 same-day tickets. Next to Normal does this, actually, and I know some people that got in. It's worth checking out.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

I think the bus from Secaucus pulls up out front, and takes you right to Port Authority, walking distance from the theater district. Does the ferry from Jersey City take you downtown? If so, I'd go with an area that takes you to midtown. OP, yes, you can get discount tickets to many shows, and we take advantage, because we're so close, but how about full price tickets to Jersey Boys or Wicked? Maybe get discount tickets to another show?

New York Waterway runs buses throughout Manhattan. Look up their site on the web.

The ferry is a much nicer way to commute than the bus to port authority. The ride on the ferry is about 5 minutes---whereas the bus has to deal with tunnel traffic, the ferry doesn't. It's exciting going over on the ferry--consiter what you would pay for the circle line.

Staying in Manhattan is great--However-- I don't drive in Manhattan. It's a big hassle. And parking is $45 per day when you stay at a Manhattan hotel. For some people, they wouldn't care---they have to be in Manhattan.