NYC hotel near Broadway

[shoney]

If there are certain shows they have their heart set on, buy tickets in advance. I equate it to ADR's...if you want to eat at Ohana, book it...if you're ok with eating anywhere..wing it!

As far as hotels, Times Square usually comes at a premium...like a monorail hotel! If you are ok with taking mass transit (subway or bus (still have traffic but cheap!)) then go further uptown or downtown. Personally that is what I would do, but we are Long Islanders so we go into the city often and Times Square has little appeal. It really is all about what you are willing to spend. If Times Square is out of the budget, you will still have a fantastic time staying elsewhere...just like many do at Disney staying at a value or mod!

I can say I have stayed at the Marriot Marquis and the elevator traffic was terrible. One morning, we waited and waited for an elevator with space to go down to breakfast. It was us and another 20 or so people on our floor. Finally, my husband said "this is stupid..let's go up!" We took an elevator up to the top and went back down. Of course, it stopped at every floor on the way down and each was filled with people and the same people were still on our original floor!

Never again for that price!

we once pricelined a hotel and got the Sheraton overlooking the trade center and it was very nice. Downtown, but still close to subway...for the price it was fantastic!

NYC is very easy to get around using the subway. NY'ers are very friendly and will help so much!!! Cabs can be ok too if you use them during non-traffic periods...early in the morning and late at night.

Have a great time in a great city!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We love the Hilton Times Square. The rooms are nice at a decent price. The staff has always been great. The food via room service was the best room service we have ever had!

 

[cornflake]

I have to disagree about not staying in Times Square. The OP's dd is 13.....she will love being right in Times Square!! At least my daughters do. We have stayed right in TS and right outside of it and they much prefer being right in the heart of it all. Where are you hearing about all these deaths at the Marriott? I live in NY and watch the news every morning and evening but don't recall anything like that.

She's 13, I'd think she'd prefer being in a cool neighbourhood like SoHo or the Upper West Side where there was good shopping, walking around stuff, good restaurants, etc. and the hotels can be so much nicer.

I live in NYC - the Marriott has always been like that. It's a dump and it just fairly regularly has people dropping out of the windows or found dead in it from some altercation or random unknown incident. I actually asked someone, after seeing your post, if the perception was just me, and my friend said in reality, probably not much more deathy than other big places but you do hear that about it and 'there are so many other reasons not to stay there...' heh.

 

[drinkme]

Thanks so much everyone!!!! I definitely am going to sit down this weekend and book something.

I should have mentioned that we are from Chicago and dd is crazy about the theater (she performs alot in local children's theaters & just did her first professional show last week). Anyway, she has seen Wicked a few times, along with alot of the other ones that most kids go to. She really wants to see something that's new and hasn't toured the country yet and is only on Broadway. If anyone can recommend something coming up, I'd appreciate it. She's more into the musicals. I figured they would stay in a hotel that they can walk to the theaters. In Chicago, since dd has season tickets to their "Broadway in Chicago" series, she gets to take theater tours. Are there any theater tours in NYC? I don't even know the names of the big theaters.

Spring Break is the week of March 26th, so I thought they would go for 3 nights.

On a side note, I'll be taking ds11 to Universal Orlando during that time. I'm sure the crowds are going to be crazy there!!

I'll post back on my NYC planning progress.

 

[bamor]

We really enjoyed our stay at the Intercontinental Times Square.
We booked early with a AAA discount for a decent price.
All of the Hampton Inns get great reviews.
The Millenium often has specials on Travelzoo (they offer rooms with two single beds and a nice view).
A word of caution, if you book through priceline, you will only be guaranteed one bed, not two.

Make the NYC forum on Trip Advisor your new friend! Lots of great info. Read hotel reviews before booking.

If there is a particular show or shows she has her heart set on, www.broadwaybox.com will list all of the latest discounts.

www.hopstop.com for walking and or subway directions.
www.menupages.com for all restauarants listed by area (if in Times Square, Shake Shack, John's Pizza for a quick meal)
Look into brunch/breakfast at Norma's at the Le Parker Meridien.

Some other things we like to do other than seeing a show, which cost little to no money
American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Walking the Brooklyn Bridge, Roundtrip on the Staten Island Ferry (great view of the Statue of Liberty).

 

[mjkacmom]

Stay away from - Statue of Liberty, WTC (unless it specifically means something to you), Rock Center (unless you just go at like midnight to peek at the tree, do not attempt to skate there), etc.

Why stay away from the SOL? Personally, I think the ferry is fun. We never get off at the SOL, but absolutely LOVE Ellis Island! I've heard the new memorial at the WTC is nice (I've only seen it before the construction).

 

[Chelley00]

Sign up for Travelzoo. They send out tons of discounts for NYC hotels all the time. DH and I have stayed Marriot Marquis and the Millineum Broadway at good discounts, and we liked the Millineum Broadway better. Very nice and clean and the rooms were huge. It was just a quick few blocks walk to the theaters and many other tourist attractions (Radio City, Top of the Rock etc) and there was a great little deli across the street.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Are there any theater tours in NYC? I don't even know the names of the big theaters.

It's not a theatre tour per se, but there is a behind the scenes tour at Gershwin Theatre (where Wicked is, and just a couple blocks from Times Square). It is put on by one of the OBC members and a current member of the ensemble/understudy. They bring out various costumes and props and tell you alot of how the show is put together. You also go into the theatre for a short movie and a Q&A session. (When we went, there were several teens in the audience interested in how to "make it" on Broadway. The two guys gave fabulous advice not only about that, but how to live a balanced live and keep your priorities straight. I was very impressed.)

The tour does not go backstage, though our family lucked out into getting to go backstage after. (I'd asked one of the actors to surprise the girls with the tickets we'd bought for the show the next day. He turned around and surprised all of us. )

Website is www.emeraldcurtain.com The tours are only on Saturday mornings.

 

[cornflake]

There aren't really many tours of theatres that I've ever heard of, though I could be missing stuff.

You CAN do a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera House, which is cool, which includes some other of the Lincoln Center properties and differs depending on the season (like if it's opera season vs. ballet season you can do and see different stuff, scenery, etc. - sometimes in ballet season at ABT or NYCB there can be open rehersal opportunities if you know where to look, etc.).

I believe you can also do a backstage tour at Radio City, though I dunno anyone who's done that, and at Madison Square Garden, which is interesting though much further from theatre related, heh.

Since she's got the specific interest, and is a city kid, y'all might look into a Big Apple Greeter. Big Apple Greeters are local volunteers who love our city and want to share it with visitors. They often have an area of expertise or particular interest themselves, work with small groups, and will just take you around, show you cool stuff, hidden spots, tell fun stories, go to places that relate to your interest, etc.

It's a totally free program, tipping isn't allowed, it's just about sharing the City with people in a real way. You can make requests for a greeter who knows something about your area of interest and explain what you want and given the City, you may very well be matched up with someone cool - who'd show you like, the little store where all the real B'way dancers buy their shoes and stuff. Which I think is the place on 60something and B'way by where the rock wall was. There's also Colony, on B'way and 50th I think it is, which has tons of sheet music from like, everything, and there's a little downstairs theatre bookshop on.. I want to say 64th off West End but I could be off ... that stocks all the plays and books from musicals that people who need them to audition or use for scripts or to study in school go to... there's tons of little, insidery, fun theatre stuff for her to do.

The Big Apple Greeter Program - in case you're interested.

 

[cornflake]

Why stay away from the SOL? Personally, I think the ferry is fun. We never get off at the SOL, but absolutely LOVE Ellis Island! I've heard the new memorial at the WTC is nice (I've only seen it before the construction).

It's just one of those things ... It's like hours and hours r/t, it costs a bunch, it's just a long, crowded ferry full of tourists to go stand on the little patch of grass, it's just useless. You can see the thing from the SI ferry, which is free, an hour r/t, not crowded, fun, runs at night, and you can feed the seagulls.

 

[Kitzka]

to answer your question about new shows.

Bonnie & Clyde -just opened and the male lead is WONDERFUL.
Newsies-not sure when this will be on Broadway but i know it is opening in the spring. DD and I saw the NJ version and she LOVED it. (she is the same age as your DD and is really into musical theater. loves to dance but can appreciate the genre as a whole).
Godspell-a classic but the cast is great. Not sure if your DD watches Glee but Telly Lueng is in Godspell and he was one of the Warblers last season with Blaine. He was the asian warbler. but he is INCREDIBLE
Memphis is one that we love. not sure if it's touring or not
Sister Act-suppose to be a lot of fun. I have not seen it.

As for backstage tours. i know they do one at wicked but i don't know if any of the others do on a regular basis. i think no. (though there is a lottery at Godspell where you can win a tour after the show).

Once you hvae your tickets please let us know. I think your daughter would love to stage door. My DD loves having her pics taken with peeps and getting her playbill signed.

Edited-because i did not read your note clearly. Here is a link to shows that are opening soon. I see that Jesus Christ Super star and Ghost the Musical may be just opening when you are there or will be in previews. it may be cool for her to see something in previews. http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/80060-Schedule-of-Upcoming-Broadway-Shows

Lara

 

[Miffy]

As a New Yorker, I'd like to reemphasize what other posters have said: DO NOT rent a car. Also, it's completely unnecessary to take taxis. If they're going to stay in the Times Square area and go to shows, they'll be able to walk everywhere. If they're going around the city, nothing beats the New York City bus and subway system. There's hardly a trip in NYC that's faster in a cab, except maybe at 4 am. I'm not exaggerating.

I can't tell what your hotel budget is, but I thought I'd mention a couple of downtown hotels. It's a fast subway ride to Times Square on the subway, so it's not like they'd be far far far away from the theatre district.

(1) W Hotel, Union Square (address is 201 Park Avenue South). Fabulous location. I think your 13-yr-old DD would love this area.

(2) Hotel on Rivington (107 Rivington Street). This new building is in the heart of the very cool East Village/Lower East Side. And the rooms are beautiful (if you like minimal, which you may not) with fabulous views of the city. There's way more interesting food and shopping in this area than in Times Square. Not far from Soho and Chinatown. Near a lot of transportation. If I were coming to NYC, I'd stay here if I could afford it. I doubt it's more expensive than many of the Times Square hotels you're looking at.

As for the show tickets, unless they don't care what they see, buy the tickets ahead of time -- and price them, too. There are a lot of online Broadway ticket agents that are absolute rip-offs.

There's so much to see and do in NYC that 2 years wouldn't be enough, much less a couple of days, so I'll refrain from recommending anything else. Just walking around and looking at everyone and everything is always fascinating and fun.

Enjoy!

 

[drinkme]

There aren't really many tours of theatres that I've ever heard of, though I could be missing stuff.

You CAN do a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera House, which is cool, which includes some other of the Lincoln Center properties and differs depending on the season (like if it's opera season vs. ballet season you can do and see different stuff, scenery, etc. - sometimes in ballet season at ABT or NYCB there can be open rehersal opportunities if you know where to look, etc.).

I believe you can also do a backstage tour at Radio City, though I dunno anyone who's done that, and at Madison Square Garden, which is interesting though much further from theatre related, heh.

Since she's got the specific interest, and is a city kid, y'all might look into a Big Apple Greeter. Big Apple Greeters are local volunteers who love our city and want to share it with visitors. They often have an area of expertise or particular interest themselves, work with small groups, and will just take you around, show you cool stuff, hidden spots, tell fun stories, go to places that relate to your interest, etc.

It's a totally free program, tipping isn't allowed, it's just about sharing the City with people in a real way. You can make requests for a greeter who knows something about your area of interest and explain what you want and given the City, you may very well be matched up with someone cool - who'd show you like, the little store where all the real B'way dancers buy their shoes and stuff. Which I think is the place on 60something and B'way by where the rock wall was. There's also Colony, on B'way and 50th I think it is, which has tons of sheet music from like, everything, and there's a little downstairs theatre bookshop on.. I want to say 64th off West End but I could be off ... that stocks all the plays and books from musicals that people who need them to audition or use for scripts or to study in school go to... there's tons of little, insidery, fun theatre stuff for her to do.

The Big Apple Greeter Program - in case you're interested.

All I can say is WOW! This would be awesome for dd. Dh would gladly go along with this!! (That's why he's taking her and ds & I are going off to the theme parks...lol).

I'll have to forward this information to dh. Dd would love to buy something from the shoe store where all the Broadway players buy their stuff! That's the kind of stuff she would just love.

Keep the info coming! There is so much about NYC that I'm sure the rest of us know nothing about!

 

[beansmom]

STAY is also a very nice hotel downtown and is reasonably priced. A13 yr old would love the hip decor and it's central to the entire area.

ALso, i second (4th or 10th) DO NOT RENT A CAR. You won't use it and parking is very expensive. Use that money to eat someplace wonderful instead.

 

[mjkacmom]

It's just one of those things ... It's like hours and hours r/t, it costs a bunch, it's just a long, crowded ferry full of tourists to go stand on the little patch of grass, it's just useless. You can see the thing from the SI ferry, which is free, an hour r/t, not crowded, fun, runs at night, and you can feed the seagulls.

I find Ellis Island to be so interesting! I remember going there as a child, before it was renovated, and it was haunting. All of my ancestors came to the US through Ellis Island, and the whole process they went through is very interesting.

 

[cornflake]

I find Ellis Island to be so interesting! I remember going there as a child, before it was renovated, and it was haunting. All of my ancestors came to the US through Ellis Island, and the whole process they went through is very interesting.

I wasn't dismissing Ellis Island, but I don't think of that as a tourist thing really. I think people who have relatives who came that way or have an interest in history probably would be interested in Ellis Island.

I was dismissing the Statue, which I think is just a tourist thing. There's nothing there but the Statue (at Liberty Island), really, it's a long, expensive, ride, etc.

I've never deterred anyone from Ellis Island, but I've never had a tourist ask me about it either (if one did, I'd assume they specifically wanted to go, there's a whole deal to do and see and etc.). The Statue people ask and I tell them to take the SI ferry and look over while feeding popcorn to the birds.

 

[mjkacmom]

I wasn't dismissing Ellis Island, but I don't think of that as a tourist thing really. I think people who have relatives who came that way or have an interest in history probably would be interested in Ellis Island.

I was dismissing the Statue, which I think is just a tourist thing. There's nothing there but the Statue (at Liberty Island), really, it's a long, expensive, ride, etc.

I've never deterred anyone from Ellis Island, but I've never had a tourist ask me about it either (if one did, I'd assume they specifically wanted to go, there's a whole deal to do and see and etc.). The Statue people ask and I tell them to take the SI ferry and look over while feeding popcorn to the birds.

I totally agree about the SOL - I feel badly for the poor schmucks getting off the ferry, especially when there is a huge line to get back on! I think many people overlook EI, and think the SOL is the big attraction. I really want to get down to the tenament museum - I know ds13 would be really interested.

 

[leebee]

I've taken teens to NYC for a week every summer for 5 years now, and they just love Times Square. Even if we weren't going to a show or headed to TS specifically, it seems that every night, we'd end up there, just for the lights, the excitement, the atmosphere. I'd recommend staying at the Hampton Inn Times Square North, on the corner of 8th Ave and 51st (52nd?) St. It's a great location, right across from the Gershwin (where Wicked is playing), with free breakfast included. I got a GREAT rate (AAA, $191 plus tax per night) last summer. HI is just outside of Times Square, about a block. We walked everywhere... to Radio City Music Hall every morning (DD takes summer intensive classes there), restaurants, theatres, Central Park, etc. The walk "across" to Rockefeller Plaza was about 15 mins at my leisurely stroll pace.

Don't rent a car. You can walk to many places, and the subways and busses are easy to figure out and are affordable. If you rent a car, you will pay through the nose for parking and will spend most of your touring time sitting in traffic. Don't rent a car.

There are several shuttle companies that will take you in and out of the city, to and from the airports. Search online, but I know that Super Shuttle is one of the companies. You can also take the subway from JFK, not sure about LaGuardia, but there are several flights of stairs to negotiate... not sure if that's a problem or not. We were very happy with the shuttles.

Theater tickets... we always get our tickets through TKTS in Times Square. You have to wait in line about an hour, but ticket prices are discounted anywhere from 10% to 60%; depends on the show and availability. You won't ever find Wicked or Lion King tickets at TKTS; they are too popular, so if you want to see these, buy tix online, in advance. We like the flexibility of not having prepurchased tix, but that's what you have to do for these two shows. We also buy our tickets "rush". Rush rules are different for every show (I think I found a link at broadwaybox.com, but you can search "rush tickets NYC" and will get plenty of info.). We saw How to Succeed in Business for $25 a seat in August, got in line outside the theater at about 9:15am, sales started at 10. YOu can only get two tickets per person and sometimes the seats are off to the side, but the price couldn't be beat. We sat in the 4th row... close enough to see Daniel Radcliffe sweat! The kids were thrilled with this!!!

Statue of Liberty... word of warning. If you want to get off at either Liberty or Ellis Islands, you HAVE to buy ferry tickets through Statue Cruises. They are the only ones allowed to actually stop and let off passengers at these islands. It's a security thing. Any other company that advertises SOL cruises will only be a "drive-by." While it's "free" to go into the Statue pedestal and tour the Ellis Island facility (which is a favorite of ours... so awe-inspiring and overwhelming to see what people went through to be here... and no, I don't have relatives who came through Ellis Island), it costs about $12 ($14?) per person for the cruise ticket. IF you have time, this is a terrific thing to do. SOL is pretty cool, at least on your first trip, and as i said, Ellis Island is incredibly inspiring.

Food on Foot was a great tour. I think it's a tad expensive, but we had a NYPass and it was included in the cost of our pass. I wrote and extensive review on Trip Advisor, if you want more info. Lots of good food and fun.

Don't use priceline in NYC. They will guarantee bed space for two people, but not two beds. NYC is an older city (like Boston) and you run the risk of getting a room with one double bed. NOT gonna work, so don't take the chance. I think Hotwire will let you specify the number of beds you need. If you try for a hotwire room, after they show you what's available, check with betterbidding.com and see if you (or they) can identify the hotel for you. I have had good luck with this but haven't tried it for NYC.

Serendipity III is often recommended for food because of it's reputation from the movie, but we thought it was horribly overpriced, the food was mundane and mediocre, and the wait was about an hour to get a table. We really like Becco (look online at becco.com); it's owned by Lidia Bastianich (sp... you can find her shows on PBS, food network, etc), the food is terrific, and affordable. Their pasta flight includes bread/dip, salad, 4 pastas, and unlimited refills for about $23 per person- a steal in NYC- and the wine list is $25 per bottle... another steal. There's also a terrific Cuban restaurant in times square (can't remember the name, but search and it should come up) with great food, generous portions, good prices. Another good place to eat is at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle.

Tours... we like the Radio City Music Hall tour. You get a backstage tour, see the rehearsal halls, how the stage hydrolics system works, get to go all over the facility. It's cool, and fun.

SOrry this is so long, just one more thing... if you aren't sure about a hotel, check it out with Trip Advisor. they've never steered me wrong!

 

[SettinSail]

I have lots of restaurant and shopping recommendations too if you are curious.

I am not the OP but I would love to hear these.

Also, not sure if this has been mentioned but the SOL is currently closed through October 2012 for renovations.

 

[cornflake]

Again - Do NOT go to the TKTS in Times Square. You'll stand there forever and a day while other people buy tickets you want. Go down to John St., there's no one there, you can get... I forget I think it's matinee day aheads.. .and everything else fast and without competition.

I have to say I seriously don't think I've ever met anyone before who has eaten food at Serendipity! And.. what movie was it in?

It's famous for the ice cream and frozen hot chocolate and rightly so. There is always a line though, go late.

Also, unless there's some kind of exceedingly tired situation involving Virgil's or grabbing a custard from the Shake Shack, follow the locals' rule - do not eat in Times Square. There used to be an Olive Garden there. Seriously. Actually for all I know it may still be there, heh.

I'd say again don't stay there but I have. However... $200/night? That's like $100 less than you could get a room at the SoHo Grand on a weekday. You can stay in real hotels for $200/night.