Broadway is a diagonal road in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Home to many of the city’s best theatres, it’s widely known as the heart of the entertainment industry. The road itself is a 33-mile-long thoroughfare – it begins at State Street and cuts through Manhattan and the Bronx, before exiting the city to the north and ending in Westchester County.
It’s the oldest north-south running road in New York City, though it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it was given the name, 'Broadway'. It’s been known since the 19th century as the main entertainment district and has since become recognised around the world for its theatres. Some of the most famous venues and attractions of the city are on Broadway, such as Times Square and Broadway Theatre.
Broadway in New York - one of the highlights of 9 Best Things to Do for Couples in New York and 6 Things to Do in Autumn in New York (Read all about New York here)
photo by AndreasPraefcke (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
What are the highlights and features of Broadway?
Broadway is one of New York City's main attractions. The road and theatre district in Manhattan has some of the city's most recognisable sights. The main highlight of the area is undoubtedly the theatres and entertainment venues located along the street.
The most famous of these is the Broadway Theatre, which dates back to 1924. Just south of the theatre is Times Square, the bustling heart of the district. This famous square is known for its bright lights, billboards, shopping and entertaining shows.
There are independent cinemas, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars lining the entire length of Broadway. It’s a bustling place to be at any time of the day but really comes alive after sunset.
Where to go at night in Broadway?
Broadway is a popular place to be at night in New York City. The theatre district comes to life with nightly shows and events and the streets are completely lit up with colourful billboards and signs. For many people, seeing the Theatre District and Broadway at night is by far the best way to experience it.
There are around 40 theatres in and around Broadway, all offering diverse musicals, productions, concerts and events throughout the year. Broadway Theatre, Palace Theatre, New Amsterdam Theatre, and Winter Garden Theatre are among NYC’s most popular venues. They have hosted some of the most famous shows in the world, including The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Moulin Rouge, Wicked and The Lion King.
Another famous nightlife hot spot near Broadway is Times Square. Seeing it brightly lit at night is considered a must-do in New York City. Its most famous event is the New Year's Eve celebration, which is known around the world for its ball drop at midnight. Millions of people gather in front of the One Times Square building to see the Waterford crystal ball descending from a pole.
photo by Martin-D (CC BY-SA 2.5) modified
What's good to know about Broadway?
Being one of the main thoroughfares in the city, Broadway is an easy road and district to explore. Various subway lines run over or under the road and there are stops at numerous points in the area, including Times Square-42nd Street, Columbus Circle Station, and Herald Square Station.
Once you arrive on Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, the major sights in the area such as Times Square and Broadway Theatre are within walking distance from each other. Just a short walk off Broadway, you can find the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, and the Top of the Rock observation deck.
Considering it’s at the heart of Manhattan, there are plenty of sights in and around Broadway. Most visitors to New York will find themselves returning to the busy area multiple times during their visit.
Broadway in New York
Location: Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA
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