When in the City That Never Sleeps for the NCRA Convention & Expo, many people like to catch a Broadway show. Whether you favor an on-Broadway show or an off-Broadway show, it’s important to do your research so that you choose the show that you will enjoy the most. I find these online sites to be full of great reviews and links to the individual show’s website, so that you can watch a trailer, which can help you decide which one is best for you: broadway.com, nytimes.com/theater/shows/critics/critics-picks, newyorktheatreguide.com, or theatermania.com.
An American Express card offers some great discounts on Broadway show tickets. Also, there are a number of discounts available online if you dig for them, especially within 30 days of the date of the show.
There is a day-of-the-show ticket booth at Times Square, TKTS Discount Booths, which offers up to 50 percent off. Their website has all the information that you need: tdf.org. There are three locations to choose from, but the Times Square location is the closest to our hotel. However, if you are at the 9/11 Memorial–Battery Park–Wall Street area, the South Seaport TKTS discount booth location is very close by, although they only offer next-day matinée tickets at South Seaport. The Times Square location offers same-day matinée tickets on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, and the booth opens at 10 a.m. This is a great way to save money and enable you to catch a show. There are also some great off-Broadway shows for a fraction of the price of the on-Broadway shows.
Of course if the opera is your thing, metopera.org has all the information you will need.
If you like live swing music, great food, and dancing, try Swing 46 — a real jazz and supper club at 349 W. 46th Street. Try to catch George Gee and his orchestra. Check it out for yourself at swing46.com.
Birdland is an iconic jazz supper club located at 315 W. 44th Street and 8th Avenue. There are live shows with different performers each night, and they are all incredible. Each show varies in length and in cost, but most run $30-$50 per person with a $10 food or drink minimum. Check it out at birdlandjazz.com.
