The '''Theater District''' is a popular area of Manhattan in New York City, situated on the western side of Midtown. There is more to this area than just theater, with revivified neighborhoods to the west and north of the core entertainment zone.
The Theater District is occasionally referred to as '''Midtown West''' (to distinguish it from "Midtown East").
Understand
This district stretches from 34th St, through the heavily commercial West 30s up to 59th St (beyond which is Central Park), and lies west of 6th Ave. The West Side is home not only to the famed "Great White Way" (Broadway), but to the emerging business district centered on the now thoroughly Disneyfied Times Square. The Theater District centers on the outlandishly commercial "New" 42nd Street and heads up Broadway and 7th Avenues, melding to the west with the resurgent neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen and its commercial strip on 9th Avenue, and to the north with the newly-built Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. The area becomes increasingly residential as you go north or west, and more commercial to the east and south. Many of Manhattan's largest hotels (including the Hilton and the Sheraton) are located on 6th or 7th Avenue in this area.
Get in
Long Distance Bus
Manhattan's main long distance bus station is Port Authority, between 8th and 9th Avs. between 40th and 42nd Sts. Connections are available on commuter buses to New Jersey and Rockland County, New York, and to long-distance routes through the country and to Canada.
Subway
Times Square-42nd St. subway station is one of the major nerve centers of public transit in New York. The 1, 2, 3, 7, N, R, Q, W, and Grand Central Shuttle (S) all stop there, while a pedestrian tunnel affords a free transfer to the A, C, and E which stop at 42nd St.-8th Av.
The N, R and W also stop at 49th and 57th Sts. on 7th Av. 57th St. and 7th Av. is ideal for a trip to Carnegie Hall, a few feet to the east.
The 1 also stops at 50th St. and Broadway.
59th St.-Columbus Circle is the other major transfer point in the neighborhood, serving the 1, A, B, C, and D trains.
The B and D also stop at 7th Av.-53rd St. and otherwise run on 6th Av.
MTA Bus
Quite a number of city bus routes serve the area (see the MTA website [http://www.mta.info] for a map), but crosstown routes in particular can be subject to gridlock at peak times.
Taxi
Taxis ply the area day and night but can slow to a standstill during rush hour, lunch time, and even mid-afternoon. However, if you need a taxi and are unfamiliar with normal taxi fares, do not hail anything but a yellow cab. Drivers of black limos who offer to pick you up may try to cheat you.
Foot
Walking is the way you can see the most, but even walking can be a problem, particularly on Broadway and 7th Av. between 48th and 42nd Sts. Large numbers of tourists are liable to be standing still and looking up every few feet, and of course, you may be one of them. But if you prefer to take a walk at a steadier pace, take a side street and walk on another avenue.
See
'''Times Square''', centered on 42nd St and Broadway - a place filled with video screens and LED signs. A world wonder or a tourist nightmare depending on your perspective, the "New" Times Square is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developing business district. Those looking for the seedy Times Square of old will find it around the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and around Broadway several blocks to the south.
'''Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum''', Pier 86, 12th Ave & 46th St, (212) 245-0072, [http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/]. Apr-Sep M-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm; Oct-Mar Tu-Su 10am-5pm. The aircraft carrier ''Intrepid'' is docked here and loaded with spacecraft and aircraft including the very cool Blackbird spy plane. On the other side of the dock is a guided-missile submarine and a Concorde, both of which you can tour also, and some tanks. $16.50 adult.
'''AOL Time Warner Center''' at Columbus Circle (''Subway: A, C, 1, B, D trains to Columbus Circle''). Has the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for dining, drinks, and Chihuly chandeliers. It also has a small, ultra-high-end mall with a big Borders Bookstore and Botero sculptures. In the basement is a large Whole Foods Market, and there is seating for eating their prepared food and salad bar items (cheaper than eating in a restaurant).
Do
'''Carnegie Hall''', 154 West 57th St, [http://www.carnegiehall.org/intro.jsp].
AMC Empire 25 Theatre. 34 W 42nd Street. ,C,E,N,Q,R,W,S,1,2,3,7 subway to 42nd St. 212) 398-3939. ttp://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?exid=amc&house_id=7114&rdate=&edata=mw_home. irst showings begin around noon, last showings begin at around 11pm. 6-$14. This large multiplex cinema shows first-run, mainstream films on 25 screens. It also contains an IMAX cinema showing mainstream feature films.
Hudson Theatre. 45 West 44th Street. 12-768-4400. ttp://www.millenniumhotelnyc.com/hudson-theatre/. This theatre is over 100 years old and remains the third oldest theatre in Broadway. Located right next to the Millennium Broadway Hotel, this NYC theatre now offers wedding, event and meeting space in an elegant, historic setting.
Kramer's Reality Tour. 58 West 44th Street. t: The Producers Club Theater. 800 5726377. 1 212 2685525. 1 212 4659327. ttp://www.kennykramer.com. a Su noon. 37.50. For Seinfeld fans. Kenny Kramer, said to be the inspiration for the caracter Kramer, tells about the show, in a fun way. And guides on a tour to places seen in the show. Stop for photo outside the restaurant seen in the show.
Buy
Eat
Budget
'''Cranberry Gourmet II''', 115 W 45th St., 1 block from times square. Always open. A huge variety of sandwiches, pizza, sushi, and udon. Hot and cold salad bars. Sandwiches are $4-$6. Very popular with local workers, so it gets very busy at breakfast and lunch time. There is ample seating upstairs.
'''Poseidon Bakery''', 629 9th Av. (between 44th and 45th Sts.), (212) 757-6173, serves wonderful Greek pastries, savory and sweet alike. There is no place to sit, but the staff are very friendly and helpful, and you can have a delicious, cheap meal for takeout.
'''Yoshinoya''', 255 W. 42nd St, Times Square, [http://www.yoshinoyausa.com/]. Every day 10am-3am. Cheap Japanese fast food (very fast). Beef or chicken teriyaki bowls for about $4.
Mid-Range
'''Carnegie Deli''', 854 Seventh Ave (''at 55th St''), 212-757-2245, [http://www.carnegiedeli.com/]. 6:30AM-4AM. This famous deli serves delicious, enormous sandwiches -- each of which could easily feed two hungry people. $10-$25 (''$3 charge for sharing''). Some people love this restaurant and some people hate it.
'''Vice Versa''', 325 West 51st St (''between Eighth and Ninth''), 212-399-9291, [http://www.viceversarestaurant.com/]. Simple, but tasty Italian fare. $10-$25.
Ariana Afghan Kebab House. 87 9th Avenue. etween 52nd and 53rd St.. 1 212 262 2323, +1 212 262 0065. ttp://www.ariananyc.com/. 1:30 am - 10:30 pm 7 days.. bout $20-30/person for a large 3-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage. omma,separated,tag_labels. Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery ''Aush'' (a type of beany noodle soup), ''Badinjan Burani'' (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread.), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.
'''Ocha''' 350 West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. (212) 581 3198. Japanese restaurant with good sushi.
''' Hudson Cafeteria''', 356 West 58th Street, [http://www.hudsonhotel.com/hudson_hotel_cafeteria.asp]. Ivy League dining hall type of atmosphere in the Hudson Hotel.
Drink
'''B.B. King Blues Club & Grill''', 237 W. 42 St, Times Square, [http://www.bbkingblues.com/]. Consists of two areas: the Showcase Room which features bigger name performers and the smaller Lucille's Grill which offers free music.
'''Birdland''', 44 St. between 8th and 9th. This historic club (though not at the original location of W. 52 St.) features a great lineup of justly famous performers and has good acoustics. Expect to pay a fair price for that quality. Pricey drinks, good desserts. Dinner is also available and might be worth a try.
The Perfect Pint. 23 W 45th Street. t Broadway. 1-212-354-1099. 15-25. er entree. Two-story pub off of Times Square with good Irish beers on tap and pricey entrees. Definitely not typical pub-grub, but the price matches.
Sleep
Budget
'''Big Apple Hostel''' near Times Square
'''Hotel Carter''' 250 West 43rd Street, [http://www.hotelcarter.com/], Value hotel in the heart of the Theater District near Times Square. Walkable to Rockefeller Center, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and the Museum of Modern Art. Voted the dirtiest hotel in the US by another travel site. And indeed the savings may not be worth the bed bug bites.
'''Jazz on Times Square Hostel''' 341 West 51 Street, [http://www.jazzhostels.com/jazzontimessquare.php], Telephone: +1.212.974.6400. Newly opened backpackers hostel (May 1, 2009) with dorm beds from $35.
'''Square Hotel''' 132 west 47th Street, [http://www.portlandsquarehotel.com/], Affordable and economical Times Square hotel minutes from Broadway Theaters, Fifth Avenue, the Diamond District, and "restaurant row."
Mid-Range
'''Casablanca Hotel''', 147 West 43rd Street, just east of Broadway, (212) 869-1212, [http://www.casablancahotel.com/]. Boutique hotel just off Times Square. High-speed Wi-fi and complimentary refreshments in Rick's Cafe 24 hours a day including breakfast in the mornings and wine and cheese receptions in the evenings except for Sunday nights.
'''Hilton Garden Inn''', 790 Eighth Avenue (''between 47th and 48th Sts.''), ''1-''212-581-7000, [http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=NYCMWGI]. Completely remodeled in 2005 with flat-screen TVs, comfy bedding. Free wireless, business center and in-room fridge. $200-400.
'''Hotel 41''' 206 West 41st Street, [http://www.hotel41.com/]. Times Square boutique hotel next door to the Nederlander Theatre, home of the musical "Rent", and walkable to other Broadway theaters, entertainment and restaurants, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall.
'''Hotel Mela''', 120 West 44th Street, (''44th Street & Broadway'') 877 452 MELA, [http://www.hotelmela.com/]. Luxury boutique hotel in Times Square.
'''The GEM Hotel''', 449 W. 36th Street, ''1-''212-967-7206, [http://www.ascendcollection.com/hotel-new_york-new_york-NY427]. The GEM Hotel says that it provides "an intimate, boutique atmosphere" and offers its guests "elegantly designed rooms with luxurious amenities."
'''Regency Inn & Suites''' 215 W 34th St., [http://www.regencyinnandsuitesny.com/], A midtown Manhattan hotel close to Macy's and other department stores, Koreatown, and tourist attractions including Times Square, Broadway Theaters, and Madison Square Garden. Complimentary morning newspaper and continental breakfast.
Splurge
Belvedere Hotel. 19 West 48th Street. ttp://www.belvederehotelnyc.com/. Art Deco hotel, restored in 2000.
Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan. rowne Plaza Times Square - Manhattan. 605 Broadway at 49th Street . 1 212-977-4000 Call free 800-593-5434. ttp://www.cpmanhattantimessquare.com/. Upscale hotel with 770 guest rooms, Manhattan's largest indoor lap pool, Samplings Restaurant, meeting facilities.[http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hd/nycmh?_IATAno=99763952]
Helmsley Park Lane. 6 Central Park South. 1 212 371-4000. ttp://www.helmsleyparklane.com/. 250+ . Views of Central Park. The staff is extremely efficient and treat you like royalty. The rooms are decorated in a very expensive fashion that verges on gaudiness.
Hotel Edison. 28 West 47th Street . tw. 8th & Broadway. ttp://www.edisonhotelnyc.com/. Art deco hotel built in 1931, steps from Times Square, walking distance to theaters, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, shopping, and dining.
Hudson Hotel. 56 West 58th Street . etween Eighth and Ninth Avenues. 1 212-554-6000 reservations 1-800-606-6090. 1 212-554-6001. ttp://www.hudsonhotel.com/. tandard double room from $295-$375. A fashionably trendy upmarket boutique hotel, conceptualized by hotel designer Ian Schrager in partnership with Philippe Starcke, great for celeb spotting. Characterized by one New York resident as "small rooms in the dark." Rooms comparatively tiny, little storage space... so think again if you travel with a big wardrobe. Otherwise, the subdued lighting, designer fittings, and relatively lower prices tend to attract a younger vibey crowd, especially to the uber-trendy bar at the foyer level.
The <sleep name="Jumeirah Essex House " alt="" address="160 Central Park South," directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.jumeirahessexhouse.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Built in 1931, The Jumeirah Essex House is a well known and recognized feature of Manhattan.</sleep>
The <sleep name="Manhattan Club" alt="" address="200 West 56th Street" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.manhattanclub.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Luxury suites and first class services and amenities. Each suite features appliances, plush fabrics and elegant furnishings with marble baths. Timeshares available.</sleep>
New York Marriott Marquis Times Square . 535 Broadway. 1 212 398-1900. ttp://marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquis-times-square/. Located in the heart of Times Square and the Broadway theater district, the Marriott Marquis sparkles with updated hotel rooms, high-speed elevators and six hotel restaurants and lounges. It is known for its revolving bar and the view from its clear-sided elevators.
The <sleep name="Park Central Hotel " alt="" address="870 Seventh Avenue at 56th Street" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.parkcentralny.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Right next to Carnegie Hall and close to the Theater District. Recently spent $65 million on renovations. While its renovations have significantly improved this hotel, it is, at best, a four-star hotel and clearly not one of New York's luxury hotels.</sleep>
Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square. 14 7th Avenue.. ttp://www.nycrenaissance.com. According to its website: "A stunning makeover features beautifully crafted interiors by renowned designer, Jordan Mozer. Guest rooms have also been redesigned with hardwood furniture, luxurious bathrooms and state-of-the-art, in-room technology."
Get out
Too many travelers spend all or most of their time in the Theater District and other largely non-residential areas of Midtown Manhattan. From the viewpoint of many New Yorkers, the "real New York" is elsewhere, in the residential neighborhoods uptown, downtown, and even a couple of blocks west of Times Square and the bright lights of the Great White Way. If you want to find out how New Yorkers live, work, and party and feel the pace of the city, go to neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, the East Village, Chinatown, Harlem, the Upper West and Upper East Sides, or just walk to 9th Av.