Here’s Everything a Broadway Fanatic Should Do in New York City

Top 11 Things to Do in New York for Theater Fans in 2025

Sure, you could grab tickets to whatever’s hot on Broadway and call it a day. But real theater nerds know New York’s stage magic goes way beyond those marquee lights. From historic theater haunts to bookshops, here’s how to level up your Broadway game beyond just catching the 2pm matinee.

Catch a Show at the Iconic Richard Rodgers Theatre

Built in 1925, this theater has hosted more Tony Award-winning productions than any other Broadway venue. That’s 11 wins total, including ‘Hamilton’ since 2015.

When you visit, you’ll see original brass railings and marble staircases from when it was built. The theater started ‘democratic seating’ where everyone uses the same entrance no matter where they’re sitting.

You can also check out the Richard Rodgers Gallery with cool items from the famous composer’s career.

Take a Behind-the-Scenes Broadway Tour

Broadway Up Close tours are led by people who actually work in theater and share their personal stories and backstage secrets. Their guides show you rare photos and videos on iPads as you walk around.

You’ll hear about opening night disasters, theater ghosts, and cool details about the buildings most people miss. The ‘Broadway’s Beginnings’ tour shows how the area changed from horse stables to theaters, while the ‘Broadway Ghost Stories’ tour tells you about theater superstitions.

Drop By the Drama Bookshop

This 104-year-old shop was saved by Lin-Manuel Miranda and his ‘Hamilton’ team in 2019 when it almost closed because of high rent.

The store has over 8,000 plays and theater books in a stylish space created by the ‘Hamilton’ set designer David Korins. Inside you’ll see a coffee bar that looks like an old theater ticket booth, beautiful wood bookshelves, and comfy places to sit and read.

Fun fact: Miranda wrote parts of ‘In The Heights’ in the basement of the original location.

Visit the Museum of Broadway

This hands-on museum shows Broadway’s growth through cool exhibits and real artifacts across 26,000 square feet. The Map Room shows how theaters moved around NYC over time.

The Timeline has displays for famous shows with original costumes and props. ‘The Making of a Broadway Show’ section shows all the jobs needed to put on a show, from producers to stagehands.

They also have special changing exhibits that focus on specific shows or themes throughout the year.

Check Out The Public Theater

Since Joseph Papp started it in 1954, The Public has launched big hits like ‘Hair,’ ‘A Chorus Line,’ and ‘Hamilton.’

The historic building was originally New York’s first free public library back in 1853. Inside you’ll find six different performance spaces, including the cozy Joe’s Pub for cabaret and music shows.

Their yearly Shakespeare in the Park gives free performances at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater. This summer tradition has been going since 1962.

Tour Lincoln Center’s Theater Venues

This arts complex has the only Broadway theater outside the Theater District. The Vivian Beaumont Theater has a unique thrust stage where the audience sits on three sides.

You can also see the Claire Tow Theater (for new playwrights) and the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (for smaller shows). You’ll love the beautiful stone facades and Marc Chagall paintings throughout the buildings.

Lincoln Center Theater has won 23 Tony Awards since 1985 and puts on both classic revivals and brand new works.

Explore the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive

Located in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, this special collection saves recordings of over 4,000 Broadway and Off-Broadway performances since 1970.

You can watch shows that aren’t available commercially anywhere else, including performances by famous actors like Angela Lansbury and Ian McKellen. They follow strict copyright rules, so you can only watch for research.

The collection includes every Tony Award-winning Best Play and Musical since the archive began.

Join the Theater District Architecture Walking Tour

On these tours, you’ll be learning all about the New Amsterdam Theatre’s beautiful Art Nouveau interior with carved wood nymphs called ‘Roof Beauties.The Hudson Theatre (built 1903) has original Tiffany stained glass and mosaic floors.

The Al Hirschfeld Theatre shows off Moorish design with hidden theater faces in its fancy moldings. Many theaters were saved from being torn down during Times Square’s cleanup in the 1990s, keeping their special architectural features from the early 1900s.

Experience Off-Broadway at The Signature Theatre

This special theater company dedicates whole seasons to one playwright’s work. The Frank Gehry-designed complex has three different performance spaces, a bookstore, and cafe.

Their Signature Ticket Initiative offers affordable $35 tickets for all new productions. In the lobby, you’ll see a 30-foot mahogany bar saved from an old Broadway theater. The theater has premiered works by award-winners like Edward Albee, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Annie Baker.