Broadway Up Close: Our Visit to the Museum of Broadway in New York
By Barbara Durley, Travel & Cruise ConsultantTravelled July 2023 · 6 min read
Quick takeaways
- Barbara, her friend and their daughters stayed at the Warwick Hotel on West 54th Street, an 8-minute walk to Times Square.
- They saw Chicago and Hamilton. Buy tickets ahead for must-see shows, or try TKTS in Times Square for same-day deals.
- The Museum of Broadway is immersive and interactive. Plan about two hours.
- Don’t miss Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where the servers sing show tunes all night.
My friend Kellie and I took our daughters, Kirsten and Kasey, to New York for a Broadway trip. We usually do a show of some sort, often a musical with the girls, for their birthdays. They are both born right after Christmas. This time, we decided to actually take them to Broadway. We had so much fun!
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Warwick Hotel on West 54th street which is just an 8 minute walk away from Times Square, 6 minutes from Central Park, Rockefeller Center and you guessed it, Broadway!
Exploring New York
Everything was incredible and just as big and shiny as they portray it in the movies. Speaking of movies, of course we visited FAO Schwarz from the movie Big, along with doing a tour and learning more about Rockefeller Center.
We had an incredible Italian dinner served family style at Carmine’s. The food and the atmosphere was incredible! Oh, and did you know that the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue has a mini museum inside!
Ellen’s Stardust Diner
We also had dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Honestly, if you love Broadway Musicals you need to eat here. You can’t make a reservation, so you will have to line up. We waited about half an hour. Once you are inside, the food is good, but you are there for the atmosphere. All of the bartenders and servers are aspiring actors and actresses trying to make it on Broadway. So, all night, all around you, they are singing show tunes. We had a Blast!
At some point while you are there, they will come around with a bucket. All money you put in the bucket is put aside so that when one of the staff members wants to take an extra dance lesson, or singing lesson, or whatever they need to get better for that next audition. Of course, when you pay your bill, you still tip your server. After all, that is the money that your server uses to pay their bills. It was an amazing experience.
Barbara’s tipEllen’s Stardust Diner doesn’t take reservations, so expect to line up. Barbara’s group waited about half an hour, and it was worth it!
Seeing Broadway shows
We saw two musicals. The girls picked Chicago and Hamilton. We had purchased our tickets in advance because we wanted to make sure we could see both and we only had four days. But if you don’t care what you see, or where you sit, you can get tickets the day of at TKTS in Times Square.
The Museum of Broadway
We stepped into a world that felt like Broadway itself—immersive, interactive, and full of theatrical nostalgia. From the Map Room, which traces the early days of NYC theater, to a sweeping timeline exhibit packed with original costumes, props, and photographs from shows like Rent, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line, The Wiz and more there is so much to see and do.
There are so many spots where you really feel like you are a part of the musical! You can swing from the ”Hair” -style swing, sing into old school microphones with Spring Awakening lyrics under your feet, stand in replica sets from West Side Story and the girls even sat in on the set of Chicago! That interactive energy kept us moving through each exhibit with excitement—but we still took nearly two hours to soak it all in.
The final section, “Making of a Broadway Show,” brought us backstage—showing how musicals and plays come to life through set design, costume sketches, choreography breakdowns, and production models. It felt like we were peeking behind the curtain at the real magic.
Of course we couldn’t resist browsing the gift shop, filled with Broadway-themed merchandise like Playbill style prints, tote bags, themed apparel, and more—perfect souvenirs to remember our Times Square adventure.
Top of the Rock and more
We even had time to fit in a visit to the Top of the Rock and a Hop On Hop Off bus to see some of the areas we didn’t have time to walk to.
We had so much fun and saw so many things. It was an amazing 4 days of history, music, Broadway and fun!
Planning your own Broadway trip
Dreaming of a Broadway getaway like Barbara’s? Here’s what we tell clients who are planning a theatre trip to New York.
- Getting there from Canada: New York is a short flight from Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal, into LaGuardia, JFK or Newark. Bring your passport. Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
- Book must-see shows early: popular musicals sell out, especially around the holidays. For flexible plans, try the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounts, or enter the digital lotteries many shows run.
- Check the schedule: most Broadway shows are dark one night a week, often Monday, so check before you plan your evenings.
- Stay near the theatres: a Midtown hotel like the Warwick puts Times Square, the theatres and Central Park within walking distance.
- Leave time for the Museum of Broadway: it’s on West 45th Street, right in the theatre district. Book a timed ticket and allow about two hours.
Advisor tipA Broadway trip makes a wonderful milestone or birthday gift, just like Barbara’s. We can package your flights, hotel and show tickets together. For more NYC ideas, read Amy’s NYC in December.
Want to see Broadway up close? Check out these guided packages at exclusive rates!
Ready for your own Big Apple adventure? Barbara would love to help you plan your Broadway trip.
FAQs
How long does the Museum of Broadway take?
Barbara’s group spent nearly two hours exploring the exhibits.
How can I get cheap Broadway tickets?
If you don’t mind what you see or where you sit, you can buy same-day tickets at TKTS in Times Square. For must-see shows, buy in advance.
Do you need a reservation at Ellen’s Stardust Diner?
No, they don’t take reservations, so you’ll need to line up.
Where is a good hotel for a Broadway trip?
Barbara stayed at the Warwick Hotel on West 54th Street, an 8-minute walk to Times Square and close to Central Park and Rockefeller Center.
Are Broadway shows open on Mondays?
Many Broadway shows are dark one night a week, often Monday. Check each show’s schedule before planning your evenings.
Where is the Museum of Broadway?
It’s on West 45th Street in the heart of New York’s theatre district, steps from Times Square.
