Have a Broadway-filled day at these theatre-themed New York events

Seeing shows isn't the only way to experience theatre in the city — dive even deeper into Broadway at these must-see museums, tours, and other attractions.

More than 10 million people flock to New York annually to experience Broadway. The most avid fans return multiple times yearly to discover all the latest hit shows premiering each season. But for some people, even that's not enough to satisfy their theatre fix — they want to go behind the curtain, learn the history of the shows they see, and relive their now-closed favorites. Luckily, there are so many ways to do so, even on a short trip to the city.

It's no surprise that, with Broadway being such a staple of New York, you can engage with it in various ways throughout the city. Besides seeing a play or musical, you can visit a Broadway museum, take a tour of a rehearsal studio, or learn about the ways in which Broadway influences the city's other major artistic institutions.

Take the drama out of planning with the help of this guide to all the Broadway- and theatre-related experiences in New York you can get tickets for now. Make a weekend out of these activities, or squeeze them all into one theatre-filled day!

Get tickets to Broadway shows on New York Theatre Guide.

BroadwayCon

This annual convention is the place to be for any die-hard Broadway fan. The three-day event is packed with panels, performances, singalongs, shopping, and meet-and-greets. You can connect with people from every corner of the Broadway industry, from actors to directors to writers to designers and so much more. Think Comic-Con, but for Broadway — and yes, dressing up like a theatre character is encouraged.

BroadwayCon 2023 is from July 18-21 — you can immerse yourself in the theatre world by attending the whole weekend-long event or get a day pass and spend the rest of your weekend at some of the other Broadway-centric attractions on this list.

Get BroadwayCon tickets now.

Staged: The Met Museum Tour

This attraction on the Upper East Side is the furthest from the Theatre District, so it might be the best place to start. The full title, “Staged: The Interactive Museum Tour for People Who Love Theater,” says it all.

This interactive tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't Broadway-specific, but participants will see artwork based on stories that also inspired Broadway shows, along with other theatre-related art, like statues of historic actors and writers. Modern Broadway theatre wouldn't exist without its ancient theatrical pioneers from all over the world, after all.

Get Staged tickets now.

The Broadway Studios Tour

Next, make your way down to 48th Street and Broadway to tour Open Jar Studios, one of the premier rehearsal studios for Broadway shows. Want to imagine what your favorite shows looked like before all the sets, costumes, and special effects came in? This is the place to do it — and you might not even have to imagine, as you could catch a show rehearsing while you're there.

The 30-minute tour, led by a theatre industry professional, also takes participants through the process of creating a Broadway show from the ground up. Hear stories about how famous shows came to be, view rare Broadway artifacts, and come away with a better understanding of all the work that propels a Broadway show to the stage.

Get Broadway Studios Tour tickets now.

The Museum of Broadway

Walk through the entire history of Broadway in less time than it takes to watch a Broadway musical. The Museum of Broadway, located steps from Times Square on 45th Street, is the city's only permanent museum dedicated to the history and lasting impact of Broadway shows.

See costumes, props, and other memorabilia from iconic shows past and present. Learn more about some of the most influential Broadway writers and directors, and peek behind the curtain in an exhibit dedicated to all the behind-the-scenes jobs that get a Broadway show up and running. The museum is interactive, with plenty of photo ops and activities that allow you to enter tons of theatrical worlds. Not every show can be on Broadway all at once, but the Museum of Broadway is the place to experience your favorite shows anytime.

Get Museum of Broadway tickets now.

Dinner and a show at a Theatre District restaurant

Pre-show dinner and drinks are classic New York theatregoing rituals, but Broadway seeps right into some restaurants, too. Ellen's Stardust Diner and Gayle's Broadway Rose employ show tune-singing waitstaff, and the legendary Sardi's is lined with caricatures of Broadway stars.

Learn more about popular restaurants in the Theatre District.

See Broadway shows in New York

Of course, the best way to round out a Broadway-filled day in New York is to see a show! There's always something exciting to see across Broadway's 41 theatres, from long-running stalwarts like The Lion King and Chicago to an ever-rotating array of new works.

Browse all current Broadway shows, or check out these guides to help you decide which show (or shows!) to see.

• Top 10 Broadway musicals to see
• Top 10 Broadway plays to see
• Top-reviewed Broadway shows playing now
• Family-friendly Broadway shows
• Broadway shows starring celebrities

Top image credit: The Museum of Broadway. (Photo courtesy of The Museum of Broadway)