Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Art Lovers in Times Square
Top Things to Do in New York City for Art Lovers in Times Square
1. Museum of Broadway
A multi-level, immersive museum that traces Broadway’s visual and performing arts—from show posters and costume design to full-scale set recreations—all steps from the bright lights of Times Square.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the only museum dedicated to Broadway’s artistry, letting you get close to costumes, props, and scenic design that shaped American theater.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings right at opening to enjoy the galleries before pre-show crowds arrive.
✓ Insider Tip:
Reserve timed-entry and linger in the installation rooms that spotlight set-building and choreography—great for detail photos.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests praise the curation and interactivity, calling it a must for theater and design lovers.
2. Times Square Arts: Midnight Moment
The world’s largest, coordinated digital art exhibition transforms Times Square’s LED billboards into a synchronized canvas for contemporary video art every night.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a free, uniquely Times Square art experience that turns advertising screens into a museum-scale gallery under the stars.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Nightly from 11:57 pm to 12:00 am; arrive a few minutes early for the full sequence.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand on the red steps at Father Duffy Square to get a sweeping view of the synchronized screens.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Viewers describe it as a magical pause in the city’s rush—short, striking, and unforgettable.
3. Sardi's
The legendary Broadway restaurant where walls are lined with hundreds of original caricatures of theater luminaries—an ever-growing, living gallery.
✓ Why Go:
It offers an only-in-Times-Square blend of dining and visual art, steeped in Broadway lore.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late lunch or early dinner before curtains rise on nearby shows.
✓ Insider Tip:
Request a table with a clear sightline to your favorite caricatures and stroll the upstairs rooms if open.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the nostalgic atmosphere and say the art alone is worth the stop.
4. Shubert Theatre
A storied Broadway house with ornate interiors and a direct connection to Shubert Alley—rich with posters, portraits, and theatrical history.
✓ Why Go:
Seeing a show here pairs high-caliber performance with classic architectural craftsmanship.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evening performances for peak ambiance; weekday nights often have better seat availability.
✓ Insider Tip:
Arrive early to admire lobby photos and period details; check the stage door along Shubert Alley after the show.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Audiences rave about the old-world charm and intimate feel despite the buzz outside.
5. Minskoff Theatre
A modern theater perched above Times Square with sweeping lobby views and artful décor—home to blockbuster productions known for lavish design.
✓ Why Go:
Its airy lobbies and striking vistas turn pre-show time into an art-viewing experience of their own.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Matinees for daylight views across Times Square; evenings for the neon glow.
✓ Insider Tip:
Head to the mezzanine lobby windows before curtain for the best panorama and photos.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Guests appreciate the comfortable sightlines and the grandeur that starts well before the first note.
6. Lyric Theatre
One of Broadway’s largest venues, marrying restored historic elements with contemporary design—perfect for visually ambitious productions.
✓ Why Go:
Its scale and craftsmanship showcase scenic art and theatrical technology at their most immersive.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evening performances to experience full lighting and stagecraft effects.
✓ Insider Tip:
During intermission, explore the lobby spaces and look up—ceilings and fixtures reward close attention.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Audiences call it impressive, comfortable, and ideal for spectacle-heavy shows.
7. Stephen Sondheim Theatre
A landmarked Beaux-Arts façade shelters a modern auditorium—an elegant blend of heritage and contemporary theater craft.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a love letter to Broadway’s past and present, honoring Sondheim while celebrating design innovation.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weeknight performances for a calmer experience in and around the theater.
✓ Insider Tip:
Before curtain, step back on 43rd Street to appreciate the preserved façade and marquee details.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans highlight the intimacy, acoustics, and tasteful design throughout.
8. Theatre Row
A cluster of Off-Broadway venues showcasing new plays, dance, and experimental work—lobbies often double as mini galleries of production art.
✓ Why Go:
Art lovers discover emerging voices, inventive set design, and adventurous storytelling just steps from the main drag.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early evening for pre-show exhibits and a relaxed pace on 42nd Street.
✓ Insider Tip:
Check same-day box office for discounted seats and arrive 20 minutes early to browse lobby displays.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Audiences praise the creativity and value, calling it a gem off the big marquees.
9. New Victory Theater
A beautifully restored 1900 venue focused on family-friendly performing arts—ornate plasterwork and a jewel-box interior delight design buffs.
✓ Why Go:
Historic restoration meets boundary-pushing programming, from dance to puppetry, that spotlights craft and movement.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekend matinees for an easygoing crowd and great lobby access.
✓ Insider Tip:
Look up at the proscenium and balcony details—freshly restored surfaces reveal intricate artistry.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it welcoming, gorgeous, and meticulously preserved.
10. One Times Square
The iconic tower crowned by the New Year’s Eve Ball and encircled by colossal LED canvases—a living study in graphic design and light.
✓ Why Go:
It embodies pop art scale and urban spectacle, uniting design, engineering, and tradition in the square’s very center.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Dusk into evening for maximum impact from the lighting and screens.
✓ Insider Tip:
For a clear view of the Ball, stand north of W 45th St and face south toward the tower.
✓ What Visitors Say:
People describe the experience as exhilarating and quintessentially New York.
