NYC Broadway – IMG_ travel photography, image 8211

What I’d Do Differently: New York City and Broadway Edition

ByJenna Fattah

Updated April 2026 | 4 min read

New York is one of those cities where first-timers either waste three days in Times Square or have the trip of a lifetime. The difference is knowing where to eat, how to get Broadway tickets without overpaying, and which neighborhoods are actually worth your time. Here is what I would do differently.

Do Not Stay Near Times Square

Times Square hotels charge Manhattan maximum for tiny rooms surrounded by chaos. The food options within walking distance are tourist traps with inflated prices. Stay in the Flatiron District for equal access to Midtown and Lower Manhattan. DUMBO in Brooklyn offers stunning bridge views and a calmer pace. Williamsburg has the best food scene outside Manhattan. All three connect to Midtown by subway in under 20 minutes.

Use OMNY, Not MetroCard

MetroCard was phased out in January 2026. OMNY uses contactless tap with any credit card, phone, or watch. The fare is 3 dollars per ride with a weekly cap that gives 12 free rides after 12 paid ones in seven days. Download the MTA app or Citymapper for real-time subway arrivals and trip planning. Express trains skip stations, so check signage before boarding.

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Get Broadway Tickets Through Lotteries

Digital lotteries offer tickets at 40 to 60 dollars for shows that normally cost 150 to 300 dollars. Enter multiple shows the day before for the best odds. Rush tickets at 39 to 69 dollars go on sale at 10 AM day-of with a limit of two per person. The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at up to 50 percent off plus a 7 dollar service fee. Standing room tickets run 30 to 45 dollars. Broadway Week in January and February offers two-for-one deals on select shows.

Eat in the Neighborhoods, Not Near Theaters

Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen between 42nd and 55th Streets has excellent restaurants without the Times Square markup. Chinatown has the best Peking duck and dim sum for a fraction of Midtown prices. Jackson Heights in Queens is the most culturally diverse food neighborhood in the city with incredible tacos and momos. The East Village has gentrified but still delivers some of the best Jewish delis and diverse cuisine in Manhattan.

Central Park Deserves a Full Morning

Walk from the south end near Columbus Circle. Hit Strawberry Fields, Bethesda Terrace, and Bow Bridge. Two to three hours covers the main sights. Four or more hours lets you linger at the rowboat rentals, which cost 25 dollars per hour on weekdays. Arrive early to beat the crowds. The Metropolitan Museum steps are a perfect mid-walk break.

The Met Is Pay-What-You-Wish for New Yorkers

The Metropolitan Museum charges 30 dollars for adults but New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents pay what they wish. Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM most days, open until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Plan three to five hours for the main museum. MoMA is 28 dollars online but free on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 PM for New York residents. Both museums are worth the time.

Brooklyn Is Not Optional

DUMBO has the Instagram-famous Manhattan Bridge view, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and refined cafes. Williamsburg has Smorgasburg food market with over 100 vendors on spring and summer weekends, rooftop bars, vintage shops, and street art. The two neighborhoods are completely different vibes. DUMBO is polished and family-friendly. Williamsburg is hip and restaurant-heavy. Both are a short subway ride from Manhattan.

What I Would Prioritize

Five nights based in Flatiron or Williamsburg. Day one for Central Park and the Met. Day two for a Broadway matinee and dinner on Ninth Avenue. Day three for DUMBO, the Brooklyn Bridge walk, and Williamsburg. Day four for Chinatown, Little Italy, and the East Village. Day five for MoMA, shopping in SoHo, and a final Broadway show. Enter lotteries every night for surprise wins.

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Jenna Fattah

Written by Jenna Fattah

I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me

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