NYC Broadway Tour: Backstage Stories & Theater Secrets

117 Reviews 4.87 out of 5 stars Based on 117 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 97% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
New York City, USA

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On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Explore Broadway’s legendary past and its hidden backstage world. Walk through iconic theatres and learn how Broadway rose from vaudeville to global fame. Step inside a real rehearsal studio and discover the performers, crew, and creatives who bring the magic to life. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a tribute to the soul of Broadway.

What's Included

  • Visit a working rehearsal studio and catch a glimpse of live classes or rehearsals (when available)
  • Discover the history and hidden stories of iconic Broadway theaters
  • Experience the buzz and bright lights of Times Square
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

7th Ave &
West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Midtown Manhattan
New York, NY, USA

Your tour will end at a central location in Midtown Manhattan.

What To Expect

Times Square

Start in Times Square and explore iconic theaters with your local guide, hearing the stories behind Broadway’s most legendary shows.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Duffy Square

Just a stone's throw away from Times Square lies the lesser-known Duffy Square. This is where the TKTS Booth is located, and where hundreds of people enter daily ticket lotteries, making it an essential part of the Broadway experience for the public!
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Broadway

Broadway is everything you could imagine - bright lights, colorful posters, marquees adorned with your favorite performers' names, and historic, iconic theaters. This is where fame is made, hits are born, and creativity thrives! On this tour, we'll walk down Broadway, while your guide provides you with the historical background of the theaters you pass by and the productions that have graced the avenue over the years.
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50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Richard Rodgers Theatre (Pass By)

Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Richard Rodgers Theatre, named after the famous composer of musicals, such as ‘Oklahoma!’, ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘The King and I’, and ‘South Pacific’. Since 2015, it has been the home of Lin Manuel Miranda's critically acclaimed musical ‘Hamilton’.
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Majestic Theatre (Pass By)

Listen out for the music of the night as you stroll by one of the largest theatres on the strip. The Majestic Theatre has a rich history, hosting productions like ‘The Music Man,’ ‘Camelot,’ and ‘The Wiz.’
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Shubert Theatre (Pass By)

This theatre, open since 1913, has been a staple on Broadway and has hosted the Tony Awards over the years. It boasts a history of productions, plays, and famous performers.
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Studio Seaview (Pass By)

This theatre company specialises in developing writer-focused plays and productions. With a history of captivating audiences with engaging characters, the theatre is known for the Tony Award-winning musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’.
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Theatre Row (Pass By)

This collection of theatres operates as a hub for up-and-coming theatre companies, offering everything from rehearsal space to tech support.
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Playwrights Horizons (Pass By)

This venue plays host to more plays than musicals, and has showcased Pulitzer Prize winners Driving Miss Daisy and The Flick.
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Hell's Kitchen

Visit a working rehearsal studio and gain insight into the performers, choreographers, and crew who bring Broadway to life—often unseen, but essential to every show.
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50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Does this tour run in all weather conditions? The tour operates year-round and will proceed rain or shine, unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe.
  • Is the tour wheelchair accessible? Accessibility may vary depending on the route and studio availability. Please reach out ahead of time to confirm specific needs.
  • What should I wear for the tour? Please dress comfortably and casually in weather-appropriate attire. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes suitable for walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the NYC Broadway Tour: Backstage Stories & Theater Secrets?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5403P15

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.87
117 reviews

Average 4.87 out of 5 stars based on 117 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
109
4 stars
4
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
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On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Visit a working rehearsal studio and catch a glimpse of live classes or rehearsals (when available)
  • Discover the history and hidden stories of iconic Broadway theaters
  • Experience the buzz and bright lights of Times Square
  • Explore Off-Broadway venues in a vibrant NYC neighborhood
  • Hear insider tales, theater traditions, and Broadway legends from a local expert
  • Guided walking tour of Times Square and the Broadway Theater District
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Does this tour run in all weather conditions? The tour operates year-round and will proceed rain or shine, unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe.
  • Is the tour wheelchair accessible? Accessibility may vary depending on the route and studio availability. Please reach out ahead of time to confirm specific needs.
  • What should I wear for the tour? Please dress comfortably and casually in weather-appropriate attire. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
  • Is the tour suitable for all fitness levels? The tour involves moderate walking and is suitable for most fitness levels. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us in advance.
  • Will we go inside any theaters or rehearsal spaces? When available, the tour includes a visit to a working rehearsal studio where you may observe live classes or rehearsals.
  • Is this tour child-friendly? This is a child-friendly experience. Children under the age of 6 may join free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

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Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

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Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.