Named for 19th-century actor Edwin Booth, the theater is nestled into the pedestrian-only Shubert Alley. The best way to experience the Booth is to see a show. Since the celebrated theater is smaller than most Broadway stages—with fewer than 800 seats—shows sell out quickly, so purchase tickets in advance. Alternatively, stop by on a private Theater District walking tour to see the sights and hear about the legends of old Broadway.
Theater lovers shouldn't miss a show at the Booth, which offers more intimate performances than larger Broadway stages.
Architecture fans appreciate the theater's exterior, one of the last standing examples of sgraffito adornment in New York.
Broadway theaters generally prohibit bringing in outside food, but you can buy snacks at the orchestra or basement-level concession.
No recording is allowed during performances.
The theater has wheelchair seating in the orchestra section.
Though a neighborhood walking tour is the most convenient way to find the Booth, independent travelers typically opt to take the subway. Take the N, R, or W train to the 49th Street station, or the A, C, or E train to the 42 Street - Port Authority Bus Terminal stop.
As with many Broadway theaters, the Booth is dark on Mondays, and offers both matinee and evening performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you plan to see a new show at the Booth, expect more crowds around Tony season—June and July—and over the holidays, between mid-November and the new year. For fewer crowds, buy tickets in advance to a midweek show.
Because theater tickets can be pricey, travelers on a budget shouldn't miss the several no-cost attractions within blocks of the Booth Theatre. Walk for around 10 minutes and you’ll find bustling Times Square, lush Bryant Park, and the must-see main branch of the New York Public Library, on 42nd Street. Check out the library's elegant Rose Reading Room, known for its colorful ceiling murals.
