The Broadway Theatre District, also known as "Tin Pan Alley" and "The Great White Way," is situated in and around Central Manhattan's Times Square area. This district of the city features over 36 theaters that mounts renowned musical productions that include The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. Many of these shows have open-ended runs and have family-friendly content. The Broadway Theater District also offers a wide variety of restaurants that offer before-show and after-show menus to accommodate the theater patrons. Central Manhattan has hotels within close proximity to the Broadway Theater District, making it convenient for out-of-town theater-goers. For discounted tickets, check out the TKTS booths in Times Square during the afternoon before the show.
Located throughout the "Big Apple," many well-known comedians, including Jerry Seinfield and Ray Ramano, found their start in the comedy clubs of New York City. Some of the more reputable comedy clubs in New York include Manhattan's Upright Citizen's Brigade and Gotham Comedy Club. One club, Dangerfield's, has served as the site of HBO comedy specials. Many of these comedy clubs encourage new comedic talent by hosting open-mic, amateur nights. Beverages and menu items are also offered at many of the clubs.
New York City possesses professional sports franchises in nearly every sport, which includes football, baseball, hockey and basketball. While many games take place in the afternoon, just as many occur during the evening. In Manhattan, New York sports fans can catch a Knicks basketball game or Rangers hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The home of the New York Mets baseball team and New York Jets football team is Shea Stadium in Queens, while the New York Yankees baseball team plays their games at the Bronx's Yankee Stadium. Other franchises in the area are the New York Jets and Giants football NFL teams, who share a home stadium at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as well as the New York Islanders hockey team on Long Island. Each of these sporting venues have hotel accommodations nearby for traveling fans.
The "Big Apple" is a major hub for the jazz music world, where musical legends such as Duke Ellington and "Little" Jimmy Scott played for many years. One of the most famous jazz clubs in the world is Manhattan's Blue Note Club. Opened in 1981, this jazz club features well-known jazz musicians, who will often play for six nights in a row. Most of the New York's jazz clubs are located in Lower Manhattan and the Harlem district, but there are some clubs in the Brooklyn and Queens boroughs. Most clubs have a nominal cover charge and offer bar seating and services.
