What with the hassle of traveling into Manhattan from other boroughs or out of town, it is understandable that most travelers to New York City would want to stay close to the action. SGN staff recently stayed at two separate hotels right next to Times Square, while also trying out nearby restaurants and entertainment options, from the bougie to the budget conscious. Each itinerary item below provides travelers with some insight into what kind of experience they can expect with two different price points.

Hotels

The Times Square EDITION offers a minimalist, sleek interior design with ambient tracks and scented lobby benches to convey its luxury. In the main lobby, guests are welcomed by courteous, well-dressed staff at the front desk. The guestrooms mirror the hotel’s overall modernist, stripped-back aesthetic, with opaque glass walls, floating countertops, and herringbone flooring. But the highlight of booking a room here was securing one with a spectacular view of Times Square — though be warned that the 24-hour noise may impact one’s sleeping experience.

Other perks, like $40 off during brunch at the hotel’s Terrace and Outdoor Gardens restaurant, an American brasserie headed by Chef John Fraser, adds to the hotel’s popularity. The EDITION is also home to the Paradise club, a party venue made famous by Madonna. If travelers are looking for refined and modern luxury at the heart of Manhattan, then this hotel will certainly deliver.

·       Pros: Paradise club, views of Times Square, Terrace and Outdoor Gardens restaurant
·       Cons: Multiple elevator transfers, noisiness from outside, expensive

OYO Times Square is only a couple feet away yet offers a very different experience for travelers that is more budget friendly. The large generic lobby — and kitschy Serendipity 3 restaurant adjoining it — are overall unassuming. Although by comparison this hotel is cheaper than its nearby competitors, patrons get what they pay for during their stay.

The hotel room with a king-sized bed was subpar in general. The metal Amazon bedframe wobbled and squeaked with every little movement during the night. With no functioning AC, the room felt humid and stuffy, requiring open windows for airflow despite it being early spring.

The hair dryer in the bathroom was a fire hazard, and there were few other amenities besides hand soap. The only saving grace was the very nice cleaning staff that quickly and efficiently restocked the room every day with new bedding and towels.

Travelers looking to save money in NYC would be wise to instead choose other options in Manhattan. OYO Times Square’s location is about the only thing going for it. In a pinch, it may do for a night. But as a multinight experience, this hotel’s numerous deficits will grow old quick.

·       Pros: Budget friendly, next to Times Square, daily room cleaning
·       Cons: Lack of amenities, poorly working AC, uncomfortable mattress

Restaurants

Joe Allen, unlike other spots that have become dominated by tourists, remains a popular destination for Broadway stars and starlets to come enjoy solid meals after their performances in a dimly lit, cozy atmosphere. The establishment’s long history serving theater clientele is reflected in its décor, with Broadway posters on the back wall showcasing its place in feeding the entertainment industry over the decades. Its menu consists mainly of refined staples and classics like meatloaf with gravy, roast chicken, and pork chops served with sides of spinach and mashed potatoes.

The highlight was in its appetizers. First the escargot in herb butter served with sourdough toast: the snails were tender yet chewy, with no sliminess or funky aftertaste. Second, the guacamole with taro root chips: the mixture was buttery, fragrant, and refreshingly perfect when paired with the crunch of the taro. Most dishes start in the $20–30 range, but diners will be in for a truly elevated experience.

·       Pros: Delicious food, excellent service, potential for meeting Broadway stars!
·       Cons: Pricier but reasonable, a little out of the way, long waitlists in the evening

Famous Famiglia on Eighth Avenue is one of many pizza-by-the-slice joints dotting the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. It may not be the best pizza spot in town, but it is affordable and more importantly, open until 1 a.m. on weekends. The photos on the wall showing celebrities meeting the owner try to convince customers that the store is a real mom-and-pop joint, but it is not.

What the place lacks in quality or originality, it delivers in consistency and convenience. Its pizza, garlic knots, and calzones are nothing that will knock your socks off, but they scratch an itch, especially after a long night out on Broadway or at the Gay bars of Hell’s Kitchen. Regardless, Famous Famiglia would still easily go toe-to-toe with most of the overpriced pizza joints in Seattle. And for that alone, it deserves respect. Mangia!

·       Pros: Affordable, convenient, open late
·       Cons: Better pizza elsewhere, not always fresh, chain store

Broadway

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is an inventive and subversive rendition of the classic musical, in which  country artist and Gay icon Orville Peck makes his Broadway debut as frontman Emcee. The opening number showcases Peck’s vocal and acting ranges, introducing the cabaret girls one by one, as well as the two cabaret boys. Emcee tells the audience the only way he can tell the boys apart is by spanking them and comparing their whimpers, proceeding to do so in one of many Queer and lewd moments.

Clifford Bradshaw’s character, played by Calvin Leon Smith, becomes much more explicitly Bisexual than in previous versions with former male love interests. Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles steals the show with her singing voice, as well as her portrayal of Sally’s emotional instability. The only downside was the seats of the August Wilson Theatre: Being 100 years old, they were cramped and uncomfortable, especially through a three-hour show.

·       Pros: Evocative performances, one-of-a-kind experience
·       Cons: Relatively expensive, uncomfortable seating

The Book of Mormon is one of the longest-running and most successful musicals on Broadway. Playing at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, even after all these years, it still had the audience laughing all the way though. Having only listened to the soundtrack, it was a special experience to watch numbers like “Turn It Off” and “Spooky Mormon Hell Dream” performed live.

The show ended with a special announcement from the cast about the Broadway Cares Foundation raising money for HIV/AIDS. They stood by the exits with buckets, collecting donations from the audience as they left, which is crucial work in these times.

For those travelers who still want to catch a show but may not have strong preferences or financial commitments, day-of tickets at the TKTS Times Square under the Red Stairs can be a clever way of scoring a discount.

·       Pros: Discount tickets, might catch good seat
·       Cons: No choice of play or seats, may have obstructed view