More Broadway tickets released: Here's everything you need to know to plan a visit to New York City

Broadway is back, baby! Well, almost.

As reported May 5, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Broadway League announced that Broadway shows can reopen at full capacity starting on Sept. 14. If you've been waiting for your own return to New York City and The Great White Way, TPG has everything you need right here -- from how to get there, to where to stay, where to dine and what else to see while you're in the Big Apple.

Tickets for Hamilton, Lion King and Wicked are all on sale as of today, May 11.

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How to get to New York City

Many people from New York and the surrounding states drive to the city for their getaways or arrive via public transportation to Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. If you're flying in, you have three airport options: New York-JFK, New York-LGA and New Jersey's Newark-EWR.

For everything you need to know about making the trip, consult these additional TPG stories:

• How to get to and stay in New York City on points and miles
• A beginner's guide to New York City: Everything you need to know for your first trip
• Everything you need to know about getting around New York City
• The fastest way to get from JFK to Manhattan
• The fastest way to get from Newark Airport to New York City
• An introduction to New York City's neighborhoods
• The best things to do in New York City for free
• The best times to visit New York City

Visit TPG's New York City hub for even more advice about visiting the Big Apple.

What to see on Broadway

Whether you're searching for tickets to "Hamilton" or "The Phantom of the Opera," a family favorite like "The Lion King" or something more serious a la "To Kill a Mockingbird," you'll find it on Broadway in 2021. We count 44 shows on offer in September. You can learn more about each show at Broadway.com.

As of today, however, only tickets for the following shows are on sale:

• Hamilton
• Wicked
• The Lion King
• Ain't Too Proud
• The Phantom of the Opera
• Jagged Little Pill
• Diana
• Company
• Come From Away
• Six
• Mrs. Doubtfire
• Chicago
• Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
• Aladdin

More will be available in the coming weeks.

Be aware that while New York has signaled Broadway can resume on Sept. 14, that doesn't mean the curtain will go up in all theaters across the city that night. Some musicals and plays require more intense preparation, and so you may find that your preferred show won't actually get back on stage until October or later.

Hotels to book for your Broadway getaway

I have a trip to New York City coming up and was pleasantly surprised at the nightly rates at some prime hotels. Those deals may not last long as more people get vaccinated and start to travel, but New York City has no lack of points hotels, so dust off those balances and get ready to plan your trip.

If you're planning a trip around Broadway performances, you probably want to be fairly close to the action. The Theater District is hemmed in by West 54th Street in the north, West 40th Street to the south, Sixth Avenue on the east and Eighth Avenue to the west.

Being within walking distance of the theaters isn't a deal-breaker, though. New York City has excellent public transportation as well as plenty of taxis, Ubers and Lyfts, so it's easy to get from one part of the city to another. Because of the pandemic, gridlock in Times Square is still not nearly as bad as it once was, though that could change as people return to the Big Apple.

Here are some of our picks to lay your head after your Broadway escapade. The rates listed are for dates in mid-September.

AC Hotel New York Times Square

• Why pick this hotel? The AC Hotel gets you plenty close to the theaters (a 15-minute walk) without being smack-dab in the middle of Times Square.
• Location: 260 W. 40th Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues, closer to Eighth)
• Rates: From $329 per night or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (Category 6)
• TPG review: AC Hotel New York Times Square

Andaz Fifth Avenue

• Why pick this hotel? This property is about a 10-minute walk from Times Square and 20 minutes from the Theater District. It's in a nice location across the street from the New York Public Library. Don't miss nearby Bryant Park if you're craving greenery and wide-open spaces during your visit.
• Location: 485 Fifth Avenue at 41st Street (between Madison and Fifth avenues)
• Rates: From $550 per night or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night
• TPG review: Andaz 5th Avenue

Conrad New York Midtown

• Why pick this hotel? TPG editor Nick Ewen says the Conrad is an excellent choice for families since standard room awards put you into a full suite. It's close to Central Park and near enough to the major theaters. Note that the Conrad has been closed since the onset of the pandemic but is scheduled to reopen on May 24.
• Location: 151 W. 54th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
• Rates: From $615 per night or 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night
• TPG review: Conrad Midtown

InterContinental New York Times Square

• Why pick this hotel? The terrific location and a fantastic onsite restaurant give this hotel an edge. There's also a Shake Shack around the corner on Eighth Avenue for your burger-and-fries cravings.
• Location: 300 W. 44th Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues, closer to Eighth)
• Rates: From $269 a night or 48,000 IHG points each night
• TPG review: InterContinental New York Times Square

Le Meridien New York, Central Park

• Why pick this hotel? This used to be the Viceroy, but now that it's rebranded as Le Meridien, you can use your Marriott Bonvoy points here. It's close to the theaters, Central Park and shopping on Fifth Avenue.
• Location: 120 W. 57th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
• Rates: From $391 per night or 60,000 Marriott points per night (Category 7)

New York Marriott Marquis

• Why pick this hotel? You are literally at the center of everything in Times Square. Plus, the rooms are spacious by New York City standards and the views are great from the higher floors.
• Location: 1535 Broadway (between 7th and 8th avenues)
• Rates: From $289/night or 60,000 Marriott points (Category 7)
• TPG Review: New York Marriott Marquis

Park Hyatt New York

• Why pick this hotel? If you're looking for a World of Hyatt property that does a good job with elite recognition, the Park Hyatt is a good bet. It's convenient for visits to the theater as well as Central Park -- a must-visit destination for any out-of-towner.
• Location: 153 W. 57th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
• Rates: From $995 per night or 30,000 Hyatt points per night
• TPG review: Park Hyatt New York

The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel

• Why pick this hotel? Upscale environs paired with a quick and easy walk to the theaters are the hallmarks of The Chatwal.
• Location: 130 W. 44th Street (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
• Rates: From $583 per night or 85,000 Marriott points per night (Category 8)

Where to dine

Theater aficionados have their favorite dining spots for a pre- or post-show nosh. When I'm searching for a restaurant to pair with a Broadway show, I turn to Melanie Votaw, New York City-based travel writer and theater critic. Here are some of her recommendations for a satisfying meal in and around the Theather District:

"Arriba Arriba at 762 Ninth Avenue and 51st Street is great when you're going to a theater in the high 40s or low 50s like Circle in the Square. I've been going to this Mexican restaurant for decades, and they still make the best chicken mole I've ever had in New York City.

My go-to pre- or post-theater restaurant is Mama Mia 44 SW on Ninth Avenue at 44th Street. They have some outdoor seating in good weather, and they make excellent pastas, meal salads and classic Italian meat and fish dishes at a reasonable price for Hell's Kitchen.

The West Bank Cafe is an iconic restaurant with a theater in the basement. It's so beloved by the theater community that a fundraising campaign received several hundred thousand dollars to keep it afloat during the pandemic. You may very well see actors there before or after their Broadway shows. It's located at 407 W. 42nd Street and Ninth Avenue and has been in business since 1978.

Another favorite place to meet up with theater buddies is Cafe Un Deux Trois at 123 W. 44th Street. They serve dishes like steamed mussels in white wine shallot broth or chicken, artichoke and sundried tomato crepes."

Brian Kelly, TPG's founder and CEO, is another fan of Cafe Un Deux Trois. Note that it's temporarily closed right now but plans to open in concert with Broadway in September.

Kelly also recommends chef Geoffrey Zakarian's The Lambs Club, inside The Chatwal on 44th Street, for "pre-dinner drinks and nibbles." This venue is also temporarily closed with the expectation of returning when the curtains go up on Broadway this fall.

Another staff favorite is Bar Centrale (324 W. 46th Street), in a townhouse above Joe Allen restaurant (326 W. 46th Street). Both are temporarily closed, but Broadway agents and actors are known to hang at Bar Centrale, so keep it on your wish list -- we're all hoping both venues reopen with Broadway.

Other "can't-miss" sights

If your return to Broadway includes time for additional sightseeing, consider these iconic choices.

Explore Central Park

Meander through the park to see meadows, lakes and attractions such as the Central Park Zoo, Central Park Carousel and Wollman Rink. During non-pandemic times, you'll also find bike tours, concerts and events such as Shakespeare in the Park. Central Park is between the Upper West and Upper East sides of Manhattan, starting at West 59th in the south and ending at Central Park North (the next block is West 111th Street) in the north.

American Museum of Natural History

On the Upper West Side of Manhattan near Central Park, this natural history museum (200 Central Park West) is one of the best in the world. Admission ranges from $13 to $23 per person. You'll need to buy timed tickets online before heading to the museum to see highlights such as a Tyrannosaurus rex, the Willamette Meteorite and a show at the Hayden Planetarium.

Take the Staten Island Ferry to see Lady Liberty

If you want to see the Statue of Liberty but don't have time for a tour, head to the Staten Island Ferry and take a free ride. Stay on the right side of the ferry for the best view.

Top of the Rock

If you want sweeping views of the city, pick the observation deck called Top of the Rock (30 Rockefeller Plaza). You'll enjoy a 360-degree-view of the city from the 70th floor. Tickets range from $32 to $38 or buy VIP access (immediate entry upon arrival, priority elevator access) for $75. After snapping your sky-high selfies, continue on to take a guided tour of the famous landmarks at Rockefeller Center (45 Rockefeller Plaza) for about $25.

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

All the way on the west side of Hell’s Kitchen, this riverfront museum (Pier 86, W. 46th Street). Learn about the aircraft carrier Intrepid, visit the Space Shuttle Pavilion and check out the submarine Growler and British Airways Concorde. Purchase timed tickets before heading to the museum (adults $33, seniors $31 and children $24, free for kids 4 and under).

Bottom line

Like so many other tourist destinations, New York City has suffered during the pandemic. Broadway has been shuttered for more than a year and the theater community can't wait to greet you again in mid-September. If you feel the time is right for you, plan a trip to New York City for this fall and show your support to the hospitality and entertainment industries.