Theater District Traffic Question

[stlrod]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 10:20am

My wife and I are frequent visitors to NYC and we know the traffic can be very congested an hour before show times.  We haven't been since the pandemic began and are wondering if it is still as bad.  We are planning on dining in the Flatiron District on a Saturday night before The Music Man at 8.  Any advice is appreciated.  We aren't keen on the subway since we once got stuck for 40 minutes and missed a good portion of our show.  Thanks.

 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 10:24am

Try to get a cab if you can. 

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 10:30am

Midtown traffic on the weekends is pretty much back to where it was pre-pandemic. So definitely allow yourself plenty of time to get there. And agree with taking a cab so you don't have to worry about parking (if you're driving into the city, may actually be easier to leave your car near your restaurant and take a cab to and from the theatre. And with the crazy parking price hikes near the theatres, actually won't be that much more expensive).

Updated On: 1/27/22 at 10:30 AM

[gibsons2]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:04am

I'm in Times Square for a show at least once a week and I'd say traffic is just a little better than it was before the pandemic, especially now during slow month of January. Although you got stuck on a subway once, I still think it's the most reliable mode of transportation. Getting stuck inside a closed subway car without being able to get out is pretty rare. Getting stuck behind a garbage or moving truck in a cab is much more probable. I'd take a subway or even walk if the weather is not too cold.

[adotburr]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:20am

30-40 min walk from Flatiron Building to the theatre (used the Flatiron building since I don't know what restaurant they are eating at). Although the walk is pretty straightforward from there, a cab should get you there quicker if you're running late getting out of the restaurant. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:26am

Yes, traffic will be bad on a Saturday night in midtown. Driving isn't the horrifying nightmare everyone in this thread is making it out to be. Just plan ahead, choose a garage ahead of time, give yourself extra time in case something stupid happens and enjoy your evening. 

Updated On: 1/27/22 at 11:26 AM

[kwoc91]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:28am

I'd just walk up Broadway if you have enough time. Cab if the weather is bad. The Subway is also probably fine if the R isn't messed up that weekend.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 12:09pm

I'm sorry you got stuck on a subway once, but it's still, by far, the most reliable non-walking form of transportation in the city. Traffic here is so unpredictable and always terrible. It's only gotten worse recently with more lanes being closed for things like outdoor dining. The subway, however, is still much faster and more reliable. I would, however, agree that if the weather is ok and you have the time, walking will the be the most reliable. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 12:20pm

I’ve been living in NYC going on 7 years and I use the subway daily - all thru Manhattan and Brooklyn and I’ve NEVER been stuck on a subway train.  Longest delay I’ve ever experienced (due to train delayed ahead of us) was maybe 5-10 minutes.  Based on this, as others have mentioned, the subway in NYC is the most reliable.  Traffic is unpredictable.  Especially in midtown/Times Square area.  

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 2:33pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "Try to get a cab if you can."

 

Huh?  Cabs sit in the same traffic as every other car! Subway (or walking) is always your best bet.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 3:16pm

stlrod said: "My wife and I are frequent visitors to NYC and we know the traffic can be very congested an hour before show times. We haven't been since the pandemic began and are wondering if it is still as bad. We are planning on dining in the Flatiron District on a Saturday night before The Music Man at 8. Any advice is appreciated. We aren't keen on the subway since we once got stuck for 40 minutes and missed a good portion of our show. Thanks.

"

I’ve driven into the city (from NJ) 7 times since Broadway has reopened as I don’t feel comfortable taking public transit yet. I have done street parking 2x (so, went driving through the city) and parked at Port Authority 5x. I’ve gone on a Friday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I didn’t find it traffic to be bad at all. I would however leave at least an hour between when you’re done eating and show time, especially if you’re looking for street parking.

[stlrod]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 5:59pm

I should have clarified we won't be driving.  I'll see if I can arrange for a car and tell my group we are leaving at 7 (without telling them I'm giving myself 10 extra minutes--I know this group too well.)  Thanks all.

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 6:14pm

This time have dinner near the theatre because on top of everything to deal with there is a snow storm coming. Play it safe and make it easy on yourselves.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 6:28pm

Which is completely being overblown by the media.

"We could get zero to 20 inches!!!"

Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool.

Enjoy your evening, Op!!!! 

[adotburr]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 7:11pm

Sutton Ross said: "Which is completely being overblown by the media.

"We could get zero to 20 inches!!!"

Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool.

Enjoy your evening, Op!!!!"

Seriously. I live outside of Philly. My local news is saying "if you're THIS SIDE of Philly (points left), you get this many inches, but if your THIS SIDE of Philly by the Jersey shore points (points right), you get this many inches, but really, we won't know what happens until Saturday".

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:29pm

As of 11:00 tonight the forecast is anywhere from 5 to 12 inches in the city. The storm really hasn't formed so that could change. (For better or worse) But I noticed that you didn't specify this Saturday night so this may not be a problem.

My suggestion is play it safe and dine closer to the theater. If we get a lot of snow then it could be a mess, or slow going, getting to the theater from the Flatirons (If it is this Saturday). Or just hop the subway. Don't let one bad experience stop you from taking it. A lot of us take it more than once a day with no problems at all.

Also give yourself time to have you vaccination card and ID checked and go through security.

Updated On: 1/27/22 at 11:29 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 1/27/22 at 11:40pm

Sutton Ross said: "Which is completely being overblown by the media.

"We could get zero to 20 inches!!!"

Cool. Cool. Cool. Cool.

Enjoy your evening, Op!!!!"

Lol! I’m in RI and we’re forecasted to have blizzard conditions and 18”+ of snow Saturday. That closes our state down. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/28/22 at 8:24am

My area of Long Island could possibly get 24" or more. I've already arranged for snow removal!

Updated On: 1/28/22 at 08:24 AM

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 1/30/22 at 3:36pm

Well what did you decide to do ? Was it a good evening out ? 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/30/22 at 4:00pm

BIG BALONEY said: "Well what did you decide to do ? Was it a good evening out ?"

 

Did you get to the theater on time? How was Hugh Jackman's understudy? Was it snowing in the theater? (After all it IS a "garden"

 

[stlrod]

Posted: 1/31/22 at 7:05am

Somewhere along the line, it was assumed I was talking about this past Saturday.  It is Saturday 2/12.  I am watching for matinee tix to show up.  

[stlrod]

Posted: 1/31/22 at 4:34pm

Problem Solved!  I was able to move to the matinee so now we can enjoy dinner at whatever pace we'd like.  Thanks all!  C111-114 in the Mezzanine on 2/12 at 8pm are now available on Telecharge.