The tour begins with a crowded view of the South end of Times Square at 42nd Street and Broadway. I walk past one of my favorite places in Manhattan - B.B. King’s. My family and I come here at least twice a year to see my brother’s favorite guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel. After the show, we sometimes get to meet him.
I love all the posters for Broadway shows in Shubert Alley. Frankie and Johnnie’s Steakhouse is right across the street from Avenue Q - I went there last year and ordered a salmon instead of a steak (a ridiculous choice) and then saw Avenue Q with my best friend. The best part was it was her birthday, and one of her other friends treated us to the whole thing for free. HAIR! is my favorite musical of all time, and I’m so excited that its running again. I can’t wait to go see it!
Across 45th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue is completely different. There are no lights or Broadway places; it’s like walking over one block and stepping into a completely different part of the city.
My favorite part of the tour was Restaurant Row. I never even knew this existed. Here are some of the places that I definitely plan on going to in the near future. Don’t Tell Mama and Swing 46 are at the top of the list.
The buildings back at 6th Avenue are once again completely different from the places closer to the heart of Times Square. They’re taller and more official looking. Just around the corner at 44th Street, however, the theaters start popping up again.
Finally we’re back to the Times Square that everyone knows and loves. Crowded, colorful, and bursting with life, it’s disorienting - at first I couldn’t find my way back to the N train - and while it may not be my favorite part of the city, it certainly is the most impressive.