As we wrap up 2021, we look back at a year full of challenges, but also a time with many green shoots of growth—the return of Broadway, the return of international travelers, the return of New York City tourism. Even in the context of the Omicron variant, there remains plenty of supporting data indicating an ongoing return for New York City. Despite the high-profile Broadway cancellations of the last few days, and the early end of the Rockettes's run, a look at the Broadway League's new resource for schedules shows the majority of shows going forward as planned. (And grosses have been up, while capacity holds steady.)

As much as I’d like to dazzle you with a complete list of Broadway previews, openings and re-openings, the current roster is far from complete. Still, considering the Great White Way has been dormant for over a year and a half, the evolving influx of announcements is dramatically optimistic!

It's getting hard to keep up. With the city's COVID infection rate below 2% and falling fast, reopening announcements are piling up, and Broadway is leading the pack. Hamilton. Lion King. Wicked. All back September 14th. Tickets on sale today. Capacity will be 100%. And further premieres and returns are close behind, including Broadway's longest-runner The Phantom of the Opera. Dr. Fauci has announced that, as vaccinations increase, relaxation of indoor mask requirements will follow. Broadway's return will change the city's dynamic for tourism dramatically. The savvy move of offering vaccinations to visitors will further help the travel market.

The new theatre season is (finally!) official, marked by eye-catching previews and electrifying opening nights.

New York’s theatrical roster is always a treasure trove of long-running classics, with star power in perennial full force. Musicals, comedies, dramas—the adventure begins.

In the City That Never Sleeps, there’s always something to do at any time of day, from the conventional daytime options to the more unconventional nighttime options. But if you’re in need of some ideas for sheer entertainment, here are four of the best entertainment experiences NYC has to offer.

Experience fashion in a new and exciting way at Madame Tussauds in Times Square.

New York has a thriving public library system as well as libraries specializing in particular areas of interest. Many libraries—old and new-- have magnificent architecture and most offer lectures, concerts, programs for families and tours. Featuring NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, and others.

It happens every year: the fall portion of the new Broadway season comes in like a lamb and moves into winter like The Lion King. Unlike the spring, musicals in fall are generally outnumbered by plays, which come packed with big name stars from the U.S. and U.K. For those willing to congregate at the stage door after the show, handshakes, autographs, and selfies with celebs add up to pretty awesome rewards.

Let me be among the first to welcome you to a new season of theatre—New York style.

You may see everything from Hamilton to Hadestown, but New York’s theatre culture extends far beyond the stages of Broadway’s 41 theatres. The following experiences are for anyone looking for theatrical flourishes in their walking tours, exhibits, karaoke, and dining. Broaden your Broadway experience with these 9 fun-filled activities in the theatre capital of the world!

Some of us never stop dreaming about being a Broadway star. Now, your dreams can come true at Madame Tussauds New York. Step behind the scenes of a Broadway show, and strut your stuff onstage at this interactive experience coming to Madame Tussauds June 4, steps away from the Great White Way.

New to the Times Square area, China River offers exceptional Sichuan cuisine in a convenient location near a host of Broadway theatres. Formerly called Sichuan Manor, this restaurant leads with a wide range of Chinese dishes that are never short on flavor.

Forty-six U.S. states are less populous than the 18.5 million people who’ve seen The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. We’re not even talking about other productions worldwide—that number totals almost half the population of the entire continental United States. As the show catapults into its 31st year on the Great White Way, there seems to be no end in sight to its popularity.

When it comes to the months of November and December, it’s Play Time on Broadway. That is, the season brings with it a swag bag of critically acclaimed non-musicals featuring big names, new names…basically the best of the best.