Absolutely the best tour we've ever taken. Look for the small green booth in the center of Times Square. These people really do their homework and provide a deep history of the tours they do. The guides are quite often working actors which is a plus. read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - Their small booth in Times Square - Walking Tours Near Me

I took a Behind the Scenes tour of Hudson Theater and it was excellent. As a frequent theater-goer, I always find it hard - with a few exceptions - to remember which theater is which because I have no context to put them in. This gave me historical context and great stories to remember this theater by. I desperately hope that other broadway theaters are added to the "inside tour" selection. Our guide was well-spoken, knowledgeable, engaging, and approachable. I highly recommend this for theater buffs out there. It might not be the best choice for those who don't want a deep cut on just one theater, but based on the guide I can't help but believe that any tour offered by this company would be time well spent. read more

Great tour, lots of info, small group. They were very accommodating when I missed my tour, were able to rebook me for a later one. Lots of fun read more

It may sound like a "touristy" thing to do but this is really worth it. We had Tim, the owner and actor, who is very entertaining and presents the insights in a fun way. He really does have the inside track on all things Broadway. Spend a few minutes at the store. There are some really good unique items there. Don't forget to take a photo with their Broadway sign. I want to go back and do the Ghostlight tour. read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - Can't miss them - Walking Tours Near Me

See all

I went on the Shubert Brothers and Beyond tour. Our guide was an actress which meant the already interesting story of the history, mystery , and unsavory came totally alive in her telling. We heard about the competing theatre owners , how they did it and who these families were. We walked along the streets of Broadway as she told us about the various theaters . This was a fun informative tour which made me want for more. At the end we were given a huge set of postcards which had pictures of all the broadway theaters. I am not often up for a tour but this was an exceptional way to spend time. read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - Times SQ kiosk for the tour - Walking Tours Near Me

If you are a Broadway theater fan, history buff, or even just want to learn a little bit more about the world around you, don't miss out on Broadway Up Close! Tim Dolan and incredible cast of theater lovers are all about making you feel like you have friends in the Big Apple. While Tim is the walking encyclopedia of theater knowledge (not to mention one of the kindest and most generous-hearted humans on the planet), the rest of his team (Rhiannon and Brett in particular) bubble with genuine theater love! I was with Tim for the Hippies, Discos, and Dogs tour and loved it so much that I came back and took the Hudson Theater Up Close tour. Completely different tours that were filled with delightful stories, insights, and tidbits that left me feeling like an industry insider. Don't miss this new Broadway theater must!! And save your pennies because you'll want to spend all of you money at the gift shop in Times Square. Every item is lovingly handcrafted and unique. I was stopped and asked about my keychain, my tee shirt, my hat AND the pins on my backpack everywhere I ventured! Since I can hardly wait to get back to the great white way, I'll be booking a virtual tour soon!! read more

See all

I took the Hudson Theater Up Close tour. Tim the tour guide was amazing. He remembered each persons name and made you feel welcome and special. I will be back to take all the tours. If you love Broadway this is the tour for you. read more

If you are a fan of stage and New York, one of these tours is a must! We took the Hamilton Tour and was fortunate to get owner Tim Dolan. He knew a wealth about the history of New York, the backstage working of building the show, details of the stops and other historical events. He is a Broadway performer so knows his stuff. You will have a ton of fun and learn more about life on Broadway! read more

See all

I've done my fair share of tours in my time, especially being a tour director myself. I'm a hard judge on tours. I've been aware of Broadway Up Close for a long time and have been secretly stalking everything Tim does, watching it turn to gold. As a Broadway tour guide, I love finding out little unknown tidbits, it's a nerd rush, and Tim has spent a good amount of time crafting his tours to be packed full of "Oh my Gosh" and "Wow" moments. I was hoping my little research heart would be full of joy, and full of new knowledge. I was in the city with a full plate but I really wanted to squeeze in a tour. I shot Tim a message on Instagram and filled him in on the time I needed to leave for the airport to see if it could even be done. He responded back so quickly! A quick response is always a great sign for me. We worked out some details and it could be done! It would leave me exactly 15 minutes to get back to my hotel and zoom off for home. I quickly booked the Act II tour, which would be lead by the owner Tim. I was excited to close out another visit to the city with this *hopefully* excited new experience. The day of my tour rolled around and I would be lying if I didn't day I was worried. The heat index was over 100° and here I was getting ready to do a hour and 45 minute walking tour! We got to the meeting spot and Tim was there, smile on his face with a Broadway Up Close fan for each person. A welcomed sign! There were 5 of us on the tour and Tim did a great job getting to know each one of us I those first few introductory moments, he had even took the time to check up on what we had done in the city. Tour time! He had made a few adjustments for our tour due to the heat and he made sure every other stop on the tour was an air conditioned location and that we had plenty of options to stop for water if needed. During this 90+ minutes, I learned so much about the history of the middle section of the theatre district. Tim is so passionate about his work. He was a joy to watch and learn from. The two of us also had the chance to chat a bit about the industry and compare some stories. I won't go on and tell you the secrets of the Act II tour in this review, you need to book a tour yourself. I told you I rate my tours hard and this was one of the best tours I have ever done. Hands down. I plan on taking all the other tours, preferably on my next visit, but I'm kinda spoiled because I want Tim to lead all of them! Haha. You won't regret this chance to experience the history of Broadway and see how much it's changed. If you don't have time for a tour, be sure to swing by the booth in Times Square and check out the merch, history, and small shop offerings of some great Broadway related products! And tell Tim that Beth sent ya! read more

We loved experiencing historic New York through the lens of one of our very favorite subjects in the world - the Hamilton play. Truly engaging and fun for all of us - adult, kid and teenager - (and we are not big guided-tour people.) Jessica was so charismatic and personable, and really knew her stuff. As a professional stage manager with a degree in the field, she had a special eye for all the ways Hamilton was designed to emulate the real-world historical events we were learning about first-hand. Jessica was also mindful of keeping us cool in the shade as much as possible on a hot day. She was awesome! Honestly, without the tour, we would have walked around that very same historic (and very confusing) neighborhood, missing so many cool sites. So very worth it. Thanks Jessica and Broadway Up Close! read more

What can I say? I arrived late because I got on the wrong train. I called to let them know and the owner said I was getting a private tour, so my tour guide, Ryan, was just going to wait on me. After 20 mins of navigating the subway, Ryan was waiting patiently for me with a smile on his face. Anyway, I. LOVED. THIS. TOUR. I am an EXTREMELY huge Hamilton fan--proven with my Hamilton tattoo and seeing the show last year-- and it was everything I expected and more. Not going to lie, I thought I knew all there was to know about Hamilton: An American Musical. He showed me so many great places and shared such great stories. Of course there were unheard of stories about how the musical came to fruition and stuff like that, but it was also a great history lesson. There were some spots we went to that weren't plot points in the musical necessarily, but it was relevant to the time that Hamilton lived and the revolution that was going on around them. Whether you've seen the show or not, this is an AMAZING tour to go on, and ask for Ryan! He had so much energy and knowledge it was just so worth it. read more

There is a reason BUC is getting 5-star reviews. It's a great walking tour that is jam-packed with stories, stories about stars, about plays / musicals, about theaters, about the city. So many stories, the Broadway tour is done in three parts. Here's an important hint: you don't need to start with Act 1. If you want an good indication of how good these tours are, I was doing my second (yes, I did Act 2, and it wasn't enough, I wanted more and I'm not a Broadway super-fan) tour with 3 other people. They were completing the Broadway cycle (Acts 1, 2, and 3). They were talking about going back and doing Act 1 again. Once is not enough gives you an idea of the value of these tours. read more

Broadway Up Close is an NYC must see. The walking tours are an experience like nothing else. The perfect thing for Broadway fans and history buffs alike. These tour guides know Bway and NYC! In the heart of Times Square, the gift shop is a treasure trove of all things Broadway. No trip to the Great White Way is complete without a photo at the Broadway sign. read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - The Broadway sign at Broadway Up Close gift shop kiosk, Times Square, NYC - Walking Tours Near Me

See all

Have taken several tours and they are always fantastic. Just took the Hudson Theater Tour and our guide was great. Highly recommend if you love theater and are in NYC! read more

I found the Broadway Up Close kiosk when I returned to Times Square after the pandemic, and it's a perfect addition to the Broadway area. I fell in love with the fun merch, which is hand made right here in NY. The kiosk is owned by a great guy, Tim who has great energy and is a true theatre nerd. (In the best way possible). The workers in the kiosk are all theatre connected, and nice. The walking tours are excellent. Fun and filled with great stories and history. The guides are knowledgeable and engaging. I HIGHLY recommend taking a tour with them. We took a tour before a Sunday matinee, which was perfect timing to get a quick bite and then get to the theater. They offer virtual tours at times, so you can relax at home and feed your love of Broadway history. I will be back for more tours and merch! read more

I recently took this tour with Drew as my guide. He is an actual actor on Broadway and knows about the theater! This was the first tour they offer as part one. It starts at the Netherlander theater and finishes at the Belasco theater which is called Act 1 On this tour I learned that the original theater district was located near Macy's at Herald Square but later moved to it currently location as the garment district set in. Drew showed me on his IPAD a dining spot still in existence on 36th St!. The Netherlander theater was originally a playhouse and was used for musicals such as "Rent." I learned that the old Empire theater had been reconverted into a modern AMC movie house and when you go inside you can actually see the top of the stage and the balcony behind you. Yet they were required to keep the theater name on the outside. Drew was very helpful with my questions and pointed out a lot of features about several theaters we visited. You are not permitted to go inside but there is so much architectural work on the outside it is like going back to the glamour days of 42nd St. 42nd St was the place to be on Broadway. It suffered a downhill trend in the late 60s and early 70s but was revitalized with the advent of Disney musicals at the New Amsterdam theater. For example the current New Victory Theater was formerly the home of MInsky's famous house of burlesque with the famed Gypsy Rose Lee as one of it's top stars. I learned that Oscar Hammerstein 1st was handled much about Broadway in the old times. I was also amazed that they even moved one theater down the street just to make way for another business. Some of the theaters had apartments for the owners and ghost stories abound. It is here where they leave a solitary lamp on when the theater is dark. These are only a few highlights of my tour. It starts promptly and ends in Times Square where they take a picture of you and your group. The price is very reasonable and I was very impressed with the knowledge of my guide. Even when I had a question that I was able to "stump" him on, he agreed to research it and let me know what he finds out. They have a second tour available called Act 2 which takes you farther up the theater district. They are currently working on Act 3. If you love theater then this tour is definitely a must!!! It was one of the biggest highlights of my trip! read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - Inside the AMC movieplex formerly the Empire theater looking at the procenium - Walking Tours Near Me

See all

Yes! Do it! Book it! We were lucky enough to have the owner, Tim, as our guide for the GhostLight tour and he did not disappoint. The tour was fantastic! Can wait to book more! read more

I was lucky enough to take my tour on a record breaking temperature day in February. Tim, our tour guide, was informative as well as entertaining. Although I live in New York and frequent the theater taking this tour gave me a new insight to the area as well as some of the history of the theaters and the streets that they live on. Tim was delightful and personable. He made my tour so enjoyable. I will be taking more of his companies tours and requesting Tim. I highly recommend this tour! read more

Fantastic Tour! As a Broadway fan I cannot recommend Broadway Up Close Walking Tours enough! Over my past several visits to NYC I've managed to incorporate a BUC Tour into my itinerary to where I've now taken all the tours (and some a couple times). This most recent trip we had Ryan guiding the Hamiltour in Lower Manhattan for our group of 9. We took the tour before seeing Hamilton that evening. It was thrilling to see the historical locations mentioned in the musical and fun to have some insider knowledge and things to look out for during the performance. The amount of research that goes into each tour is impressive and it's presented in a fun and entertaining way. read more

Wow, Wow and WOW! What an amazing morning with Tim! My daughter is the Hamilton fan in the family but even I was drawn in to the stories and history on this amazing tour. The tour convenes at Coenties Alley, which is a park like location that was easy to find. Once arriving, our tour guide was there right on time and began our tour from that starting point. I think one of the things that makes this tour distinctive is the use of the photos and videos to show what went into making the show and also the history of the story of Hamilton. Tim has done a great job of putting together an interesting and authentic tour experience with details that I am sure I never would have known without going on this tour! I don't want to give away any spoilers but I will tell you that I found the information we learned to be very interesting and my daughter (14) said this was the highlight of our weekend! We have taken tours all over Europe and the US and I have to say that his enthusiasm and knowledge made this a wonderful experience. Cannot say enough good things about this - go and experience it for yourself!! :) read more

Another great tour with Cary-completed Act I, II & III. I love how in-depth and fun these tours are-I have been in all these theaters, so to learn about the history behind the Great White Way is fascinating. Cary always has an upbeat presentation full of fun facts! The iPad presentation along the way really puts you in the theaters. I can't wait for the HamilTour next! read more

The best tour ever! The things you learn aren't in any guide books or travel brochures. Tim has personally researched and experienced the stories he shares. The photographs are a great add to the authenticity. If you REALLY want to know about Broadway, take this tour! read more

One of the best experiences we have had since moving to the area last year! We had no idea when our sister-in-law simply sent a email with a list of things and prices with a "what were you thinking?" tacked on the end that this would become something we now want to share with all of our out of town guests. Tim, Broadway Up Close's owner, gave our tour and from the start we could tell we were in for a treat. Tim introduced himself to each of us personally and thanks to an earlier email exchange, he knew who we were and where we were from. This was some foreshadowing of the dedication Tim had to making this experience so wonderful. The research and time he puts in to creating this experience is the reason I have chosen to take my time to tell others about this hidden gem. I won't give away any of the details of our tour, as I wouldn't want to take away from anyone else's experience as each stop adds to the reason why my wife and I are planning when we can share this with our next round of visitors. I will say this, if you want to learn more about Broadway, behind the scenes and through the years, then find someone who not only works there, but truly loves what they do! Someone like Tim; who makes it so apparent that every trip to the library or to interview those connected to this rich history will not only make a difference to his customer but will add one more way to enrich his own experience. Whether you are a casual Broadway fan or you never miss a performance you shouldn't miss this experience! Once you have spent a couple hours with Broadway Up Close, you too, will understand why we can't wait to go back for Act II. read more

My husband and I visit NYC 3-4 times a year, so we've done most of the touristy things. We were looking for something different and since we are theater buffs we decided to try the Broadway Up Close walking tour. It was fabulous! Tim, the owner, was our guide and provided us with so much inside information. His stories were both interesting and funny. We'll never experience Broadway quite the same way! Will be returning for Acts 2 & 3, as well as the Hamilton tour. See you in the summer! read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - We helped Broadway Up Close reach 10,000 guests! - Walking Tours Near Me

I went on this tour with a friend of mine---we both enjoy theatre and were curious what kind of content a walking tour like this would have to offer. We. were. floored! We were lucky enough to have company owner, Tim, give us the tour and we were engaged the entire time! From ghost stories, to history lessons, to facts about today's theatre scene, Tim knew it all. He was equipped with an iPad that helped our imaginations along. I can't even tell you how long the tour was b/c, honestly, time didn't matter. We were engaged the entire time. If you think you know about theatre, you don't...until you've taken a BUC tour. Worth every dollar for both the tourist and New Yorker. read more

An AMAZING walking tour - we did Broadways Beginnings this morning and have been talking about it all day. Our tour guide (founder Tim) was phenomenal- funny, engaging, and personable, full of passion and trivia, and even able to throw in some dance moves into his history. He talks to the group like they're old friends and he's relaying some of his favorite gossip. Will definitely be coming back to do his company's other tours! read more

This is a "Must do!" activity regarding Broadway! We saw two shows when in town, and loved them. But. going on this tour with Tim was truly just as memorable and interesting! He's a performer himself and has been an insider for years. We got the history and inside stories - including ghost stories - of about a dozen theaters. There's so much that people don't know even when we attend a performance! Did you know one theater was picked up and moved down the block to save it while making way for a skyscraper? There's no other way to learn all these things, including all about how productions and performances work, but it was also a joy, and Tim was a complete pleasure to spend time with and get to know. Thank you Tim! Good Luck with that next audition! read more

Broadway Up Close Walking Tours - One of the theaters we learned all about - Walking Tours Near Me

We thought the "Hamiltour" was absolutely amazing. The historical details, stories as well as the insider info on the show well exceeded my family's expectations. It is great that actual broadway performers do these tours. It ensures that there are real secrets and insights shared. Regarding this tour, we saw many real NYC sites that were important in Alexander Hamilton's live. I learned a lot about this real life as well as how the show was made Most important, the tour was engaging for my two young kids. Hard to do on a rainy day with required walking. Thanks to Tim D! read more

We booked a private Hamiltour since the group tours did not have a tour at the time we wanted to take one. We are thrilled we did! We had John as our guide for all things Hamilton - both the man & the musical. He was awesome!! He walked as around where Alexander Hamilton actually walked, worked & lived. And gave us the scoop on the history in relation to the musical, which included photos from the past along with from the musical. John made sure we were comfortable, staying in the shade when we could (it was hot that day) & watching out for our safety when crossing streets. He was such a delight & we thoroughly enjoyed our 2 hours with him (which flew by). The Hamiltour is a very easy walk. I think it is a flat 1/2 mile total walking but the amount of history in those few blocks is amazing. You end up at Trinity Church where Eliza & Alexander are buried, so if you want to visit the church when you are finished you can. Highly recommend this tour & we look forward to taking another Broadway Up Close tour when we are there again! Thanks John & Tim! read more

What a great tour!!! The Hamiltour was amazing!! We all learned something and had a great time in the process. The tour was relaxed, fun and included behind the scenes 'secrets' and lots of never before seen photos and videos! We can't wait to do the other BUC tours! read more

This was a great tour led by the enthusiastic, knowledgeable Tim Dolan! He was so entertaining and also well-prepared with tags, hand warmers, a camera, etc. He answered questions with verve and charm. I recommend this highly! read more

We took the HamilTour just hours before we saw Hamilton. We loved the videos and behind the scenes info from the original cast members and creators of this spectacular show! Tim answered all of our questions and created a great experience that perfectly combined the musical, Hamilton the man, and New York City! Not to mention, great info about what life is really like for these Broadway performers. You can absolutely take the tour whether or not you have tickets to Hamilton, but if you are lucky enough to have those tickets, I highly recommend starting your Hamilton day with Broadway Up Close's HamilTour! read more

I went on the ACT 1 Tour this past weekend. The whole experience was TOP NOTCH. Our tour guide, Tim, made the whole experience unforgettable. He made the group feel right at home from the minute we met him at the start of the tour. From there, I was continuously surprised by the things I learned about Broadway and New York City. My mom and I already agreed that we're going to sign up for Act 2 and 3 next time we're in NY. I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun alternative when they're visiting the city, or a great way to spend some time and get excited before heading to a show! read more

If I could rate them higher than 5 stars I would! It was a wonderful and informative experience, and something we will for sure do again! Tim is a treasure! read more

This was so great of an experience. I'm 11 years old and I went with my aunt, we both loved it and thought it was amazing! We went on the tour with Tim and he was very imformative, friendly, and wonderful. I did act one and hope i can do act two soon. read more

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Broadway Up Close! Our NYC Tour Coordinator has worked with them for several years to bring us incredible tours and workshops! We've done two of the Hamilton tours, and they are entertaining and informative! The workshops are, well, absolutely inspiring! Tim gets the most inspiring and skillful teachers (almost always from shows we have seen during the trip or are going to see on the trip). The Broadway actors and technicians have been nothing short of astonishing in the way that they present material, but in the way they relate to and inspire my students. Last year, a Broadway SM gave my SM her contact information, and last summer, my student was invited to shadow a Broadway play! Tim's facilitators are wonderful human beings, who make things real to my theatre students. I highly recommend Tim and his crew to deliver an amazing Broadway opportunity to your travel group!!! read more

This really is as good as it gets. Unless you take the Broadway Up Close Tours Act II or Act III. Then it just gets better. I booked Act I for my teenage daughter and I during a recent week long visit. I'm so glad we did it our first day, as we subsequently booked Acts II and III to be completed before heading home. We had an amazing week of restaurants, shows and museums, but I gotta say, the hours we spent with Tim, learning the stories behind the theatres and shows, was the highlight of our time in NYC. I recommend purchasing his ACT I book, as it contains historical pictures and detailed information you will not remember otherwise. read more

I've seen the play "Hamilton", watched the movie, "Hamilton," and now I was ready for something new about it. A traveler now sheltering place due to Covid-19, my family gifted me with the Virtual HamilTour, one of the last of the season. I was sent a reminder and a contract and tuned in on my lap top. The guide was Tim Dolan and his enthusiasm would difficult to match. The tour was a mash-up of behind-the-scenes information such as the challenge of having a live burning letter on stage and sketches of potential stages that never made it Seeing buildings that were backdrops in the era. or the site of songs in Hamilton Learning about "swings" and what they do and tidbits of fun information such as the site of an existing colonial relic that you can actually touch. The tour ends, appropriately, in the Cemetary where Hamilton and his friends and family are buried. There are other virtual and walking tours offered by the company, centered around Broadway. read more

My wife and I took the Broadway Act II tour this morning, our guide was the owner Tim, and it was a wonderful way to learn some of the history of the Broadway theater district. We are regular theater goers, two or three shows per year, but we didn't really know much about the theaters and the neighborhood even though we've walked through it countless times. The walk lasted almost two hours, and was paced perfectly. It was a bit brisk today, but Tim provided hand warmers for all the guests and several of our stops were in theater or hotel lobbies where we could warm up. It was a really great way to learn about the theater industry in NYC and a bit about Times Square, highly recommended if you are in town to see a show and have some time to spare. We've done a number of walking tours (food tours and neighborhood walking tours) and this was one of the best we've taken. Now off to see Hamilton! read more

Having taken the BUC Act I, II & II, I was eagerly anticipating taking the new "Hamiltour". It was all I anticipated and more. As with all the BUC tours, Tim interweaves historical fact with interesting anecdotes from the Broadway production of Hamilton. It was informative, fact filled and oh so much fun. If you are a theater buff or just a student of history, "Hamiltour" is for you. You should also consider taking all of the BUC tours. You will not be disappointed. read more