Post-Theatre Walk Back to Hotel

Hi all,

I'm preparing for my Broadway Binge coming up December 27-30! This is my third time to NYC but my first trip that I've planned/organized entirely on my own. It's also my first trip without traveling with a large group (this trip is just my mom and me). We're very excited as this has turned into a DREAM trip, but we are conflicted as to whether we should plan to walk or taxi back to our hotel from the theatre district at night. We are staying at ink48 at 48th and 11th, about a 10-15 minute walk through Hell's Kitchen depending on which theatre you come from. Is a walk through that part of Hell's Kitchen at night considered "safe?" I ask this with the full knowledge that "safe" is a relative term, and bad things can happen anywhere. However, should we expect there to be people out and about? Will businesses/restaurants be open? Would you guys recommend a taxi instead?

Thanks a bunch!

Updated On: 12/18/16 at 12:37 AM

You'll be fine! Hells Kitchen is the younger, gayer part of town. 9th Ave is full of people and bars and 10th has plenty of bars and restaurants! It will be very much alive and busy! If you have any time during the day, def walk over to the river - 12th Ave - there is a park, etc. Very pretty and nice for a walk! Enjoy!

You will be fine. Just be cautious of your surroundings, which is always a smart idea in the city anyway. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy making memories with your mom!

Walk is fine and I actually like walking in the cold weather this time of year, just adds to the joy of being in NYC during the holiday season. Hell's Kitchen is "safe" part of NYC to walk around .

double post

Updated On: 12/18/16 at 10:21 AM

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Sounds like most of you find it a pretty safe walk.

ArtMan, I'm actually a twenty-something male, but....not 6'3". :) I'm thinking we might make the walk during the day to see what we think or, as you suggested, take a cab the first night and try to scope out.

Melissa25, I remember cabs being difficult to find post-theatre. We might try Uber or Gett if we go the cab route.

As far as the cold, we're (trying to be) prepared. My last visit was in January 2015, so I remember the cold. It's actually colder here in Tennessee right now than it will be when we're in NYC according to the current long-range forecast, albeit that's not considering the wind from the Hudson or through the city streets.



Thanks again for the responses!

Double post.

Updated On: 12/18/16 at 04:01 PM

You'll be absolutely fine, just cold. I've walked in NYC and taken the subway alone at pretty much all hours and there's always people around, especially in midtown. I went to college in the city and I'm a relatively small girl, and I've been doing it since I was in my late teens.

Melissa25 said: "I work near Ink48 and the walk can be brutal because you are walking into the wind coming right off the Hudson. It's almost a mile from Shubert Alley. Cabs are hard to find after theater so I would also recommend the M50 crosstown bus. You can get it every 20 minutes on 49th St between 7th and Broadway right across from the Playwright Celtic Pub. Have a great time!!!

http://web.mta.info/nyct/bus/schedule/manh/m050cur.pdf

I take the M50 bus crosstown in the other direction after the theater a number of times a week..and while it actually comes every 15 minutes during the day, it then cuts to every 30 minutes (not 20) in the evening. It goes on 49th street to the west side and on 50th Street to go east.

I also agree if it's particularly cold and windy, the walk can be brutal. On a nice day/night, it's fine...but otherwise, it's difficult. I live on the east side and once you cross 6th Avenue to the west, it almost feels like you are in a different city...it gets colder and windier quickly. And yes, taxi's are often hard to find right after a show but there are also other services like "Via" where you can check and find out where a Via car might be available and how much it will cost before you get in. It's often cheaper than a cab or Uber and you can download it to your phone for details.

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Updated On: 12/18/16 at 04:20 PM

Here's an idea I haven't seen posted -- instead of walking back to your hotel, go to Birdland on West 44th between 8th and 9th -- they have live jazz that goes late and the kitchen stays open til 1 AM. Lots of cabs know that Birdland has an after-theater crowd so getting a cab outside of Birdland shouldn't take too long (though the traffic on that street runs east -- but the cab just goes up 8th Ave one block, then turns down 45th so it's not much out of your way). Gianni Valenti, the owner, has live music there SEVEN nights a week -- on Fridays around 5:30 they have a big band made up of Broadway pit players who love big band music -- the food is very good and you're right in the heart of the theater district.

If you haven't been to Joe Allen's -- it's on West 46th Street also between 8th-9th Avenue -- it's a favorite after-theater haunt, too, and always has an omelet on the menu (because show folk eat breakfast at strange hours). Plus there's the posters of only Broadway flops, and the NYTimes recently wrote a really interesting story about the owner -- let's see if I can find the link -- here it is: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/dining/joe-allen-restaurant-nyc.html

Since you're not part of a large group I'd say maximize your time after theater by staying out later, having a late dinner or dessert at one of the unique New York eateries in the area. Go ahead and splurge. You deserve it!

1. You'll be fine

2. Treat every part of NY as a big town with a few bad people. So tuck any purses under your shoulder with the clasp in, and don't stroll without paying attention. Walk or gawk, as the old NYers used to say -- don't amble.

3. If you are at a theatre west of Times Square (as most are) -- don't walk back thru Times Square to your hotel. You are fine walking up 8th or 9th instead. (And there are a lot fewer people, and no Elmos).

4. ENJOY

You can also download the MTA's Bus Time app, which will show you exactly where buses are on their routes. That way you can plan to either wait for the bus or figure something else out.

I am a single woman in my thirties and I walk around New York by myself at night all the time. There are always people around. I am easily safer walking around there than at home in Chicago... that's not saying much though...