If you do not have a Broadway show you are just dying to see, then you can opt to see something at a discounted ticket price through TKTS. Here's how:

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• Put the TKTS app on your smart phone.  This will show you in real time which shows are available at the discounted price.  You cannot, however, purchase tickets through the app.

• The TKTS booth is located in Times Square at 47th St and 7th Avenue. There are other locations throughout the city, but this is the only one I have used.

• Tickets here are sold only the day of and only for the next show.  For example, you cannot purchase an evening performance ticket before the matinee has begun.  After the time for the matinee to begin, tickets for the next performance (that evening) go on sale.  

• I like to show up at the TKTS booth an hour or hour and a half before showtime.  The selection may not be great but I can generally walk right up with no waiting, no lines.  If I want a play and not a musical, there is often a window dedicated to purchasing only play tickets.

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• In general, most theaters are dark on Mondays.  You can typically see a matinee performance on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  There are typically no Sunday evening performances.

• Dress is pretty casual and getting more casual by the day.

• After the performance, you can stand with all the other fans outside the stage door for a chance to get a picture or autograph of the star.  It's kind of fun.  I waited for Alan Cumming after seeing him in Macbeth.

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There are also movie theaters around the city that show films you might not be able to see except in larger cities.  Below are some of the theaters I like. Sadly, one of my favorite theaters, Lincoln Plaza Cinema, closed.

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The Paris (4 W 58th St beside The Plaza)

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Film Society Lincoln Center (65th St bet Broadway and Amsterdam)

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*Film Forum (209 W Houston) We see something here almost every visit.

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Landmark Theater (11th Ave at 57th Street) Very cool, modern movie theater on the Hudson showing current releases. 

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Lectures and Panels

Often there are wonderful lectures and panel discussions led by some of the brightest minds in the world. Check out the following.

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Times Talks

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92nd Street Y

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Book stores around town often have guest authors for talks and book signings.

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Comedy

I am new to comedy clubs. My daughter is a big fan. She took us to the

Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal St) on a recent trip. Thoroughly enjoyed laughing my head off and very thankful I was not seated on the front row! You need reservations.

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