We are planning our first trip to New York City and want to go to a couple of Broadway plays. Is it walking distance to most of the theaters from the Hilton Towers at Rockefeller Center? and how long would it take to walk? Also about what time does an evening performance finish? Around 10:30 p.m.? later?

Thanks

Your question is a good one, but doesn't offer enough information. Yes, MOST of the Broadway theatres are within walking distance -- anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, I'd say. A few are much further (Lincoln Center, for example) and most of the off Broadway theatres are considerably further -- often not walking distance. The length will, of course depend upon the specific play. Some start at 8 and may be over before 10. Others won't be over until 11. Some even start at earlier hours, especially on Sunday, so you need to check for each specific play.

Most Broadway shows start at 8 p.m. and are over between 10 & 11 p.m. depending on the length of the show. You are within walking distance of Broadway shows from 50th Street down to 41st Street and it shouldn't take that long to walk it but the streets do get crowded but you can always hope a bus or train for one stop.

Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway are held at different locations throughout Manhattan - some can be all the way downtown like Tribeca or they can be right on Theatre Row on 42nd Street. It depends what you're going to see.

Most theaters are within walking distance. But, you'd want to allow plenty of time to arrive and get seated.

Running times for nearly all shows can be found at www.playbill.com, handy if you want to make a dinner reservation for after. Keep in mind, though, it can take a while to get out of the theater and onto the street, all depending upon the size of the theater and location of your seats. So, allow time for that, too. (We missed a reservation once because the latest seating was at 11PM. The show ran a little late and it took quite a while to get out of the theater.)

Evening performances on Broadway Wednesday thru Saturday start at 8; for the next few months, Tuesday evening performances start at 7.

You should also be aware that many Broadway theaters are currently experimenting with a 7 p.m. curtain time, on Tuesdays only. (Many people who live in the suburbs prefer early curtains, especially on weeknights, because it lets them catch an earlier train home.) So if you're going on a Tuesday, be sure to check the time printed on your ticket, or you may arrive an hour after the play has started.