How To: Kill Time While Staying Warm in Midtown

Hi guys! I was inspired to write this blog post when I received the following message last week:

“Hi Teale! I loved your blog about things to do in NYC and the blog on rooftop bars. A lot of Wicked fans are coming to NYC the first weekend in February to see Jessica Vosk in concert at 54 Below. She was Elphaba in Wicked on tour. Any ideas on what to do in between shows in February around Times Square? Places to go inside and stay warm near the Gershwin? Thanks so much for any help you could give.”

This is an excellent question, especially because New York is currently an arctic tundra that’s not super fun to walk around in. I don’t claim to be an expert in tourism advice, BUT I am a baby New Yorker who’s had to figure out creative ways to kill time and stay warm in midtown. I hope this post helps the next time you choose to brave the cold and the craziest part of Manhattan at the same time!

01. MOMA.

Visiting the Museum of Modern Art might be an ambitious goal between show excursions, but it’s one of the greatest museums in the world and is relatively close to the Gershwin Theatre (where Wicked is). Plus, the iconic painting “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh is part of their collection.

02. Rockefeller Center.

If you’re traveling with a larger group, then visiting Rockefeller Center is definitely your best bet in making everyone happy. This place is literally right down the street from the Gershwin Theatre and has tons of activity options. There’s tons of shopping in the surrounding area, at the NBC store and underneath 30 Rock. Plus, there are two cool restaurants that look out onto the ice skating rink. (One Christmas, my family ate there, and during dinner we watched an engagement happen on the ice!) If you aren’t looking to have an expensive meal, there are a bunch of cheap and quick options down there too. Additionally, there’s a Starbucks, a Blue Bottle Coffee and lots of free table seating that is open to the public that also looks out onto the skating rink. Finally, if you’re feeling super touristy, you can go up to the Top of the Rock! I’ve only been up there during the summer, but the view is obviously phenomenal and I highly recommend it.

03. City Kitchen.

This place is basically a mini mall food court (but a thousand times cooler) located on 8th avenue in the middle of the Theater District! Plus, it’s attached to the Row Hotel which has a super cool open lobby to hang out in.

04. Spoonfed NYC.

If you want a true Wicked experience, you should definitely check out this little delicious low country southern restaurant. It’s owned and operated by a former Wicked dresser, Randy Witherspoon. He will treat you like family and the mac & cheese is incredible. Please make sure to tell him I sent you!