Why Broadway attracts tourists: interesting facts about the longest street in New York

There are as many as four streets in New York called Broadway - in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. But only Manhattan is world famous. Interesting facts about this street were shared by the author of the Yowayz / Multi travels channel on the website Yandex Zen.

Broadway is almost 30 kilometers long and ends outside of New York. “It is curious that the street does not fit into the slender perpendicular layout of Manhattan. If you look at the map, it becomes clear that the street, like a snake, winds between geometrically flat quarters, ”the author notes.

Times Square - a square in central Manhattan, located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in the interval between 42nd and 47th streets. And at the corner of Central Park is Columbus square Is one of the most famous in New York.

The first mention of Broadway Street on maps dates back to the very beginning of the XNUMXth century. “It is noteworthy that at the time of the Dutch, the street was called Brad-veg. Then this name migrated to English and became Broadway, ”the author explained.

Today, the famous Broadway is home to many office buildings, various representative offices and agencies.

The world famous Theatrical quarter, where the largest Broadway theaters, cinemas, restaurants, hotels and other entertainment establishments are concentrated. That is why the street name has become synonymous with American theater. Metropolitan Opera is also on Broadway.

At the end of the XNUMXth century, Broadway was called the "Great White Road" - because of the huge amount of electric light and millions of incandescent bulbs in advertising signs.

Today the world's most prestigious openings are held here on Broadway.

However, do not confuse Broadway in Manhattan with other streets in New York with the same name. “There are four streets in New York called Broadway — Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. But, of course, only Manhattan is world famous, ”the author noted.

Broadway, with its colorful shows and stunning performances, is so popular with tourists that many travel to New York from all over the world just to visit this amazing place. Getting on this street is easy enough, the author emphasizes, - the lights of Broadway are "so bright that they can be seen from space."

On the subject: How to become your own in New York and hunt for tickets to Broadway shows

“Once, before June 3, 1962, it was a two-way street,” the author writes. However, since May 2009, movement on Broadway has become more convenient for pedestrians, when Broadway through Duffy Square and Herald Square was closed to traffic. “Between 35th and 42nd Streets, Broadway has undergone a major makeover. Currently, the cycle path is on the left side of the sidewalks, which can sometimes cause problems between pedestrians and cyclists, ”the author added.

By the way, one of the oldest Broadway theaters that still hosts guests is "Lyceum Theater"... It was built in 1903 and is located at 149 West 45 Street, between Seventh and Sixth avenues in midtown Manhattan. The theater is housed in a three-story building and can seat almost a thousand people. It is one of the few theaters in New York that continues to operate under its original name today.