Best Shows, Interactive Experiences In Times Square
You don't have to be a tourist to enjoy all of the fun and interactive shows happening in and around Times Square. Here are five worth experiencing. By Carly Petrone.
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Get your dancing shoes on because Howl at the Moon is a non-stop party. This high energy show is centered around dance hits and party anthems that will have you on your feet the entire night while singing along to your favorite jams. Band members will start out at the piano and make their way through a variety of instruments to perform live requests from the audience. This two-story venue has bars on both levels that are busy serving up buckets of beer and original cocktails and shots, or jello shots from oversized medical syringes. It's the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, bachelorette party (they'll get you up on stage), or happy hour with co-workers. The party starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and goes all the way until 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). That may sound like a long night, but it won't feel like it as you rock out with your friends and total strangers at this electric show.
Escape the Room
If you're looking for something fun and interactive to do then make a reservation at Escape the Room. You must move quickly because you only have 60 minutes to figure out a series of challenges inside one room. It may look ordinary, but you'll have to rely on team-building exercises and intense cooperation to find hidden objects, figure out clues, and solve all of the puzzles. There are a variety of rooms to enter, including an office, a Victorian home, a theater and other types of scenarios that vary between locations. The best part? People of all ages can take part in this game – all that is required is curiosity and creativity. Escape the Room has locations downtown, midtown and in the outer boroughs. Learn more here.
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Sit back and spend your night laughing at Carolines Comedy Club. This iconic venue has been in business since 1982 and is open 365 days a year. The colorful and funky 300-seat space has welcomed famous comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, and Kathy Griffin to the stage and continues to foster upcoming stand ups by offering classes taught by Linda Smith at Carolines School of Comedy. Students will learn the business of comedy, develop public speaking skills and perform in a graduation show live at Carolines on Broadway. Expect to see big headliners on Thursday – Sunday nights as well as plenty of new talent Monday-Wednesday evenings. Grab an appetizer, dinner, or dessert during the show and sip on one of their signature cocktails (there is a 2-drink minimum after all). Find out who's coming into town this week and get your tickets for one memorable evening.
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Now the streets of New York are the stage during The Ride, an interactive entertainment experience that takes place on a one-of-a-kind bus ride. During this 75-minute show, you'll sit in a multi-million dollar vehicle, filled with stadium style seats that face floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Two comedians will then improvise and MC your 4.2 mile ride through New York City. There's always something to see, thanks to the 40 plasma TV screens and pop up performances by some of today's most talented actors, singers, dancers, and instrumentalists. Guests will not only be entertained by what's going on inside the bus, but they can scope out the city views and people watch all they want from their seats. For tickets, schedules, and more information click here.
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Impress your date by going to SWING 46, the jazz and supper club that has it all. Enjoy an evening of dining, dancing, and cocktails while a swing DJ and awesome live bands hit the stage. Not sure you can swing dance? Don't worry, professional dancers will teach you everything from the Jitterbug to the Foxtrot starting at 9 p.m. Nosh on American fare with a modern twist as well as specialty drinks like the Swing 46 – pureed raspberries, vodka, a dash of crème de cacao, Cadbury's chocolate rim, and champagne floater. Whether you want to show off your dance moves or just want to listen to jazz music while enjoying a good meal, this place will have you feeling like you're living in the 1920's era.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
