Make a day out of 'Aladdin' in New York City

Experience a whole new world not just at the beloved Disney musical, but across New York, with activities for Aladdin fans as thrilling as a magic carpet ride.

Meg MasseronOctober 4, 2024, 04:00

If you’re taking a magic carpet ride to NYC to see Aladdin on Broadway, why not go for a theme and make a whole day out of Aladdin? Fans of the classic 1992 movie, about a street urchin who falls for a strong-willed princess, might want to explore more Disney attractions, soar above the city like on a magic carpet ride, or discover Middle Eastern art and food like that of the fictional world of Agrabah.

Check out our custom Aladdin-themed guide to the city below, and get tickets to see the shining, shimmering, splendid spectacular on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Get Aladdin tickets now.

Disney Store in Times Square

It's an obvious but non-negotiable stop, but this is not your average Disney store. With two floors of magic, this location goes above and beyond with the decor, making even a quick trip just to look at the decked-out ceilings worth the journey. If you’ve only ever been to a small Disney store in a mall, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a whole new world of fun.

Address: 1540 Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets
Price: $

Pier 35

Swing above the city and pretend you’re on a magic carpet ride. From Midtown, take the F train from Bryant Park (just a couple of blocks over from Times Square) down to the Lower East Side to head to Pier 35, where you’ll find supersized swinging benches right at the waterfront, providing gorgeous city views all around. Channel your inner child and pretend you’re gliding across the water on a magical tour of Manhattan.

Address: FDR Drive and Clinton Street
Price: Free

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Take the train uptown to the Upper East Side to find the city's biggest trove of artifacts and treasures (no rubbing of lamps allowed, though). Embark on an adventure through art that will transport you to the culture and history that inspired Aladdin's fictional Middle Eastern land of Agrabah.

Check out the Ancient Near Eastern art exhibit at The Met to see the beauty and craftsmanship that emerged from some of the world’s first cities, beginning in the eighth millennium B.C.

Address: 1000 Fifth Ave.
Price: $$

RiseNY

Though we don’t have a Genie or a magic carpet to fly you all around Manhattan, we’ve got the next best thing: RiseNY, located just two blocks from the New Amsterdam Theatre. RiseNY takes you on a soaring 4D journey over New York, highlighting the history of the city with aerial footage of the NYC skyline and landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and more. You’ll experience “real” flying sensations while seated that will have you feeling on top of the world.

Address: 160 W. 45th St. between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
Price: $$

Dine at a Middle Eastern restaurant

New York City is known for its cornucopia of different cuisines, and Middle Eastern options certainly are not lacking in the Big Apple. To stick to the theme of journeying to the fictional Agrabah, which is said to have been based on Iraq and its bordering countries, here are some places to try.

Kubeh on 6th Avenue offers a variety of authentic cuisines of the Middle East, particularly Iraqi, Kurdish, and Syrian.
Ravagh Persian Grill, with locations on Madison Avenue and the Upper East Side, has great lunch specials and a mix-and-match menu of hummus, kebab, and more.
Mamoun's Falafel on Macdougal Street is a cheaper, grab-and-go option and a favorite among NYC locals.

Address: Various locations
Price: $-$$$

The Lion King

We’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage a Disney double feature (matinee and evening) day, and if you’re already seeing Aladdin, you’re bound to want to hit The Lion King! Head on over to Pride Rock for an equally magical display of puppetry and spectacle, plus the songs you know and love. The third-longest-running Broadway show of all time, the story of young Simba's journey to become king has delighted audiences since 1997.

Get The Lion King tickets now.

Aladdin on Broadway

Now, it’s finally time to take a trip to the palace walls of Agrabah, where you’ll see a stellar cast perform all the songs fans know and love from the movie, like “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World,” plus new favorites you’ll surely be streaming on the journey home.

Though the story is famous on screen, what sets the Broadway production apart is its ability to bring the magic to life with glittering costumes, an energetic ensemble, and, yes, a soaring magic carpet ride.

Learn more about Aladdin on Broadway.