The 'BOOP! The Musical' cast's must-see NYC attractions for first-time visitors

The new Broadway show sees iconic cartoon character Betty Boop taking a day off from life in Toon Town and exploring New York City for the first time.

Boop-oop-a-doop! In BOOP! The Musical, the family-friendly show now on Broadway, cartoon icon Betty Boop takes a day off from animated stardom and ventures into the real, colorful world of New York City. So we asked the cast: Where would you take Betty during her first visit to NYC?

Of course, they said Betty shouldn't miss out on the city's most iconic landmarks — and neither should you. Plus, they also suggested a couple less-famous spots that are popular among the locals. Use the list below to be sure you hit up the must-see spots as you plan your next trip to New York.

Hungry for more? Check out the BOOP! cast's recommendations for where to eat in NYC.

Get BOOP! The Musical tickets now.

Central Park

Everyone knows Central Park is a must-see, but the possibilities for what to do there are endless. Have a casual picnic, have an upscale meal, rent a canoe, play ball, ride a bike, visit the zoo, ice skate (seasonally), see a play, or take a tour of the iconic landmarks and statues scattered throughout. You could spend a whole day — probably more — exploring this 843-acre oasis from the concrete jungle.

Recommended by: Ainsley Melham (Dwayne)
Price: Free

Hudson River Park

"Few people know this about me, but I've had a swim in the Hudson River," Melham divulged. We wouldn't necessarily recommend doing that, but the waterfront views are beautiful from Hudson River Park, which stretches from 59th Street to Chambers Street with plenty of recreational areas and food spots along the way.

If you do want to take the plunge, you can rent a kayak at the park. Or, if you're a landlubber, take a picturesque bike ride on the four-mile cycling path.

Recommended by: Aubie Merrylees (Oscar), Ainsley Melham
Address: Riverside Drive between 59th Street and Chambers Street
Price: Free; rentals and food available for purchase

Empire State Building

Betty would love this iconic skyscraper's sparkling spire, and any visitor will be awed by the 360-degree views of NYC. Trust us, they really are worth the hype. Plus, the experience includes a museum exhibit about the building's history, presence in pop culture, and more, with plenty of photo ops on your way to the top.

Recommended by: Phillip Huber (Pudgy the Dog)
Address: 20 W 34th St.
Price: $$

Statue of Liberty

From Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, you can take a ferry to get up close and personal with Lady Liberty herself, a female icon just like Betty Boop. Some ticket types include a trip to the nearby Ellis Island, whose flagship building is now a museum dedicated to immigration history.

Recommended by: Angelica Hale (Trisha)
Price: $$

Brooklyn Bridge

Betty Boop would surely appreciate this fascinating piece of Brooklyn Bridge trivia: Engineer Emily Roebling is credited with making sure it got finished after her husband, originally on the job, got sick. You can walk or bike over this iconic bridge for spectacular views, and if you start on the Manhattan side, you'll end up near...

Recommended by: Angelica Hale
Price: Free

Jane's Carousel / DUMBO

...DUMBO, the waterfront Brooklyn neighborhood whose name stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Kids (and kids at heart) can ride the historic carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is also steps away from lots of shopping, Pebble Beach, iconic eateries like Grimaldi's Pizzeria, and the Off-Broadway theatre St. Ann's Warehouse.

Recommended by: Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop)
Address: 1 Old Dock St.
Price: $

East Village walking tour

Escape Midtown for a while and hit up the artsy East Village, known as one of NYC's more bohemian districts and a favorite among locals. We've got a complete guide to the East Village featuring recommendations for shops, restaurants, and of course, theatres to check out in the area.

Recommended by: Angelica Hale

Times Square / Broadway show

Of course, no NYC trip would be complete without seeing a Broadway show. Most Broadway theatres are located near Times Square, so going to that famous hub puts you steps away from dozens of plays and musicals — including BOOP!

Erich Bergen said that's what he'd take Betty to see: "She might find it ironic that there's a musical about her on Broadway." How meta.

Recommended by: Erich Bergen (Raymond), Faith Prince (Valentina), Angelica Hale
Price: $$$

Get BOOP! The Musical tickets now.

Photo credit: BOOP! The Musical in Chicago. (Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)