The 'Our Town' Broadway cast's guide to NYC
Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes, Zoey Deutch, and more shared their favorite places in town to eat, drink, relax, find entertainment, and explore.
Thornton Wilder's classic play Our Town is back on Broadway, introducing a new generation of audiences to its simple but timeless tale of small-town New Englanders experiencing the cycle of life and death. That fictional town is Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, a place different from New York City in nearly every way.
Namely, New York has lots more options for food, drink, and recreation. And since the celebrity cast of Our Town are all theatre veterans, who better to ask for their favorite spots in town? Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes, Zoey Deutch, Richard Thomas, and Julie Halston shared their favorite restaurants, parks, and entertainment venues — read their picks below, and use this guide to plan your own trip into town.
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Best NYC restaurants and bars
Nearly all located in the Theatre District, the stars' recommendations below — varying in cuisines and price points — are a great place to start if you're looking for pre- or post-show grub.
La Masseria
La Masseria is crafted in the style of an old-fashioned Italian farmhouse, from its rustic yet upscale decor to its robust menu of Italian staples. Classic pastas, fishes, meats, and more — you'll find it all in a homey setting.
Recommended by: Katie Holmes
Address: 235 W. 48th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway
Price: $$$
S'Aimer
"S'aimer" means "to love each other" in French, and this restaurant's Caribbean and French influences are a match made in heaven. Expect an array of Caribbean staples as well as French classics, each with flavors borrowed from the other. Escape the city for the islands and Europe all at once!
Recommended by: Billy Eugene Jones
Address: 338 W. 46th St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenues
Price: $$$
Joe Allen
A go-to for theatre fans and industry professionals alike, Joe Allen is known for its unique decor: walls lined with posters of Broadway flops. The classic American bistro fare, however, is a surefire hit, having brought in countless diners since 1965.
Recommended by: Julie Halston, Richard Thomas
Address: 326 W. 46th St. between Eighth and Ninth Avenues
Price: $$$
West Bank Cafe
The West Bank Cafe is nestled at the foot of Manhattan Plaza, a famous apartment building for creatives known as the childhood home of celebs like Alicia Keys. As such, since its opening in 1978, the cafe has become a hub for Broadway folk, but its hearty lunches and dinners at affordable prices are a great option for anyone looking for a more casual pre-show meal.
Recommended by: Julie Halston
Address: 407 W. 42nd St. at the corner of Ninth Avenue
Price: $$
Springbone
Warm up with the famous bone broth, or one of the other delicious soups or bowls, at this fast-casual health food chain. Great for those seeking a quick meal on the go, Springbone's Midtown location is equidistant from the Theatre District and the Rockefeller Center/Radio City Music Hall area.
Recommended by: Zoey Deutch
Address: 104 W. 45th St. between Sixth and Seventh Avenues (plus other locations around the city)
Price: $
Bond 45
This beloved spot has it all: a large Italian menu, delicious cocktails, and entertainment right there in the restaurant. In addition to the standard restaurant experience, Bond 45 offers reservation packages that include a three-course prix fixe meal and premium seating for an in-house comedy show.
Recommended by: Julie Halston, Jim Parsons
Address: 221 W. 46th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway
Price: $$
Baccarat Hotel
Holmes recommended the bar at this luxury hotel on 53rd Street, located just north of most Broadway theatres. Treat yourself by ordering a craft cocktail there, or opt for afternoon tea or food and drinks in the hotel's Cristal Garden. If you're going all out, stay there during your NYC visit and discover why Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the world's best hotels.
Recommended by: Katie Holmes
Address: 28 W. 53rd St. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Price: $$$
Bar Pisellino
This bar is located in Greenwich Village, a 15-minute train ride from the Theatre District. "I love a negroni or aperol spritz," Deutch said — the bar is known for both, after all, with multiple types of each. Beyond that, the menu of cocktails and food is fairly small, but its few offerings are done well.
Recommended by: Zoey Deutch
Address: 52 Grove Street, 7th Ave S
Price: $$
Best NYC parks and outdoor activities
These natural havens, with green space and water views, are where the Our Town stars go to relax. Maybe you'll pass by one of them on a stroll.
Central Park
There's no better place to escape the rush of the city than Central Park. Its 843 acres are your oyster, containing picnic lawns, walking paths, sports fields, canoeing, a zoo, a seasonal skating rink, and so much more. You could spend a whole, relaxing day exploring.
Recommended by: Julie Halston, Richard Thomas
Price: Free
Fort Greene Park
Take the train to Brooklyn to get to this park, once the site of military forts during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Play with friends on one of its basketball or tennis courts, take the kids to the playground, or just relax in the green spaces. It's a much smaller park than one like Central Park, so you won't get lost.
Recommended by: Billy Eugene Jones
Address: Dekalb Avenue and S Portland Ave
Price: Free
Hudson River and East River walks
"I like to walk up and down the sides of the island," Parsons said. If you're closer to the west side of Manhattan (where the Theatre District is), you can walk along Hudson River Park from Battery Park to 59th Street, and Riverside Park in the uptown half of Manhattan.
Or, travel to the East Side and walk along FDR Drive, which includes East River Park south of E. 12th Street. Either way, stunning waterfront views await.
Recommended by: Jim Parsons
Price: Free
Best NYC theatres
When they're not on stage, where do they go to watch others perform? Below are some of the cast's favorite theatre and movie houses.
Broadway
Of course, Broadway is the place to go for the most famous theatre in NYC. Multiple Our Town cast members, of course, recommended the Barrymore Theatre — where the show is playing through January 19, 2025.
Parsons also recommended the Golden Theatre, Booth Theatre, and Hayes Theater, which have fewer seats than most Broadway venues and regularly house new shows for limited runs. "There's always something special happening at some of the tinier theatres," Parsons said.
Recommended by: Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes, Zoey Deutch
Price: $$-$$$$
Alamo Drafthouse
More of a film lover than a theatre lover? Check out Alamo Drafthouse, with locations in lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Alamo cinemas offer a full food and drink menu, often with rotating specials inspired by the latest films being shown. You can order right from your seat and it's brought to you while you just relax and enjoy the movie.
Recommended by: Billy Eugene Jones
Address: 28 Liberty St. Suite SC301 (Manhattan); 445 Albee Square W, 4th Floor (Brooklyn)
Price: $$
More NYC attractions
Not even the stars have seen it all. Below are some must-see NYC attractions that are still on their bucket lists — and perhaps on yours, too.
New York Botanical Garden
Ditch the skyscrapers of Manhattan and escape to nature in the Bronx. The New York Botanical Garden is a lush natural oasis all year round — yes, even in the winter months, when hundreds of plants still thrive in the massive indoor greenhouses. Seasonal events also take place throughout the year, too, such as the famous Holiday Train Show each year.
Recommended by: Richard Thomas
Address: Address: 2900 Southern Blvd.
Price: $
NYC boat cruise
See the city in a whole new way: from the water. There are all kinds of boat cruises that take visitors along the Hudson River, the East River, and/or New York Harbor. A boat is the only way to get to certain attractions, like the Statue of Liberty, and all cruises offer panoramic views of the skyline.
Some, like the Bateaux Premier Lunch and Dinner Cruises, offer food and drinks while you sightsee.
Recommended by: Zoey Deutch
Price: $$
The Statue of Liberty
Everyone knows it, but surprisingly, even most locals have only seen it from afar. Take a cruise out to Liberty Island to see the iconic green statue up close and take a tour of the adjacent museum — or even inside the statue! You can also roll in a visit to the nearby Ellis Island Museum; some ticket packages include ferry stops at both.
Recommended by: Billy Eugene Jones
Address: Liberty Island
Price: $$
Get Our Town tickets now.
Top image credit: Our Town on Broadway. (Photo by Daniel Rader)
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