In New York City, just a few subway stops can transport you to different worlds—from the electric pulse of Midtown Manhattan to quieter corners of the boroughs where cultures converge. Our Founded By NYC film series, “From Times Square to the World,” explores how the City has shaped and been shaped by the people and stories that make New York “New York”—and how easy all of them are to access right from Times Square. Along the way, we celebrate the vibrant past and ever-evolving present that make New York a city that’s always making history.
This itinerary celebrates the places where stories take shape: the groundbreaking stages and settings where scripts, artists and audiences bring imagination to life. From the dazzling marquees of Broadway to the legacy-filled streets of the Lower East Side, explore how NYC’s cultural heartbeat pulses through these stops.
The Bookworm sculpture at The Drama Book Shop
Discover The Drama Book Shop: The Writer’s Sanctuary
Start your morning in Midtown Manhattan, just off Broadway, at The Drama Bookshop. Founded in 1917, this beloved institution has served as a creative haven for playwrights, actors and theater lovers, inspiring generations of artists. It’s the only bookstore ever to receive a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. Upon entering, visitors are welcomed by the Bookworm sculpture—140 feet of books and scripts twisting from the ceiling and weaving throughout the shop.
The shop's 2023 Drama League Contribution to the Theater Award
Beyond its towering shelves of scripts—8,000 kept in stock at any given time—along with playbills and theatrical literature, the Drama Bookshop carries the collective memory of countless productions and artistic journeys. It’s where Lin-Manuel Miranda and fellow director Thomas Kail first rehearsed their initial musical, In the Heights, during their early playwright days. Years later, in 2020, those same two—who linked up again for Hamilton—helped save the shop from closing its doors.
Fun fact: the Drama Book Shop was originally located in the basement of the New Amsterdam Theatre, making it deeply connected to Broadway’s golden age.
Whether you’re searching for a rare script, looking for a coffee or simply soaking in the atmosphere, The Drama Bookshop offers a quiet, reverent space to honor the written word.
Just a short walk away, the buzz of Times Square awaits.
Hamilton at Richard Rodgers Theatre
Feel the Pulse at Richard Rodgers Theatre
Step into the electric atmosphere of the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Its gleaming marquee and elegant interiors whisper stories of countless premieres and curtain calls. Nestled in the heart of the Theatre District, this venue is home to Broadway legends and world-class musicals—none more iconic than Hamilton, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The show famously began as a mixtape and was workshopped at The Public Theater before exploding onto Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre—where it’s been performed ever since. Today, you can catch both evening and matinee performances that continue to sell out, drawing fans from around the world.
King George's crown from Hamilton
Urban explorers, take note: much of Hamilton’s story unfolds in New York City—where the real Alexander Hamilton lived, worked and is now buried at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan. For more information, see our guide to real-life Hamilton spots in NYC.
Catch the R train from 49th Street heading to Queens, and get off at Steinway Street in Astoria.
Museum of the Moving Image
Dive into Film History at the Museum of the Moving Image
Visit the Museum of the Moving Image, a unique cultural landmark nestled in Astoria’s historic Kaufman Astoria Studios complex—one of the oldest continuously operating film studios in the US, where classics like The Wiz and Men in Black were filmed. Dedicated to the art, history and technology of film, television and digital media, the museum offers a hands-on journey through the evolution of screen storytelling. Founded in 1988, it was the first museum in the States solely focused on the craft.
Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Prairie Dawn in the Jim Henson exhibition
Queens has long been a major filmmaking hub, producing many silent films and early talkies right in the neighborhood. Interactive exhibits let you experiment with sound effects, play with green-screen technology and try your hand at stop-motion animation. The museum also celebrates iconic NYC–based shows like Sesame Street, which has been educating and entertaining children for over 50 years; the creator of that show’s Muppets, Jim Henson, is the subject of an ongoing exhibition at the museum. There and elsewhere in its collection—from vintage cameras and editing equipment to original costumes and props—the museum unpacks the mechanics and magic behind how stories come to life on screen.
From the Museum of the Moving Image, walk to the Steinway Street subway station and catch the R train toward Bay Ridge–95th Street. Stay on the R all the way to 8th Street–NYU station, back in Manhattan.
The Public Theater
Explore The Public Theater: Where Innovation Meets Community
Head toward Astor Place in the East Village, home to The Public Theater, an institution synonymous with groundbreaking, socially conscious theater. Founded in 1954 by Joseph Papp with a mission to democratize theater and bring groundbreaking, accessible performances to all New Yorkers, this vibrant space has launched the careers of all-time-great actors like Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep.
Step inside to experience a place where experimentation and inclusivity thrive—where new stories find a voice and diverse communities are celebrated. Over the years, The Public has nurtured works like Hamilton and the enduring Shakespeare in the Park series, which is free. Alongside The Public Theater’s main stage productions, the building also houses Joe’s Pub, a lively cabaret-style venue known for its eclectic lineup of music and comedy. Beyond the shows, The Public’s lobby and Joe’s Pub offer a vibrant glimpse into New York City’s creative energy—with rotating displays of costumes from famous premieres, immersing visitors in the theater’s rich history.
Head to the Astor Place subway station and take the downtown 6 train just one stop to Bleecker Street. Transfer to the downtown F train at Broadway–Lafayette and ride one stop to Second Avenue.
A Nuyorican Poets Café performance
Experience the Pulse of Spoken Word at Nuyorican Poets Café
End your journey in the East Village at the Nuyorican Poets Café. Since its founding in 1973, this vibrant venue—the birthplace of slam poetry in New York City—has been a cornerstone of the Nuyorican cultural movement. The term “Nuyorican” originally started as a derogatory label for Puerto Ricans living in the City but was proudly reclaimed by the community as a symbol of cultural pride and resilience.
Performances here go beyond poetry, often blending song and dance to create a full sensory experience that reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry. The café’s intimate setting bursts with raw, unfiltered expression—where voices rise to challenge, inspire, and connect across generations.
Besides its innovation in slam poetry, the venue birthed the tradition of snapping instead of clapping during performances—invented here by poet Miguel Algarín to keep the noise down and avoid upsetting neighbors. Today, snapping is synonymous with the intimate atmosphere of poetry slams and open mic nights, where it replaces traditional applause; that’s all thanks to the Nuyorican Poets Café. While the original café undergoes renovation, with plans to reopen in spring 2026, they continue to host weekly slams at the Bowery Poetry Club along with pop-up events around the city, keeping the spirit of spoken word alive and thriving.
For more itineraries and to see the rest of the series, visit our From Times Square to the World hub.
