While traveling on official meeting business, you might find yourself with extra time on your hands – whether that be one
evening or an entire day's worth.
For leisure travelers, it makes sense to purchase tickets weeks or even months in advance to shows and other entertainment opportunities to explore during those "free" times. And while that planning path is convenient for vacationers and tourist groups, the same isn’t always
viable for meeting planners.
Surprisingly enough, however, there are a number of simple solutions for those looking for same-day tickets to shows and events in some of the nation’s
top meeting destinations.
So, if a last-minute trip has you looking for some way to
pass the time, or if those dinner reservations that fell through have left a
gap in your schedule, here are a number of tips and tricks for getting last-minute seats to the best shows in town. Spoiler alert: They’re probably more attainable than you
think.
How to Snag Same-Day Tickets in these 5 Meeting Destinations
New York City
TodayTix
Photo Credit: TodayTixSince launching in New York in 2013, TodayTix has been assisting users in
securing discounted and/or full price, last-minute tickets to the most coveted
theater shows both on and off Broadway. Simply download the app to your phone,
search a show by name and purchase the tickets.
Although TodayTix is not specific to New York City, it's well-known in the area for offering hard-to-beat Broadway prices. Check the service’s
website for a list of all locations where last-minute theater tickets are
offered.
TKTS Booth
For more than 40 years, the TKTS booth in Times Square (47th Street and Broadway) has been selling same-day discounted tickets to New York's top shows. It opens at 3 p.m. most days (late morning on matinee days), and the discounts range from 20 to 50 percent. Sometimes the line can seem daunting, but it moves quickly.
Gametime
Photo Credit: GametimeWhether you’re looking to catch the Brooklyn Nets shooting hoops or Bruce Springsteen lighting up the stage at Madison Square Garden,
Gametime offers last minute sports, concert and theater tickets in cities
around the country.
Gametime is also not specific to New York City alone. Download the Gametime app for a list of all locations where last-minute tickets are
offered.
Last Minute Services
LMS is an initiative by ticketing giant StubHub that allows
you to purchase seats for many shows and events up until the curtain goes up. Though
not unique to Los Angeles, the destination is the only in the country with two same-day
purchase and pickup locations conveniently located near the Staples Center,
Microsoft Theater and Novo by Microsoft:
- StubHub Los Angeles (261 South Figueroa St.)
- StubHub Los Angeles Downtown (889 Francisco St.)
Hot Tix
Photo Credit: HotTixSpecific to Chicago, Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to a
variety of Windy City theater productions that can be purchased for same-day or
same-week showings. Meeting travelers in the area can browse an online catalogue of available passes, or visit one of Hot Tix city locations:
- East Randolph (between Michigan and Wabash Avenues)
- North State (Inside Block 37 Shops on State)
Attend a Free Show
Several companies throughout Chicago present at no (or
optional) cost to audiences on a regular basis – meaning you don’t even need to
worry about purchasing tickets ahead of time.
Red Tape Theatre and Red Theater Chicago are always free, and Halcyon Theatre makes a portion of
tickets to every performance free (advance reservations recommended for this
location).
Other performing arts locations, including Theater Oobleck, Prop Thtr, Free
Street, Broken Nose Theatre and the Neo-Futurists, designate some or all
performances "pay-what-you-can". Check each of the performance locations for
specific info on when and where shows are taking place.
Boston
BosTix
Photo Credit: BosTixBosTix, a service spearheaded by ArtsBoston, has two booth locations in the historic city
that allow travelers to buy and redeem same-day tickets to concerts, theater
and sporting events right up until showtime. In February alone (still!), we're able to snag seats to the Blue Man Group, Sam Harris and A Game Of Werewolf, an opera.
• Copley Square (650 Boylston St.)
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace (1 Faneuil Hall Square)
“[We’re] committed to helping build awareness and attracting
audiences to local events and exhibitions,” the service’s website says. “The
deals that are... online and in-person provide affordable, day-of deals to arts
events for more than 60,000 people annually.” All of BosTix’s proceeds are
reinvested back into the local arts community.
Tix 4 Tonight
If you’re on the hunt for Las Vegas show tickets, we suggest
turning to Tix 4 Tonight. The service markets daily ticket discounts starting each day at 9:30
a.m. local time. Tix 4 Tonight has 10 locations throughout the city:
- Fashion Show Mall (3200 S Las Vegas Blvd., across the street from Wynn Las Vegas)
- Hawaiian Marketplace (3743 S Las Vegas Blvd.)
- Showcase Mall (3785 S Las Vegas Blvd., next to the MGM Grand)
- Casino Royale (3411 S Las Vegas Blvd.)
- Town Square Mall (S Las Vegas Boulevard)
- Slots A Fun (2880 S Las Vegas Blvd., located in the casino)
At each location, travelers can hop on the line to purchase
discounted tickets to same-day shows, attractions, restaurants and more.