Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

John Mulaney—our hometown boy—will make history this summer by headlining Wrigley Field as part of his Mister Whatever tour. This landmark performance marks the first comedy show ever hosted at the Friendly Confines. Given that Mulaney’s tour already includes venues with capacities ranging from a few hundred to nearly 20,000, announcing a 41,000-seat show in Chicago is a bold leap. But that ambition aligns with his reputation for smart comedy, making the moment feel like a kind of homecoming and a statement.

Ariana Grande will finally tour again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: The Oscar-nominated Wicked star is bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for five nights of arena magic—split between the Crypto.com Arena and Kia Forum—that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic.  This is her first tour since the 2019 Sweetener World Tour, and it’s in support of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Brighter Days Ahead. The tour kicks off June 6, 2026, in Oakland before Los Angeles gets a five-night run that feels like a homecoming. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer?

Florida is basically synonymous with spring break, and now we have the data to back it up. According to a new study, South Florida isn’t just trending; it’s the reason for the season's travel across the country.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Miami for locals and tourists A new report from Spirit Airlines found that multiple South Florida destinations are topping the list of the most searched beach getaways for 2026 spring travel. No surprise, Fort Lauderdale ranks No. 1 overall among the airline’s most searched spring break beach destinations, while Miami came in at No. 3, putting South Florida firmly at the center of the warm-weather travel boom. The rankings are based on searches on Spirit’s website between early January and early February 2026 for trips planned between early March and late April.  The full top 10 list reads like a sun-chaser fantasy, and who can blame anyone when this winter has been so brutal? But while San Juan and Punta Cana make the list, it looks like travelers are prioritizing easy domestic beach access. There’s a pretty obvious reason why. As Spirit’s chief commercial officer put it, spring break is all about “soaking up the sun,” especially after a cold winter. And with budget carriers expanding routes and pricing competition staying fierce, Florida’s combination of warm weather, nightlife and relatively easy flight access is tough to beat. For Miami specifically, the ranking tracks with what locals already know. The city offers the rare s

California has officially cracked America’s dating elite, ranking among the top handful of states for singles in WalletHub’s latest Best States for Singles report—and if you’ve ever flirted in line at Erewhon or accidentally locked eyes with someone during sunset at Runyon, you probably won’t be shocked. RECOMMENDED: The best first date ideas in L.A. The study ranked California at number four, scoring especially high for dating opportunities and romance-and-fun factors. WalletHub looked at nearly 30 metrics, including how many single adults are in the state, how easy it is to meet people and—crucially—how many things there are to do once you actually land a date. In California’s case, the answer is basically: everything. For Los Angeles, that can be a choose-your-own-rom-com. First date coffee in Los Feliz? Sure. Second date dumplings in the SGV? Obviously. Third date hike that turns into tacos that turns into live music in Highland Park? You’re basically contractually obligated. The report specifically points to California’s massive number of restaurants, movie theaters, music festivals, amusement parks and nature parks per capita, all of which are serving main-character energy for anyone trying to meet someone.  There’s also a vibe component that feels very L.A. WalletHub notes California ranks relatively high in measures tied to emotional openness and relationship readiness. Translation: yes, ghosting exists, but so do therapy-informed communication skills and people who k

Nearly half of American adults are single. But as many singletons know, some cities are built better than others for being single and loving it. Turns out, the best shot at enjoying dating might be a move to Florida. (We were also surprised.) According to WalletHub’s latest Best States for Singles study, the Sunshine State ranks number one in the country, beating out New York, California, Texas and Illinois thanks to a potent mix of dating opportunities, entertainment options and economic momentum. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Miami to book right now The ranking is based on nearly 30 indicators of dating friendliness, from the number of single adults to restaurant density and entertainment options. Florida earned a total score of 68.21, landing near the top nationally in dating opportunities and “romance and fun,” even if it landed mid-pack for dating economics. WalletHub notes that Florida residents search for dating sites and terms like “online dating” more than most states, suggesting a population that’s actively looking for connection. Combine that with strong job growth, and you get a place where singles are both socially and economically positioned to date. So what does that mean for Miami? Pretty much exactly what you’d expect: If Florida is the best state for singles, Miami is one of its most dynamic playgrounds. And a big part of Florida’s appeal comes down to the sheer volume of things to do, from amusement parks and music festivals to fitness centers and p

New York City may consistently be among the most expensive rental markets in the country, but if you’re strategic (and flexible about your ZIP code), you can still find relative bargains. A new rental analysis highlights 15 neighborhoods across the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and even Manhattan where median rents land far below the citywide norm, proving that “affordable NYC” isn’t a total myth. RECOMMENDED: From Greenpoint to Chelsea, here’s how much rent has spiked in NYC’s trendiest neighborhoods post-pandemic According to the report by Zumper, the city’s median rent currently sits around $4,400, meaning you’d need roughly $176,000 a year to comfortably hit the classic 30% rent-to-income rule. That's pretty rough, and exactly why outer-borough neighborhoods are becoming survival tools for everyone from teachers and nonprofit workers to early-career creatives chasing the New York dream. Leading the affordability pack is Parkchester in the Bronx, where median rent hovers around $1,800. That's roughly 59% cheaper than the city average. Also near the top are Pelham Bay (about $1,995) and Riverdale (around $2,040), all clustered in the Bronx and offering strong subway access plus dramatically lower monthly costs. What makes these neighborhoods stand out isn’t just price. Many score extremely high for transit and walkability, meaning you can realistically live car-free while staying connected to Manhattan.  There’s also serious lifestyle variety here. Inwood offers Manhattan braggin

For three decades, the MetroCard was more than just a ticket to ride. That flimsy little card was a tiny, swipeable symbol of New York life. Now, as the city moves fully into the contactless OMNY era, a new exhibition at Grand Central will reframe that familiar yellow rectangle as something else entirely. RECOMMENDED: It’s official: The New York subway is now more expensive than it’s ever been Opening March 16 at the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery & Store, "Inspired by MetroCard" explores how the humble fare card evolved into a creative canvas for artists, designers and institutions across the city. The free exhibition pulls from contemporary artworks and the museum’s own collection to show how MetroCards have been transformed into fashion pieces, sculptures, paintings and collages, as well as limited-edition cards. “The MetroCard was one of the most accessible design objects in New York history,” said New York Transit Museum Acting Director Regina Shepherd in a statement. “This exhibition captures how artists transformed that shared experience into works that are personal, inventive, and unmistakably New York.”  Introduced in the mid-1990s to replace subway tokens, the MetroCard quickly reshaped daily transit life, eventually enabling features like free transfers and unlimited rides that changed how New Yorkers moved through the city. Over time, it also became a cultural icon, appearing in commemorative designs, advertising campaigns and art projects. Rathe

Palm Springs’ boutique hotel scene has no shortage of mid-century charm, but The Skylark is leaning hard into a new era. The 28-room property has completed a sweeping reimagination designed to position it as a modern desert hang for couples, small groups and celebratory getaways, with refreshed guestrooms, new food and drink concepts and expanded event space all part of the update. The changes build on the hotel’s roots as a restored 1955 property while targeting today’s experience-driven travelers seeking design-forward stays with built-in dining and nightlife. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Palm Springs Guestrooms are now styled to blend mid-century nostalgia with contemporary comfort. The Skylark has long leaned into Palm Springs’ retro design heritage, and the refresh continues that approach with restored character and a classic desert aesthetic. The hotel remains centered on 28 individually styled rooms, keeping the boutique scale that has defined the property while upgrading finishes and in-room amenities for modern stays. Photograph: Courtesy of The Skylark The biggest shift may be on the food and beverage side. The Lost Property restaurant and bar anchors the property as a dining destination in its own right, serving Coastal American bar fare alongside craft cocktails. The menu is curated by executive chef Brandon Kida and focuses on locally sourced ingredients and approachable dishes with a modern edge, positioning the restaurant as both a hotel amenity and a

Magnolia Bakery is bringing a very Los Angeles-friendly twist to one of its most famous desserts. Starting February 12, the cult-favorite Banana Pudding Bar—previously rolled out in select cities—will expand to the brand’s L.A. bakery, giving West Coast fans a customizable, over-the-top way to order the treat that helped make the company a national dessert icon. The move comes as the 30-year-old bakery continues a broader growth push across the U.S., fueled by franchising, product innovation and new formats designed around how customers actually want to eat and order sweets.  RECOMMENDED: The best bakeries in Los Angeles The Banana Pudding Bar is exactly what it sounds like: a made-to-order dessert station centered on Magnolia’s signature banana pudding, layered with add-ins and toppings for a more indulgent, build-your-own experience. The concept first launched in New York and lets customers choose from four pre-designed creations, all assembled fresh and served in dome-lidded cups. Each clocks in at $10.95, with toppings included.  For the L.A. rollout, the lineup leans into maximalist dessert culture. The Caramel Brownie layers classic banana pudding with brownie bits and salted caramel drizzle. Cookies & Cream adds Oreo pieces and mini chocolate chips. Red Velvet folds in cake pieces and chocolate chips for a richer, cocoa-forward bite. And Chocolate Hazelnut mixes mini chocolate chips with a Nutella drizzle. If you somehow haven’t yet tasted Magnolia’s banana pudding, it

New York City’s most iconic Central Park dining destination is coming into home kitchens this spring. Tavern on the Green, known for its storied history and frequent use as a filming location, is releasing its first-ever cookbook on April 7, curated by executive chef Bill Peet. The book brings nearly a century of culinary tradition to home cooks, offering signature dishes, seasonal classics and refined techniques that have defined the restaurant for generations. Photograph: Courtesy of Tavern on the Green “This is a very iconic place, and it really needs something up to date with the food,” Peet said to Time Out when asked about the decision to release the cookbook. “We’ve been working on it for about two years.” Organized seasonally, the book mirrors the restaurant’s kitchen approach, allowing readers to cook in tune with the calendar year. Inside, readers will find beautifully photographed, step-by-step recipes alongside behind-the-scenes insights from one of America’s most storied kitchens. Peet has spent his 45-year career developing recipes, and the cookbook includes some of his personal classics. “The crab cake is probably 30 years or so that I’ve been using it,” he said of his classic offering, equal parts crab and sea scallops. “The chopped vegetable salad is another. It’s 11 different vegetables, grilled, raw or boiled, all cut really small, very colorful. It’s gluten-free and it’s vegan.” Photograph: Deborah Llewellyn Peet’s approach balances classical French tr

Winter doesn’t have to mean putting all of your outdoor activities into hibernation. Across the U.S., frozen lakes become seasonal playgrounds for anglers chasing everything from walleye to trout, and a new roundup of top ice fishing destinations highlights just how far the sport stretches. According to a recent Boatmart ranking of top U.S. ice fishing destinations, classic northern hotspots still dominate. Lake Champlain, straddling Vermont, New York and Canada, stands out for its variety of species, including lake trout, salmon and northern pike. Wisconsin’s massive Lake Winnebago is another perennial favorite thanks to its shallow depth, which helps sustain strong populations of perch, sturgeon and walleye, while Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods has built a reputation as a “Walleye Capital” with hundreds of thousands of acres of fishable water in peak winter conditions. Devils Lake in North Dakota draws anglers searching for jumbo perch and northern pike across its sprawling natural basin, while Montana’s Fort Peck Reservoir offers an enormous variety, with roughly 50 species including salmon, lake trout and walleye. Michigan’s Higgins Lake and South Dakota’s Sheridan Lake round out a cluster of destinations that combine reliable freeze patterns with accessible infrastructure for winter fishing tourism. What may surprise newcomers is how geographically diverse ice fishing is. California’s Silver Lake, near Lake Tahoe, can support winter trout fishing during colder seasons, wh

For years, cities like Austin, Atlanta and Las Vegas have been seen as must-visit hubs for live music lovers. But new data suggests that some of America’s loudest “music capitals” may be the worst places to book an event ticket. RECOMMENDED: Ariana Grande 2026 tour sold out in minutes—here’s how to still get tickets According to Wiingy's analysis of average concert ticket prices across 20 major U.S. cities, there's a surprising twist: Midwestern cities now offer the best value for music travelers, while several Southern and Sun Belt destinations come with significantly higher price tags.  At the top of the affordability ranking is Cleveland, which emerges as the cheapest city for concertgoers, with an average ticket price of $68. That figure is nearly half the cost of attending a show in Las Vegas, where average ticket prices climb to $140, making it the most expensive city in the study. For travelers who plan trips around tours rather than tourist attractions, that difference can quickly add up, especially after factoring in hotels, flights and food. The Midwest ranks as the most affordable region overall, with an average ticket price of $88. Cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh outperform more traditional music destinations, offering access to major tours at prices that make weekend trips far more feasible. By contrast, the South ranks as the priciest region, averaging $113 per ticket. One of the most unexpected findings is New York City’s ranking as the fifth-cheapest city

When it comes to getting hitched, the backdrop you choose can make or break not just your Instagram feed but your entire budget. With the average U.S. wedding ringing in around tens of thousands of dollars, location now matters almost as much as the dress or the dinners. That’s the takeaway from WalletHub’s latest study identifying the best places to get married in the U.S., a comprehensive ranking of more than 180 cities based on 26 metrics that couples and planners most care about, from cost and vendor options to activities for guests and overall fun.  RECOMMENDED: These will (apparently?) be the most popular wedding dates in 2026 Topping the list is Las Vegas, the perennial wedding fantasy for couples who crave a bit of spectacle. While you might think Vegas is all novelty chapels and Elvis-style vows, the data shows it excels in a range of practical areas too, ranking near the top for vendors and attractions. Las Vegas isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, but its wide range of services and high entertainment value make it a compelling choice for couples aiming to give guests  (and themselves) a memorable experience.  Hot on its heels is Orlando, Florida. Yes, really. Orlando’s strength lies in its sheer infrastructure: plentiful venues, an abundance of florists, photographers and party rentals, and a high number of hotel rooms per capita that can help keep guest accommodations affordable. It’s also kid-friendly and entertainment-rich, a boon for destination weddings tha

The Waldorf Astoria is stepping into a new era and, for the first time in its nearly century-long history, New Yorkers can actually own a piece of it. The Waldorf Astoria Residences New York transforms one of the city’s most legendary addresses into a mixed-use luxury property, pairing private homes with the reborn landmark hotel on Park Avenue. Photograph: Michael Biondo The Art Deco icon, originally completed in 1931, closed in 2017 for a massive restoration and adaptive reuse project led by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The overhaul preserved historic spaces while transforming the upper floors into luxury residences and reimagining the hotel for modern travelers.  Photograph: Michael Biondo Inside, the building now houses roughly 375 hotel rooms alongside 375 private condominium residences. The redevelopment blends preserved historic elements, like the famed public spaces and Art Deco detailing, with contemporary interiors and new infrastructure designed for 21st-century luxury living.  Photograph: Michael Biondo Residences range from studios to expansive four-bedroom homes and penthouses, many featuring unique layouts and private outdoor space. Pricing begins at $1.875 million, with larger homes climbing well into the multi-million-dollar range, reflecting the building’s position at the very top tier of Manhattan real estate.  Photograph: Michael Biondo One of the biggest selling points is access to more than 50,000 square feet of private residenti