Ed Sullivan Theater

Book a place in the audience for a live taping of a television show at this famous theater and studio, where many well-loved U.S. shows have been filmed.

Broadway is full of iconic theaters, but the Ed Sullivan Theater is one of the most famous. In fact, this historic building is not a theater in the conventional sense, but a studio where television broadcasts take place in front of live audiences. Come here to join the audience for such U.S. television institutions as The Late Show, Good Morning America and many more.

Learn about the theater’s history. The Ed Sullivan Theater opened in 1927 under the name of Hammerstein’s Theater. The 13-floor building was established by songwriter Arthur Hammerstein and designed by architect Herbert Krapp. In its early days, it hosted traditional stage shows. The very first production here featured Cary Grant. In 1935, The Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show, started shooting in the building. The show continued to be filmed here for 23 years, and the building was eventually renamed The Ed Sullivan Theater in the host’s honor.

Come here today and see how the interior has retained much of its early 20th-century charm, particularly in its old-fashioned main auditorium. Look up and see the beautifully ornate domed stained-glass ceiling overhead. Red velvet chairs add a touch of traditional character to the relatively compact and intimate seating area.

Although a wide range of television shows have been filmed here, from sitcoms to chat shows, the most famous is probably The Late Show, which was originally hosted by David Letterman and is now hosted by Stephen Colbert. Book well in advance to secure tickets to this mainstay of U.S. television, a talk show that regularly takes the top ratings spot for late-night programming. The best part is that tickets to the shoot are absolutely free. However, they are in great demand, so planning ahead is essential.

Find the Ed Sullivan Theater in the heart of Broadway, New York City’s buzzing theater district. Filled with bright lights, big crowds and internationally renowned venues showing big-name stage shows, this district guarantees a truly memorable night out.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Ed Sullivan Theater

Broadway Theatre

See a big-name show in the opulent auditorium of this well-known theater, which is beautifully designed and full of history.

Carnegie Hall

Whether you’re performing here or more likely watching a performance, enjoy the rich surroundings of one of the world’s most renowned music performance halls.

Hearst Tower

Admire the architectural beauty, innovation and environmental sustainability of one of New York City’s best-known modern skyscrapers, which rises 46 floors high.

Radio City Music Hall

Join the millions of people who have seen a show at this beautiful and historic venue, which is a marvel of modernist architecture and design.

Museum of Arts and Design

Be amazed by the beauty of handicrafts at New York City’s premier space dedicated to art created in glass, clay, cloth, metal and wood.

Hotels near Ed Sullivan Theater

Roosevelt Hotel

45 E 45Th St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Grand Central Terminal. Chrysler Building and St. Patrick's Cathedral are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 5 minutes by foot and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station is 8 minutes.

Hotel Edison Times Square

228 W 47th St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Times Square and Broadway. 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. 49th St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station is 6 minutes.

Hotel Pennsylvania

401 7th Ave

Rated 2.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Madison Square Garden, Macy's, and Empire State Building. Times Square and Broadway are also within 15 minutes. 34 St. - Penn Station (Fashion Av.) is only a 2-minute walk and 28 St. Station (7th Av.) is 4 minutes.

Row NYC

700 8th Avenue

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from St. James Theatre, Shubert Theatre, and Richard Rodgers Theatre. Times Square and Broadway are also within 5 minutes. 49th St. Station is 6 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 7 minutes.

New York Hilton Midtown

1335 Avenue Of The Americas

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. St. Patrick's Cathedral and Times Square are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av.-53 St. Station and 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) are within a 5-minute walk.

The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel

481 Eighth Ave.

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square and Empire State Building. Broadway and Grand Central Terminal are also within 1 mi (2 km). 34 St. - Penn Station is only a 2-minute walk and 34 St. - Penn Station (Fashion Av.) is 3 minutes.

Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square

145 W 44th St

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Times Square, Broadway, and Town Hall. Minskoff Theater and Shubert Theatre are also within 5 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) and 49th St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

The Belvedere Hotel

319 W 48th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Times Square, Gershwin Theater, and Richard Rodgers Theatre. Broadway and Lunt-Fontanne Theatre are also within 10 minutes. 49th St. Station is 6 minutes by foot and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 7 minutes.

Paramount Times Square

235 West 46th Street

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is steps from Richard Rodgers Theatre, Times Square, and Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Broadway and Minskoff Theater are also within 5 minutes. 49th St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Wellington Hotel

871 Seventh Ave

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Empire State Building are also within 2 mi (3 km). 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) and 50 St. Station (Broadway) are within a 5-minute walk.

Hyatt Grand Central New York

109 East 42nd Streetat Grand Central Terminal, at Grand Central Terminal

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is steps from Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal. 5th Avenue and Bryant Park are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Pod 51

230 E 51st St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue and St. Patrick's Cathedral. United Nations Headquarters and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and 51 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

811 7th Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Broadway Theatre and Winter Garden Theatre. Times Square and Carnegie Hall are also within 5 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) is only a 2-minute walk and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 3 minutes.

Hudson New York

358 W 58th St

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Central Park and Columbus Circle. Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 10 minutes. 59 St. - Columbus Circle Station is only a 5-minute walk and 57 St. - 7 Av Station is 5 minutes.

Pod 39

145 East 39th Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chrysler Building and 5th Avenue. Grand Central Terminal and New York Public Library are also within 10 minutes. 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Park Central Hotel New York

870 7th Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and Broadway Theatre. Columbus Circle and 5th Avenue are also within 10 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) and 50 St. Station (Broadway) are within a 5-minute walk.

Salisbury Hotel

West 57Th Street, 123

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and 5th Avenue. Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av.-53 St. Station and 57 St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Waldorf Astoria New York

301 Park Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Museum of Modern Art are also within 10 minutes. 51 St. Station is 5 minutes by foot and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Element New York Times Square West

311 West 39th Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and American Lyric Theater. St. James Theatre and Shubert Theatre are also within 10 minutes. 34 St. - Penn Station is 6 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel

790 7th Ave

Rated 3.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Winter Garden Theatre and Broadway Theatre. Gershwin Theater and Times Square are also within 5 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) is only a 2-minute walk and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 3 minutes.

LaGuardia Plaza Hotel

104-04 Ditmars Blvd

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Queens, this hotel is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Citi Field. Roosevelt Island and Central Park are also within 9 mi (15 km). 103 St - Corona Plaza Station is 28 minutes by foot and 111 St. Station (Roosevelt St.) is 30 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan - New York City

569 Lexington Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Museum of Modern Art and Madison Avenue are also within 10 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station and 51 St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Stewart Hotel

371 7th Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Macy's, Herald Square, and Empire State Building. Times Square and Broadway are also within 15 minutes. 28 St. Station (7th Av.) and 34 St. - Penn Station (Fashion Av.) are within a 5-minute walk.

YOTEL New York

570 Tenth Avenue

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this boutique hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square and Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Broadway and Empire State Building are also within 1 mi (2 km). 34th Street–Hudson Yards Station is 12 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 12 minutes.