Tip Sheet.

Byline: Raina Kelley, Craig Simons, John Barry, Ginanne Brownell

Travel: Spring For Broadway

By Raina Kelley

Missed Christo's "The Gates"? Not to worry. Come to New York this spring and you can still see killer rabbits, Denzel in Valentino and a flying car. Broadway is about to open its best season in years, with lots of promising new musicals (including "Twelfth Night" set to Elvis), enough revivals for a Theater 101 class and stars like Jessica Lange, John Lithgow, Kathleen Turner, James Earl Jones and Alan Alda packed into 10 city blocks. If you're trying to save money, go to Kansas City, because even we can't make New York seem like a bargain. But if you want to see great theater, avoid wasting your time and money, and maneuver the theater district like a native, take our advice.

Grab a seat: Get started at Telecharge (telecharge.com ) or Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com ), but remember that you'll pay full price plus at least $8 in fees. Check Broadway Box (broadwaybox.com ) for free discount codes that can save you up to 50 percent. Last time we looked, it offered 273 discount codes for 102 shows. (You can also use Telecharge to browse seating charts for all theaters and check running times.) Swing by TKTS at 47th and Broadway or the South Street Seaport for discount tickets to same-day performances, but expect limited choices and massive lines. (Psst: the Seaport location is much less crowded.) We prefer rush tickets, available at the box office for $20 to $45. Each show has a different policy; some use lotteries, others require student IDs. Go to Talkin' Broadway (talkin broadway.com/boards/rush.html ) for the rules. While you're there, check out standing-room policies. If a show is sold out, you can often pay about $25 to stand in the back. If money isn't an issue, try the Fundtix Program through the Actors' Fund (212-221-7300, ext. 111). You'll pay double the face value, but you'll be able to snag dream seats to "Spamalot" (likely to be the hit of the season), and half the price is tax-deductible. If you're really feeling flush, ask Telecharge for premium seats. The operator can't offer, you have to ask, and they're very pricey (about $175 for "The Glass Menagerie" or $150 for "The Pillowman").

Get a room: Times Square isn't everyone's idea of a peaceful getaway, but you can find quiet, affordable rooms in the district. Try the Comfort Inn (from $158 a night; comfortinn.com ) if you just need a bed and free Wi-Fi. For hipper digs, try the Paramount New York (from $211 a night; www.paramountnewyork.solmelia.com ) or the W Times Square (from $330 a night; whotels.com ).

Chow down: Broadway dining is a world all its own. Pre-theater seating starts at 6 (except on Tuesdays, when many curtains go up an hour early, at 7). Your choices range from the classic American bistro Joe Allen (212-581-6464) to the classic (and cheap) New York-style pizza at John's Pizzeria (212-391-7560). Or hit DB Bistro Moderne (212-391-2400) for a $29 hamburger stuffed with foie gras. Best bet: act like a New Yorker and make a 10:30 reservation at Angus McIndoe (212-221-9222) where you might see the cast of "Pillowman," or pop by St. Andrews (212-840-8413), where the bartenders wear kilts.