Explore the view from each section at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
What are the best seats at Radio City Music Hall?
The ‘best’ seats at Radio City Music Hall are thus subjective and depend on your tastes and the type of event you’re attending. Nevertheless, some general rules do apply when choosing your seats:
- Orchestra Section: If you aren’t seeing a visual production, you can definitely get away with Orchestra seats. For instance, going to a concert or a non-optical-necessary show, the view from seats in the Orchestra section can be great – especially if they’re in rows MM through ZZ. Seats in Orchestra are typically closer to the stage than an Orchestra Right or Left section, and there’s also a good balance of not being so close that you see the hairs on an actor’s head, but close enough that you can feel like you’re on stage. There usually aren’t too many seats in the Orchestra, so anything closer to the middle is typically considered the best seats around.
- Advantage: First Mezzanine: Many people believe that the first to three rows of the First Mezzanine (Row A to Row F) are the best seats in the house for all types of performances. These seats have an unobstructed view of the entire stage and this can be especially important for big shows, like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
- Front rows of the Second Mezzanine: Good views for occasions when you want good lateral sightlines Third Mezzanine: The front rows of the Third Mezzanine can also provide good views, as well as for occasions when you want good lateral sightlines.
- Third Mezzanine: The front rows are better here, and they can still afford you decent sightlines, since the steep rake of the seating helps to keep you from looking over the heads of your fellow audience members.
When choosing seats, also consider the following:
- Center vs. Side: Seats in the center sections tend to have the best direct view of the stage, whereas seats on the sides can tend to be more angled and less desirable, especially for certain kinds of performances.
- Legroom: If you’re tall, or simply need more legroom, aisle seats can be a little more spacious.
- Accessibility: For those who require accessible seating, Radio City Music Hall provides accessible seating and companion seating in multiple locations and price ranges.
Always check the venue-specific seating chart for the show you’re attending, as stage configurations (including the presence of prosceniums) can vary. Personal recommendations also help: read reviews or call the box office ahead of time to make sure you’re getting a good view and to get some specific advice about the program.
