When you think of the world's great entertainment capitals, you're likely starting with New York City. But you probably don't follow that thought with "...and it's so affordable, too!" The Big Apple is not the most budget-friendly city, but you can find cheap tickets for NYC shows if you know where to look. Check out these seven shows for 2018 with tickets under $50:

Avenue Q | See tickets starting at $45

The 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical and Best Score, Avenue Q might seem like a family friendly show—its cast is a delightful mix of humans and puppets, after all. But these puppets constantly pepper in irreverent dialogue and taboo subject matter. Despite its off-color attitude, Avenue Q weaves in a number of uber-catchy songs, including "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist." At New World Stages.

That Chemistry Show | See tickets starting at $39

From the same mad scientists that brought you That Physics Show (a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience in 2016) comes That Chemistry Show. You'll watch as chemist Borislaw Bilash entertains via crazy experiments—he'll mix stuff, burn stuff, spray stuff, and test all sorts of hypothesis leading to spectacular results. It's like a magic show for people who think science is magical. At the Playroom Theater.

Puffs the Play: The Hit "Potter" Comedy | See tickets starting at $27

Puffs the Play kinda, sorta takes place at a very recognizeable school in an equally-recognizeable wizard world. But instead of focusing on the heroic boy wizard(whose name, ironically, can't be named in this review), Puffs the Play zeroes in on the "Puffs," the other, sometimes-forgotten students, and their perspective on a most-dramatic seven years at the school. At New World Stages.

Trainspotting Live | See tickets starting at $29

Based on the 1983 novel by Irvine Welsh (which inspired the cult-favorite 1996 Danny Boyle film), Trainspotting Live follows a heroin drug addict as he and his mates try to make do in a rough part of Edinburgh. While Trainspotting Live is a dark comedy, families be warned: this play is more for adults, since it contains nudity, drug use, and sexual content. At Roy Arias Stages.

Gazillion Bubble Show |See tickets starting at $49

You might be amazed how entertaining bubbles can be at the Gazillion Bubble Show, hosted by world-renowned bubble artist Fan Yang. Yang owns a number of world records, including encapsulating an elephant inside a giant bubble. This show will show just how many different shapes, sizes, and colors can take bubble forms, aided by lasers, smoke, and other theatrical elements. At New World Stages.

New York's Off-Broadway Magic Show | See tickets starting at $39

If you're looking for cheap tickets for NYC shows, this one is a little like five shows in one. With performers who have appeared on The Today Show, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Good Morning America, this magic show puts a spotlight on five different magicians. And the show even goes on when it's not going on—magicians roam the crowd for up-close tricks during intermission. At The Players Theater.

The Imbibe | See tickets starting at $45

There's a musical for just about anything, why not one about how to make the perfect cocktail? That's the ethos behind The Imbibe, where expert mixologist Anthony Caporale tells the history and science behind some of our favorite spirits, all while backed by a barbershop quartet. Tickets include three cocktails, so it's no wonder NewYork.com called it as "one of the five best things to do in New York City." At New World Stages.

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