- mannyb
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Editor Pick
The City's Most Exciting Intersection
- October 30, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
What do you get when you cross two of New York City's most popular throughways in the busiest part of the city? Times Square!
This famous intersection covers over 5 blocks from West 42nd to 47th Streets where Broadway and 7th Avenue cross. Not only does it contain several streets, it also contains one of the highest concentrations of offices, retail shops, residential buildings, neon signs, and tourists all in one place. Named after the New York Times building that resided there, the square now is an iconic row of flashing lights, scrolling news tickers, and street parties.
Anyone that visits New York will surely come across Times Square just by checking out the main sites in midtown, but just in case your plans don't include a jaunt in that area, be sure to fit it in there, as no trip to the city is complete without witnessing the madness that is this famous square. There are plenty of stores to shop in here, as you'll see by the many signs beckoning you in, but I just like to take a walk through the crowds looking for the notable places from the street.
Some of the famous things to take note of are the old Times Building (One Times Square) where the New Years Eve ball is dropped every Jan 1, the Coca-Cola sign, the steaming Cup-o-Noodles sign, Times Square Studios where "Good Morning America" is filmed, and of course the TKTS kiosk.
If you forgot to reserve tickets for a show while you're in the Big Apple, you'll quickly find out that you're not alone, as the TKTS (Tickets) booth in the center of the intersection is always filled with lines of people hoping for a good deal on a last-minute ticket. Get there early if you don't want to spend hours in line, and bring some coffee...but don't worry, you'll have plenty of things to look at and entertain you while you wait!
• http://www.timessquarenyc.org/
• Intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue
• Metro stop: Times Square/42nd St on trains S, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7
• Open 24hrs/day
• Free Admission
From journal Favorite Free Attractions in the Big Apple
At Times Square on Christmas Eve
"I wanna wake up in a city that doesn't sleep… New York, New York!" And so we did in Winter '05 to celebrate Christmas in the Big Apple.
First stop, Times Square -- one of the most famous (if not the most famous) crossroads in the world, is located at the junction of 42nd Street, 7th Avenue and Broadway. During the day, Times Square is shadowed by towering skyscrapers, but once the sun goes down, this popular tourist attraction comes alive with flashing neon lights, digital advertisements and thousands of people marching on the streets.
Christmas is always special no matter where you spend it, but Christmas Eve in New York is absolutely spectacular! Our journey on Christmas Eve began at Times Square -- walked past fabulous store window displays, then headed to the Rockefeller Center to admire the giant Christmas tree.
From journal City Squares Rendezvous
Editor Pick
Times Square
- June 4, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
rufusni from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Times Square with its neon lights and advertising signs has become a popular spot for tourist to wander around especially in the evening time. Its name came from the move of the New York Times to what was Longacre Square in the early years of the 20th century, and so the name was renames. The first electrified advertisement appeared about the same time, the beginning of what has become a dense electric jungle of neon billboards. But then the area gained a seedy reputation but this has gone with an attempt to 'clean' it up in the nineties and make it more family friendly. Various companies including Disney and Hershey's were encouraged to open up large stories around Times Square. The area now is dotted with hotels and chain restuarants.
In evening time the place is buzzing with tourists and theatre goers, matched by the noise of traffic and taxis round this major junction. Several subway lines have stations within a block of Times Square, making it very accessible. The area is also heavily patrolled by cops, making it feel quite safe even late at night.
This place is one of those famed 'squares' from across the world, with its neon lights, advertising and NASDAQ sign, and frequently appearing in films, on TV and on the news. Times Square at night should be on any iterinary, as it can be enjoyed for free! The bright colour displays are best seen at night. However, it is a little too 'commeralised' - with big 'family friendly' businesses like Hershey's and McDonalds setting up here. Its not really the place were you want to come and have a meal in one of the many chain restaurants - you can find much more interesting places and deals to eat elsewhere.
Despite the 'cleaned' commercial nature of Times Square, it is part of the iconography of the American Dream, of advertising, of the large companies. As such it is worth a visit, to have a wander around, and experience the lights, noise and crowds of this famed location. It of course costs nothing to enjoy the lights which makes this an enjoyable hour to wander around. I have to say I didn't visit many of the shops, except the Hershey's store for the simple reason I wanted to stock up on a supply of peanut butter cups to take home. I enjoyed the buzz and crowds of Times Square and all the neon lights twinkling around - but only for a little while. This is only one side of New York, a reminder of how much commerce and advertising affects everyday life.
From journal Pausing in New York
Times Square
- March 20, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Travelny2 from New York, New York
Times Square is a must see for anyone visiting New York for the first time. The area has really become considerably cleaner and more family oriented in the last decade/decade and a half. It used to be a somewhat seedy area but is now dominated by chain stores and restaurants. There are a large number of hotels in the blocks immediately surrounding Times Square as well and it is a good place to stay given its central location to everything in Midtown Manhattan. The hotels in this area carry a price premium for their proximity to Times Square though so it may be wise to look in other areas if you are budget oriented. The square itself is usually a complete mob scene with a million people everywhere. It is always extremely crowded being one of the most famous sights in a city already known for its density. Really fun to see but I wouldn't plan on spending a lot of time in the immediate area. Get in, see the sights, take some pictures and move on to somewhere that is less of a tourist trap to do your dining/shopping etc.
From journal New York
Editor Pick
Times Square
- January 1, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
Joy S from Manchester, United Kingdom
The area around Times Square is edgy, frenetic and lively. You must go at night when the flashing billboards create an overwhelming spectacle and the theatres of Broadway are pulsating with life.
Once this was the entertainment capital of America - full of movie palaces, showgirls and gangsters. In the 1970's it becam a swamp of drugs and peepshows and streets filled with hustlers and lowlifes.
In the 1990's the city invited Disney and a number of other business giants to collaborate in the revitalisation of the area. Today it is a family entertainment and business district with little trace of its seedy past.
The Great White Way's old movie palaces have been restored, Broadway theatre has survived intact and neon to rival Las Vegas sets tourists heads spinning.
As well as taking in the electric atmosphere of the area, we ate in 2 different Times Square restaurants.
Ellens Stardust Diner at 1650 Broadway is a 1950's style diner. It is quite small with a mezzanine area, jukebox and fifties memorabilia. The food is average - very large portions though, but the atmosphere is fantastic. The waiters and waitresses are all wannabe Broadway stars and in between waiting on tables, burst into tune, seranading you with songs from the musicals.
There is also a huge screen on one wall, when we were there they were showing the film Ratatouille. Our son watched engrossed - despite the fact the sound was turned off! All in all this is a fun place to have a meal.
We arrived at around 6:30 and got a table easily, although it was quite busy. By the time we left at 8:00pm, there was a lengthy queue outside waiting to get in.
We also ate in Mars 2112 at 51st and Broadway. It is an underground restaurant, themed to look like a Martian landscape. It looks great and feels like you are eating on a stage set. Costumed aliens wander around and happily pose with you at your table for photographs.
Again the food in here is average, but the experience is great fun and children love it. Our waitress was also excellent.
You can enter the restaurant via a "spaceship" or just walk to your table. We took the spaceship, but wished we hadn't. It was a simulator, really stuffy inside, very bumpy and not fun at all. My husband felt travel sick and our 4 year old hated it.
On the way out they give you tokens which you can use in their amusement arcade. They have lots of old-fashioned games. Again a great touch for children - you have to drag them out.
From journal A Week in New York