Description: Broadway.
Broadway most famously known for its theatres has been around since the 1600’s and was a main thoroughfare which runs all the way through the island of Manhattan from the South tip at Battery Park right up to the northern part of the Island. Originally it was a pathway cut through the bush by the Indians who inhabited the area and progressed into the major road that we know it.
It encompasses the famous squares such as Times Square made famous by the clock that counts down the start of New Year in the USA. In the lower section of Broadway it is here where the ticker tape parades take place in what is known as the Canyon of heroes. Broadway skimps around Union Square and heads of in a western direction up to Times Square and then further on skimming Central Park at Columbus Circus running past the Bronx right up to the northern area of Manhattan.
Times Square.
Times Square is quite a tourist attraction standing in the middle of Times Square you are surrounded by neon lit boarding’s advertising plays and shows around the theatre district and various other famous products such as Apple, Coca-Cola etc. It is mad what with the traffic and the thousands of people all scuttling around nipping in and out of the shops taking and posing for photos and making their way to find somewhere to eat or other places to go. The atmosphere here is really great and very exciting. It is one of the must see tourist attractions in New York and estimates of 39 million people pass through Times Square each year!
Originally called Longacre square it was renamed in 1904 to Times Square after The New York Times moved into the times building. It is here that the ball drop occurs on New Year’s Eve to mark the start of the New Year. The first ball was made of metal and wood and contained electric light bulbs and was lowered down a mast. This event has happened annually since 1908 and in total 6 balls have been created. The current ball is made of Waterford Crystal. On New Year’s Eve up to 1 milion people gather to watch the ball drop followed by a massive firework display.
We walked the length of Broadway from the start at Battery Park all the way up to Columbus circus which is quite a walk but taking in the sights of Manhattan on route. Some buildings were beautiful with plaques and stone masonry carvings on the outside were exquisite.
While in New York we saw three shows including Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys and South Pacific at the Lincoln Centre. I would highly recommend seeing at least one show while you are here in New York.
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