Times Square, New York City

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Favorite thing: A Major commercial intersection TIMES SQUARE is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway Theater District in midtown Manhattan. It is at the junction of Broadway and 7th Avenue and stretches from west 42nd to west 47th Streets. It is one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections with over 39 million visitors annually. It is also the site of the annual Ball Drop on New Year's Eve.
Only in Las Vegas have I seen such a huge number of animated neon signs - the largest of them called "Jumbotrons". Notable signs include the Toshiba billboard, the 7 story NASDAQ sign, the curved Coca-Cola sign and the large LED display by Samsung.
As Times Square is pedestrianized, you will find many characters parading around the Square looking for tips if you want your picture taken with them.The "Naked Cowboy" - who is not actually naked - is a fixture in Times Square. Two women in our bus group got pictures with him - lucky ladies. You will also find Elmo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Statue of Liberty, Batman and Spiderman. All in all - a crazy place!

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Favorite thing: To all who gave advice, thank you !! We have returned after having a fabulous visit to a most magical city. All of your advice was taken and utilized accordingly. Thank you, Thank you!

1. "Taxi" from LGA to Manhatten/Times Square!! No question.....

2. For those who need cushion on their feet - tennis shoes you would enjoy! NO Flip Flops...in the Fall. Too much construction and the trash bags do sit on the sidewalks for pick up... Just saying... (like the movies)

3. Take the tours in early morning! (we did and then saw the lines scheduled for 1pm tours... Yikes!)

4. People ARE friendly.

5. Must see a Broadway show and/or Musical. "Wicked" was phenominal... Puts a new twist on The Wizard of Oz.

6. Always check with folks on "Virtual Tourist" to get it straight!!

Thanks again....

Fondest memory: The Best Italian Atmosphere, Food and Personal Touch Restaurant in Manhatten:

** Da Marino Ristorante Italiano Wine Bar ** on the sidewalk just down from Crowne Plaza.

You don't have to be "all" dressed up.... sassy casual (and some did wear blue jeans)... So relaxing but upbeat Piano Bar... Fan Dang Tastic!! You will NOT be disappointed....

I now miss the Hustle Bustle of the big city... Horns honking, taxi's screeching and people scurring... Enjoyed every moment...

Favorite thing: you can get a metro pass for 7-14 days unlimited use on buses and subway you get it from machines in the subway the only place it is no good is the air train too and from the airport that cost $5.00 but you can get the subway to the air train by useing the card we just left new york the other day it is a great pass we used it so much we were there for 10 days. be carefull of anybody offering free cd's in time square they come up to you saying they are just getting there music out for people to hear and they are from the bronx when they get the cd in your hand there is another 2 up to 5 others pushed cd in your hand they all tell the same type of story then they sign the cover asking your name and then they ask for a donation whatever your want to give but whatever you give one the others then start asking for there money

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Favorite thing: Times Square is a symbol for the vibrancy of Manhattan. With 27,000 residents and an estimated 26 million annual visitors each year, Times Square has changed a lot since it's inauguration 100 years ago. The theaters of Broadway and the huge number of gaudy animated neon and television-style signage have long made it one of New York's iconic images, and a symbol of the intensely urban aspects of Manhattan.

Fondest memory: Times Square is the only neighborhood with a zoning ordinance requiring tenants to display bright signs. One notable example is the NASDAQ sign which cost $37 million to build. The sign is 120 feet high and is the largest LED display in the world. NASDAQ pays over $2 million a year to lease the space for this sign. This is actually considered a good deal in advertising as the number of "impressions" the sign makes far exceeds those generated by other ad forms.

Directions: 42nd Street, Brodway & 7th avenue
Website: http://timessquare.com/

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Favorite thing: As in most cities, there is a lot of advertising in New York City. But in the Times Square area it is incredible!

Huge billboards for all the well-known brands of the world, with giant friezes and models protruding from them.

I particularly enjoyed the art deco type theatre billboards in theatre land. Huge, glitzy and in your face – that’s the game here!

The colours and typography and pizzazz just hit you from all sides, you don’t know quite where to look.

It’s quite spectacular!

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Favorite thing: For many tourists, Time Square, where 42nd Street meets Broadway, is the heart of New York City. For certain, there seems to be more tourists here than in any other part of the city as it is the centre of the Theatre District. I have never been overly impressed by Time Square but I still recommend that you stroll through. It is probably the best place in New York to people watch.
When I first visited New York in 1989, Time Square was evolving into a more family friendly environment. 42nd Street was still saturated with porno shops and looking very much like it does in "Taxi Driver". Today this has changed immensely. The street is lines with family oriented entertainment and theatres and ones grandmother walk down here. On Times Square itself there is all the usual chain stores from Disney to Virgin Records. These are never a draw for me but others might be thrilled. On the south side of the Square is the Times Tower, where the New York Times once had its headquarters hence the squares name. This tower is not much to look at but the famous digital headline new ticker and the huge advertisements. Still it a major symbol of New York.

Favorite thing: I love everything about Manhattan! It's sort of like being in Rome: millions of people, crazy traffic, and too much to see! One of the cool things was Times Square and all of those huge advertising boards and video signs--won't find any of those in Rhode Island :o) That's a pic of Times Square.

Fondest memory: Seeing the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue--then I REALLY know I'm in NYC.

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Favorite thing: Times Square at night draws people from everywhere, most nationalities would be present each evening. The abundance of colourful neon lights injects sparkle into the district and everyone is there for a good time.

The New York Police department have a strong contingent on duty, both men and women officers and the few times we visited Times Square during our short stay we felt safe and secure.

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Favorite thing: What's amazing about NYC [New York City] - is that one can expect to see the unthinkable at anytime !! One will never get bored. This really amazes me.

The picture on the left, taken on 42nd Street (Times Square) in 2003, shows a funny one-man-only costume. At first sight it looks like a two-men costume. But it is not. It's one-man only !!. Creativity is always all over the place. One will NEVER get bored just by walking by in New York. Fabulous.

Favorite thing: Just absorb being there in one of NYC's biggest areas. Make sure, if you can, to catch a Broadway show. I didn't all the times I've been there, which is unfortunate, but either my time was limited or no money.

Fondest memory: Seeing all the advertising signs in Times Square.