| Times Square tips and photos posted by real travelers and New York City locals. • 417 Photos • 295 Reviews See all New York City Things To Do |  | New York City Times Square Reviews | 1 - 10 of 295 |  | Despite its name this is not actually a square, but rather two triangles, the upper one inverted so that they meet point to point. This odd shape is formed by errant Broadway, which here crosses Seventh Avenue at a diagonal. In fact, the northern triangle is more properly called Duffy Square, but everyone appears to refer to the whole of this space as Times Square. Whether you come by day, as we did, or by night, Times Square is ablaze with neon and to me seems a little incongruous and out of keeping with the rest of the city. It’s cleaned up its act in recent years and is no longer considered unsafe, although as in any crowded area you should keep an eye open for pickpockets. Despite this clean up however, it’s still a bit scruffy and somewhat tacky. Nevertheless, somehow you have to see it! A quick look at the history of Times Square will tell you that it has often something of a dubious reputation. At the end of the 19th century it was still known by its original name of Longacre Square, and was the haunt of prostitutes and petty thieves. The arrival of several theatres in the district and the renaming of the square (prompted by the New York Times, which had opened a new headquarters here) stimulated a revival and for a while this became the entertainment centre of the city. It was at this time that the New Year’s Eve tradition of the famous ball drop ceremony, which sees thousands of people congregate here and millions watching on TV, started. But with the Great Depression the theatres began to close. Many became cinemas, but this didn’t prevent the area declining again into a crime and vice hotspot. By the 1960s this was almost a no-go area, unless you were interested in frequenting the live nude shows, erotic bookstores, and X-rated movie houses that surrounded the square. Crime rocketed, and by the time of our previous visit in 1982 we were being warned to be very careful around here and not to linger – I remember standing briefly on a street corner to take a couple of photos before hurriedly tucking the cameras out of sight and heading back to “safety”. It was in the 1980s however that Times Square began again to clean up its act, and today as I said it is considered as safe as anywhere else in midtown Manhattan. Part of the change is what has been called the “Disneyfication” of Times Square. Today you can shop in a Toys R Us or at the giant M & Ms store before taking in a matinee of Disney's The Lion King. Opinion is split as to whether or not this is a good thing, but what is certain is that the area is now a popular draw for tourists and out-of-towners, as well as New Yorkers heading for a show, and as such can again consider itself as the heart of New York’s Theatre District. Address: Junction of 42nd St, Broadway & 7th AveDirections: Nearest subway is 42nd Street / Times Square, where numerous lines stop. Seven bus routes also pass through this area.Website: http://timessquare.com/
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Times Square had lost its reputation as a place to find drugs and loose women (and men) long ago. For a decade now, it is no longer a dangerous-to-your-life neighbourhood in a badder-than-bad city. Under the combined force of BID (Times Square Business Improvement District) and Rudolph Giuliani’s tough love regime, Times Square has become one of the brightest and safest areas in NYC. This is the home of Good Morning America, Toys "R" Us, Virgin Records, NASDAQ, Condé Nast, Ernst and Young, Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, MTV, The New York Times, Reuters, Viacom, etc. This is now a family playground instead of a sin corner of the world. Come to Times Square and spend money. Come to Times Square and gawk at the light, the height, and the signs. Come to Times Square and join the Armed Forces. Everyone is at Times Square, everything is clean, every light is on, and y'all will feel at home and safe. Leave a Comment Address: Broadway at 42nd St.Directions: Take the S from Grand Central to 42nd St/Times Square.
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Times Square, the heart of the Theatre District and named after the headquarters of the New York Times newspaper, has seen mostly middle- and low-brow entertainment for the last century. It's one of those places you "must" see because it's, well, sort of unique and visually exciting, but not so much because of what you can actually see, do or experience there - other than gazing at the light show and snapping some colorful pictures. It's terribly crowded - tourists flock in herds and it actually feels very "un-New York" once you've seen (and familiarized with) other parts of the city. Other than the theaters in the area, Times Square feels kind of junky with all of its fast food places, cafés, shops that sell tourist kitsch and branches of stores like Disney Store and Virgin Megastore. Most of it is bloody expensive, too. Neon billboards have been here since the 20's. After a long period of decline starting during the Depression, during which Times Square was a scene of sex shops, drug dealers and prostitution, "rejuvenation" (read : "Disney-fication") of the district began in the 1990's, with many themed stores and -restaurants, and, on the plus side, improved safety. You'll see plenty of police on patrol here so it's much safer than before - crime stats continue to drop considerably. Still, be aware of your surroundings when you take a stroll here, and mind your personal belongings. More : -feel free to check my "tourist trap" entry for Times Square, "prepare to be disNYfied - resistance is futile" which has links to live webcams on Times Square, as well. Leave a Comment
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Times Square does have "tourist trap" written all over it, but it is a must-see at least once, to take in all it's neon glory at night. Times Square has been the heart of the theatre district since 1899, but started a decline in the 1930's as many sex shows started taking over the old theatres. Rejuvination started in the 1990's, and when we visited late one night, was extremely safe, if not for the crowds, for the many police officers on duty. Leave a Comment Directions: W 42 St. to W 48 St., along Broadway and 7 Ave.
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Situated on Times Square is the Times Square Information Centre which is in a restored theatre which was originally called the Embassy Movie Theatre. From here you can get information, free maps, postcards, buy theatre tickets, you can even go on a free walking tour with a guide pointing out things that you may otherwise not know about. These tours are every Friday at 12pm. The information centre is open everyday from 8am -8pm. Leave a Comment Directions: 42nd Street, Broadway & 7th avenue
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We had saved this place for last as we both thought that at night time it would look a lot more impressive with all the lights, and boy were we right! It was incredible! Again, like the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero, we both thought it would be a lot larger, but maybe we've just got it stuck in our heads that EVERYTHING in the States is HUGE!!!! Apart from the size though, it was the noise...it was like Leicester Square times one million....!Lights so bright you thought you were walking there during the daytime, noise from different radio stations and news corporations blaring out of the speakers, people EVERYWHERE and of course the NYPD! We found that there was a large force of them dotted all around the city, and I dont know if this is helping crime come down, or if they are there because crime is up?! The amount of photos we took was incredible, and I dont know if they came out well or not as I havent checked them yet, but the place was staggeringly amazing! I dont know if the locals go there at all, but there were so many people and it was so exciting. It also started to snow a little bit which was perfect for me as I always think about being in New York in the winter when its snowing!Unfortunately it was bitterly cold and I had to go on a hand drier search pretty quick! There are all kinds of shops round there all mainly geared towards the tourist mind you, but aside from those, there was a Virgin Megastore and several comedy clubs and of course the broadway theatres. There's a 'tkts' booth which Im sure you've all heard about where you can buy your tickets to go see shows at a reduced price. I didnt go to see a show but I did pass by the 'tkts' booth and saw that most shows had a 35%-50% reduction on them, so it is well worth going there to have a look. Leave a Comment Directions: 42nd Street, Broadway & 7th avenue
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What a difference Times Square has become compared to it’s once seeded past. It was once considered the place you never wanted to venture down to because of the very high crime and pornographic shops. Times Square got it name by the New York Times building that graces the area in 1904. It is during this same year that it started to become tradition for fellow New Yorkers to gather and celebrate New Years Eve. Yet as years past, it has become a very wealthy place for businesses and people to be. Times Square gets 26 million annual visitors each year and has 27,000 residents that live there all ready. Wow, is the first word out of my mouth when we made our trek onto the streets from the coach bus. I have to admit it was sensory overload with all the people, lights, traffic, noise, and all those tacky billboards were just amazing……..lol! Visit: New York City Leave a Comment Phone: http://www.timessquare.comDirections: 42nd Street, Brodway & 7th avenueWebsite: http://www.nyc.com
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Another "known from the TV"-image: Times Square. During daytime, it's not that spectacular, so go once the darkness set in. I was there several times and during the weekend it is indeed way too crowded, but on a Monday evening, it was ok. You just can't help but staring at the lights, video clips, publicity, ... passing by. Leave a Comment Directions: 42nd Street, Brodway & 7th avenue
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Many trains (Q, W, R, N, 1, 2, 3, 7) go to 42nd St Times Square which is where the action happens. Times Square is one of the biggest tourist traps of all Manhattan but it’s a must see. As a local, I still enjoy going to Times Square because the lights and the atmosphere is thrilling. Around Times Square you can visit a Broadway show, go to one of the thousand restaurants, ESPN zone, street performers, museums.. so many things that you can spend an entire day just in Times Square. Walking around on the streets in Times Square can be hard because of the million other people that are going to the same spot. Be careful and watch your belongings since there are people that are looking for the ones that have open pockets, loose bags, and so on. If you have, give a street performer your loose change because most of them are amazing at what they do. Be smart and enjoy your self :) Address: 42nd Street, Brodway & 7th avenueDirections: Train: Q, W, R, N, 1, 2, 3, 7 (don’t get confused with 42nd street Grand Central stop -both are called 42nd Street).
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Not sure if anyone really knows who he is, but I have seen this gentleman on TV quite a number of times. He is not actually naked, but is cladely dress with his logo on his behind and dressed in his cowboy hat, boots and guitar.....lol! I must say he did attract a lot of ladies to have their picture taken right smack in the middle of Times Square. I found a site that belongs to him, very interesting...lol! You go cowboy! Leave a Comment
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