 why do people think this is attractive? by jancola | Times Square tips and photos posted by real travelers and New York City locals. • 43 Photos
• 55 Reviews
See all New York City Tourist Traps |
 | New York City Times Square Reviews | 1 - 10 of 55 |  |
This is such a huge tourist trap. This is one of those things that gets huge tv coverage but I honestly would never participate in. I have been lucky enough to see it and experience it without being in it.
They cattle pen you in. Its only half way across the street. And you can NOT leave once you're there. So you are standing there with no food drinks or packs and no bathroom for around 9 hours. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting New York City?
Read reviews about New York City Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 by shutterlust
If you must go to Times Square, at LEAST check out the Howard Johnson diner and/or Ruby Foo's (Best Sushi Ever. Period.) Keep away from all other restaurants in that area. They are RIDICULOUSLY over-priced and the food is terrible! You're better off heading downtown for an excellent and more reasonably priced cuisine.
SoHo, TriBeCa, Alphabet City, Lower East Side, the Village, Greenwich, Chinatown, and Little Italy. Must, must, MUST visit at some point. Leave a Comment
|
 The Woman... by GoodGirl16
DON'T go to the Hard Rock Cafe....go to St Marx Street!!! They have the most "interesting" shops and the book store there is one of my favorites in the City. They have the most off beat things and I took my friend from Norway to a little video store where they have movies that aren't mainstream and the store is in such a secretive place that he thought i was taking him to an underground strip club. lol yea he wishes! But if you like strip clubs...lol jk jk
Ground Zero isn't all that fascinating really. It doesn't even look like two massive building were standing there and its taped off so you can't even see anything worth while. The Statue of Liberty is really cool i think. Just the ferry ride over i enjoy and it's something everyone will like. Not to mention the island it's standing on is well landscaped with trees and flowers and the liking of that. Ellis Island is cool, but haughtly and a little depressing. It feels more like a prison then an anything but it's a very cool day trip. I suppose it's like the Tower of London but in New York and without all the beheadings! Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
So many first time visitors to New York make plans to visit Times Square almost as soon as they unpack their suitcases. My question is why? These days it really has very little to recommend it. The restaurants are designed to pull in the tourists to eat lacklustre food at inflated prices in what are often franchise operations (TGI Fridays, Olive Garden, Applebees etc.). Why visit New York with its wealth of unique eateries and end up in a McDonalds?
The stores are also making the most of their location. The electronics shops are notorious for ripping off tourists - attractive signs in the windows belie the fact that the goods on sale are often old stock, grey imports or highly overpriced. If you want good advice and discount prices, go to J&R (http://www.jr.com/) or B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) both of which offer excellent service.
So what do you get to see? Well, IMO, a lot of other tourists milling about wondering what on earth all the fuss is about! Some of the longest lines are at the hop on, hop off bus stops where masses of sight seers are trying to get back on the bus and out of there! It's almost impossible to walk down the street for the numbers of people there, the effect at night is not much better - the lights are garish and overpowering and the crowds are still there! The one thing you won't see is local people - very sensibly, they avoid this place like the plague!
Before I start sounding too curmudgeonly, there are at least three things to do that could make a visit to Times Square worthwhile:
1) Put your name up in lights at Hershey's. We did this for my son on his 21st Birthday. While my wife and daughter kept him occupied, I went into Hershey's, paid my $4.95 and, within 5 minutes, a happy birthday message to him was up in Times Square for all to see. The effect on him was magical!
2) The webcam outside of TGI Friday's. I know, very touristy but a lovely way to keep in touch with someone you've left at home! Make sure you take your mobile phone with you then call them and tell them to log on to: http://www.camvista.com/usa/ec/newyork.php3 where they'll be able to see you waving at them!
3) Not all the restaurants in the vicinity are parts of a chain. We were taken to the Mont Blanc (http://www.montblancrestaurant.com/) at 315 W 48th Street and had a wondeful "Business Lunch" for $16.50 in their lovely garden. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 If this looks unfamiliar,
from what planet are you by Christophe_Ons,
4 more photos
So, you unpacked the bags at the hotel and head out to the city to be dazzled by some amazing Manhattan sights... Well, especially around dusk, Times Square is a good place to start... once.
You won't need to activate the flash of your camera, it's like friggin' daylight at midnight. The billboards and signs are very impressive for sure, but it's also a noisy, smelly and terribly crowded area. Some of the stores there, like Swatch wristwatches, are kind of fun to walk into because of the wild, whacky displays, but it soon gets tiresome.
There are lots of souvenir shops where you'll pay way too much for (often cheesy) gifts. You can do better by getting away from this place and shopping elsewhere - even if it's souvenirs from the "cheese variety" you're after for relatives/friends who dig that sort of stuff... I bought a pretty nice looking, detailed 15 inch Statue of Liberty figurine for my grandmother - she just loves things like that - just a block or five south of Times Square, and at $ 9.99 it actually cost LESS than the tiny, tacky, plastic looking ones they sell in T.S. The same goes for "restaurants" - a general rule is not to blow your money there because it's very unlikely you'll get good food and service at a decent price. There are always exceptions but this place generally is for tourists with lots of cash and little time. And don't even think about going into the electronics shops.
More :
-Feel free to check out my "must see activities"-entry for Times Square, "The Rejuvenated Light Show District".
Take the damn pictures so you can say "been there, done that" and then get outta there ;)
It's not an alternative but the "virtual" version : webcams on Times Square :
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/
http://nyctmc.org/xmanhattan.asp Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting New York City?
Read reviews about New York City Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
I am not a native New Yorker. I live here now, but you apparently don't become a New Yorker until you live here for like 3 or 4 years. So I think that I can relate quite well to the visitor/tourist mentality in New York - and I have to say, I can't grasp why you'd want to stay in Times Square, eat in Times Square, or do anything for a prolonged period in Times Square. It's thoroughly unpleasant during the day. It's dirty, the stores are chock full of cheap tourist ripoff stuff, and you don't even get a really good view of what Times Square does have to offer. If I were visiting New York, I would stay on Central Park South, in the West Village or Chelsea, or on the Upper West Side. I'm telling you, these areas are so much more pleasant, reflect the true character of New York, and are all well-connected via subway to get you anywhere you want to go.
I DO think that Times Square should be seen at night, when the signs are lit up. It's a one of a kind experience. That's why I say above that TS should be seen for an hour. Ogle the lights, walk around a little bit, then leave.
For eye candy that is different from TS but equally cool, check out the very trendy new meatpacking district, which is teeming with expensive restaurants almost impossible to get into, funky galleries, boutique designers, and a new funky hotel, Hotel Gansevoort. It's just fun to walk around there, I think - but not in stilletto heels, as it's all cobblestoned.
A big tip: Pastis, the very popular French bistro in the Meatpacking district is relatively easy to get into for a 10pm dessert. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 by TempNomad
Be polite and assertive. Leave a Comment
|
I'll try to bottle the acid ...
keep in mind I'm a typical male and hate shopping ...
I'm just curious, but isn't most of Manhattan squeeky-clean enough these days without getting to the point of nausea?
Times Square nearly made me puke.
When it came to cleaning up crime
(something that was needed) Rudy went through this town with a chainsaw.
And though I'm sure you can still find streetcrime in Manhattan (if you look hard enough), I felt like I would have to pay somebody to mug me;
and even then they would be in a hurry & likely do a lousy job of it ..
(NYPD might have the statistics to disprove some of that...)
The old '70s / '80s hangout of ' muggers & hookers & pimps: oh MY!! ' -
is now Disneyland.
Thanks Mr. Warner; thanks Mr Disney; Merci Mr Peanut....
Each to his own: if you think Times Square is great, good for you.
You'll love the Moulin Rouge in Paris too.
See if anybody good is playing at BBKing's Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Approaching Times Square by eleanorbueza
Check out the Naked Cowboy. He plays his guitar wearing a cowboy hat, tiny briefs and a pair of white cowboy boots. He is claimed by locals to bring in up to $1,500 per day from tourists. Leave a Comment
|
Times Square....the lights, the sights, the allure. Sure its the center of New York (and some might say the center of it all) but it is one of the largest tourist traps on the list! I worked in Times Square for 2 years and let me tell you that even at 9 AM there are tons of tourists mulling around looking at the sights. Yes, everyone should visit it but there is just so much going on that it can be a nightmare. The worse times to visit is during the mid day (especially on Matinee Wednesday!) when everyone is exploring and at night between 6 - 8 and then from 10 - 11 PM. Why is that? Because that is the times when the pre and post crowds from the countless plays in the area are wandering about.
And one thing that I seriously tell everyone is do not shop in the stores around the area that are selling cameras and photo equipment. Most of these places are not legit and you will wind up spending much more than what the times really do cost. If you need stuff like that check out B&H Photo (see my review under Shopping)
If you are going to visit (which I think everyone should) then you should definitely check it out at night. There is nothing like seeing all the lights at their brightest. If you want a good view check out the bar located in the Marriott Marquis which is on the 12th Floor and over looks Times Square. Also, do catch a play. If you are going to be in town on a certain night book tickets in advance from Teletron and not from a third party broker who will charges you three times as much as the ticket is worth. Or you can also check out the box office of the theatre to see if they have anything available. Also if you don't mind waiting on line and aren't picky about what you want to see try the TKTS booth in the middle of Times Square. You can get seats that are 50% the value for the same day performances.
Well, crowds not your style? There are other places to visit that might be less (but not by much) crowded. Check out Rockefeller Center which is a few blocks from Times Square and is pretty neat too. Or do something that more locals do and visit the village. It will have lots of "colorful" people for you to be entertained by and tons of cute shops and nice (and much more affordable) places to eat and drink. Also, if you are in the mood for a play, there are many lower budget off - off - Broadway plays that can be seen downtown. Want to see some real animals while you?re here? Take a trip to the Bronx zoo, which is part of Wildlife Conservation Society. The Bronx Zoo is one of the largest in the United States and is the flagship of the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is a must see if you are an animal love...Don?t want to travel outside of Manhattan? You can always check out the Central Park Zoo which is nice but much smaller. It is also run by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
|
| | |
More New York City Tips Overview
| Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,449 - Photos: 985 | Things To Do
Tips: 6,286 - Photos: 8,895 | Nightlife
Tips: 1,019 - Photos: 759 | Transportation
Tips: 1,208 - Photos: 889 | Restaurants
Tips: 3,061 - Photos: 2,389 | Shopping
Tips: 850 - Photos: 621 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,167 - Photos: 1,257 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 392 - Photos: 201 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 491 - Photos: 269 | Local Customs
Tips: 518 - Photos: 415 | Packing Lists
Tips: 222 - Photos: 98 | Sports Travel
Tips: 179 - Photos: 205 | General Tips
Tips: 1,725 - Photos: 1,539 | Flights
Tips: 81 - Photos: 0 |
 |
|
- Omni Berkshire Hotel
21 E 52nd St at Madison Ave, New York City, NY - Carnegie Hotel
299 West 58th Street, New York City, NY - The Kimberly Hotel
145 East 50th Street, New York City, NY - Marriott New York City Financial Center
85 West Street, New York City, NY - Four Seasons New York
57 East 57th Street, New York City, NY - 6 Columbus New York
6 Columbus Circle, New York City, NY - Da Vinci Hotel
244 West 56th Street, New York City, NY - Towers At The New Yorker
485 8th Avenue, New York City, NY - Murray Hill East Suites (149 East 39TH Street.)
149 East 39th Street, New York City, NY - Warwick New York
65 West 54th Street At Sixth Avenue, New York City, NY - Thirty Thirty Hotel New York
30 East 30th Street, New York City, NY - Morgans - Morgans Hotel Group
237 Madison Ave, New York City, NY - Hudson, An Ian Schrager Hotel
356 West 58th Street, New York City, NY - Off Soho Suites Hotel
11 Rivington Street, New York City, NY - Club Quarters Rockefeller Center
25 W 51st St off 5 th Ave opposite Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY
|
