Remove Ads
4.5
31,749 votes

Times Square

1560 Broadway @ The Crossroads of the World, New York, New York 10036 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Thu 12a-11:59p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • No Public
    Restrooms
Add to Trip

Iconic Attraction

Our Take

Whether you consider it the "crossroads of the world" or a dystopian hellscape, there's no denying that Times Square is an icon. While it's most famous for the New Years' ball drop, this plaza is bustling with activity pretty much 24/7. Even if you skip the chain restaurants, souvenir shops, and tourist attractions, it's still fun to grab a snack from a street vendor and enjoy the people-watching.

Remove Ads

“"the Crossroads of the World"”

Times Square is a major commercial intersection and a neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, at the junction of Broadway (now converted into a pedestrian plaza) and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. Times Square – iconified as "The Crossroads of the World", "The Center of the Universe", and the "The Great White Way" – is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway Theater District,[13] one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry. According to Travel + Leisure magazine's October 2011 survey, Times Square is the world's most visited tourist attraction, hosting over 39 million visitors annually. Approximately a third of a million people pass through Times Square daily, many of whom are either tourists or people working in the area. Formerly Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in April 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly erected Times Building – now called One Times Square – site of the annual ball drop on New Year's Eve. The northern triangle of Times Square is technically Duffy Square, dedicated in 1937 to Chaplain Francis P. Duffy of New York City's "Fighting 69th" Infantry Regiment; a memorial to Duffy is located there, along with a statue of George M. Cohan, and the TKTS discount theater tickets booth. The stepped red roof of the TKTS booth also provides seating for various events. The Duffy Statue and the square were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Read More >
Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
David Stacy

  • 134 Reviews
  • 100 Helpful
July 10, 2014
Rated 3.0

This is the heart of NYC. Pretty much everything you probably like or don't like about New York is condensed into these few blocks. I was here in the late eighties, and it's much, much better now.

Protip: Starbucks is probably the only place with decent restrooms.

7 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Ken Valuska

  • Expert
  • 594 Reviews
  • 177 Helpful
July 10, 2014
Rated 4.0

Yes, it is busy, and yes, it is aimed solely at pleasing tourists, but IF you are one of those tourists that have never been to NYC, this should be one of (if not the) first place you go. In the heart of Manhattan, it will feel more like NYC (or at least how you pictured NYC would feel) than anywhere else in the city. If you've seen it once, though, there isn't too much of a need to go back regularly.

4 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Erica Griffith

  • 92 Reviews
  • 106 Helpful
July 14, 2014
Rated 3.0

I've been here many times for differing purposes and at different ages. As a kid it's incredible because there are usually mascots walking around (I met a giant Elmo and Spiderman). It's pretty annoying if you're in a large group because inevitably someone will get separated. It's just as busy in December as it is in July. Really crowded but you'll get all your famous "I'm in Times Square" pictures in. It's much more magical at night.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
July 27, 2014
Rated 5.0

Just visited this weekend and I gotta say, hate the crowds, but love the weird people-watching. Also there's like loads of photo ops .

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Luke The Drifter

  • Road Warrior
  • 142 Reviews
  • 69 Helpful
July 14, 2014
Rated 3.0

this place is pretty much a cluster of chaos... I really didn't find it too thrilling... but if you like looking at people and over paying for pizza then you should definitely make the trip

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Stephen Rees

  • Road Warrior
  • 273 Reviews
  • 331 Helpful
July 13, 2014
Rated 3.0

Even as a tourist Times Square is a sensory overload. I think that everybody should go to Times Square just to see it and truly understand what it's all about, right down to how horrible it can be to try and walk against the flow of pedestrians clamoring to get into the M&M store. You can also play a game I like to call "Imagine what Times Square was like before Giuliani turned it into Disneyworld."

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Amanda

  • 4 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
July 13, 2014
Rated

While Times Square is about as stereotypical as you can get for a tourist spot in New York, what makes it worth at least one visit is the atmosphere. When you're there, you really get the feeling that you're in a metropolis that's unmatched anywhere else in the U.S.

1 person found this review helpful
  • Foodie
  • 242 Reviews
  • 216 Helpful
July 13, 2014
Rated 5.0

I love Times Square. If you're an introvert, it may not be your thing. You will SWIM through people at any time of day. Night is the best because of all the lights. I don't think Times Square needs much time investment, but you should check it out no matter what if you're in NYC. Even if it's a drive by sighting.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Austin Coop

  • 485 Reviews
  • 505 Helpful
July 12, 2014
Rated 3.0

Ok, first trip to NYC? You have to go here, but other than that you can keep it. I didn't visit NYC to eat at some chain restaurant. The action and fun surround the area is cool, but don't try to eat, shop, etc. down here. Go out into the city and really experience NYC!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Dave Doster

  • 133 Reviews
  • 124 Helpful
July 11, 2014
Rated 3.0

If you've considered going for the New Year's Eve Ball drop, much advanced planning is required. You won't even get close if you don't go get there by at least mid-afternoon on Dec 31. Prepare your body. There is no "spot saving". If you need to hit a bathroom, or go eat, your night is over, my friend. No returns. See ya!

Do I even need to say be prepared for bad weather? Do I?

1 person found this review helpful

Be the first to add a review to the Times Square.

Times Square

1560 Broadway @ The Crossroads of the World
New York, New York
10036 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Has RV parking changed? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Unavailable
    Restrooms
  • Unavailable
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
  • Check
    Outdoor Seating
See More Details (7)

Dining

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

New York, New York
White Plains, New York
New York
New York, New York
Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on an I-95 road trip

  • 50 Places
  • 41:46
  • 1,983 mi
  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on a U.S. Route 20 road trip

  • 23 Places
  • 60:25
  • 3,576 mi
  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on an East Coast road trip

  • 32 Places
  • 48:54
  • 2,584 mi
  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on an I-80 road trip

  • 35 Places
  • 53:41
  • 3,194 mi
Remove Ads
85163