Times Square and the Theater District in Manhattan
Times Square is the heart of Manhattan, and accordingly the heart of New York and beyond that – the peak of all of America. This iconic square, named after the famous New York newspaper, is the meeting place of Seventh Avenue and Broadway. In and around the square, dozens of theaters highlight Broadway's status as the central entertainment hub of New York City.
- The area near Times Square is called the Theater District, and every evening the neon-lit square floods with thousands of tourists and visitors heading to the theaters and swarming the bustling square's shops, chains, and restaurants.
- Around the square, you'll find iconic skyscrapers, massive hotels, and important New York attractions, with the city library leading to the charming Bryant Park at its back.
- Times Square is alive and buzzing 24/7, and it's the most dazzling symbol of the city that never stops.
When to visit Times Square?
Times Square is bustling and buzzing almost all day long. Evening hours are the most exciting because of the neon lights and the crowd. The morning and afternoon are great as well.
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How to get to Times Square?
You can get to Times Square via several subway lines: the yellow line (R, N, and Q), the red line (1, 2, and 3), the purple line (7) from Queens, and the S line from Grand Central.
6 must-do things at Times Square and its surroundings
- Cross the neon-lit square as evening falls.
- Shoppin' – A large square with many famous stores, including shops just for kids
- A show or musical at one of the prominent theaters on the square
- Step through the neo-classical gate of the city library
- A sandwich and coffee at Bryant Park
- Snap a photo with the celebs at the wax museum
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Map of Times Square in Manhattan
Times Square
- Times Square is located at the strategic intersection of Seventh Avenue and Broadway. This iconic square is the heart of New York, both in location and vibe
- The square named after the Times newspaper's office building directs the streets of the theater district and is surrounded by a massive number of entertainment venues
- Times Square is famous for the neon signs that started as newspaper advertisements on the building and evolved into a crazy local icon
- The square is mainly active in the evening, when the neon lights create a particularly colorful celebration of light beams together with the smells of the restaurants and the hustle of people and cars. The multi-sensory assault that is Times Square is a dynamic and dizzying experience, symbolizing the power of the gigantic city
- Times Square began to evolve as an entertainment place in the early 20th century with the opening of the Victoria and Republic theaters by theater mogul Oscar Hammerstein
- Very quickly the square deteriorated, and the New York gentry practically skipped it when heading to the new theaters that opened nearby
- Before the major changes by the legendary Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the square was the heart of New York's decadence, filled with crime, drugs, strip clubs, and prostitution. In the 90s, when the mayor placed a cop on every corner, the square was cleaned of its ills (and some say its charm) and became a prime tourist destination in Manhattan.
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What's in Times Square?
The square consists of two triangles formed by the Broadway path intersecting the avenue with a northwest inclination. In the northern part of the square, in what is called Father Duffy Square, stands the statue of playwright and actor George M. Cohan. The statue is close to the popular TKTS booth, where you can buy discounted Broadway show tickets for the same day.
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Around the square, there are quite a few towers and important buildings, including MTV Studios where they broadcast live and film the plaza below, the legendary Sardi's Restaurant, the immense Westin Hotel, the Paramount Hotel, and several large theaters including the Lyceum and the Minskoff. Another icon of the square is the ticker on the front of the Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters building, showing the latest New York Stock Exchange data.
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3 Unique Stores for Kids in Times Square – Toys and Chocolate Brands
The bustling square is now a fun spot for the whole family. The flagship stores special for kids in the square are:
- Disney Store flagship, located at – Broadway, 1540, New York
- M&M'S New York Store of the famous chocolate candy brand located at – Broadway, 1600, New York
- Hershey's Chocolate World Store – located at Times Square, 20, 7th Ave, New York
Paramount Building
One of the oldest and most beautiful skyscrapers along the square is the former building of Paramount Pictures. This building from 1927 is recognized for its tall section made of stepped designs in Art Deco style culminating in an onion dome at its peak. Today, the lower part of the building houses one of the flagship branches of the Hard Rock Cafe chain.
Address: 1501 Broadway
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Madame Tussauds Wax Museum New York
This museum of the British network is located just a half-minute walk from the southern part of Times Square. The museum features all the standard exhibits of wax figures with an emphasis on American icons, both contemporary and those no longer with us. The museum is a popular tourist site, especially for visitors who want to experience the city's glamour in the most immediate way.
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Address: W 42nd St. 234, New York, NY 10036
New Amsterdam Theatre
The New Amsterdam, as the city's original name, is a particularly vintage Broadway theater that opened in 1903. The theater was one of the most glittering symbols of New York's theater industry. The theater is located a bit south of Times Square in a narrow and tall building that resembles a European tower. The theater's interior is built in a particularly prominent and impressive Art Nouveau style.
Address: W 42nd St. 214, New York, NY 10036
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Shubert Alley
The alley behind the Minskoff Theatre, west of Times Square between 44th and 45th streets, is probably the ground zero of Broadway and the New York theater scene. The New York theater world grew in this alley with the Booth Theatre and the Shubert Theatre. Nearby, you'll find plenty of active theaters like the Broadhurst, St. James, The Hayes Theater, Gerald Schoenfeld Theater, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, the Majestic, and more. On the other side of the square to the east, there's also the Lyceum Theatre, the oldest theater on Broadway.
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Bryant Park
Just east of Times Square, you'll find a small central park behind the New York Public Library. Its prime location right in the heart of Manhattan has made it one of the most beloved spots for locals and a venue for various fairs, fashion shows, and plenty of film and TV shoots.
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The New York Public Library – Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
The New York Public Library is one of Manhattan’s most spectacular and well-known buildings. With its iconic neoclassical facade, the structure was built at the start of the 20th century. At the library entrance are classical columns, Greek-style statues in Renaissance niches with Corinthian capitals, and the famous lion statues. The main reading room is a vast area and an architectural marvel with plenty of light streaming in from outside, illuminating the library's millions of books and periodicals.
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