The quintessential New York spot. Don't be intimidated by the crowd(s) and make a point to get here if you visit New York. There's nothing quite like it. Take a walk around and enjoy the sight, and as long as you don't take any pictures with the costumed people, you'll have a great time. TV just doesn't do it justice; seeing and experiencing it in person is a whole other animal. Now having said all that, it's also not a place I like to linger at, as it does get hectic and there are other, more worthwhile experiences to get to when you're in the area. read more

No matter how often I go to Times Square, I'm always giddy and gleeful about the nostalgia it brings from childhood to the present moment. Every time!! Without fail. I may be born and bred "next door", across the bridge in Jersey... but, THEE city, NYC is my second home, forever and always. It's fascinating to know the history of 42nd street. How it once was a bit seedy and not the best or safest attraction for tourists or everyday goers. It has changed over the decades, for the better, in my opinion. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - The red stairs at Times Square are a great place to observe city life from a slightly elevated perspective. They offer a fantastic view of the lights, screens, and endless of people. The atmosphere is energetic, lively, and very typical of New York. It's an ideal place to sit for a moment and absorb the city's unique vibe. It's always crowded, and it's fun to watch street performers and everything happening around. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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A New York classic! It doesn't matter how many times you come here, it's always busy and amazing at the same time. I normally avoid this area at night and around the holiday season. However, it is lively and has so much to offer for New Yorkers and tourist alike read more

If you're a tourist, go and see Times Square (and then leave for better places.) On the other hand if your profile lists you're from NYC or the various boroughs and you rated this place a 5 or 4, I'm 90% sure you're a transplant (and this is coming from an NJ transplant.) The best thing about Times Square is that the large dirty subway complex goes underneath it so you don't need to deal with it. The other best thing is that tourists pay a lot of money to do stuff here which helps with city revenue. The other best thing is, of course, the various Broadway shows. For the bad, the crowds are terrible in case you're trying to walk anywhere. All the restaurants are either chains, are overpriced, or they suck (or a combination of all of them) with very rare exceptions. There's idiots announcing the dreaded "Showtime!!!??!?!?!!!!." There's people asking if you want to go to awful "cheap" comedy clubs where you'll pay a lot for well drinks even if the show is cheap. This is not to mention the various scams from the guys pretending to be Buddhist and "giving away" necklaces/charms to the fake buds (at least this replaced all the guys handing out "free" CDs.) I've also been accosted by a handful of homeless people so there's that also. read more

What can one say about Times Square? It's a world class destination. And I'm lucky enough to live close by. It's so different from the Time Square of my youth, when hookers and pimps and druggies were the norm. It's a total tourist trap nowadays, of course. Ignore all the fear mongering. It was great and safe before Covid, and it's still an awesome and safe place to visit. My family and I have been taking advantage of the lack of crowds to visit all of our favorite places. And this is definitely one of the must see places. read more

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Times Square is the Piccadilly Circus of NYC! Lights Cameras Action. Lots of colors, excitement, tourists, pick pocketing and more. Fights break out and security galore at times. Crazy Creepy and Crawling with people. If you wanna go be prepared for crowds on the sidewalk. Hold on to your wallet and handbags. Zip your pockets and pants! Bring plenty of credit cards and cash to see a show, eat and snack. Snack at the food carts. Chestnuts, Pretzel and delicious food carts abound. Souvenirs are plentiful in the street and in the shops. I'm posting some of my favorite photos from various times I spent the day. You never know when you're going to catch a great photo opportunity in Times Square. Colorful Characters of all kinds show up. Just don't get too friendly or let them bully you into giving them money. They can get aggressive. Take small children by the hand. Hahaha! In fact hide small children's eyes sometimes! Whatever you do have fun. It's an experience like no other! A truly New York Tourist Must Do. read more

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Times Square is one of the most recognized places in the world. So many people from all around the world have been here walking around the area and this year I had a chance to watch the ball drop in Times Square. It was once in a lifetime and a magical place for sure. The excitement is filled with happy faces all around. Ringing in the new year should be done and I would suggest if you haven't tried it and have only watched it on television, the experience is drastically different. I really suggest going and doing this at least once and the amount of joy and happiness you feel will be lasting you till the next year. It was one of the safest places I have been to with many police officers staying vigilant the entire night. Also there are blocks so you have to enter in specific streets to get inside. But Times Square itself during any other day is also wonderful. I have been to this place many times now and I can say I enjoy shopping, eating and just hanging out in this area, whenever I am in New York of course. read more

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This place never gets old I have been here thousands of times and it is always exciting. It is never dull always upbeat and busy ,very busy .if you want the true nyc experience, come to 42 st .from all the bright lights and restaurant and designer stores and shops. And the millions of people walking around ,from the tourist to the commuters coming home from work .you also have the hot dogs and pretzels vendors out ,they have been around so long they are apart of your nyc 42st experience. It is so much to see and do on 42st .from the Disney characters .and the marvel comics book characters my favorite was bumblebee from the transformers. I have to admit they are not the very best of nyc. But they have become a fixture out there for some years now,and sometimes they can get a little testy out there,so beware. but when you think newyork you think 42st .this is one of the most famous streets in the world .and it amazes me to see so many different people from every walk of life. Just enjoying this amazing street. I was just there today at a massive union strike, supporting my brothers and sisters in the union fight to keep their health care ,so iam always out on the front lines in NYC for the fight. But it is a plus for me to also be out on 42st and 1 across from Bryant park. One of my favorite parks in nyc ,the iconic ice skating ring and the many vendors and venues they have in this park is really great .it felt great walking through this park and seeing the winter set up ,and people and children taking pictures with Santa claus. So it doesn't matter if the weather is cold or hot out on 42st the view never gets old. When they say bright lights and big city. This is the epitome of that saying. read more

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Love it or Hate it you can't really deny it's Iconic status. Pay attention to your surroundings and be smart. There are plenty of places to eat and shop here. Visit during the day and then again at night to experience both sides of Times Square. Bonus for visiting during the Holidays for even extra and more special things. You probably are aware that the costumed performers may ASK if you want to take their picture but they do not do this for FREE. There is seating and I recommend sitting for a few to people watch and just take it all in ! read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Truly the city that never sleeps! Times Square is a must see for tourists visiting NYC. There a bright lights, popular and trendy restaurants that you only hear about on the travel channel, vendors on the street, TV studios, and not to mention Broadway is right there! Tons of stores for shopping, bars, singers, performers on the street, horse and buggy rides for rental. It is so exciting! You just look up at the tall sky scraper buildings and the lights in complete amazement and total awe. For people that live in NYC, they probably avoid this place because there are so many tourists. Its one of the largest tourist cities of the world. I love walking through here. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Welcome to The Center of the Universe, where you might see a man in a skirt dancing in the middle of the street (until honked at, when he sashays away), a homeless man digging in the garbage while grunting (he declined my offer of leftovers), hundreds of people rushing by you as if you don't exist, and hot dog carts. All that said, it's awesome. You feel very alive here. read more

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I will forever love my Times Square New York City the Big Apple. I love the restaurants, the stores, the plays. I just love environment of different things the action read more

Even on a snowy, cold day the vibe is still electric. The bright lights, hundreds or thousands of people passing you by it has to be one of the most amazing places on earth. You can stop and see all types of people just walk by and if you listen you would hear all types of languages as well. Great place to people watch. You will see it all and then some. Plenty of stores, restaurants and places to visit. I love it while I am there but to be honest I don't think I could do it every day. So for the time I am there it is the most electric place to be at but I am just as glad to get out and go back to my quiet world. No place like home. read more

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Love it or Hate it , it doesn't mater their is only one Times Square, and 42nd Street has gone thru many changes from it's theater hey days to it's porn decadence and today as mix use neighborhood with less movie theater marquees replaced with restaurant chains and a few stores. But it's still the central point of welcoming the New Year with the famous ball the descends 77 feet from a pole on the One Times Square building, As a local I many times have avoid Times Square because of mod of tourist and the site of seeing six or more Elmo's on one block. And then again I do once in a while I do go to bathe in the bright lights and sounds. and relive found memories. read more

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This place is nuts....loud, vibrant, in your face...what's not to love? People, lights, camera...action....everything is here to stimulate all your senses. Oh! And the smells that mingle in the air?..my husband is a New Yorker and he said oh that? That's THE smell of new York. How do you describe it?imagine steaks, burgers, fries, roasted chestnuts, pretzils, hot dogs, pizzas all inter mingled...equales the amazing smell. read more

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This place is so absolutely crowded, often crazy, and filled with tourists. While I would not recommend coming here every single day, it is a blast to at least come every once in a while. It's a great sight for pictures Pros: + Great pictures + Beautiful night life - great to walk around after dinner + Conveniently located Cons: - Crowded - Tourist trap - Smelly read more

Dirty and smelly, but does the trick of connecting you on a bunch of different transit lines. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

I love New York City. Times Square is my least favorite place in the city. The streets are crowded. There is trash everywhere. The restaurants are unappealing. The shopping is crappy. No one is paying attention to where they're going. I was in Times Square to see a show. I had a terrible dinner. I'll only be back to see another show! read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

PROS: + NYC does not sleep: When people say, "This city never sleeps." You would say this if you visited this area. No matter what time of day, this place is truly and constantly visited. Speaking as someone who's lived here for approximately 12 months-to-date, it is a place I've purposely visited... approximately 6 times. The only reason why I would go back to this area is: 1. visiting guitar center to jam out on the drum set (and then get kicked out for laying out a heavy blast of music) or 2. to visit my friends that work in big buildings off those streets. It doesn't sleep! + iconic place: This spot is iconic. The history was that a long time ago, this place was nothing. Then some people threw money into that area, gambled and took a risk. The spot became super popular. Note: that was really general. CONS: - congestion: As a NYC resident there is heavy congestion. The streets around Time Square is dense with tourists. (They all look the same). It is difficult to walk behind packs and packs of groups of kids or sky-gawking tourists. AVOID THEM AT ALL COST. Of course you New Yorkers reading this do not need to know this already. - TOURISTS READ HERE: Please note, if you see a carni/someone dressed up as a transformer/Elsa from the Disney movie "Frozen," do not take them up on the offer of getting a photo with them. Unless, you are prepared to pay them a tip. THEY WILL DEMAND IT FROM YOU. They chase you down too. I've heard and read stories. IMPRESSION: If you are reading this now and really want to be entertained, you should go on IG and follow @subwaycreatures. As a New Yorker, it is a gift that keeps on giving. I'd rather watch that than go to Time Square to be honest. Go visit it if it's your first time (night time is really cool). read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Time Square - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Lights! Lights! And more lights! Iconic Times Square with neon billboards, tons of shops, crowds of people, street artists, vendors, wall to wall tourists, theaters, bootleg super heroes and characters roaming around posing for pictures and trying to make a buck, actors hoping to be discovered, restaurants door to door... this is NYC! Hustle and bustle for those of you who like the fast paced life of the Big Apple! I've been there done that so if I visit NY, I can only take Times Square for about half hour... but it's a must see for first time tourists. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Second time at Times Square and I like it when it's not as crowded. Thanks coronavirus. Fun place to walk around and sight see. I definitely wouldn't want to be there during tourist season. read more

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I love NY, it's my town. The city should recognize that time square and most of midtown is where a huge amount of tourism occurs, not to mention where numerous people pour into work day in and day out. The bulk of the subway stations along 42nd are in horrifying disarray. Just waiting for someone in the mayor's office to step up and do something about it. Not only disarray but it is always filthy and disgusting. Homelessness is rampant and the trains are a mess. This shouldn't be how these stations are kept. read more

If you live anywhere outside of NYC, I'd like to give you all an insiders secret: you've seen everything there is to see so long as you've been to Time's Square. In fact, there is no need at all to visit any other part of New York but Time's Square. Brooklyn looks the same, and so does Queens and the Bronx. I guess Staten Island is slightly different. Yeah. You know what? Go to Staten Island. That place is unique. If you like overwhelming lights, creepy costumed Elmos, ripoff camera stores, musical theater reproductions of your favorite 90's rom com, 17000 watt TV screens, stumbling tourists, Red Lobster, and Applebees, you've pretty much seen all of what the Big Apple has to offer. The prices here are pretty standard as well. Take a peak into McDonald's on Time's Square and look at what a dollar buys you here. Not much? Oh, well, that's New York, I guess. After visiting Time's Square, you might as well tell all of your dumb relatives at Christmas Eve dinner that the place just isn't for you. It's too crowded and too bright and the traffic is horrendous." You just don't know how anyone could ever live there. After all, you had the pizza at the authentic New York staple, Sbarro and though the slices were bigger than normal, it was a bit overrated. A lot of talented singers were cast in the $400 a ticket Broadway version of Rocky you went to last summer, but your cheap community theater back at home is also quite good, and last season's production of Oklahoma featured three Broadway actors. Who needs to leave town for this? If that's your overall opinion, I understand completely. New York is an acquired taste and isn't for everyone. You've luckily seen all there is to see and the city is rather small come to think of it. If you do decide to come back one day, you should just see a play and eat something new at Time's Square. It's closer to the Port Authority with access to a clean and timely bus back home. But before you do leave, you can enjoy a wet hot dog and buy yourself a Hello Kitty backpack. If the musical theater's too pricey for your taste, just go to the Times Square Regal Cinemas or shoot pool at the Dave and Busters. There's lots to do here, and it's just like all your home town mall favorites only even better: more people! After all we New Yorkers simply love crowds. We just can't get enough of them. I feel empty inside without a stranger sneezing on my elbow and nearly pushing me into oncoming traffic. This is truly the only way I can stay sane, thrive, and feel whole as a person. I need the human traffic more than anything else in the whole wide world. Why can't you understand why I live here? Every night, before I go to bed in my similarly laid out and demographically limited neighborhood of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, I look out out onto a huge Coca Cola sign and a Gucci ad scrawled out on a scrolling marquis, and think of how lucky I am to live in this place. This place I call home. Come on down if you're bored some time. Be a part of it and please tell your friends to start spreading the news. Come to Times Square. Preferably at rush hour. read more

May 22-24, 2022 Times Square is Times Square, if you've never been I'd say go, experience/enjoy and get it out of your system. I've been during the day and night plus two New Year's Eve ball drops in the past, this time was so someone can experience it, we took the subway and landed straight in the middle did a 360, had a snack at Paris Baguette and left. Perfect. read more

I'm sure there's nothing I can say to sway you to go because you're most likely going to go anyway. So I'll just provide a few helpful tips: *Go at night AND day for the ultimate experience! *Don't get hustled! Just about everyone in Times Square is trying to sell you something. Ask questions and have someone in your party verify the play or show dates online before purchasing *wear closed toe shoes if you're anything like me and hate the soles of your feet being filthy. 42nd street is extremely dirty. *keep your eyes peeled and stay alert *prepare your pockets for your children (or in my case, younger sibling) asking you to buy everything in sight LOL read more

There's not much to say about 42nd Street Time Square. We all know this is one of the most visited landmarks in the world. There's a ton of things to get into out here. With over a million visitors annually there's plenty of people also, my favorite time to come is December 31st for the ball drop. If you haven't been, make it a priority. read more

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A simply MUST if you are here during Thanksgiving. Since a youth I've wanted to see and experience the Macy's Parade and here was the time of a life time, even with the coldest conditions 2018.. it was worth the freeze and wait!! read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Felt good to be in the train station with alot of people glad things are finally getting better and hopefully back to normal soon

Well how can you rate this place it's magical it's fun it's active it's different it's somewhere you can do stuff nonstop meet new people make mistakes and laugh about it. It's not my first time in New York City it's awesome at night and it's pretty cool during the day as well read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Me - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

It is what it is! This is the most touristy spot in New York which translates into lots of people, lots of chain restaurants and lots of expensive stores. However if you have never been to New York you must go. Seeing it at night is my favorite away. All of the neon and billboards are just amazing and something to see. Make sure you guard your pockets (when of the first things we thought with someone opening a stolen phone by slamming it on the ground). Don't be afraid just be aware. The subway is definitely the best way to get here. There is no parking! If it's your first time to New York or you just want to see the sites Eric I'm in the big red bus it's $25 and takes you all over the city. Definitely cheaper than a cab even if you want to go 1 to two places read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Us - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

My wife was told by a friend who lived near NYC that we could spend a whole day in Times Square. We did not find that to be true. I guess if you are stopping in every single shop then maybe. But why would you go to Times Square to go shopping. If you are just showing up to see the sites then it will not take long at all. As long as you can navigate the crowds. Several street rappers will approach you and give you a CD. They will act like they are up and coming and sign the CD like they may be the next best thing one day and ask you for a donation. Luckily we were warned by a local the day before that said the CD is blank and it is a scam. When I told them I didn't have any cash they took the CD back from me. It is too bad because maybe there are some up and coming rappers trying to make it. We saw several nude females in complete body paint and a 90 year old lady with her bare tits out playing a guitar. Several people are there it seems to try and get noticed. I didn't see anybody famous but it was an interesting people watching experience. read more

Times Square - Red Stairs - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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Good and convenient spot and a large subway station. Lots of different subway lines and not hard to find with lots of different entrance/exit. Way to busy and crowded and way too many people for my liking but it's a convenient place to take the subway and to transfer lines. read more

If you don't like crowds or are claustrophobic avoid this area. Shoulder to shoulder people everywhere.

WOW! What an experience! It was our first time here and it was simply magical!! We can't wait to come back!

Beautiful and amazing views during the day and even better at night. Lots of street vendors, gift shops, retail shops and more. read more

Times square pisses me off its just annoying to be here. Dont get me wrong there is so much going on here, lots to do, and partake in especially if your with a party your gonna have some fun. Now at the same time thats the problem, the tourism is ridiculous. Every concrete slab has people with there phones or selfie sticks blocking the way. Its so annoying walking around, every few steps the person in front of you turns into a 5 star photographer and stops to take a snapshot. It makes sense why people push and shove you without hesitation out here, even im guilty of doing it its chaos. Your litterally packed like sardines out here. If an emergency were to happen where everyone had to run your dying no question. Its like the whole wide world is gathered into one place a bunch of zombies and chickens acting like theyve never seen tall buildings before, walking with there heads looking up and mouths open in awe and inspiration, they better hope it doesnt rain today or there is gonna be alot of drowned casulties. This must of been what the tower of babel was like in biblical times, The Lord definitely had his reasons to seperate us, he couldnt get thru the traffic either...the worst part of it all is when theres an event taking place where they litterally barricade like 50 streets and you gotta play tomb raider and go 5-10 miles just to get across the street. And dont you dare think your gonna hop the barricades to cross the street either because these cops are waiting to stretch you... read more

Forty deuce all day annoying tourist which I love they make it festive all the stores the lights the movie theatre the art the low key deals I came out here as a youth just to be there and meet people every week I'd hear new stories and build friendships with people love it read more