Times Square, NY

Times Square is the most popular tourist attraction in the world with approximately 330 thousand visitors every day, over a million every New Year’s Eve and fifty million a year. Sometimes called ‘The Crossroads of the World’ and ‘The Center of the Universe’, it begins where 7th Avenue meets Broadway and extends from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street, and is best known for the electric billboards called ‘spectaculars’ that blanket the surrounding buildings. Times Square is known for its lights, its crowds, and… its stores. In general, the stores are known to carry a wider assortment of products in order to accommodate all the traffic, and of course compete with the many other stores in the immediate area. Some of the stores offer more than just shopping alone. Therefore, this is a place that will highlight the many things to do and see in Times Square. 

The First is Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the world famous wax figure attraction has over 200 wax figures of famous musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders and more. Second is ‘The Ball’ is a 12 feet diameter sphere and covered with Waterford Crystal triangles. It is capable of creating more than 16 million colors and billions of patterns, and has been the ball since 2007. The third is The advertising billboards that surround Times Square are called ‘spectaculars’ and comprise some of the most expensive outdoor advertising space on the planet. The fourth is the most famous pedestrian plaza transformed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Times Square into a pedestrian plaza in 2009, in order to ease traffic congestion and cut down on pedestrian accidents. The trial was so successful that Times Square became a permanent pedestrian plaza in 2015.

Many first-timers in Times Square tend to stay on Broadway only; PLEASE don’t make this mistake! Saunter up 6th and 7th Avenues for more “pop culture” landmarks, such as the Late Night Theater, Rockefeller Center, and the entrance to Central Park. You don’t have to live in NYC to know where the good deals are. “People watching” is one of the most interesting, ever-changing, and free experiences New York has to offer and the visitors can thank The Times Square Alliance for keeping tourists in the know about specials, discounts, and events going on in Times Square, which are updated daily, so you’ll never miss a beat. Head to the Alliance’s site for specials and discounts on a wide range of events from happy hours, to lunch specials and other awesome activities. Now that you are armed with sample places for enjoying one of the busiest sections of the beautiful “City That Never Sleeps,” get out there and enjoy this famous neighborhood!