Times Square

Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City, formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent father duffy square to the north, it stretches five blocks between 42nd and 47th Streets in a distinctive bowtie shape. The area is brightly lit by enormous digital billboards and neon spectaculars — by city law, buildings here must maintain a minimum level of illumination, making it the only district in New York City where lighting is mandated rather than restricted.

Formerly known as Longacre Square, the area was renamed Times Square in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to One Times Square, the building now famous for the ball drop on new year eve. On December 31, 1907, the first ball drop took place from the top of that building, and the tradition has continued every year since — drawing over one million revelers to times square nyc and a worldwide television audience of more than one billion.

The times square billboard culture is unlike anywhere else in the world. Advertising space here ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 per day depending on screen size, and the most prominent digital displays — including the seven-story NASDAQ sign and the massive Samsung LED screen — can be seen for blocks in every direction. Every night from 11:57pm to midnight, all the digital billboards synchronize in a free art display called the Midnight Moment, which changes monthly.

For those who prefer to stay in the middle of the action, aka times square is one of the most sought-after addresses in Midtown. The property offers studios, one- and two-bedroom suites and premium penthouses just steps from Broadway, making it ideal for extended stays. The bedroom suites at AKA are popular with theatergoers and business travelers who want to stay at aka and be within walking distance of everything.

Times Square is the world's most visited tourist destination, with approximately 360,000 pedestrians passing through daily — over 131 million visitors annually. Here are the key facts every visitor should know:

• Is Time Square NYC empty at 3am? No. Times Square genuinely never empties. Even at 3am, the digital billboards are lit, tourists are walking, diners and late-night restaurants are open, and yellow cabs fill 7th Avenue. It is one of the few places in the world that looks the same at midnight as it does at midday.
• The red steps at times square sit above the TKTS discount booth at the north end of Times Square in Father Duffy Square. The 27 ruby-red steps can hold up to 1,500 people and offer one of the best free viewpoints of the area.
• The TKTS booth has operated in Times Square since 1973 and offers same-day Broadway and off-Broadway tickets at up to 50% off face value. The tkts discount is the best way to catch a Broadway show without paying full price.
• Times Square is home to over 40 Broadway theaters, making it the undisputed center of the world's entertainment industry.
• Shopping time square nyc is a serious pursuit. The area generates over $4.8 billion in annual retail, entertainment, and hotel sales, with 22 cents of every dollar spent by NYC visitors going directly into Times Square.
• The first electrified advertisement appeared on a Broadway building just three weeks after the area was renamed Times Square in 1904. Advertising here has been a defining feature of the neighborhood for over 120 years.

Times Square is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. But the experience changes dramatically depending on when you visit.

Times square at night is the definitive version of this neighborhood. After dark, the full scale of the digital billboards becomes clear — screens tower up to 18 stories, the crowds are thicker, and the energy of the Theater District peaks as shows let out. Plan to arrive around 9pm to catch the post-show buzz on Broadway.

For the best visit during the day, weekday mornings between 9am and 11am offer the fewest crowds and the best chance of actually moving freely through the area. The red stairs at times square are easier to climb and sit on before 11am, and the views from the top are unobstructed.

New Year's Eve is the ultimate Times Square experience — but arrive by 3pm to secure a good spot and expect to stay until after midnight. The ball drop draws over one million people to the streets and blocks are cordoned off from early afternoon.

For shopping time square nyc, plan an afternoon visit from Tuesday through Thursday when flagship stores like Hershey's Chocolate World and the M&M's store are fully stocked and slightly less crowded than weekends. Most shops in times square nyc are open until 11pm or midnight year-round.

Times Square is the most connected transit hub in New York City. The Times Square–42nd Street station is served by the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E, S, and 7 trains, making it accessible from virtually every part of the city.

Take the 1, 2, or 3 train to 42nd Street–Times Square for the main Broadway entrance. The N, Q, R, or W trains bring you up directly in the heart of the bowtie between 42nd and 45th Streets. The A, C, and E trains stop at 42nd Street–Port Authority, one block west of the main square.

Use our interactive NYC subway guide to plan your exact route from any hotel or neighborhood in the city before you arrive.