Times Square is a crossroads in Manhattan located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. With its giant screens, theaters and endless stream of pedestrians, the neighborhood welcomes approximately 450,000 people daily, or more than 50 million visitors annually. This guide gathers essential information to organize your visit: history, attractions, ideal periods and access.

Why visit Times Square

Times Square concentrates several facets of New York within a few blocks: commercial theater with Broadway, shopping at flagship stores, monumental advertising screens that define the visual signature of the place, and round-the-clock pedestrian activity. Nicknamed the "Crossroads of the World," it stretches between 42nd and 47th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue. It's a practical landmark from which to explore other Manhattan neighborhoods.

A history in several acts

Before 1904, the crossroads was called Longacre Square and primarily housed stables and carriage factories. That year, the New York Times established its headquarters there: the square was renamed Times Square. In the 1920s, the rise of Broadway theaters transformed the neighborhood into an entertainment hub.

Following the Great Depression, Times Square entered a long period of decline marked by crime and the concentration of adult cinemas, until the early 1990s. A major renovation operation led by city authorities, with Disney's involvement, then redesigned the neighborhood into the tourist and commercial zone we know today.

What to see and do

Broadway theaters

The district is home to more than 40 theaters, making it the world's largest commercial theater district. Long-running musicals and newer productions share the spotlight. For discounted same-day tickets, the TKTS booth is located on the red steps at the intersection of Broadway and 47th Street. See our dedicated page on Broadway to plan a theater evening.

Emblematic stores

Several major retailers have made the neighborhood their showcase: the three-story M&M's Store, the Disney Store, and Hershey's. These shops function as much as visual attractions as retail outlets.

Museums and immersive experiences

The wax museum Madame Tussauds features replicas of movie, music and sports personalities, with interactive spaces. RiseNY combines exhibits on New York culture with a flight simulator over the city. Gulliver's Gate showcases miniature reproductions of cities around the world, and Dave & Buster's offers a large arcade gaming hall for families.

Grab a bite

Times Square offers a wide range of restaurants. Among the reliable choices frequently recommended: Carmine's (family-style Italian cuisine with shareable plates), Shake Shack for burgers, Junior's for classic New York cheesecakes. The dining scene changes regularly: it's useful to check current establishments before booking.

When to visit

Times Square is lively year-round, but certain times transform the experience:

• New Year's Eve: the ball drop at midnight attracts hundreds of thousands of people. Access to the surrounding area is restricted from morning onward and waiting times are lengthy.
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (fourth Thursday of November): the parade passes nearby and significantly impacts traffic.
• St. Patrick's Day Parade (mid-March): major activity in the area.
• Summer: high tourist crowds and elevated heat; the screens look particularly striking as night falls.
• Winter outside holidays: more contained daytime crowds, but the nighttime display remains spectacular.

For photography, the window between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. offers the best balance between residual natural light and illuminated neon signs.

Practical information

Access to the square is free and open, with no ticketing required. A few useful points:

• The neighborhood is largely pedestrianized, with red bleachers where you can sit.
• Beware of costumed characters and street performers who request tips after photos: this is a common practice—accept or clearly decline before the picture is taken.
• Allow 1 to 2 hours for a first-time visit on foot, longer if you combine this with a show or museum.
• Admission fees for paid attractions (Madame Tussauds, RiseNY) range from moderate to high; City Passes and other multi-attraction packages may be worthwhile if you plan multiple visits.

How to get there

By subway

Several stations serve the area directly:

• Times Square-42nd Street: lines 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, W
• 42nd Street-Bryant Park: lines B, D, F, M
• 49th Street: lines N, Q, R

By bus

Lines M7, M20, M42 and M104 cross or border Times Square.

On foot and by bike

From most Midtown hotels, Times Square is reachable on foot in under 20 minutes. Citi Bike stations (bike-sharing) are located on adjacent streets.

Taxi and rideshare

Yellow cabs and services like Uber or Lyft operate 24/7. Traffic around Times Square is heavy in the evening: allow extra time.

Nearby attractions

Times Square is an excellent starting point for exploring Midtown and beyond:

• Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, a 5-minute walk to the east.
• Empire State Building, about a 20-minute walk to the south.
• Central Park, accessible by heading up 7th Avenue.
• Broadway in all its theatrical glory.
• To extend your trip beyond Manhattan: Prospect Park in Brooklyn, or further excursions to the Niagara Falls.

Plan your trip

Times Square easily combines with other highlights of a New York stay and beyond. To build a complete itinerary, explore our trips to the États-Unis.