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Times Square
Rating Details »
Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhoods: Fashion District, Theater DistrictBroadway and 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
- Nearest Transit:
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Times Square-42nd St (1, 2, 3, S, 7, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E)
42nd St-5th Ave-6th Ave (7, B, D, F, V)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
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"4.5 stars One of the most quintessential New York spots popular with tourists and New Yorkers alike. Here are the list (in no particular…" read more »
187 reviews for Times Square
Just NO.
I understand this is supposed to be the center of the universe and all, but I didnt like it one bit. I felt like I was in a club, hot ass body heat and clearly its outdoors. This, for me is a big no. I did it once and that is good enough for me.
PS, Im totally clausterphobic, hense why I didnt enjoy this.
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Time square is fine if it's your first trip to NY, nothing special but nothing to ignore neither... After all it is impressive & unique, for like 30 minutes.
Go for it! Especially if you're a tourist. Locals are probably used to this place & try to avoid it, the same way I try to avoid Hollywood Blvd, lol.
But yeah, one Elite yelper wrote on here: "UGH! I avoid it at all costs. It's so obnoxious & annoying to deal with all of the wandering tourists".
Listen you dumb ass! this is NY!!! Where the hell do you think you live in?!!! What is wrong with you, of course there tourists from all over the world, you know what tourists do? Well, beside taking photos they also finance a big portion of your city & state, less taxes for you!
If you don't like it, go move upstate with the red necks!!!
Shame,
Yalla bye!
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Wow...didn't expect to see 2 and half star rating for Times Square!!
Some New Yorkers gotta learn to appreciate this "Crossroads of the World"~!
Lots of interesting people from all around the world.
Came here on our first night in New York.
Was amazed by number of people on Tuesday night~!
Suddenly met by the thunder & rain storm.
Something I haven't seen for a while living in California
Reminded me of Korea & Japan.
Loved coming here during day & night.
Met Naked Cowboy, watched many interesting people
Also being a Musical Geek during High School
Colorful Musical ads gave a huge grin on my face :)
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Really touristy, but what the hell; it's still beautiful at night. My cousin and I came on our first night in NYC and it was so surreal. It does get really crowded on the weekends, but when we went on Thursday night around 9, it wasn't too bad. Also, located here is the TKTS stand where you can get 50% off shows. If you're visiting, give it a try!
At least once in your lifetime you've got to go experience Times Square right? Thats what I did so we booked a hotel right at the center of it all. Neon lights everywhere, people were literally camping out in the street. They put blockades in the middle of Broadway so that people can come here and just chill. The place was alive all night.
If you're a local, you probably hate the idea of Times Square.
If you've been to Las Vegas, you probably won't be all that impressed with the neon lights and the people in Times Square. Vegas definitely wins in the "alive at night" category.
But to some, like me, Times Square has that certain charm that would make me come back for more.
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When I was a young girl I thought Times Square was the shiz. So much bright and pretty lights...Virgin Megastore(R.I.P)... Bar Code(R.I.P)... Lazer Tag(R.I.P)... Toys 'R Us...it was heaven...
Flash forward 10 years...this place is HELL!!! so many tourist that walk soooo slow because they are so intrigued by all the flashing lights...and TS went downhill when they decided to get rid of the ONLY places that were really fun like bar code and lazer tag...and just recently Virgin MS!!! wth!!! after bar code and lazer tag were blown into oblivion the only place I could chillax and drink some Jamba was at Virgin. There were soo many cds for 9 bux (but who really buys cds nowadays), and they had so much other junk and collectibles to look at. But now....zilch! It's also so crowded that I have to spec ops my way through the crowd! nowadays I walk less crowded streets.
Unless you're a tourist and this is your thang, then go for it...but i've been a New Yorker my whole life and there are other hidden gems that this great and wonderful city has to offer. The only thing I come here for are the broadway shows.
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Before they turned Times Square into a piazza, only 11 percent of the surface area was devoted to pedestrians (even though there were 7 times more pedestrians than cars). http://www.slate.com/i... It didn't make sense at all. So well done, NYC, for letting rationality win this one.
I never thought I'd say this, but my friends and I had a lovely afternoon relaxing [sic] in Times Square. Grab a coffee, arrange some chairs for easy chatting, and admire the clouds, the billboards, and the parade of humanity.
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What the hell tourists? Do you not have advertisements where you are from?!?
"Hey honey, how was your trip to New York?"
-"Oh great, I took some pictures want to see?"
"Yeah, oh wait why are they all of Cup o Noodle and cell phone companies?"
Why remember your trip to new york with pictures of shit you see on television?
Other than that, it's pretty sweet. Broadway is blocked off so no cars can drive on some parts of it allowing you to wander more recklessly around the streets staring up at the shiny signs. And there's a ton of crap to see. It'll always be incredibly busy with slow and confused people getting in your way but same with the rest of new york.
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The place that New Yorkers love to hate. I find it almost comical the amount of effort and energy that New Yorkers spend spitting their vitriol about Times Square. But, really, give me a break. As you can tell I'm a transplant (been here for two years) which is also why my review will probably be discounted, but oh well.
It's a must see for out of towners. The displays are gaudy and huge and blinding, but that's what makes it times square. There are people everywhere and everyone walks super slow, but people don't choose to visit new york to take in the peace and quiet and for "personal space". You come here to see tons of people milling around in an incredibly busy, ostentatious environment. It's loud, it's bright, it's kinda dirty, it's overpriced. It's also fun and outrageous. And you have to indulge in it at least once, period.
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I get it. I get that locals find this place annoying and I get why the average rating is so low.
Hula R is damn right. The locals would surely only come here with friends from out of town.
As a tourist, you may not even want to spend much time here yourself. Just because you're a tourist, it doesn't mean you want to go where all other tourists go or that you love crowds.
But Times Square is something you have to see when you go to New York. The lights, the buzz, the size of it... there are places to sit and take it in, and of course there are shops and restaurants nearby to soak up the atmosphere.
Then after 5 or so minutes, leave and don't go back.
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Good god Jesus on a hockey stick!
I like Michael Bloomberg but he really screwed the pooch with the decision to close off vehicular traffic to create a "public mall" or whatever the hell it's called. Personally I call it a "public piece of shite."
Now that cars are restricted to driving only on the 7th Avenue side of Times Square, that means more people are congested into the closed off section on Broadway. That means even more people standing in my way as I'm trying to walk. That means more of those damn "New Yorkers" clogging up the sidewalks as they try to recruit tourists to ride their NYC tour buses.
By turning it into a public walkway, Times Square has really lost it's luster in my eyes. Well, what little luster it still had, that is.
PS anyone wanna chip in so we can open up Howard Johnson's again? I miss that damn place.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/2/2007
Ohhh, i hate you Times Square, i hate you with such a passion. The taste in my mouth right now? Its… Read more »
When you visit New York, you just gotta go. It's one of those things you have to do.
So let's say you're kinda drunk, a little tired, and roaming the streets of NYC. Times Square at 3 in the morning is definitely entertaining. All the lights wake you up, and then you realize, "Holy moly, I'm actually in the middle of Times Square (drunk)!" There aren't many people out at that time, so you can bask in all that Times Square was meant to be. It's fun. Take it for what is it: commercialized tourist haven, and you're good.
Dear Swedish tourists
Don't you return to Stockholm
Thinking this is real
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AS GOOD AS IT GETS....
I totally understand why New Yorkers are upset and give this place low reviews but Time Square is a tourist attraction! If you are there, you are there to watch musicals, eat, or view the sights. As a "New Yorker", why the heck would you go here unless you are showing other people this place! It makes me laugh to read the reviews of New Yorkers saying, "it's a tourist trap" or "why is it so packed?" Hmmm...let me think? If something like Time Square can bring people to spend more money in your city, I would see it as a good thing! It means more people can work and can support their families. Especially in these tough times but I guess bashing a tourist attraction is the "New York" mentality! HA HA! You should feel proud that people want to visit your city! Be proud about it rather then trash the place!
Enough of my venting over the comments of New Yorkers!
Back on task- TIME SQUARE! It's something you have to do right when you get to Manhattan! Go at night, that is the best time! Plus the mayor has closed off some of the streets so you can totally grab a lounge chair and sit there right in the center of Time Square! It's overwhelming but it's such an iconic spot! You also for sure need to catch a show here and you never know who you are going to sit next to. I saw West Side Story and boom right next to me was Teri Hatcher from Desperate Housewives! Also, while walking towards the David Letterman theater, Bruno aka Sascha Baron Cohen came running out! Only in Time Square!
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Maybe it's because I was on vacation but I enjoyed Times Square in the day and in the night. There is the same amount of people at 10 am as they are at 1 am. But at night, the bright and large tv's were a bit blinding and there were so many people shoving!!
The most random thing I saw at midnight:
A group of four young adults (maybe early 20s) sitting on the dirty ground in a circle.
What the hell?
If I could give place a zero I would. I hate coming up here for work or photo shoots for class. The slow tourists make me want to stab a knitting needle in their eyes, plus the handouts and invasion of privacy by the "advertisers" make my ears grate.
I wanted to watch CNN on the big screens they had one summer day. The neon colored lawn chairs were an interesting addition. Yet no sound at all! Eh, that sucked. I hardly ever come here only if there is a concert I go to in the Nokia Theatre. But come to think about it this area is far more pleasing to me than my last visit to Union Square. But no big screens and broadway shows are not my thing.
for a tourist like me, i've only heard bout it and seen it on mtv.
being there in person.. amazing!!!
Well after living in New York for about 4 years now, Time square never really impress me. Even the first time when I was still a Tourist. Anyways, I think its just too crowded with people that don't know where they are going or you see a family of 15 standing in front of you taking pictures and blocking the whole chunk of the sidewalk when you want to walk across the street. It was a little tricky to walk around all 15 of them. I think what I heard about Time Square before I moved to New York and what I see is very different.
Coming out of the subway and up, onto the streets of Times square...
The bf: (looking at me) Why are you smiling?
Me: (seeing the bright lights, the busy atmosphere, the street vendors) *sigh* I love New York.
No matter how many times I've been to NY, I always head to Times Square. I don't know why since it's usually the most congested place and visually overstimulating place, but I just love looking up at all the billboards and the lights and bright colors. I don't know...there's something magical about New York...until you get honked at by a taxi cab to move outta the way.
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In Kafkaesque fashion, when one finds themselves in Times Square they are immediately transformed into fish or cattle...following the herd of fanny packed window gazers....or letting the currents drag them through the ebb and flow of the lower west 40's. A broken heart for every light on Broadway which sets a soft illumination giving the faintest hint of day even in the middle of the night.
Shoulder to shoulder they bump and bip around...bouncing off the schools of people while Disney characters patrol through theaters and evict tenants who cry for cheaper Rent. No rest for the weary as Howard Johnson shuts down its shelter and allows Music TV to expand on its section of the block...1,000 screaming minnows crammed into a tiny studio space.
The great white whales making it through the Great White Way as the Virgin Megastore bear and the Viacom bull swipe and grab at prey...who find shelter in souvenir shops and the pockets of handbag tables corralled into side streets. Some swim up to Sephora lake as the land seekers climb up TKTS Way...waves crashing along 52nd street and someone getting caught in the undertow.
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Okay, I'm not a local and maybe this rating is based on my attraction to things that are different from the west coast. But this is by far the best place for people watching. There are so many people from all over the place it's crazy. They even have lawn chairs in sections of the closed off street for you to hang out and chill. On our last day in NY we walked through again and there was a bubble party going on right by the discount broadway ticket place.
We noticed too that the souvenir shops were actually cheaper here than closer to our hotel on 35th street. And having a Ray's pizza doesn't hurt either.
UGH! I avoid this place at all costs. It's so obnoxious and annoying to deal with all of the wandering tourists. The constant, flashing lights and larger than life atmosphere is too much to handle. Times Square is nothing but an amusement ride without the amusement. Go once but never go again. Such a waste of time, space, and energy.
I like Times Square! It seems to get pretty terrible overall reviews, but I think there's something special about this place in NYC.
When you visit NYC, try not to go to Times Square until nighttime. It's soooo much better when viewed in its entire electric glow glory. I was taken aback by the sheer magnitude of the advertisements, the lights... everything. It was stunning, really. I had fun walking from 42nd St. to 49th on the way to the Eugene O'Neil Theater. There's shops a-go-go! Anything you could imagine to eat, buy, peruse - it's all there. It really is capitalism on steroids.
Then the shame of your enjoyment kind of sets in - this place really is the biggest waste of energy since Las Vegas. Talk about the source of Global Warming - it may be right here in Midtown Manhattan. It's also the hub of touristy shopping so nothing here is cheap or worth buying (except the $4 t-shirts that guys sell on the street!). However, it really is an astonishing place to see. I was really enthralled with the sheer insanity of the entire place. I even thought back to the movie "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" for a moment when I thought: What would Socrates think of all this? I bet it would scare him. Yep, that's what I thought about in Times Square.
It's worth a visit and I had a lot of fun buying cheap wares from guys selling all sorts of knock-off crap on the streets after all the Broadway shows let the patrons out for the evening.
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You think it's cool if your not from here, but if you are a local Times Square is nothing special. If your flat broke and a local you going here to walk around and bs. If you are a tourist you are in awe at the architecture and new converging billboard that are advertising one thing like clothes yet have a hand reaching into another billboard for soap or something stupid like that.
Go take a free ride on the ferris wheel in Toys R' Us thats always fun. There's ESPN zone, and duane reade and a McDonalds you wouldn't feel ashamed to take a date to. It's open 24 hours if I'm not mistaken. You can't just go there and you the bathroom though. You have to buy something and they inforce that with guys I would like to call "McBouncers" who stand at the entrance for seating areas and have a little rope.
That's just to show you how crazy Times Square is. It's kind of annoying actually see for yourself. A lot of flashing lights that make you think something exciting is happening when it's the same old thing warmed over.
Pulleeaaase, Times Square is best compared of those blue lights you hang outside your porch; it attracts all those annoying lingering bugs that seem to annoy your great evening out. Transfixed on the glow of the light, they fly right into it and ZAP!!!! they're gone.
Times Square is the most un-NYC part of this island, it's full of flashing lights, see above, slow moving herds of lost tourists and that guy that plays the pan flute for 400 hours a day. Yes, it is the seat of Broadway, but even that whole concept is ridiculous. People singing and playing the same musical show over and over and over for 20 years even! What has the world come to!?
If you haven't been here, go, it's truly the armpit of tourist traps and then never go again.
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Nationwide stores & common fast food restaurants in glamorized decor, huge obnoxious billboards, and tourists everywhere? No thank you.
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Iconic New York destination. Everyone has to come here at some point. If you're a fan of it or not this is a must. For those of us who grew up in New York or have been there numerous times this place is annoying. However, no trip to New York is ever complete without at least one visit.
Some thoughts:
Hustle and bustle of New York (for the tourists that is) Real New Yorkers stay away.
Lots of glittering signs (imagine the energy bills)
Crowded (Good and bad. Good if you want to see a ton of people. Bad if you're like me and can't stand crazy crowds.)
Will I go again? sure, but only if i have to. There are far better and nicer parts of New York City.
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anyone in doubt of how our economy is doing should check this place out at night. the entire area is crazy bright... there's no way a poor country could afford to maintain something like massive.
that said, now that i've seen it once, i can happily never go back again. there are just too many people there for my taste.
apparently, 20 years ago, time square was full of nuddy bars and sketchy characters. now THAT i would like to see.
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Locals = If your a local, then you should know to avoid like the plague.
Tourists = Go here, you will be with your own kind.
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Times Square, A Haiku:
Times Square, dirty smog
Tourists, fanny packs, children
Naked Cowboy briefs
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POSITIVE
theatre
cool jumbo ad screens
NEGATIVE
total dump
nothing but bad chain restaurants and stores
everyone there is trying to sell you comedy tickets
WILL I RETURN?
for theatre only
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The only thing more cliched than visiting Times Square as a NYC tourist is a "New Yorker" bitching and moaning about Times Square and tourists.
Wake the hell up: if you don't know how to find a good time in Times Square then YOU, dear sir, are a tourist.
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New York City is hard at work getting ready for the site of the most famous Annual New Years Eve's countdown in the world. TIMES SQUARE !!!!
A bit of a history..........Formerly known as Longacre Square. The name Times Square was derived from the Times Building, ( the former offices of the New York Times) when it erected a new building at the turn of the 20th century on 43rd Street., the neighborhood then took on the name"Times Square". It is a major intersection in Manhattan ,located at the Junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue ..... from West 42nd St to 47th Street. The Times Square area runs from Sixth and Eight Avenues, 40th to 53rd Streets., also known as midtown, Manhattan. .
The very first ball was dropped on December 31, 1907. Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31st....the eyes of the world turn once more to the dazzling lights of Times Square. The world holds its breath and cheers as the clocks strike 12 and the famous Waterford Crystal New Years Eve Ball slowly descends from atop One Times Square. An estimated one million people pour over Times Square and millions more watching throughout the world. I noticed through the years that the ball seem to increase in size....As always I watch everything unfold in the luxury of my home....Happy 2009 to all..
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Olive Garden, Red Lobster, TGIFridays and Applebees.
If you're not from the midwest on vacation, stay away.
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Giant. Inflatable. Colon. THAT YOU CAN WALK THROUGH.
Naked Cowboy.
Random red staircase that leads to nowhere.
Nuts for Nuts every half block.
Elmo running around.
Police Officers making jokes about pedestrians almost being squished by cars.
An animated M&M character the size of a school bus waving from a billboard.
Tourists striking ridiculous poses EVERYWHERE.
Cheap/ Half-price/ Almost-free comedy tickets being offered to you every three feet.
Need I say more??
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I avoid it like the plague..In fact I bet the plague had started right there in Times Square.
To elaborate, terrible junk food, aimlessly walking people, chain stores that don't seem to sell anything , flashing lights
and to top it off an existentialist dilemma! What exactly is Times Square? What time is it at Times Square? and what do you do there really? If they had built a few casinos or roller-coasters it would make more sense to me. I still would hate it but it would resolve the existentialist issue.
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I never really liked coming here, it was too crowded. But if you're
visiting I guess it's one place to check out.
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It's a must see for all Non-New Yorkers because of the lights, jumbo screen, hordes of diverse people about and it's iconic status.
However, the place in essence sucks unless you're going to see a show or go to a few of the decent non-chain restaurants that remain (good luck finding them, I bet you'll end up in Chevy's or some other chain restaurant instead). The crowds are unreal and the tourists are endless. *The streets are made for walking folks, stopping short in the middle of the side walk to take a picture is not effing cool, I don't give a crap where you're from.*
Granted the place has been cleaned up and doesn't feel unsafe but the grimy allure that propelled it to it's current iconic status is all gone. I want to see a real peep show dammit not a porn vid in a stall...lame. Also, the strip clubs around are just as generic and unfoundedly expensive as the chain restaurants and movie theaters.
I say, "blah to Time Square!" Only go if you'll be seeing a show, seriously.
I saw the naked cowboy. And his agent. And the lights. I had flashbacks from when TRL was the shit in middle school. It would have been better if Times Square existed in my mind just when I was TRL's target market.
Now, I can't stand the crowds or getting stuck behind people who are (rightfully) rubber-necking at the lights and shiny objects.
It's Vegas, without the free drinks and the 10 point strippers.
I will say, however, the M&M store is impressive. I've give you that. The whole thing is impressive.
But, again, back to business, it's like a beauty queen. It's attractive under it's own standards but lacks the content needed for mental stimulation longer than a few moments.
It is a whip-it experience, except you don't want more.
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