New York’s Times Square; The crossroads that never sleeps
Times Square in New York is located in the affluent neighborhood of Manhattan and connects the famous streets of New York, namely Broadway and Seventh Street, and has become one of the symbols and landmarks of New York.
As soon as you arrive in this area, you find yourself among a large crowd of people who are usually hurrying here and there; So expect a lot of crowd there. If you raise your head a little, your eyes will fall on the big boards that broadcast the advertisements of the most famous brands in the world.
If you look around a little, you will come across many big and small restaurants; From simple restaurants that sell hot dogs to restaurants that are on the Michelin Star list (a global list of high-standard restaurants). If you are lucky, you will also have the opportunity to participate in various events such as concerts and celebrations in Times Square.
But before going to the famous Times Square, stay with us to know everything about this attraction.
All about Times Square
Times Square, which is one of America’s landmarks, is located in New York, the city that never sleeps, and is known as the “Crossroads of the World”. The boards full of color and electric light, which broadcast the advertisements of global brands day and night, are the famous element of Times Square and attract your attention.
Times Square has gone through many good and bad days to get here. Yes, you read it right; This famous Times Square also had dark days where crime and corruption were abundant, but today it is no longer in the news.
These days, Times Square has become a tourist hub and an important commercial-administrative area where thousands of people travel daily. Also, the heart of Broadway Street, which is famous for its theaters, is located in Times Square and is home to various street theaters and musicals.
You can see two famous statues in Times Square, New York. At the top of the triangle that marks the northern end of Times Square, you can see the colossal statue of Father Francis Patrick Duffy. Another statue is a bronze bust of the famous composer George Cohan located in Duffy Square, part of Times Square.
In short, when traveling to New York, it is not permissible to ask if we should visit Times Square or not. You must cross this crossroads and remember its memory.
Where is Times Square?
Times Square Address: USA, New York State, New York City, Manhattan
Times Square in New York City, USA is located in the famous and expensive neighborhood of Manhattan.
Access route to Times Square
There are many ways and options to go to Times Square.
Subway: There are many subway stations around Times Square that can easily take you to New York’s most famous intersection. The main ones are the 1, 2, 3 (Broadway – 7th Avenue Line) and the N, Q, R, W lines (Broadway Line), which have direct access to Times Square in New York.
You can also reach the 42nd Street-Port Authority buses via the A, C, E (Eighth Street Line), which will take you to Times Square via an underground passage. Also, Line 7 (Flushing Line) passes through Times Square.
Bus: If you want to get to Times Square in New York by bus, you should take the M7, M20, M42 and M104 buses. All these buses stop near Times Square.
Car: If you choose to drive your car through NYC traffic to get to Times Square, you’ll need to get to 7th Avenue or Broadway. 44th, 45th and 46th streets are also close to Times Square.
Where is the most famous street in New York?
It is interesting to know that Times Square in New York is geometrically not a square and is actually an intersection that connects the most famous streets of New York, 7th Avenue and Broadway.
Broadway Street is known as the theater capital of the world, and the part of it located in Times Square is known as the “Great White Way”.
The Broadway theater started working on this street in the 20th century and its peak was in 1920. Later, cinema and television attracted people and Broadway theater said goodbye to its heyday.
New York’s 7th Street is also known as Fashion Street; Because New York fashion was born on this street. 7th Street got this nickname about 50 years ago with the development of fashion related businesses and now you can see this nickname on the signposts of the Manhattan area.
Today, in addition to fashion-related businesses, important events of the fashion world, famous exhibitions and glamorous shows centered on fashion are also held on this street.
Interesting statistics of visiting Times Square
Undoubtedly, Times Square in New York is one of the most visited attractions in the world, and in addition, it is an important and commercial area for the people of Manhattan. Therefore, you should not be surprised if we tell you that 50 million people visit Times Square every year. On normal days, about 330,000 people and on busy days about 460,000 people pass through Times Square.
The history of Times Square, dark days behind
The intersection that is now known as Times Square was originally known as Long Acre. A square surrounded by beautiful buildings and numerous bars. With electricity running through the heart of advertisements and street lights, the neighborhood’s appeal increased. At the same time, IRT company shook it up by building the first transportation system in this region.
But the starting point of the story of Times Square was when Adolf Ochs decided to build the central building of the famous New York Times newspaper in this square. This structure was the second tallest skyscraper in New York at its time, which attracted all eyes with its beautiful architecture. Less than a year later, George B. McClellan, the mayor of New York, officially changed the name of the square from Long Acre to Times Square. Although a few mornings later, the New York Times moved its headquarters to another building, this name remained attached to the square forever.
During World War I, Times Square experienced a prosperous time in New York. Famous and high-end hotels and attractive restaurants made Times Square boom, but the turning point of its growth was when public transportation developed in the Times District and it became easy for people to get around.
For example, in 1905, the first year of operation, the Times Square IRT station saw almost five million passengers.
However, the dark and dirty days of Times Square in New York City slowly arrived. The significant growth of this region was halted due to the economic recession. Luxurious theaters and high-end restaurants and hotels gave way to cheap restaurants, superficial shows, and generally a place for debauchery.
World War II dealt another blow to the already declining Times Square. In May 1942, the then-mayor of New York ordered all the lights in this area to be turned off to protect the people of New York from potential attacks. Following this order, the advertising board of the Times Tower, which had continuously displayed various advertisements and news for 14 years, was turned off.
But that was not the whole story. The dark days of Times Square continued. Since the 1950s, the situation worsened, and efforts by politicians and officials to stop corruption and crime in Times Square were unsuccessful. In the 1970s, the highest crime rate in the area was recorded. The introduction of crack drugs among New York teenagers made the situation even worse.
After a lot of effort, money, and time, Times Square slowly started to recover and change. For example, opening baby product stores made it a better place for families. Meanwhile, the increasing number of tourists visiting the square spurred further development.
With the increase in construction, Times Square has become more prosperous, and after enduring its dark and ugly days, it is now a wonderful host for travelers, tourists, and Manhattanites alike.
Audible secrets of Times Square
There are some interesting and funny secrets about Times Square that you will be surprised to read:
- The Times Building, the original headquarters of the New York Times, is almost deserted. But by displaying advertisements on the building, it earns $23 million annually.
- Times Square consumes 161 megawatts of electricity every year due to billboards. This amount is enough to power approximately 161,000 homes in the United States. Hidden sound equipment is located in the triangular area between 45th and 46th streets under the subway station, which creates a continuous layered texture of ambient sounds.
- Every night at 11:57 p.m., more than 92 digital screens turn off simultaneously and display works of contemporary artists for three minutes. This event is called the “Midnight Moment.”
Famous landmarks of Times Square
- Coca-Cola sign
- Planet Hollywood
- McDonald’s
- Disney store
- TKTS Booth (seller of discounted theater and show tickets)
- Times Square Studio
- Budweiser Company
New Year celebration in Times Square
Every year, as midnight approaches on December 31, the eyes of the world turn to the dazzling lights and commotion of Times Square. The famous New Year’s Eve ball is dropped over Times Square, and many people bid farewell to the past year. In addition to the large crowds, millions of people around the world watch New Year’s Eve in Times Square through various media outlets.
Sightseeing places near Times Square
If you travel to New York, in addition to Times Square, we recommend visiting the surrounding attractions.
– The New York Times Building
The One Times Square building, or the New York Times Building, is the structure that gave Times Square its name. This structure was built in 1903 as the headquarters of the famous New York Times newspaper. Of course, after a decade, the New York Times moved from this building.
Most architectural elements of this building have changed over the years, and today it is known for its famous electric billboards. Over the years, the New York Times building has changed owners several times.
Its last owner, the financial group Lehman Brothers, bought the building in 1995 and added today’s advertising billboards around the square.
The distance from Times Square to the New York Times building is about 1 km.
– Bryant Park
Near New York’s Times Square, there is a park with an area of 38,000 square meters, surrounded by attractive skyscrapers. This park is full of life and activity. People of different ages come to Bryant Park to enjoy the atmosphere and its events.
Bryant Park is usually busy and hosts many interesting events like “movie nights.” Visiting art exhibitions, participating in reading events, group sports such as yoga, picnics, shopping at small shops, and dining at nearby restaurants are some of the activities you can enjoy at Bryant Park.
The distance between Times Square and Bryant Park is about 500 meters.
– Central Park
You came all the way to New York, why not visit Central Park? In the heart of Manhattan, there is a famous and beautiful rectangular park called Central Park.
Central Park spans 342,000 square meters and hosts 38 million visitors annually. The fame of this park is so great that it has become one of the symbols of New York City, and owning a home with a view of Central Park is worth millions of dollars.
Central Park is no ordinary park and hosts a wide range of sporting, artistic, educational, and cultural events. You can rent a bicycle to explore Central Park and enjoy an unforgettable trip.
The park also features several seemingly natural lakes, which are actually artificial. Additionally, there is a wild garden with more than 130 different species in the park, making it especially attractive for children.
The distance between Times Square and Central Park is about 2.5 kilometers.
– Rockefeller Center
Between 48th and 51st streets in New York, there are 19 office and commercial buildings known as Rockefeller Center. The headquarters of famous companies, television and radio studios, theaters, shops, and numerous restaurants are located here.
Rockefeller Center always hosts various artistic and cultural events, and interesting activities are always happening. You can see the best view of New York from the Top of the Rock building and admire the unique art inside the building.
Various works of art, such as sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and murals by international artists, are scattered throughout Rockefeller Center and its buildings, which will surely surprise you.
The distance between Times Square and Rockefeller Center is about 500 meters.
– Statue of Liberty
It is impossible to think of America without thinking of its famous statue of a woman in Roman dress holding a burning torch. The Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous statues in America and the world, was built and donated by France in 1886 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of American independence.
In the right hand of the statue is a plaque inscribed with July IV, MDCCLXXVI, referring to the date of the American Declaration of Independence. In the left hand, the statue holds a torch, which is elegantly designed and covered with 24-carat gold. The broken chain under the left leg of the Statue of Liberty symbolizes the end of British colonial rule in America.
Inside the statue, visitors can climb the stairs to the crown and get a unique view of New York City.
The distance from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty is about 10 kilometers.
– Madison Square
Madison Square, in Manhattan, is a major intersection and a luxury commercial district, near which Madison Park is located. It’s interesting to know that many advertising companies have offices on Madison Avenue, and their advertisers were called “Mad Men” (a reference to the TV show and men of Madison Avenue) in the late 1950s.
Madison Square is named in honor of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States and one of the main authors of the U.S. Constitution.
When visiting this square, you can shop for souvenirs such as those sold at “Memories of New York” and try delicious food at the square’s attractive restaurants.
There are also various museums nearby, such as the Museum of Mathematics (Math Museum), which can provide an interesting experience.
The distance between Times Square and Madison Square in New York is about 2 kilometers.
Stay near Times Square
Times Square in New York City is a neighborhood with high traffic of both Manhattan residents and tourists, so there are plenty of accommodation options. Here are some hotels you can book near Times Square:
Luxury hotels around the square
- The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
- The St. Regis New York
- Park Hyatt New York
- The Peninsula New York
- Mandarin Oriental, New York
Budget-friendly hotels around the square
- Pod Times Square
- Hotel Edison
- Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central
- Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square
- YOTEL New York
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