Times Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Times Square
Times Square
4.5
NeighborhoodsPoints of Interest & LandmarksScenic Walking Areas
About
Central area in NYC that has many shops, restaurants, office buildings and flashing billboards around it.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • GuiWong
    Aurora, Canada4,515 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feel the Energy!
    It’s exactly what I expected! Lots of people, sights and sounds. You can feel the energy and lots of great photo opportunities. It’s easy to imagine the iconic New Year’s eve ball drop among the crowds.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 30, 2023
  • Mic O
    Auckland Central, New Zealand107 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see but is it really worth it???
    When we arrived in New York our shuttle driver took us past Times Square a few times as he dropped people off. It looks impressive and it is. We went back during the day time and its still packed with people, but it was raining and the stair/seats were closed for safety reasons, which meant (If we wanted that photo) we had to go back again. It was exactly the same the next day we back and that leads me to say its amazing but is it worth it? hmm for me not really. I suppose if you were there (I personally wouldn't want to be) on New Years eve waiting for the time ball to drop it might be different. I cant say I would rush back but I am glad we went.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 12, 2023
  • reviewunboxinges
    37 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not what I expected
    A bit short from what I expect. This is one of the few good place in the area. I’m really surprised about the train system. Lots of people, lovely shops, a bit expensive price of food compared to European cities
    Visited July 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 20, 2023
  • Connector19276158837
    Bethesda, Maryland2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    New York, New York - What a Wonderful Town
    We had a great time. We saw "Good Night, Oscar," which was fabulous. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't speak after for about 10 minutes. Highly recommend. Also recommend Gallagher's Steak House - fantastic. Pricey, but worth it. We stayed at the Courtyard Times Square (on 40th Street) - very comfortable, and a couple hundred dollars less than the Marriott Marquis, but still within easy walking distance of Broadway plays.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 2, 2023
  • David S
    Middlesbrough, United Kingdom1,751 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    NON STOP ACTION
    My wife and I visited New York for two days as part of a larger cruise and really enjoyed the experience. Times Square is located Midtown and is truly the heart of the city that never sleeps. It's frantic during the day and absolutely manic at night. A relatively easy 20 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal and well worth the effort to get there. Just be warned that it's almost impossible to find a free to enter restroom in the area so, if you need to go, you'll have to go into a bar or eatery and buy a product before being permitted to use the sites facilities.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 9, 2023
  • Taylor Morris
    Boise, Idaho81 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must See - Day and Night
    This is obviously a must if you're visiting New York. We came here during the day and at night. Night is so cool with all the lights. Make sure you look at it from the top of the stairs above the TKTS, and then you look at it from the other way too (at the other end). There's lots of people, so just keep an eye on your group + kids if you bring them here.
    Visited December 2022
    Written June 25, 2023
  • Shu K
    San Jose, California393 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    What A Huge Crowd
    So many people and cars, it’s crazy! Yet this is where it all takes place. And surprisingly, I felt safe all along. I think everyone has to go there once, if only to see the lights and giant screens, and give us a feel for where all the TV stations are, where NASDAQ is, and where the Ball drops on New Year’s Eve. I was actually surprised by how condensed and small this general area was, but it’s all there. I will admit, I only walked through here because all of the activities were away from the square. I could only take so much of a crowd. It sure made me appreciate suburbia.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 28, 2023
  • Rachael G
    Flint, United Kingdom112 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A crystallised NYC experience. But keep your wits about you.
    My 3rd time in NYC and Times Square. Still a feast for the senses and a must-see in the big apple. I don’t know if it’s my age(!) but it was a bit too bustling to stay in for any amount of time. We did McD’s & had a great view of the whole square. A great cheap & very American lunch! I visited Sephora & took the obligatory photos & then I was outta there. As others have no doubt mentioned, if you see Elmo et al, run. They’ll push themselves into your photos & then get angry if you refuse to pay them. They normally ask for $20. I only had $1 on me (who carries cash nowadays?!) & it was not gratefully received. A bit intimidating actually. Keep your wits about you & enjoy the experience.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written June 29, 2023
  • Ruby W
    Grimsby, Canada199 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Never a Dull Moment
    This place is always busy. There are celebrities like the Naked Cowboy, The Staue of Liberty, Mickey and Minie Mouse, and more. These are working people so you can pay to get your picture taken with them. The Ball is at the south end and changes colour. The Red stairs are at the North end, where you can line up and get Broadway tickets at a discounted price.
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 11, 2023
  • Rschagrin
    Delray Beach, Florida18,157 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Happening Place
    One of the busiest area in New York. Also probably the most crowded tourist spot. Home to major restaurants, hotels, stores, and the best theater district in the world. Definitely a happening place which is great for people watching.
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 23, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles56,822 reviews
Excellent
33,596
Very good
13,495
Average
6,656
Poor
1,934
Terrible
1,143

tippykarp
New York City, NY86 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Times Sqare is a must see, especially at night. But be prepared for huge crowds and very little room to walk. You may want to check out the Broadway half price ticket outlet at West 45th St. There are usually long lines but they move fairly rapidly. There is a very nice and remarkably clean movie complex on West 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Aves called the Regal Cinema Times Square, which has about 10 theaters, always showing first run movies. If barbeque is your thing there is a suprisingly good barbeque restaurant right next to the Regal Cinemas called Dallas Barbeque where you can dine fairly inexpensive and good. This place is especially good for families.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alysonh90
United Kingdom56 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
Stayed in a hotel just off Times Square and we were quite disappointed with the location. Times Square is busy with tourists and touters alike and you can’t walk from one shop to the other without getting accosted to but something or take a photo with Minnie Mouse or some scantily dressed burlesque dancers. They don’t seem to have the ability to leave tourists in peace and after our first day in the city we actively avoided the area and took a long route around to avoid this rip off hot spot. Such a shame because it is the bright lights of Times Square should be what NYC is all about. Spoiled by overcrowded areas and touters
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,144 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
If I was asked to described in a few words times Square, I could only say it's the center of Manhattan; several subway lines meet at times Square, or at least pass through, so there are day and night lots of people stopping here either to see a Broadway show, just to take pictures, to visit one of the many shops selling everything from souvenirs, to sports apparels and who knows what else.
I would strongly suggest to come to times Square at sunset or at night, when all the neon lights shine bright and you really wonder at the gigantic size of this square (and city).
True, there are homeless people, people dressed up in costumes, hustlers "selling" cds, but if you want to see a representation of America in a square, this is the place you wanna visit.
Plus, who goes to NY without passing at least by time Square?!
Written March 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pinoks
Taguig City, Philippines226 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
We came here in the late afternoon of Dec. 27 so daughter could see the billboards and the crowds. But oh boy! It was just so crowded that it was quite difficult to move. We got scared for our daughter as we felt she could get squeezed by the throng of people. And we felt that the risk of a stampede was so real.

I don’t understand some people who even brought their young children in strollers.

Other than the fact that it’s Times Square and its glittering billboards, this place lacks cultural significance as it is commonly understood.

This place should be avoided if at all possible. If one were to visit, it’s probably good to do that very late in the evening or very early in the morning. Trust me.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sal
Hawthorne, NJ38 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019 • Family
If you are going to NYC than it is a no brainer that you have to spend a day in times square. It is a blend of all different characters where tourist, business people and super heroes congregate in a daily basis. If you are not prepared to pay the super heroes than don't take a pic with them, the naked cowboy also takes pics for money. The minimum you should give is about 5.00 if you don't want to argue with them. Trust they will argue with you also don't ask them to take your picture if you want you phone back you would have to pay, this is NYC not Disney land.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

walshgolfmw
Burlington, MA70 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
If you want to attend a play or show, just across from Madison Square Garden at 10 a.m. they sell half price tickets to Off-Broadway and Broadway shows for that days performances. They also sell matinee performances. Times Square is a different place in the day time than it is at night. Probably the busiest place in all of mid Manhattan.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

millsy123
Newcastle, Australia264 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Loud, super bright and full of interesting characters. At Xmas time the whole of new york is magical...especially when it snows! Look out for the entertainers in times square and getting your photo taken with a super hero could be expensive!!!
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Desiree S
Los Angeles, CA70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
I love NYC it’s one of my favorite towns and Time Square it one of it staple attractions. There’s restaurant, shops, places to buy tickets for broadway and off-broadway plays at discounted prices. They have a bleacher area for tourists to sit in and view the area and the American flag for the greatest country in the world.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HappyWhen
Kajaani, Finland572 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Sellers try to vend tickets to Broadway or sightseeing busses, photo opportunities with Disney and Marvel characters or just asking for money for some reasons.

Bright billboards are all over the square, which seems smaller than in the movies/pictures. We went there once in purpose and couple of times just passing and there were always people.

We stood there for a good while to feel the square and for some photos, which are nice to take in sort of podiums there are along the street.

Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rea S
Arlington, TX27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
A cold Sunday evening around 6 pm, I made my way down to Tiime Square. Shops were open and street vendors were at every corner. The bleachers were nice although I did not go to sit down.. I enjoyed the artistic displays of lights and visuals on the super large screen. There were dancers in the middle of the square entertaining all who wanted to see and various skateboarders riding about. So many places to eat and drink were available, along with the food vendors with their parked trucks selling cheap eats. There were artist available to sketch details portraits or caricatures lined up and down the streets. From knock-off designer goods to cheap souvenirs, it was all there. If one is tired, it is easy to get a carriage rider to give you a lift, but it is not cheap. Coming out of the store, I saw a heavy presence of NYPD, this was because a social issue parade was being led. New York is always awake, popping, full of culture and diversity.. You have to see it for yourself. It you like a fast past place with lots of bright lights, places to shop, street eats, drink and like to see a unique set of human-beings, visit time square. You won't be disappointed.
Written March 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Times Square - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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