Times Square

There's no doubting that Times Square has evolved into something much different than it was well over a decade ago, when it had a deservedly sleazy reputation. There is much debate among New Yorkers about which incarnation was better. Even the New York Times, which gave Times Square its name, has moved. For the natives, Times Square is a place we go out of our way to avoid. The crowds, even by New York standards, are stifling; the restaurants, mostly national chains, aren’t very good; the shops, also mostly national chains, are unimaginative; and the attractions, such as Madame Tussaud’s New York wax museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not, are kitschy. I suppose it’s a little too Vegas for me. Still, you’ve come all this way; you’ve got to at least take a peek, if only for the amazing neon spectacle of it.

Most of the Broadway theaters are around Times Square, so plan your visit before or after the show you’re going to see. For your pre-theater meal, walk 2 blocks west to Ninth Avenue where you’ll find a number of relatively inexpensive, good restaurants. If you are with the kids, the Ferris wheel in the Toys “R” Us store makes a visit to Times Square worthwhile. Mayor Bloomberg has decreed part of Times Square (and Herald Square as well) to be permanently vehicle-free. What was an 8-month experiment has been fully embraced by the city. Pull up a chair (literally: there are chairs and tables on formerly heavily trafficked streets) and watch the world go by. 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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