The flashing neon signs and oversized billboards of Times Square are larger and louder than life, rather like New York itself. Overflowing with noise and activity, it is the very soul of the city that never sleeps.
The square is named after the New York Times, which was based here from 1904 to 1913. It has had a bumpy history over the years, with the Great Depression of the 1930s taking a huge toll on its popularity. An official walking tour, organised by the Times Square Alliance, will tell you more about the area’s changing fortunes and its return to prosperity.
Located just minutes away from Grand Central Terminal at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, the ‘Crossroads of the World’ is the most visited place on the planet. You could easily pass an afternoon here browsing the souvenir shops for something to take home, snacking on candy at the enormous Hershey store or watching a film at one of the many multi-screen cinemas. For a more substantial snack, why not head to a deli for a pastrami sandwich or try that most American of snacks – a hamburger loaded with your choice of toppings.
Take a moment to watch the street performers working their magic all around the Square. All types of people ply their trade here: illusionists, jugglers and a host of musicians. A growing number of characters from popular culture can be seen dotted around, from Superman to the Cookie Monster. They will happily have their photo taken with you, but don’t be surprised if they ask for a donation.
To come face to face with some more historical figures, why not have a look round Madame Tussauds. The famous waxworks is great fun and has been perfecting its reproductions for years – where else would you come across Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King and Johnny Depp in one place?
You might want to finish off the day with a show at one of the 40 venues on Broadway, New York’s famous theatre district which spreads out to the side of the Square. It hosts some of the most famous and glamorous shows of the season. Half-price tickets for the evening’s performance are available every afternoon from the TKTS outdoor booth. These are a real bargain, so the queue can get very long.
