Things to do nearTimes Square
Times Square is Manhattan's most iconic commercial plaza, drawing millions to its towering billboards, Broadway theaters, and nonstop street energy in the center of New York City.
Times Square sits at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, roughly between 42nd and 47th Streets, and has served as a commercial and cultural crossroads since the early twentieth century. The area took its current name in 1904 when the New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly constructed Times Tower and celebrated the occasion with a fireworks display that eventually evolved into the famous New Year's Eve ball drop, a tradition that continues to draw hundreds of thousands of people each December 31. Through the mid-twentieth century the district was home to theaters, hotels, and jazz clubs, and although it fell into a period of decline in the 1970s, a sustained revitalization effort through the 1990s transformed it into the densely commercial, heavily visited destination it is today.
Visitors come to take in the sheer visual scale of the advertising displays, which now include some of the largest digital screens in the world, and to access the Theater District, which lines the surrounding blocks with Broadway houses presenting everything from long-running musicals to limited-run dramatic productions. The pedestrian plazas that replaced vehicle lanes along Broadway give visitors room to pause, sit, and take in the spectacle at a human pace. Street performers, pop-up installations, and seasonal events add an unpredictable layer of entertainment throughout the year.
Times Square functions as both a destination in itself and a gateway to the broader Midtown neighborhood, placing visitors within walking distance of Bryant Park, the Theater District, and major transit hubs. For anyone seeking to understand the particular energy that defines New York City, Times Square remains an essential and irreplaceable starting point.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Times Square
Visit during the early morning hours, around 6 to 7 a.m., to experience the illuminated signs and architecture without the densest crowds.
Try a pre-theater dinner in the surrounding blocks before an evening Broadway show, as many restaurants offer prix-fixe menus tailored to showgoers.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, as the pedestrian plazas along Broadway invite extended wandering and the nearest subway connections can require a short walk.
Look for the TKTS booth on the red steps at the south end of Duffy Square, where same-day discounted Broadway and off-Broadway tickets are regularly available.
Walk one block east or west of the main plaza to find quieter side streets with a more local mix of delis, coffee shops, and smaller performance venues.
Top tours & experiences near Times Square
Cruise Manhattan on a Climate Change & Architecture Tour
Circle Manhattan by yacht and learn how NYC is adapting to climate change
Small Group Midtown Tour with Local NYC Guide
See iconic Midtown landmarks, from Times Square to Grand Central, on a small-group walk
Cruise the East River Abandoned Islands at Sunset
Sail past North and South Brother Islands with an urban naturalist at sunset
Explore Gilded Age New York Around Madison Square
Walk Madison Square’s Gilded Age streets with historic images
Explore Midtown Manhattan Art & Architecture Walk
Walk Midtown from Times Square to Rockefeller Center for art and architecture insights
Private Midtown Manhattan Architecture Walking Tour
Trace Midtown South’s evolving skyline with an architect guide
Private Midtown Manhattan Architecture Walking Tour
Trace Midtown's evolving skyline with a licensed architect
2-Hour Midtown South Architecture Walking Tour
Trace Midtown’s architectural evolution with a licensed architect
50-Minute Central Park Horse Carriage Ride to Times Square
Ride by horse carriage from Central Park to Rockefeller Center and Times Square
3-Hour New York City Highlights Guided Bike Tour
Bike 9 miles through Manhattan with a licensed guide
Fly a 25-30 Minute NYC Helicopter Tour to Coney Island
See NYC from above on a 25–30 minute helicopter flight to Coney Island
Fly Over Manhattan on an 18-20 Minute Helicopter Tour
See NYC icons from above on an 18–20 minute helicopter flight
Fly a 12–15 Minute NYC Helicopter Tour to Central Park
See NYC landmarks from the air on a 12–15 minute helicopter flight
Times Square Sandwich Food Tour
Taste Times Square through standout sandwiches and neighborhood stories
Midtown Manhattan Architecture Walking Tour
Trace Midtown’s architectural evolution with a licensed architect guide
Private Midtown West Architecture Walking Tour
Trace Midtown West’s evolving skyline, theaters and public spaces on a private walk
Central Park & Manhattan 2.5-Hour Pedicab Tour
Private pedicab sightseeing with unlimited photo stops
Private Pedicab Tour of Central Park & NYC
A private, customizable pedicab ride with photo stops and NYC storytelling
NYC 3-Hour Night Highlights Guided Bus Tour
See NYC’s night landmarks by luxury bus with a local guide
2.5-Hour Midtown Manhattan Walking Tour
Discover Midtown landmarks and Grand Central secrets with a local guide
Fly Over Manhattan on a 12-15 Minute Helicopter Tour
See the Statue of Liberty and Central Park from the air in 12–15 minutes
Fly a New York City Helicopter Tour Over Central Park
18–20 minute helicopter flight from Liberty Harbor to Central Park and Upper Manhattan
25-30 Minute New York City VIP Helicopter Tour
See NYC by helicopter, with a longer route to Coney Island and the Palisades
Fly a 20-25 Minute NYC Skyline Helicopter Tour
See the Manhattan skyline by helicopter from NJ in 20–25 minutes
NYC Night Helicopter Tour From New Jersey
See the Manhattan skyline at night on a 20–25 minute helicopter flight from New Jersey
Ride a Private NYC Dutch Bike Guided Tour
Customize a private Dutch bike tour through NYC highlights
Ride a 6-Hour Private Bike Tour of New York City
See New York City in 6 hours on a private, customizable bike tour
Private New York City Helicopter Tour
See Manhattan, the harbor and Coney Island from above
1-Hour Pedicab Tour of Central Park & Times Square
Ride a pedicab from Central Park to Rockefeller Center and Times Square with photo stops
Explore Hell's Kitchen Speakeasies & Bars in NYC
Visit three historic NYC bars and speakeasies with a licensed guide
Explore Manhattan Highlights Bike Tour In German
Ride Manhattan’s top sights with a licensed guide—tour available in German
3-Hour NYC Guided Electric Bike Tour
Ride 9 miles through Manhattan with a licensed guide
Ride a 3-Hour New York City Highlights Bike Tour
Cycle 9 miles through Manhattan highlights with a Dutch-speaking guide
6-Hour New York City Guided Glass-Top Bus Tour
See NYC highlights by glass-top bus with guided stops and a Staten Island Ferry ride
Times Square & Hell's Kitchen Food Walking Tour
Walk Times Square and eat your way through Hell’s Kitchen with five food stops
Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen Food & Central Park Tour
Walk Times Square, eat through Hell’s Kitchen, then explore Central Park
1-Hour Guided Midtown Pedicab Tour in New York
See Midtown from an open-air pedicab with guided local context
Private SUV Guided Tour of New York City
See NYC by private SUV with a driver and local guide, day or night
Explore New York City on a Private 4- or 6-Hour Bus Tour
Private 4–6 hour glass-top bus tour of NYC, day or night
Explore New York City Night Bus Tour From Times Square
See NYC after dark on a private guided bus tour with stops and short walks
Explore New York City on a Private Van Tour
Private NYC van tour with a local guide, with day or night options
Roaring 20s Tour of New York
Trace Jazz Age style and social change through New York’s Art Deco landmarks
90-Minute Central Park & Manhattan Pedicab Tour
Private open-air sightseeing with guide-led city stories
Private Times Square & Theater District Tour
Explore the stories behind Times Square and Broadway with a private guide
Explore 42nd Street on a 2-Hour Private Walking Tour
Walk 42nd Street on a private 2-hour tour for up to 8
Explore Broadway Theaters Near Times Square Walking Tour
Walk Broadway’s 44th–46th Street theaters with a theater pro guide
Explore Midtown Manhattan on a 2.5-Hour Walking Tour
Walk through Midtown Manhattan highlights with a private group tour
Explore NYC's Irish Legacy Walking Tour to Times Square
Walk NYC’s Irish legacy from Old St. Patrick’s to Times Square
New York City Layover Guided Tour
Turn your layover into a private tour of NYC landmarks
New York City 3-Hour Night Guided Tour
See New York’s landmark streets and skyline after dark with an expert guide
Manhattan 4-Hour Guided SUV Tour
See Manhattan’s landmarks with guided stops and skyline views from a comfortable SUV
Private 4-Hour New York City Walking Tour
Shape your NYC walk around the neighborhoods and landmarks that interest you
New York City Private SUV Guided Tour
Tailor your NYC sightseeing from an airport meet-and-greet
Manhattan Night Bus Tour
Explore Manhattan landmarks after dark with stories, music, trivia, and humor
New York City Autumn & Winter SUV Tour
See Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens landmarks from a public SUV
Central Park 2-Hour Pedicab Tour
Ride through Central Park’s south and mid sections with optional landmark stops
Broadway Theater History Tour in Times Square
Trace Broadway's early theater history with a working stage professional
Hudson Theatre Guided Tour in Times Square
Step Inside Broadway History at the Hudson Theatre
Broadway Theater History Tour in Times Square
Trace the Shubert Brothers’ rise through Broadway’s landmark theaters
Broadway Theater History Guided Tour in New York
Trace Broadway’s evolution through its historic northern theater district
Haunted Broadway Guided Tour in Times Square
Uncover Broadway ghostlight legends with theatre professionals
Broadway Theater Walking Tour Near Times Square
Trace Broadway’s evolution through theaters and backstage stories near Times Square
Midtown Architecture Guided Tour
Explorez les secrets architecturaux de Midtown, de Broadway à Grand Central
New York City 1-Hour Pedicab Tour
See New York landmarks by private pedicab with a professional guide
2-Hour Pedicab Sightseeing Tour of New York City
Explore NYC landmarks with a private pedicab guide
3.5-Hour Guided Manhattan Highlights Tour
See Manhattan with a Licensed Spanish-Speaking Guide
3-Hour Manhattan Night Tour From Times Square
See Manhattan’s illuminated skyline from Queens, Brooklyn, and New Jersey
15-Hour Washington DC & Philadelphia Tour From NYC
Trace U.S. history across Washington and Philadelphia by private motor coach
New York City Post-Show Drag Bar Crawl
Keep the theater energy going with a drag-hosted NYC night out
Private NYC TV & Movie Filming Locations Tour
See Manhattan's TV and movie locations with a local actor guide
Midtown Architecture Guided Tour With Times Square
Discover Midtown’s hidden architecture, passages, and landmark stories
Private 6-Hour Guided Tour of New York City
Customize a private New York City sightseeing route with a dedicated guide and driver