Honestly, most New Yorkers avoid it like the plague. They’ll tell you it’s just a loud, bright trap for people who don’t know any better. But here’s the thing: Times Square New York is still the undeniable, electric heartbeat of Manhattan, whether locals want to admit it or not. You can feel the vibration of the city the second you step off the subway at 42nd Street. It’s overwhelming. It’s chaotic. It’s exactly what people think of when they dream about the big city.
Most folks think it's just a square. It isn't. It's actually a bow-tie-shaped junction where Broadway and Seventh Avenue intersect.
Why the Location of Times Square New York Actually Matters
If you look at a map from the late 1800s, you won’t find this name. Back then, it was Longacre Square. It was a place for horse carriages and stables. Not exactly the "Center of the Universe" vibe we have now. Everything changed in 1904. Adolph S. Ochs, the publisher of The New York Times, moved the newspaper’s headquarters to a new skyscraper on 42nd Street. He convinced the mayor to rename the area.
The first New Year’s Eve ball drop happened three years later because Ochs wanted a bigger spectacle than just fireworks. Since then, the location of Times Square New York has basically functioned as the world's most expensive billboard.
You’ve got to understand the geography to navigate it without losing your mind. The "Bowtie" runs from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. If you’re standing at the TKTS red steps—which, by the way, offer the best people-watching view on the planet—you’re at the northern end. To your south is the iconic One Times Square, the building where the ball drops. It’s mostly empty inside, weirdly enough. It’s covered in so many LED screens that the rent from advertising pays more than any office tenants ever could.
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It’s bright. Like, "visible from space" bright.
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The LED displays here consume enough energy to power a small city. When you’re standing in the middle of the pedestrian plazas, the light doesn't just come from above; it bounces off the glass and the pavement. It’s disorienting. You’ll see Elmo, Spider-Man, and maybe a Naked Cowboy. They want your money. Just keep walking. A polite "no thanks" goes a long way, or honestly, just don't make eye contact if you're feeling overwhelmed.
Traffic is a nightmare. Do not take a yellow cab through the heart of Times Square New York unless you enjoy sitting still while a meter runs. The city turned much of Broadway into a pedestrian-only zone back in 2009. This was a massive controversy at the time. Former Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan pushed for it to improve safety and air quality. Locals hated it at first. Now? It’s hard to imagine the area without those café tables and chairs. It made the space feel more like a plaza in Europe and less like a high-speed car chase.
Eating and Drinking Without Getting Ripped Off
Look, most of the food right on the "Duffy Square" stretch is overpriced. You’re paying for the view. If you want a chain restaurant experience, sure, the Olive Garden there is famous for its view of the lights. But if you walk just one block west to Ninth Avenue—specifically the stretch between 42nd and 57th—you hit Hell's Kitchen.
That’s where the actual food is.
Thai, Italian, Ethiopian, and some of the best burger joints in the city live there. You can get a meal for half the price and ten times the quality. If you absolutely must eat in the center of the madness, Joe’s Pizza on 1435 Broadway is a legit staple. It’s fast. It’s thin crust. It’s exactly what a New York slice should be. Don't look for a seat; there aren't many. Just fold your slice and eat it while walking like a real New Yorker.
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The Broadway Connection
You can’t talk about this location without mentioning the Theater District. Most of the 41 professional Broadway theaters are tucked away on the side streets branching off the square.
- The Majestic: Home to massive long-running hits.
- The New Amsterdam: Disney’s flagship theater on 42nd Street.
- The Palace: A legendary vaudeville house that was literally lifted in the air recently to make room for retail space.
Buying tickets at the TKTS booth under the red steps is a rite of passage. You wait in line, you hope the show you want has "same-day" discounts, and you soak in the atmosphere. Expert tip: Download the TodayTix app instead if you hate standing in lines. It’s usually the same price, and you don’t have to deal with the wind tunnel effect that happens on 47th Street in the winter.
Safety and the "Old" Times Square
People talk about the 1970s like they were the "bad old days." Back then, Times Square New York was gritty. It was full of peep shows and grindhouse cinemas. It wasn't "Disney-fied." In the 1990s, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the 42nd Street Development Project pushed for a total cleanup. They brought in Disney, AMC, and big corporate retailers.
Is it safer now? Absolutely.
Is it "sanitized"? Some people think so. But it’s also the place where 50 million people visit every year without feeling like they’re in a scene from Taxi Driver. There is a heavy police presence. You’ll see NYPD booths and officers on every corner. It’s one of the most surveilled places on Earth. Just stay aware of your surroundings, keep your bag zipped, and don't let anyone "gift" you a CD or a bracelet—they will expect a "donation" immediately after.
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Getting There Like a Pro
The subway is your best friend. The 42nd St–Times Square station is a massive labyrinth. It connects the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and S (shuttle) lines. There’s also an underground tunnel that connects you to the A, C, and E lines at Port Authority.
It's confusing. You will get lost the first time.
Look for the colored globes on the subway entrances. Green means the entrance is open 24/7. Red usually means it’s a restricted entrance or exit. If you find yourself in the tunnel between 7th and 8th Avenue, look for the "Times Square Mural" by Roy Lichtenstein. It’s a massive piece of pop art that most people walk right past because they’re staring at their phones or trying not to miss their train.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just wander aimlessly. To actually enjoy Times Square New York, you need a plan.
- Visit at Night: The lights are the whole point. Go after 10 PM when the theater crowds have cleared out but the energy is still high.
- The Midnight Moment: Every night from 11:57 PM to midnight, the digital billboards synchronize. They stop showing ads and display a coordinated art show. It’s one of the few quiet, "artistic" things left in the square.
- Use the Lobbies: If you need a clean bathroom or a place to sit for a second, the Marriott Marquis has a lobby on the 8th floor. It’s a literal sanctuary in the middle of the chaos. Take the glass elevators; the view is incredible.
- Check the TKTS App: Before you stand in the physical line, check the "TKTS" app to see what’s available. If nothing looks good, don't waste your hour standing in the cold.
- Walk West for Food: Seriously. Ninth Avenue is the move. Avoid any place with a "character" standing outside or a menu printed in five languages on the sidewalk.
The magic of this place isn't in the souvenirs or the chain stores. It’s in the sheer scale of the human ambition on display. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and it’s crowded, but there isn't another square mile on the planet that vibrates with this much intensity. Go once. See the lights. Then walk three blocks away and find a quiet bar to process what you just saw. That’s the real New York experience.