If you’re looking for things to do in Times Square you’ve come to the right place! Times Square is famous for its giant billboards, flashing neon lights, and dressed-up superheroes and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. It’s also the home of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop.
Times Square is an intersection located in Midtown, Manhattan on 42nd Street where Broadway meets Seventh Avenue.
Here are our best tips on what to do in Times Square to get the most out of your visit.
Things to do in Times Square
There are many things to do in Times Square such as walking up the big red steps, taking photos with dressed-up superheroes and Disney characters, or eating food at Hard Rock Cafe.
NYC gets millions of visitors every year and everyone wants to visit the same tourist attractions like Times Square. Times Square is known for being extremely packed with people and can get a little overwhelming at first. If you’re sensitive to big crowds I would recommend coming here during the weekday instead of the weekend.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
Times Square has been the home of the famous New Year’s Eve ball drop celebration since 1907. Every year people gather at Times Square to watch the glass ball drop at midnight. This event is even broadcasted on TV.
Again, this is something you want to avoid if you’re not good with crowds. I’ve heard that it’s sometimes so packed with people that it’s almost impossible to move or get out of the crowd.
Look at the billboards
Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Times Square is to look at all the billboards. Times Square is famous for its large digital billboards that light up the whole intersection. If you come here at night it almost feels like daytime because of all the billboard and neon lights.
See a Broadway musical
Times Square is the center of the Theatre District where all the Broadway shows are located. Experience the magic of a Broadway show is one of the best things to do in Times Square and is a must if you visit New York City. You can read more about Broadway shows here.
Visit a museum
If you’re interested in visiting museums while you visit NYC, Times Square has a few good ones. You can visit Madame Tussauds, filled with life-size wax figures of actors, artists, and political leaders but also superheroes like Spiderman and the Hulk. Another museum worth visiting (which is great if you travel with kids) is Ripley’s Beleive it or Not!.
Take a photo from the iconic red steps
Your visit to Times Square is not complete without walking up those red steps. Taking a photo from here is one of the best things to do in Times Square. From here you get a great view of all the billboards and people from above.
Go shopping
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Times Square. There are many great flagship stores by big brands here and here are a few worth visiting:
Disney Store
If you travel with kids you need to visit the Disney Store. The store has two floors filled with toys of your favorite Disney characters.
M&M’s World
Another great store to visit with kids is M&M’s World. This three-story M&M’s themed store is located in the middle of Times Square where you can buy lots of M&M candy. It’s not only one of the best things to do in Times Square but also a great place to shop for souvenirs.
More stores in Times Square worth visiting:
- Old Navy
- Levi’s
- Sephora
- H&M
- Forever 21
- Gap
- Many many New York souvenier shops
Eat food
Restaurants
New York City has no shortage of great restaurants and the same applies to Times Square. Here you can eat at the famous Hard Rock Café or Bubba Gump which is a restaurant based on the movie Forest Gump.
Food trucks
Food trucks are great if you’re looking to grab something quick to eat. You can grab a classic New York hotdog or a pretzel, or maybe something from The Halal Guys or Nuts 4 Nuts.
Dessert
If you’re in the mood for some dessert I would recommend trying a New York cheesecake from Junior’s. You can either enjoy just one slice of get a whole pie to bring home.
Common questions about Times Square
Is Times Square not shaped as a square?
No. Many people think that Times Square is a “square” because of its name. Times Square is a triangle-shaped intersection located in Midtown, Manhattan on 42nd Street where Broadway meets Seventh Avenue.
What is Times Square famous for?
Times Square is famous for all the digital billboards that light up the whole interaction at night.
How much does it cost to visit Times Square?
Nothing. You don’t have to pay anything to visit Times Square since it’s a regular intersection in the city. The only time you have to pay if you come here for the annual New Year’s Eve event.
Why is it called Times Square?
Times Square was originally called Longacre Square. The name changed when the newspaper New York Times moved its headquarters there. New York Times is no longer located in Times Square and they moved to 8th Avenue right across from Port Authority bus terminal.