Times Square in New York: what to see and when to come
Times Square is a plaza in the center of Manhattan at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Millions of tourists come here every year, and on New Year's Eve the plaza and neighboring streets fill with hundreds of thousands of people. The first ball was dropped here on December 31, 1907 (according to the plaza's official tourism office), and since then it has been the signature landmark of New York City.
But the plaza has a second side: during the day it is noisy, crowded, and expensive, while the best shots come in the morning and late evening. Below is the minimum you need for a walk, the calmest times of day, and practical ticket advice.
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What to see and when to go
💡 In short:
- Come before 10:00 or after 21:00: during the day the crowds are at their densest.
- Buy Madame Tussauds museum and show tickets online in advance.
- Madame Tussauds prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.
Part of Broadway near the plaza is pedestrianized, so you can walk here without a stream of cars.
History and name of the plaza
Until 1904 the place was called Longacre Square. The plaza got its new name in honor of The New York Times newspaper: its owner Adolph Ochs pushed for the renaming when the paper's office building went up nearby (according to the official chronicle of the plaza). In 1904 New Year was celebrated here for the first time, and in 1907 the first ball was dropped from the One Times Square tower.
© Terabass · CC BY-SAPhoto: Terabass, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe first ball was made of iron and wood, weighed 700 pounds, and carried a hundred 25-watt bulbs (according to the history of the New Year's ball). The tradition was interrupted only twice: in 1942 and 1943 the lights were turned off because of wartime blackout. Instead of the ball drop, the city welcomed the New Year with a minute of silence.
By the mid-20th century the area had fallen into decline: cheap shops and shady establishments held on here. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani began the cleanup, and Michael Bloomberg took his oath of office right on the plaza in 2002. If you compare photos from different years, you will see how this corner of Manhattan has changed.
Times Square today
The main event of the year takes place here on December 31. At exactly midnight a crystal ball descends from the One Times Square tower, and the crowd counts down the final seconds. Hundreds of thousands of people come to watch the show, and more than a billion viewers see the broadcast (according to the Times Square tourism office).
Since 2025 the Constellation Ball has been mounted on the tower. Its diameter is 12.5 feet, about 3.8 meters, and it weighs 12,350 pounds. The ball is fitted with 5,280 Waterford crystals (according to the event organizers).
The everyday plaza is a cluster of enormous LED screens and advertising billboards. The Nasdaq exchange keeps its own screen here, and some of the signs run on solar and wind energy. It is precisely for these lights that the area is called the heart of New York.
Police keep order, and a webcam operates on one of the buildings: its feed is streamed online. If you want to see the plaza without rushing, come after sunset, when the light of the screens reads best.
Times Square in film and on Broadway
The plaza often plays itself in the movies. In "Deep Impact" it is destroyed on screen, and in the film "The Kids from Times Square" it becomes the main stage.
© Epicgenius · CC BY-SAPhoto: Epicgenius, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsDozens of Broadway theaters operate nearby. Musicals run every evening, and tickets for popular shows sell out weeks in advance. If you are planning an evening at the theater, book ahead: on the day of the performance only expensive seats remain.
What to see nearby
The area around the square is packed with restaurants, boutiques, movie theaters, and offices of major companies. There are also huge hotels here.
© Giorgio Galeotti · CC BYPhoto: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsMadame Tussauds
This is the most obvious stop on the itinerary. The museum occupies 234 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues (according to the official website). Inside there are more than 200 wax figures: musicians, actors, athletes, and politicians. The museum is usually open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but hours depend on the day of your visit. A Silver ticket purchased online starts at $34 (as of 09/2026, official website). Reserve a time slot in advance, otherwise you will stand in line at the entrance on weekends.
- Address: 234 West 42nd Street (according to the official website)
- Timed tickets: Madame Tussauds prices
© Laslovarga ; cropped by Beyond My Ken ( talk ) 23:50, 2 May 2010 (UTC) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Laslovarga ; cropped by Beyond My Ken ( talk ) 23:50, 2 May 2010 (UTC), CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia CommonsHershey's Chocolate World
Those with a sweet tooth should stop by Hershey's Chocolate World. The store sits right on the square and spans several floors of chocolate, souvenirs, and tastings. Admission is free, so you pay only for what you buy in the store. For kids it is a convenient stop between walks, and for you a chance to warm up indoors.
Naked cowboy and Central Park
A living symbol of the square, the Naked Cowboy is a street performer. He has been performing here for many years, playing guitar and singing, and he is easy to recognize by his cowboy hat. From the square you can quickly walk to Central Park and rest in the shade of the trees away from the noise and crowds.
© Colleen Sturtevant · CC BY-SAPhoto: Colleen Sturtevant, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe square at night
At night there are noticeably fewer people on Times Square. If you dislike crowds, choose late evening for your walk: even after midnight the square is lit up by neon signs and LED panels as tall as a multistory building. Photos here come out bright, and the sidewalks are less crowded in the evening than during the day.
© PLBechly · CC BY-SAPhoto: PLBechly, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsIt is more convenient to plan your visit in advance: booking a show and a museum saves you hours in line. Below we have gathered the most frequently asked questions about the square, tickets, and getting there.
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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Times Square?
The square lies in the center of Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It stretches from 42nd to 47th Street. The nearest subway station is called Times Square-42nd Street, and the exit leads right to the screens. It is hard to get lost: the lights are visible from neighboring blocks.
How much does it cost to enter Times Square?
The square itself is free and open around the clock. You pay only for museums, theater shows, cafes, and parking. Walking along the glowing streets costs nothing at all.
When is the best time to come without crowds?
Morning and late evening work best. During the day the flow of people is denser, especially on weekends and holidays. On New Year's Eve the crowd is at its maximum, with hundreds of thousands of people coming there.
What to see nearby?
In one evening you can realistically cover Madame Tussauds, the Hershey's Chocolate World store, and Broadway. The square's nighttime lighting deserves a separate walk. From here you can easily walk to Central Park. If you are staying for several days, add a show and shopping.
How to get to the square?
The most convenient way is by subway: Times Square-42nd Street station is right under the square, with several lines stopping there. Taxis and buses stop nearby, but during rush hour it is faster to walk from neighboring blocks. Parking nearby is expensive, so it is better not to bring a car.
In short: what is worth booking
The main budget goes to tickets and accommodation. If you have one evening, book a Broadway show and an evening walk around the square. If you are traveling with kids, add Madame Tussauds and Hershey's. If you want to save money, look for a hotel within a 10-15 minute walk: rooms right on the square are more expensive.
See tours and shows on GetYourGuide and compare nearby hotels on Trip.com.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.