“Times Square” is the most famous word among the tourists who want to visit New York. This is the place which is considered as the heart of the big apple and attracts millions of visitors every year with its unlimited energy and countless attractive things. This place is also known as “Crossroads of the World” for becoming the busiest pedestrian area of the world. Times Square has undergone a tremendous transformation from a horse trading market to current status as an entertainment hub and tourist attraction.
Today, Times Square is the home of NYC’s best iconic landmarks, shops , restaurants and attractions. It doesn’t matter if you are a local or a tourist, this place has something for everyone.
Welcome to this amazing blog where I am going to talk about the world’s best tourist attraction, its history and things to do when you visit Times Square. We will dive deep into the hidden gems that make the neighborhood so exciting and unique. So, read the full blog to make your journey to the best tourist attraction in New York City memorable and informative.
History of The Times Square
Once the area of Times Square was a horse market. Though the area
wasn’t given a certain name, the city authorities called it Longacre Square.
The visible change started in the area in the 20th century. In 1904, the
headquarters of the famous newspaper New York Times was moved to
42nd Street at Longacre Square. A subway was also built. The construction
of the New York City Subway and the relocation of the New York Times
made a turning point. In the honor of the newspaper, the area was named
Times Square.
As time passed, the city was developing very fast. For some historical
events, Times Square became very important. In the mid-20th century, the
area began to plunge in crime. In the 1990s, a major change was made. A
lot of effort was given. Strict laws were imposed, the presence of police was
increased and a lot of family-friendly attractions were developed. That’s
how Times Square became the crossroads of the world.
Now, Times Square is full of activities. There you can see a lot of billboards
including iconic 3d ones! You can find theaters. It has a diverse range of
shopping and dining options. Times Square became a symbol of urban
excitement and entertainment.
Shopping Experience in Time Square:
A trip to Times Square is incomplete without a little shopping. There are a lot of shops around Times Square. And the matter of fun is that the lights and excitement from different shops make the area more attractive. There you can find official shops of some world-famous brands. If you take a walk, I’m pretty sure that you can’t list anything which isn’t available in Times Square. From my experience, I have seen some shops more famous
among the visitors. Here goes a list you can try.
M&M's World:
Who doesn't love chocolates? If you are a chocolate lover, it's a must to visit M&M. This massive store gives you an opportunity to get personalized chocolates, clothes, gifts and many more! You can also make your custom blend of M&M's!
Line Friends New York Times Square Store:
In this Line Friends character themed store, you'll get everything from toys to clothes to stationary items.
Hershey's Chocolate World:
It's the dream place for candy lovers. You can get your favorite Hershey's products here. In addition, you will find some exclusive products that you can't get from anywhere else!
H&M:
A well known Swedish clothing retailer. It has a wide range of fashionable clothes and trending accessories to offer for everyone.
Sephora:
Sephora in Time Square is the biggest cosmetics house in New York city. This famous store is the first choice for every modern girl. There you can get your favorite cosmetics, skincare products and fragrances.
American Eagle Outfitters:
If you look for casual dresses and you are travelling the Times Square. then this shop is a good choice. It offers casual clothes for both men and women.
Dylan's Candy Bar:
Dylan's Candy Bar offers candies, chocolates and sweets. And the interesting part is that you will get a chance to taste sweets from different parts of the world in this shop.
FAO Schwarz:
Do you want to buy gift for your children or nephews? Then FAO Schwarz in Times Square is the right place. It has a collection of a wide range of toys, games including ones from the latest trend.
Remember that the stores are always crowded. Though it may seem difficult to shop, it will give you a lot of pleasure with a chance to meet people from different regions. In Times Square, shops offer a unique and memorable shopping experience.
Restaurants near Times Square:
Times Square isn’t a place only for shopping and iconic infrastructures. It’s full of restaurants. If you go to Times Square, you’ll get a chance to try foods of diverse tastes. You’ll find Turkish, South Asian, French and different kinds of food!
To start, I want to say that the food choice depends on your budget. You’ll see from cheap to highly expensive ones! If you want to dine somewhere with your family or friends, you can choose Ellen’s Stardust Diner or Junior’s Restaurant. You can find cheap and delicious pizza in 99 Cents Fresh Pizza! You will also find some other restaurants that have different tastes.
It’s impossible to think of going to Times Square and not to try some street foods. There you’ll see a lot of street foods being sold! Eating hot dogs in Times Square will give you more than a hot dog! You can find a lot of shops selling ice creams. You can even make your own custom one in some
shops.
There are food trucks where you can get tacos as well as burgers. You’ll also find fast food chains. In Times Square, you can get into McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s. They offer quick and affordable meals. If you’re on a tight budget, you can get into a grocery store. There you can pick up snacks and drinks as you want.
Now, let's see some famous restaurants in Times Square:
● Carmine’s: It’s an iconic Italian restaurant which is famous for family-style dishes. Most of the visitors in Times Square loves to visit Carmine’s for a family dinner. The delicious dishes with a nice dining space makes the moment very special.
● Havana Central: This vibrant restaurant is an ideal place for authentic Cuban food lovers. There, eating in a cool melodious environment gives a great experience!
● Hard Rock Café: It’s a global chain which connects music with food! There you can enjoy a nice dining place and get your favorite drink as well as music-related merchandise.
● Shake Shack: Apart from McDonald’s, if you want to try something new in Times Square, there is Shake Shack to welcome you. This popular shop offers burgers, hot dogs and frozen custard! You will love every bite of your Shake Shake burgers.
● Tony’s Di Napoli: It’s another Italian restaurant. It is famous for serving classical Italian dishes in a lively atmosphere! European visitor in New York loves to visit Tony’s Di Napoli at least once.
● Virgil’s Real BBQ: Do you love barbecues? If so, then Virgil’s Real BBQ is a perfect spot for you. They offer Southern barbecue, brisket, chicken and many more dishes!
● AperiBar: If you want to eat in a charming environment with the best look of the city skyline, you must try AperiBar! It is located on the rooftop of the LUMA Hotel. There you get a clear view of NYC.
● Buddakan: This is a modern unique restaurant offering Chinese platters. This restaurant has a great environment with an opportunity to enjoy innovative dishes.
● Magical Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge: This is another rooftop bar that offers a stunning city view. You can get delicious dishes with an amazing view!
● Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: Remember the famous quote from Forrest Gump? “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” In Times Square, there is an amazing restaurant that is Forrest Gump themed. Yes, it is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. With a wide range of dishes including seafood, you can play some games like Forrest Gump Trivia or Run Forrest Gump there! This unique restaurant offers a nice atmosphere.
Apart from these, you’ll find a lot of restaurants if you have a walk around. Delicious dishes from Times Square will never make you feel bored.
Activities and Enjoyment
There are a tons of things to do in Times Square New York. And you can do most of them for free! All these activities write a strong experience in your mind that is likely to be remembered until your last breath. Honestly, there are countless activities. Let’s explore some of the interesting activities you can do during your visit to Times Square.
● Watching the street: I know you are thinking there’s some mistake. But, there aren’t any mistakes. Times Square is different from any other spot in the world. You will never feel bored watching the street, people and the environment. Just sit back and relax. You can smell the excitement and observe the never ending energy of Times Square.
● Photography: In New York City, Times Square is a perfect spot for photography. There you can capture photos with an eye soothing crowd and giant billboards as background! There are also mascots. You can see popular movie, game and book characters come to life! They come and offer to take a photo with them. They charge a little for this. For children, it’s a great pleasure to meet their favorite characters and to take pictures with them.
● Broadway Show: In Times Square, you can see award-winning Broadway shows! If you want to make yourself entertained, it can be a great choice.
● Have a city tour: You can get into a double-decker bus and have a tour around the city! You can get great pleasure riding the roof of a double-decker bus and seeing the city!
● Museum of Modern Art: You can enjoy this museum having an easy walk from Times Square. This museum has a fascinating collection of modern art.
● Read comics at Midtown Comics: If you are a comic book lover, you should visit and turn some pages.
These aren’t all. Like the other parts of this guide, this part is much smaller. That’s because it’s not possible to list all the activities. Activities in Times Square are amazing. One should enjoy and explore himself.
Times Square is a must-visit place in New York City. The city has a lot of things to captivate you. Times Square is surely a very unique and attractive
place. It creates memories. I hope you find this article helpful. Happy traveling!
