New York City, United States1-2 hoursEvening
Times Square
Ideal: Ideal for first-time visitors, photographers, and anyone who wants to feel the city's pulse.
The square took its name when The New York Times moved here in 1904; before that it was called Longacre Square. The New Year's Eve ball drop began in 1907 as an alternative after fireworks were banned. The billboards here are not optional — zoning rules require buildings in this zone to carry illuminated signs of a certain size, making it the only part of New York with a minimum lighting requirement. In the 1970s and 80s it was one of the city's roughest corners; today's version is the result of the 1990s turnaround.
Why go?
- To experience New York's most iconic urban atmosphere
- For the night lights, billboards, and fast-paced city energy
- Because it sits close to Broadway, shopping, and restaurant districts
Travel tip
Times Square looks far more impressive at night, but crowds are heavy — keep an eye on your belongings.
