Times Square in New York is the most visited place in Manhattan and it is an absolute must see. Times Square is a square bustling with energy and activity. It has spectacular neon lighting and nice big LED screens. Times Square “costs” you no more than an hour, but the memories are indelible. Times Square can be found in Midtown Manhattan from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street.
Times Square Billboards
More than 50 LED billboards full of ads for the world’s biggest brands hang in Times Square. With an average size of 186 square meters. The largest billboard in Times Square belongs to Google. And costs $2.5 million a month and it’s is eight stories high.
Shopping in Times Square
If you like shopping then Times Square is the place to be. The place is bursting with trendy stores where you will find all the well-known brands. Fun stores in Times Square that you must have seen are:
- Forever 21 (trendy clothing store for the true shop-aholic)
- M&M Mega Store (if you like sweets)
- Hershey’s Chocolate World (chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate)
- Tasty D-light (delicious low-calorie ice cream, great in the summer)
- Crumbs Bake Shop (cupcakes and other delicious pastries)
- Disney Store ( two floors full of Disney merchandise including a real fairy tale castle)
Restaurants in Times Square
In Times Square, in addition to many stores, you will find many themed restaurants that are also quite pricey. Our advice is to go to a restaurant outside Times Square if you want to eat. Prices and quality of food are much better there. And you’ll be eating among real New Yorkers, and that’s what you come to New York for, after all!
Times Square scam
Times Square is fantastic: the lights, the sounds and the millions of people around you, but unfortunately it is also a place where you have to be careful not to get ripped off. If you walk around Times Square you will definitely notice two types of individuals and we New York Info advise you to stay away from them as much as possible!
False monks
Fake Tibetan monks roam the streets of Times Square dressed in orange robes, stopping tourists by giving a small gift they say cleanses the soul. It can be a card or a small object. DON’T TAKE IT.
- Politely say no and move on, don’t stop.
- If you take what they give you, as soon as you get your hands on it, they will start asking you for money. Very emphatically.
We have heard stories of people being forced to pay $80 to get these fake monks to leave.
Time Square mascots
you better ignore the dressed-up men in Times Square disguised as popular characters from movies. You better not take pictures of them there, because you will then be aggressively asked for tips.
- What we strongly recommend is that you AGREE before you take your picture with them.
- Ask CLEARLY how much it costs to take a picture, take money out of your pocket in advance (e.g., a $5 bill), take the picture and hand the money to them. And then walk on again.
What do New Yorkers think of Times Square?
New York residents don’t really like Times Square. They find it too crowded, too expensive and full of tacky restaurant chains and tourist attractions. Also, you often hear that New Yorkers think Times Square has nothing to do with the real culture of new York. And we kind of agree. There is so much more to see outside Times Square. So be sure to visit Times Square during the day and in the evening, but don’t stick around for your entire vacation, New York is so much more than just Times Square.
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