Icipate In Official Times Square Events
From innovative public art projects to entertainment options for all ages, check their website to see what is happening that day, that month, and seasonally.
Amazing things appear in Times Square in 2012 a coordinated project for Yoko Onos conceptual art piece IMAGINE PEACE took place in Times Square.
Visit Ripleys Believe It Or Not
Ripleys Believe It or Not NYC is home to a rare collection of some of the most unbelievable artifacts and thrilling exhibits from around the world. It is an interactive exhibition of over 500 bizarre exhibits with interactive experiences, divided in over 20 themed gallery.
Check Out A Comedy Club
Its no secret that some of the best comedians in the world hail from New York. Or at least cut their chops at the comedy clubs in New York. You dont have to venture far from your hotel to find a comedy club near times Square. Theres Carolines Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club and LoL Times Square Comedy Club right in the heart of all the action.
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Walk Through Little Italy And Soho
Head to Soho and Little Italy on a relaxed walking tour for a dose of authentic New York life. Keep an eye out for celebrities as you stroll past cast-iron buildings in fashionable Soho, and hear stories of immigrants and gangs in Little Italy.
You will visit iconic sights like Spring Street, Mulberry Street, and Columbus Park on this journey through history.
Climb Your Way Around Nyc
Something fun about New York City:
There is a lot to climb for free!
For instance, the Vessel in Manhattans Hudson Yards complex is an interactive artwork made up of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs that you can climb to see the city from new angles and vantage points.
Furthermore, many of NYCs parks have areas where you can boulder.
For instance, in Central Park, you can climb Worldless Boulder and the Rat.
If youd like a great view, climb up to the 6th floor of DSW Designer Shoes in Union Square to take in vistas of the beautiful clock tower of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower, the Empire State Building, and the Fuerza Bruta Theater
Technically, the Statue of Liberty is also free to climb, though you will need to pay for the boat ride to and from the statue. Luckily, the tickets are inexpensive.
Just a short ferry ride from Lower Manhattan onGovernors Island, there are adult playgrounds full of jungle gyms, hills , and structures to climb.
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Best Things To Do In Times Square: According To A Local
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Times Square is at the top of every tourists bucket list for a good reason.
Even as a somewhat jaded New Yorker, I get why people love all the lights and chaos of it.
Theres something kind of magical about the energy in the area, especially at night.
But despite the magic, most locals hate it because its always packed with slow walking tourists and aggressive buskers in Disney costumes.
Compared to most locals, Ive spent an insane amount of time in this part of the city.
I spent seven years working for a theatrical company in Times Square and over a decade going to see Broadway shows multiple times a week so Ive become a bit fed up with the area.
Because of the massive amount of time Ive spent there over the years, Ive become known as a bit of a Times Square expert amongst my friends.
Im always getting texts or calls asking for advice on where to go when they find themselves in midtown.
I know all the best happy hour spots, the most delicious places to eat, and all shortcuts to get around the massive amounts of slow walking tourists who drive locals crazy.
Below youll find a guide to all the best things to do in Times Square with ideas that both tourists and locals will love.
Just remember, while youre there, walk quickly and with a purpose if youre trying to fit in with locals.
Times Square At Night
Times Square is open 24 hours. Many of the free activities listed above are excellent night activities, like the Midnight Moment or people-watching.
Some of the top attractions listed above, like Madame Tussauds or Ripleys Believe it or Not! stay open until 10 pm or beyond!
Below are some more things to do at night. For more ideas, see our post about things to do at night in NYC.
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Museums And Musicals Around Times Square
There are a number of museums on and around Times Square such as Madame Tussauds and Ripleys Believe it or Not!. And for musical lovers, this is obviously the place to be. Around Times Square you can find as many as 40 theatres where Broadway musicals are performed every night. Not only great classics but also the latest productions.
Ride The Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to get close to the Statue of Liberty without the pricey ticket, making it one of the best free things to do in NYC. Grab a good viewing spot and take in the skyline from the water as the boat heads away from Battery Park. Once in Staten Island, check out the Empire Outlets, which opened earlier this year.
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Hotels Near Times Square
Before we jump into the best things to do in Times Square, lets address accommodations.
Planning a trip to New York City can be overwhelming, especially given the number of hotel options.
If youre looking for a centrally located hotel near Times Square though, make sure you book the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square.
With most hotels in New York City, you can expect the room to feel cramped.
Even the standard rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square are surprisingly spacious though.
The one perk to staying at a hotel near Times Square too, is that youll be right in the middle of the action.
You dont have to walk far at all to reach some of your favorite stores, restaurants, activities, and more.
This hotel is also very centrally located to other areas in the city that youll likely want to explore, which is great.
National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
This immersive ocean experience is one of a kind. Come here for intimate encounters with some of the most captivating and amazing inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean. You will see creatures including giant squid, great white sharks, humpback whales, and many more.
First, you’ll enjoy a 90-minute “underwater” trek where you’ll walk alongside a 60,000-square-foot digital cinematic display, which transports you to the heart of the ocean amidst many of its most fascinating creatures. Then, there’s an “above-water” component with exhibits, displays, and lots of information about the animals themselves.
Getting In:National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey tickets are available with the Go New York Explorer pass.
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See Alexander Hamiltons Harlem Estate
Step back in time at Hamilton Grange, a national memorial featuring the preserved historic home of Alexander Hamilton. It was completed in 1802, and Hamilton lived there for two years before he was fatally wounded in a duel with his rival, Vice President Aaron Burr. While it is free to tour the room where it happens, we suggest getting there early because they limit the number of people who are allowed to walk on the upstairs period-furnished floor at one time.
Pay Your Respects At The 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is made up of two reflecting pools, each marking the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood, honoring the lives lost during the terrorist attacks on the site in 1993 and 2001. The names of every person who died in those attacks are inscribed onto the edge of the memorial pools. The memorial is always free to visit, and the National September 11 Memorial Museum is free on Tuesdays after 5 p.m. .
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Hamilton Grange National Memorial
You know you’ve made it when you own a ‘grange’ country manor . Hamilton Grange is the Federal-style country retreat where Alexander Hamilton spent quieter, pre-death-by-duel New York days. Youre able to walk through on your own, but a guided tour is necessary to see the historically furnished rooms. Theyre offered three times daily.
Christmas In New York City
There is nothing like Christmas in New York City. The Rockefeller Tree, Central Park, Bryant Park, Lincoln Center, glamorous store window displays and holiday lights everywhere you look bring the most amazing city and landmarks in the world to a whole new level. You want to make sure to have the best dinner, know which attractions are open and closed and so much more.
Read the full NYC Insider Guide to Christmas in New York City to get the inside scoop and plan your Christmas holiday.
Back to Topof New York City in December
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Explore The National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
This Ocean Odyssey is a must-visit for lovers of aquatic life. The venue provides an aquatic adventure with the use of modern technology complemented with animation.
During your stay, you will truly feel integrated into this underwater journey. Some of the highlights are sea whales, coral reefs, squids, and a 50-foot humpback whale.
Map Of Best Things To Do In New York City
Explore the map to find exact locations of everything on this comprehensive list of things to do in NYC.
- Red Top attractions in New York City.
- Light Blue Best free things to do in New York City.
- Green Best things to do in New York City at night.
- Purple Most romantic things to do in New York City.
- Dark Blue Best neighborhoods to explore in New York City.
- Orange Foods to taste in New York City.
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Top Five Things To Do In Times Square
With its bright lights, hustle-bustle and melting pot appeal, New York City is the go to destination for anyone seeking to reinvent themselves. The iconic New York area of Times Square has pulled a bit of a reinventing act of its own, and ever since it was revamped in the 1990s, Times Square has been transformed into a mecca for tourists and one of the must-see neighborhoods of any trip to New York City.
With the hordes of tourists and abundance of attractions, the thought of a visit to Times Square can be simultaneously alluring and overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for something to do before or after a Broadway show, or you’re simply looking for some new attractions to check out next time you’re in Times Square, the following list should satisfy any prospective visitor to the Big Apple.
1. Top of the RockFor a breathtaking view of the city’s world-famous skyline, visitors can do no better than to ride to the Top of the Rock, or Rockefeller Center. Witness the glorious Spring transformations of New York City from high up above, snap a few pictures and marvel at the sight of all the New Yorkers and tourists hurrying down below.
Statue Of Liberty/ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty is a massive neoclassical statue gifted to the USA from France. It was dedicated in 1886 and stands 305-feet tall . It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi though its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel . Its spectacular to see up close and is as big as you imagine, but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. Here, you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC . Theres such a great sense of history there that you cant help but be impressed.
The ferry to the island and access to the statues crown costs $29.25 USD.
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Earn Your Freedom And Escape The Room
Solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategies to complete the objectives at hand. Get out of the room on time and earn your freedom. You have 60 minutes max, so be quick!
The Escape Rooms of Clue Chase are suitable for everyone and fun is guaranteed! It is rated as one of the top things to do in NYC by Tripadvisor.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The largest park in Queens was the site of two 20th Centuries World Fairs which was attended by millions of people. There is a wide array of recreational activities to choose from such as playing baseball, cricket, and soccer. You can also check out the zoo, botanical garden, and the Queens Museum. If you are in NYC April 28-29, 2018 you can make your way to Citifield for a recreation of the Worlds Fair. This time around it is being called The Worlds Fare and will feature over 100 food vendors, street art, a beer garden, and live music. Ticket prices range from $19.00 to $199.00 and can be purchased here.
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Amazing Things To Do Around Times Square
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Categories Travel Tips
If youre planning a trip to New York City, its only natural to seek out the best things to do in Times Square.
In fact, exploring some of the best things to do in Times Square is almost a right of passage when it comes to visiting New York City.
The gleaming lights and nonstop action are bound to enamor even the least touristy of travelers, and its centrally located enough that you can easily spend the whole day there, or less than an hour just passing through.
Not to mention, theres pretty much an unending list of things to do in Times Square, making it the perfect addition to any NYC itinerary.
Check out some of the best things to do in Times Square below, and dont forget to add your favorites in the comments!
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission on qualifying purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you.
Pose With Wax Figures In Madame Tussauds New York
If you have a thing for admiring and posing with celebrities wax figures, then Madame Tussauds is the right place to go.
There are actually multiple Madame Tussauds museums among 20 countries. Some of the famous personalities you can pose are movie stars, musicians, sports legends, and world leaders.
What makes this museum unique is that it also offers interactive experiences such as the Marvel Super Hero 4D Experience.
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Rest In Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is often packed with NYU students during the school year but can be a nice place to sit down and take in the city. If you’re feeling lucky, challenge one of the many chess hustlers to a game or, grab a bite from one of the many food trucks that line the park perimeter. When you’re ready to move on, the West Village beckons.
See Who Was Buried At Grants Tomb
General Grant National Memorial, the largest mausoleum in North America, is the final resting place for President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia Dent Grant however, the bodies arent below ground, making the answer to Groucho Marxs often-asked quiz question, who was buried in Grants Tomb? no one, . Admission is free.
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Where Is Times Square
Times Square is not really a square. What is technically Times Square is the four quarters created where 7th Ave. and Broadway intersects in Midtown Manhattan.
However, most New Yorkers refer to the larger neighborhood as Times Square, which stretches north and south from 40th St. to roughly 52nd St. and east and west from 8th Ave to 6th Ave.
Times Square is easily accessible by multiple subways and buses. Use this to get exact directions from your starting point to Times Square.
If you are new to NYC public transportation, then read our guides to navigating the subway and to choosing the right MetroCard.
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TIP: If you are considering a hop-on-hop-off bus to transport you around or to get an overview of NYC, then keep in mind that just about every company and tour stops in Times Square.
Admire The Spectacular View On Manhattan Over The Hudson
The observation deck of the One World Observatory offers dramatic city views that turn magical at sundown. The visit to this observation deck offers a unique 360-degree view of the city. One World Observatory is also the tallest of the three most famous observation decks, which includes the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building.
If you plan to visit multiple attractions in the city, compare New York City passes to find the most convenient solution.
The One World Observatory offers the most impressive technological features for its visitors, with a mix of virtual reality, video guides, and theater shows. Thanks to its location in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial, the One World Observatory also offers fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the harbor.
Because the One World Observatory is the newest, crowds can get a bit larger at this location, but the timed tickets ensure that you will probably never experience an unreasonable crowd size
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