Times Square is a famous intersection situated in central Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It is one of the key locations in New York and a symbol of the American spirit, being also known as “The Crossroads of the World” or “The Great White Way”. Times Square is a popular attraction among tourists, offering a wide range of cinemas and Broadway theatres.
History Facts about Times Square
Times Square was previously known as Longacre Square. Its actual name was adopted in 1904, when the newspaper “New York Times” moved its headquarters to a new skyscraper which had been built on the square. The name remained the same even after the newspaper moved its headquarters.
Times Square has been attracting a large number of visitors for over a century. At the beginning of the First World War it was known as the center of the Theater District, its growing popularity making it an ideal location for billboards. The first billboard was installed in 1917 and eleven years later, Times Square was the first place to be endowed with a running electric sign which was lit to announce that Herbert Hoover had won the Presidential elections. Step by step billboards turned into a symbol of Times Square and nowadays they’re seen as a general requirement.
Having Fun in Times Square
Times Square hosts a large number of Broadway shows on a weekly basis. It is also the place where the New Year’s Eve ball is dropped and where ABC’s “Good Morning America” is being broadcasted live. The area is popular for its shops and restaurants, including the famous Disney Store.
Times Square is New York’s main company hub. Ernst & Young, Bain & Company, MTV Networks, Morgan Stanley, and more, are positioned here. Movies like “Knowing”, “Deep Impact”, “The Stand”, “Captain America”, and “ Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” were shot in Times Square, and thus the location has been converted into a worldwide travel spot.
Regarding its main attractions, Times Square features some pretty amazing places of interest you cannot ignore. Ripley’s Believe It or Not must definitely be included on your list. Over 20,000 photos and artifacts will leave you speechless. Consequently, the museum’s collection of horrifying medieval devices and creepy displays will probably make your day.
Paramount Building is undoubtedly one of the most famous buildings in Times Square. The building was the house of the Paramount Theatre, best known for the performance of stars like Fred Astaire and Frank Sinatra. Even though the theater doesn’t exist anymore the building is still considered a landmark of NYC and Times Square.
The Times Square Hotels
Times Square is home of hundreds of gorgeous hotels designed to please tourists with their luxurious amenities and top-of-the-line extra facilities. For travelers who want to have the time of their life in Times Square, hotels like W New York Times Square, The Cooper Square NYC and Inter Continental Times Square are the perfect choice. However, if you’re traveling on a budget, you might want to have a closer look at some of Time Square’s budget hotels such as The Portland Hotel and Comfort Inn.
