Times Square NYC

Times Square NYC, located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, is one of the world’s most renowned commercial and entertainment hubs. It sits at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, spanning from West 42nd Street to West 47th Street, including the adjacent Father Duffy Square. Originally known as Longacre Square, it was renamed Times Square in 1904 after *The New York Times* moved its headquarters to the newly constructed Times Tower in the area.

**Geography and Layout**

Times Square resembles a bowtie shape, with two triangles extending north and south from the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue at 45th Street. The southern triangle is officially named “Times Square,” while the northern triangle is called “Father Duffy Square,” commemorating Francis P. Duffy, a chaplain for the 69th Infantry Regiment of New York during World War I. The square features a statue of Duffy, a monument to composer and performer George M. Cohan, and the TKTS Discount Booth, which offers reduced-price tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.

**History and Signature Events**

The first New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square was held on December 31, 1907, a tradition that continues to captivate millions of in-person visitors annually and over 1 billion viewers worldwide via digital media platforms.

Times Square also marks the eastern terminus of the Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental road.

**Modern Times Square**

Known as “The Crossroads of the World” and “The Center of the Universe,” Times Square is famed for its dazzling neon billboards and businesses that operate 24/7. A unique zoning law requires buildings in the area to display prominent advertising, making Times Square’s iconic skyline an integral part of New York City’s identity. The density of advertisements rivals that of the Las Vegas Strip, with one of the most notable being the Nasdaq electronic billboard, standing 120 feet (about 36.6 meters) tall and costing $37 million to construct.

As of 2013, Times Square sees approximately 360,000 pedestrians daily, with annual visitation exceeding 131 million, including 50 million tourists. It attracts more visitors than any Disney theme park worldwide. Even excluding local residents, Times Square ranks as the world’s second-most visited tourist attraction, behind only the Las Vegas Strip.

**Economic and Tourism Impact**

As a global entertainment center, Times Square generates $4.8 billion annually in retail, entertainment, and hotel revenues. For every dollar spent by visitors in New York City, roughly 22 cents are spent in Times Square.

Since the establishment of the Times Square Alliance in 1992, the area has seen significant improvements in public safety, cleanliness, and business development. While some critics lament that Times Square has become “Disneyfied” and lost its former character, the revitalized Times Square remains a dynamic fusion of culture and commerce, symbolizing Manhattan’s vibrant urban spirit and international appeal.