Known as the Crossroads of the World, Times Square is a sensory overload of colossal LED billboards, streaming ticker tape, Broadway theater marquees, and the relentless energy of over 300,000 pedestrians who pass through each day. Stretching along Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets, this iconic intersection has been the commercial and entertainment heart of New York City since the early 1900s. The towering digital displays — some reaching over 25 stories tall — create a canyon of light that turns night into a neon-colored day, making it one of the most recognizable and photographed places on Earth. Beyond the spectacle, Times Square is the gateway to the Broadway Theater District, where over 40 professional theaters stage world-class productions ranging from long-running musicals to cutting-edge new plays. The red TKTS staircase seating structure in the center offers both a great vantage point for people-watching and discounted same-day Broadway tickets.

Pro tip: Visit the TKTS discount booth in Times Square around 15:00 on a Wednesday (matinee day) for the best selection of discounted Broadway tickets — or try the less-crowded TKTS booth at Lincoln Center for the same deals without the long lines.