Times Square is a dazzling spectacle of video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights. Depending on who you ask, it can be seen as either a captivating world wonder or a bustling tourist hub. Today, Times Square is known for its family-friendly attractions, featuring themed restaurants, theaters, and hotels. It has also emerged as a significant business district.
While the vivid lights can be appreciated at any hour, visiting Times Square at night offers an especially mesmerizing experience. The whole area comes alive as the signs and screens burst into vibrant colors. Among its many claims to fame, Times Square is celebrated worldwide for the iconic New Year's Eve ball drop that draws thousands of visitors each year.
Echoes of the Past
For those curious about the grittier Times Square of the past, traces of it can still be found near the Port Authority Bus Terminal and on Eighth Avenue to the west. Despite the area's transformation, these parts retain some character of the bygone era.
TKTS Booth and the Red Stairs
The TKTS Booth in Times Square offers discounted tickets for Broadway and off-Broadway shows, attracting theater enthusiasts looking for a good deal. Yet, there's more to this booth than affordable tickets. Behind it lies a striking red-lit glass staircase, serving as an elevated viewpoint. From these "bleachers," visitors can escape the street's bustle and enjoy a unique vantage point of the crowd and the endless flickering lights.
Above the booth, a video screen provides a live feed of the top step, offering passersby a fleeting chance to see themselves on one of the many displays that define Times Square.
One Times Square and Its Historic Significance
When One Times Square was unveiled in 1905, it stood as the second-tallest building in the world. Originally built to house The New York Times, it served this purpose for less than a decade. Despite its brief tenure as a newspaper headquarters, the building remains a landmark for its role in the annual New Year's Eve ball drop.
Another notable feature of One Times Square is the famous Dow Jones news and sports ticker, the first of its kind. This news zipper, attached to the building's lower facade, continues to capture the attention of onlookers, broadcasting live updates to the many who pass by daily.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square
