Before You Leave The United States
Make sure to plan ahead:
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 but are NOT recommended to quarantine…
Visit The Iconic Hard Rock Cafe For Lunch Or Dinner
Grab a burger and an ice-cold beer as you take in the sights of Times Square at the legendary Hard Rock Cafe.
With walls lined with noteworthy memorabilia and regular live music its one of those quintessential American spots that everyone should visit, no matter how many times youve been before in other cities.
Things To Do Near Times Square
BRYANT PARK
Located just one block from Times Square, Bryant Park is a calming green oasis in the heart of Manhattan. There are activities here throughout the year, live music, board games and ping-pong tables but also an open library, allowing you to take a book and read during your chill-out in the park time.
The park is between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues.
TOP OF THE ROCK OBSERVATORY
Head to the top of Rockefeller Center to enjoy panoramic, uninterrupted views of New York City. The famous building is under a 5 minute walk from Times Square and we recommend heading here for sunset.
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
MoMA is a stand out art museum in New York City. They have a vast collection of contemporary art from world-renowned artists. The museum is around a 12 minute walk or you can catch subway line F, R or E.
What is your favourite thing to do in Times Square? Let us know in the comments!
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Get Your Chocolate Fix At M& m’s World
At M& M’s World New Yorkamidst the Broadway lightsguests can enjoy three floors of chocolate bliss. Hang out with the M& M’s characters while perusing chocolates, merchandise, and New York City-themed products. Visitors can also create and purchase their own personalized M& M’s by using the store’s printer. Choose from 16 different colors and create your own message to be printed on each candy.
If You Are Notfully Vaccinated And Allowed To Travel To The United States By Air Through An Exception
You may be required to attest to some or all of the following measures, depending on the type of exception. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.
- Get tested for current infection with a viral test 3-5 days after arrival, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
- Stay at home or in your hotel room and self-quarantine for a full 5 days, even if you test negative, unless you have documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
- Isolate if your test result is positive or you develop COVID-19 symptoms.
- If you intend to stay in the United States for 60 days or longer, become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within 60 days of arriving in the United States or as soon as medically appropriate.
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Sit In The Audience For The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon
One of the worlds most popular late-night talk shows, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon is a New York institution that has been running for almost 60 years regularly sees dozens and dozens of people brace the cold to line up for free audience tickets.
The show covers absolutely everything from politics to pop culture, and boasts some major celebrity guests who stop by each week on their promotional tours including everyone from Taylor Swift to Robert De Niro and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.
How To Get The Best Bang For Your Buck:
The Big Apple from Times Square to Downtown and the surrounding boroughs is certainly not averse to visitors, as we all know. To accommodate the millions of snap-happy tourists who make the journey every year, a host of notable attractions and businesses like major museums, landmarks, boat trips, observation decks, and bus tours have joined forces to offer New York City tourist passes.
Depending on your duration of stay and what exactly youd like to see, theres almost certainly a budget-friendly tourists ticket to fit your needs.
Read our New York City pass price comparison guide.
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Get A Little Buzzed At A Rooftop Bar
With countless foreboding skyscrapers dotting the cityscape, its no surprise that the area around Times Square dishes up some killer rooftop bars where you can unwind, drink in hand, after a long day of seeing the city.
A strong contender for the areas most popular, Bar 54 is perched 54 floors above the madness in the Hyatt Centric Times Square, with crafted cocktails and a large wine list to suit all tastes.
If its opulence youre after, head to the five-star Knickerbocker Hotel, where its signature St. Cloud rooftop bar oozes style and suave, serving up fine wines, craft beers, and champagne.
Over at the Fairfield Inn & Suites , youll find both stylish indoor lounges and open-air terraces at the Sky Room, with live DJ sets that offer top-notch views of the Manhattan skyline.
Still thirsty? The Haven Rooftop at the Sanctuary Hotel is a ninth-level rooftop patio that puts you amongst the action rather than above it, while the 30th-floor Skylark rooftop offers a comfortable, upscale air.
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.
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Climb To The Top Of One World Trade Center Observation Deck
For the best views of New York City, head to the One World Trade Center Observation Deck. The deck is 1,250 feet above street level and offers 360-degree views of the city. On a clear day, you can see up to 50 miles away. To get to the top, take the elevator to the 102nd floor and then climb another set of stairs to the deck.
Watch The Midnight Moment
New York truly is the city that never sleeps. Dave and I never turn in before midnight. If you are staying near Times Square, its easy to catch a showing of the worlds largest digital art exhibition. The Billboards are amazing enough on their own, but starting at 11:57 each night, the billboards synchronize to showcase digital art.
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Best Things To Do In Times Square New York
- Pin
The beating heart of the big apple, a visit to Times Square lives on the bucket lists of travel enthusiasts around the world. Very often when people finally make it to the infamous square, the sensory overload becomes extreme and choosing what to do is not all that easy.
Having spent my fair share of good times in the square, Ive put together a little list of the best things to do:
1. Visit Madame Tussauds Times Square, New York
A cliche recommendation if there ever was one, but theres just something so unmissable about this unique museum experience and good reason why people come from all over the world just to experience it.
Madame Tussauds Times Square by Madame Tussauds Times Square Uploaded by them
If you arent already familiar, Madame Tussauds is the wax museum, where celebrities, royals, sports stars, models and historical figures are all waiting to pose for selfies with you.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday 10am to 8pm
ADDRESS: 20 Rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris, France
Subway STATION: Times Square
2. Watch Broadway in Times Square, New York
It doesnt matter what you watch: Cats, Chicago, The Book of Mormon, Phantom, Wicked I can go on.
Broadway by Ken Lund Wikimedia Commons
3. People Watch in Times Square, New York
I find that in the absolute mayhem and chaos that is Times Square, its people watching that actually brings me the most amount of calm, and oh, is there a lot to see.
People Watch At Duffy Square
Smack in the center of Times Square sits a small square area designed for sitting, people watching, eating or just taking in the invigorating energy of Times Square.
Duffy Square is named after Father Francis Duffy, a New York priest and soldier celebrated for his service in World War 1 and the Spanish American War. His monument sits in the middle of red, wrought iron chairs and tables and stadium seating where people from all over sit to gaze upon the flashy billboards or take in passersby.
Duffy Square is also the perfect place to stop for a rest and have a bite from any of the nearby casual food stands. Duffy Square occupies the two blocks between 45th and 47th Streets at the corner of Broadway Avenue.
If you are looking to visit other iconic spots in New York City, here are 17 relaxing things to do in Central Park and 11 things to do under the Brooklyn Bridge.
A Typical day at Duffy’s Square in the Middle of Times Square where hundreds of thousands of people of all colors and shapes pass by daily.
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Take A Trip Under The Sea At The National Geographic Encounter
Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account
Journey with your friends and family on this walk-through adventure across the Pacific Ocean, where youâll see, hear and feel what itâs like to live under the sea. – is how The National Geographic Encounter describes itself on its official website. This place makes for a great experience with its large aquariums, miniature city exhibits, gorgeous atmosphere, and interactive and educational rooms. Its great for a family evening out, but also perfect if you want to come alone to visit the place.
The National Geographic Encounter
Explore Times Square At Night Through Your Camera
Looking to visit New York City Times Square at night? On an NYC After Dark Photography Tour, youll explore Times Square with a local photographer, who will teach you how to take stunning evening photos.
In fact, youll learn both flash photography and long-exposure photography techniques for truly unique photos!
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Find Your Perfect Fit At The Steve Madden Store
Hunting for a fresh pair of shoes after all that typical Manhattan walking? Sitting right next to the famous Macys, Steve Maddens 2000-square-foot showroom is a one-stop shop for all your shoe needs.
With classic styles and new releases every season, this brand has been keeping feet coolly comfortable since its humble beginnings in 1990 as a small store just outside of the city now operating hundreds of retail stores in over 80 countries worldwide!
Dinner And A Show Broadway
Many Guides state Locals steer clear of Times Square like it was the plague and on the whole, this is true, however, there is one thing that attracts even the most tourist-phobic local into the Square, Theatre.
It is impossible to get away from when visiting Times Square, you are in one of the two biggest and best theatre districts in the world , and going to see a show on the insanely famous Broadway is an absolute MUST when visiting New York.
The Array of shows is world-beating, with classics such as Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Les Mis, Wicked, and The Lion King to the more modern Classics such as Hamilton, Moulin Rouge, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Whatever you choose to see be assured a night of fun-filled awe, Shows don open, and certainly dont last, on Broadway unless they are stellar productions.
Naturally, for an evening on the town, you will require sustenance, and Times Square has a huge number of dining options making the quintessential Dinner and a Show the highlight of your trip.
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Sample New Yorks Iconic Foods At City Kitchen
Tucked away in the Row Hotel in the heart of Times Square, City Kitchen is a gastronomic paradise a food hall teeming with delicious, diverse food options.
A culinary crossroads of cultures with dishes from all around the world on offer think lobster rolls, doughnuts, overflowing tacos, Indian street snacks, and more City Kitchen invites NYCs most authentic and hyped local food concepts from all five boroughs and unites them in the epicenter of Manhattan.
For foodies looking to get a sample size of all the metropolis has to offer, its one of the unmissable things to do in Times Square.
Sit In On A Show Taping
Many popular daytime and nighttime television talk shows film in studios in and around Times Square. And the best part is, you can snag free tickets to sit in the audience for a taping!
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon are just a few examples of shows that you can attend.
Each show has an option to request free tickets to sit in the audience, usually through the television networks website.
For best chances, be flexible with your dates and request tickets as far in advance as possible.
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Engage In A Broadway Walking Tour
The Broadway walking tour with Broadway Up Close encompasses all things theater. Book a tour with a professional working actor or stage manager to get insider info on both current and past shows. Each 90-minute tour hosts up to 15 people for an intimate experience. Stroll through the theater district while learning about ghosts, legends, and the successes and flops of Broadway productions.
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 Ono’s conceptual art piece IMAGINE PEACE took place in Times Square.
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Eat Your Way Around Hells Kitchen
When my tour guests ask me about the best places in Times Square for food, I let them know that for local restaurants, bars, and cafes they should make the less-than-10-minute walk over to 9th Avenue to explore Hells Kitchen.
This Manhattan neighborhood has long been known for its abundance of independent eateries. Just a few blocks away from the overpriced chain restaurants and tourist traps of Times Square, you will find plenty of choices for great local eats in Hells Kitchen.
Empanada Mama serves flavorful, filling Colombian food at affordable prices if youre looking for a quick bite, while Totto Ramen is a counter-service restaurant where you can grab a bowl of ramen for lunch.
If youre looking for a nicer spot for dinner, Guantanamera is a buzzing Cuban restaurant with live music on the weekends, while Il Melograno is a neighborhood favorite serving home-cooked Sicilian fare.
Watch A Play At Broadway
Posted by The New Victory Theater on Friday, 9 November 2018
The Broadway Theater district is a famous hotspot among all interested in hit musicals and classic modern dramas, which are showcased in multiple theaters. With stores, restaurants, clubs, and bars lining up the street, this would be an ideal place to visit when in New York City. The New Victory Theater is the only full-time performing arts theater, offering opera performances, dance shows, circus, and puppetry. Featuring architectural structures like a large dome with lyre-playing cherubs, this theater opened its first season with the play Sag Harbor with Lionel Barrymore.
The New Victory Theater
Robert John Burck, or popularly known as the Naked Cowboy rises the temperature on the streets of Times Square as tourists and locals gather around to click pictures with him. Dressed in tight and white undies, along with cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, he can pose with you a number of times to capture Instagram-worthy photos. Hailing from California, this famous Naked Cowboy strikes the chords in his guitar to play his country tunes and places the guitar over his body in such a way in order to give the illusion of nudity.
Naked Cowboy
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