Times Square is the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets, and the heart of New York’s Theater District. It is free and never closes, and on average more than 220,000 people passed through it each day in 2025. Most visitors come for the lights at night, the TKTS booth’s same-day Broadway discounts and the New Year’s Eve ball drop. This guide covers what is worth doing, how TKTS works, the One Times Square Skywalk, the costumed characters and the New Year’s Eve rules.
Times Square: what to do, Broadway tickets and New Year’s Eve
Times Square tours and tickets compared
Four well-reviewed ways to see Times Square, from the One Times Square Skywalk to guided walks, all with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices checked on 27 October 2026; live prices in your currency are shown on each card.
Where available, you can reserve now and pay later. Payment dates and eligibility depend on the experience and the options shown at checkout.
Finding experiences…
One Times Square Skywalk
From $48A glass elevator ride past the billboards to a 360-degree deck and a glass walkway 19 floors above Times Square, plus the ‘Eternal Midnight’ New Year’s Eve experience. Wheelchair accessible; access to the 2027 ball costs extra on site.
Midtown Manhattan: Times Square and skyscrapers walking tour
From $39The history and architecture behind Midtown’s landmarks, with a visit inside Grand Central Terminal. Meets at the US Army Recruiting Office in Times Square, at West 43rd Street and Seventh Avenue; wheelchair accessible.
Broadway Theater District and Times Square walking tour
From $39A small-group walk through the Theater District with a guide who works in theatre, starting at 3:30pm in front of the Majestic Theatre on 44th Street; runs rain or shine.
NYC in a day: Times Square, 9/11 Memorial and the Statue of Liberty
From $95A full-day walk from Times Square downtown by subway, with the 9/11 Memorial, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty; about 5 miles of walking. Meets at the George M. Cohan statue at West 46th Street and Seventh Avenue.
What to do in Times Square
See it at night, then come back early
The lights are the point, so come after dark at least once. For photos without the crowds, come early in the morning. The red steps above the TKTS booth in Father Duffy Square are the best free viewpoint.
Discount Broadway tickets at TKTS
The TKTS booth under the red steps sells same-day tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows at up to 50% off, plus an $8 service charge per ticket. It opens from 3pm to 8pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and from 11am to 8pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Which shows are available changes daily.
One Times Square
One Times Square, the building that drops the New Year’s Eve ball, now has a visitor experience: a glass elevator, a 360-degree deck and a glass walkway 19 floors above the square.
The costumed characters
Costumed characters and painted performers work in designated activity zones. Tipping is not required, but they expect a tip if you take a photo with them, so agree before you pose. To report a problem, the Times Square Alliance lists a number: 212-452-5218.
Map of Times Square
Times Square runs along Broadway and Seventh Avenue from 42nd to 47th Street, with Broadway theatres on the side streets. Times are approximate walking times from the centre of the square.
Getting to Times Square
- Subway: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W or the S shuttle to Times Sq–42 St; A, C or E to 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal.
- Pay for the subway by tapping a contactless card or phone at the turnstile.
- Do not drive: traffic and parking in the area are heavy.
- Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park are a short walk east along 42nd Street.
Times Square on the map
1Times Square
startBroadway and Seventh Avenue.
2TKTS and the red steps, Father Duffy Square
about 2 minDiscount same-day Broadway tickets.
3One Times Square
about 2 minSkywalk and the New Year’s Eve ball.
4Majestic Theatre, 44th Street
about 3 minA Broadway theatre and walking tour meeting point.
5Bryant Park
about 6 minPark between 40th and 42nd Streets.
6Grand Central Terminal
about 12 minThe Beaux-Arts station on 42nd Street.
New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Watching the ball drop is free and needs no ticket, but you have to arrive early and stay put.
- Viewing areas open at 3pm; enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue at 45th, 49th, 52nd or 56th Street.
- No bags, backpacks, umbrellas, chairs or alcohol are allowed.
- There are no portable toilets, and once you leave a viewing area you may not get back in.
Mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is posing with a costumed character without agreeing a tip first.
- Arriving at TKTS on a Monday morning: on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays the booth opens at 3pm.
- Eating only at the chain restaurants on the square instead of walking a block west to Restaurant Row on 46th Street.
- Planning New Year’s Eve without accepting that you will stand outside for many hours.
Times Square FAQ
Is Times Square free?
Yes. It is a public space, open 24 hours a day.
When is the best time to visit Times Square?
After dark, for the lights; early in the morning if you want photos without crowds.
How does the TKTS booth work?
It sells same-day Broadway and Off-Broadway tickets at up to 50% off plus an $8 service charge per ticket, under the red steps at Broadway and West 47th Street.
Do you have to tip the costumed characters?
Tipping is not required, but they expect a tip if you take a photo with them.
Do you need a ticket for New Year’s Eve in Times Square?
No, it is free. Viewing areas open at 3pm, and bags, umbrellas, chairs and alcohol are not allowed.
Was this guide helpful?
Spotted something out of date? Tell usSources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources on October 27, 2026. Prices and times can change, so confirm them when you book.
- Times Square Alliance: about the Alliance (timessquarenyc.org)
- Times Square Alliance: visitor FAQ (timessquarenyc.org)
- Times Square Alliance: getting around (timessquarenyc.org)
- Times Square Alliance: TKTS (timessquarenyc.org)
- TDF: TKTS booths (tdf.org)
- Times Square Alliance: New Year’s Eve FAQ (timessquarenyc.org)
- Times Square Alliance: history of the ball (timessquarenyc.org)
Spotted something out of date? Email support@ticketglide.com.
From prices are indicative. Choose your date and confirm availability, cancellation terms and the final total on the booking page. * Ratings and reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor.
* “What travellers say” summarises recent reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor, covering every star rating (October 2026).