Best Places to Visit in Japan for 2024 | U.S. News Travel
Best Places to Visit in Japan · Nara · Izu Peninsula · Nagasaki · Kamakura · Furano · Niseko · Nagoya · Chubu Sangaku National Park.
New York City's Times Square
Situated 35 miles southwest of Kyoto, this port city is worth a visit for its food alone. One of the city's most famous dishes, the tasty pancake-like okonomiyaki (which means "grilled as you like it" in Japanese), is made with batter, cabbage and your choice of meat and other toppings. After you've gotten your fill of the delectable local cuisine, explore the flashy Dotonbori neighborhood (often compared to <anchor>New York City's Times Square</anchor>), check out the reconstructed 16th-century Osaka Castle or head to contemporary sights like Universal Studios Japan and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Times Square Reviews | U.S. News Travel
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1. Times Square
2. [New York City](/New_York_NY)
3. [USA](/destinations/USA/)
4. [Travel Guides](/Destinations)

# Times Square

#26 in [Best Things To Do in New York City](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/)

- [Overview](/New_York_NY/)
- [Things to do](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/)
- [Attraction](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Times_Square_18157/)
- [Hotels](/hotels/new_york_ny/)
- [Dining](/New_York_NY/dining/)
- [When to visit](/New_York_NY/When_To_Visit/)
- [Getting around](/New_York_NY/Getting_Around/)
- [Map & Neighborhoods](/New_York_NY/Area_Map/)
- [Photos](/New_York_NY/Pictures/#gallery)

- [Overview](/New_York_NY/)
- [Things to do](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/)
- [Attraction](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Times_Square_18157/)
- [Hotels](/hotels/new_york_ny/)
- [Dining](/New_York_NY/dining/)
- [When to visit](/New_York_NY/When_To_Visit/)
- [Getting around](/New_York_NY/Getting_Around/)
- [Map & Neighborhoods](/New_York_NY/Area_Map/)
- [Photos](/New_York_NY/Pictures/#gallery)

![ picture](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/b97790a/2147483647/resize/255x255^>/crop/255x255/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.usnews.com%2Fimages%2FTimes_Square_Getty.jpg)1 of 4

![](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/4fd4f32/2147483647/resize/255x255^>/crop/255x255/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.usnews.com%2Fimages%2FTimes_Square2_Getty.jpg)2 of 4

Getty Images

Key Info

Between West 42nd and West 47th Streets

[Website](http://www.timessquare.com/)

[Tours & Tickets](https://www.viator.com/New-York-City-attractions/Times-Square/d687-a1272?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdplink-New York City0general)

Price & Hours

Free

24/7 daily

Details

Entertainment and Nightlife, Free, SightseeingType

Less than 1 hourTime to Spend

### Scorecard

- Value**5.0**

- Food Scene**2.0**

- Atmosphere**4.0**


[How we rank things to do](/methodology/how-we-rank-things-to-do/)

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights.

## Tips for visiting

Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a [Broadway](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Broadway_18188/) show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Times Square's biggest tourist draw is the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. Revelers crowd the area to see New York's famous Waterford crystal ball descend 77 feet from a pole on the One Times Square building. If you're feeling brave, take a trip to New York and Times Square at this time of year and watch the ball drop for free! Just plan on coming in the early morning and staying all day, and note that the area is super crowded, even by New York standards.

## How to get to Times Square

Times Square's constant activity makes it easy to find (take any train that stops at 42nd Street and Times Square or Port Authority). Several of the [city's top bus tours](https://travel.usnews.com/features/the-best-new-york-city-bus-tours) and [best walking tours](https://travel.usnews.com/features/the-best-new-york-city-walking-tours) include stops at Times Square. Some of the [best New York City helicopter tours](https://travel.usnews.com/features/the-best-helicopters-in-new-york-city-tours) also fly over the iconic five-block stretch. Visit the official [website](https://www.timessquarenyc.org/) for more information on what you can see and do in the area, and keep in mind the area's restaurants and stores have closing hours, but the billboards of Time Square bedazzle 24/7.

[**Popular Tours**](https://www.viator.com/New-York-City/d687-ttd?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdpw-New York City0general)

[![Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Admission Ticket ](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/7a25806/2147483647/resize/246x164^>/crop/246x164/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cdn.tripadvisor.com%2Fmedia%2Fattractions-splice-spp-720x480%2F09%2Faf%2F4c%2Ff1.jpg)\
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Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Admission Ticket \
\
(27 reviews)\
\
from $41.95\
\
Read More](https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Holiday-Lights/d687-156679P6?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdpw-New York City0general)

[![New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/5272acc/2147483647/resize/246x164^>/crop/246x164/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cdn.tripadvisor.com%2Fmedia%2Fattractions-splice-spp-720x480%2F07%2F25%2F13%2F74.jpg)\
\
New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour\
\
(10232 reviews)\
\
from $99.00\
\
Read More](https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/New-York-in-One-Day-Guided-Sightseeing-Tour/d687-7081NYCDAY?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdpw-New York City0general)

[![New York City 90-Minute Cruise: Lady Liberty, Bridges and Skyline](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/2a784cf/2147483647/resize/246x164^>/crop/246x164/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia-cdn.tripadvisor.com%2Fmedia%2Fattractions-splice-spp-720x480%2F13%2Fc8%2Fdb%2F13.jpg)\
\
New York City 90-Minute Cruise: Lady Liberty, Bridges and Skyline\
\
(192 reviews)\
\
from $29.99\
\
Read More](https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/New-York-City-90-Minute-Cruise-Lady-Liberty-Bridges-and-Skyline/d687-480910P1?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdpw-New York City0general)

[see more tours & tickets](https://www.viator.com/New-York-City/d687-ttd?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=ttdpw-New York City0general)

[See all Hotels in New York City »](/hotels/new_york_ny/)

## More Best Things To Do in New York City

![](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/b511007/2147483647/resize/255x255^>/crop/255x255/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.usnews.com%2Fimages%2FCentral_Park_green_grass_Andrey_Denisyuk_Getty.jpg)1 of 33

![](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/6d57c13/2147483647/resize/255x255^>/crop/255x255/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.usnews.com%2Fimages%2F911_reflecting_pool_getty_Matthew_T._Carroll.jpg)2 of 33

Free, Parks and Gardens, Recreation, SightseeingType

Half Day to Full DayTime to Spend

[Find Tours & Tickets](https://www.viator.com/New-York-City-attractions/Central-Park/d687-a1283?pid=P00075767&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=_cpc-New York City0general)

[**\#1 Central Park**](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Central_Park_30924/)

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( [the Guggenheim](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Solomon_R_Guggenheim_Museum_18617/), the [Metropolitan Museum of Art](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_18164/) and the [American Museum of Natural History](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/American_Museum_of_Natural_History_18169/), to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( [the Guggenheim](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Solomon_R_Guggenheim_Museum_18617/), the [Metropolitan Museum of Art](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art_18164/) and the [American Museum of Natural History](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/American_Museum_of_Natural_History_18169/), to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

[Read more](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/Central_Park_30924/)

Andrey Denisyuj\|Getty Images

[See full list of Best Things To Do in New York City »](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/)

# Explore More of New York City

[![National September 11 Memorial & Museum](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/6d57c13/2147483647/resize/255x255^>/crop/255x255/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravel.usnews.com%2Fimages%2F911_reflecting_pool_getty_Matthew_T._Carroll.jpg)**Things To Do**](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/)

[![The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York](https://travel.usnews.com/dims4/USNEWS/b8e8b63/2147483647/resize/600x400^>/crop/600x400/quality/85/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.trvl-media.com%2Flodging%2F1000000%2F30000%2F20300%2F20213%2Ffdbcf949_z.jpg)**Best Hotels**](/hotels/new_york_ny/)

[![World Map](/static-atlas/assets/img/travel/World_Map.jpg)**Map**](/New_York_NY/Area_Map/)

[**Previous:** Things to do](/New_York_NY/Things_To_Do/) [**Next:** Hotels](/hotels/new_york_ny/)

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