Times Square: The Brightest, Busiest Block in the World
Love it or hate it, there’s no place quite like Times Square. With giant billboards, street performers, costumed characters, and a buzz that never sleeps, it’s one of the most recognizable intersections on Earth.
But there’s more here than just neon and tourists — Times Square has a wild history and a few secrets you probably didn’t know.
From Horse Wagons to LED Megascreens
Times Square wasn’t always Times Square. It used to be called Longacre Square until the New York Times moved its headquarters here in 1904. That same year, the first electrified billboard went up, and the transformation began.
Now it’s home to more than 50 electronic billboards and some of the most expensive ad space in the world. And yes — it’s so bright, astronauts have said they can see it from space.
The Numbers Are Insane
- 🚶 Over 360,000 people walk through Times Square every single day
- 📸 An estimated 1,000 selfies are taken here per minute
- 🎭 You’re within a block of 40+ Broadway theaters
- 📺 The NASDAQ MarketSite and ABC News stream live from here
- 🎉 Over 1 billion people watch the New Year’s Eve ball drop every year
It’s Not Just for Tourists
Times Square is also where many major protests, pop-ups, and surprise performances happen. It’s loud, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming — but that’s kind of the point. If you want the full New York experience, you have to pass through at least once.
🎥 Watch our video about Times Square here.
🗺️ Find it on our interactive NYC map.