The Best Things to Do in Times Square (Complete Guide for Tourists)

Times Square is chaos. Loud, bright, overwhelming chaos. And if it’s your first time visiting New York City ... it's exactly where you want to be. But here's the thing—there's actually a lot to do if you know where to look and how to plan it. You can hit the iconic stuff, see the shows, take the photos, grab good food, and actually enjoy the experience instead of just surviving it. So here's what actually matters when you visit Times Square.

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1. Broadway Shows & TKTS Booth (Discounted Tickets)

This is the #1 reason people come to Times Square. Broadway. It's iconic. It's expensive. And most people don't know how to get a deal.

The TKTS Booth is right there under the iconic red steps in Father Duffy Square. They sell same-day and next-day Broadway tickets at 25-50% off. It's the real deal—not some sketchy scalper situation. This is how you actually get affordable tickets.

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How it works:

* Show up in person (no online tickets)

* Look at what's available

* Buy same-day or next-day tickets

* Head to the theater

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Pro tip: Go in the afternoon to see what's available for that evening. If you're flexible on what show you see, you'll find deals. Popular shows sell fast, but there's always something good available.

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Time needed: 30-45 minutes in line, then the show (2-3 hours typically).

Best for: First-timers who want the Times Square Broadway experience. Theater lovers. People who want deals.

Cost: $30-$#120 depending on the show. Way less than face value.

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2. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (Photo Experience)

It's a wax museum. You know that. But it's THE photo spot in Times Square.

Walk through 5 floors of celebrity wax figures with no ropes or barriers between you and them. Take selfies with Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, The Rock, whoever. The figures are creepily realistic. Your photos will look insane.

They also have a Marvel 4D Cinema with special effects (wind, water, vibrations) and interactive exhibits throughout. It's more immersive than you'd expect.

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Time needed: 1-1.5 hours

Best for: Instagram-lovers. Families. First-timers who want the Times Square experience.

Cost: $35-$50 depending on which package you get

Real talk: It's touristy as hell. Expect crowds. But the photos are worth it, and it's genuinely fun in a kitschy way.

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3. Shopping (M&M's World, Hershey's, Disney Store, Flagship Stores)

Times Square has the biggest, most elaborate versions of famous stores. This isn't about finding deals. It's about the experience of the stores themselves.

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M&M's World — 3-4 stories of nothing but M&Ms. Customize your own mix from 200+ colors and flavors. It's overwhelming in the best way. Everyone takes photos here.

Hershey's Chocolate World — Everything chocolate. Samples, hot chocolate bar, ice cream. The smell alone is worth it.

Disney Store — Three-story flagship. All the merch. The escalators are practically part of the experience.

Beyond that: Sephora, H&M, Nike, GAP, and basically every major brand has a presence. The flagship stores are bigger and more elaborate than regular locations.

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Time needed: 1-2 hours depending on how serious you are

Best for: Souvenir shopping. People who want the "big experience" version of stores. Families.

Cost: Depends on what you buy, but M&Ms and chocolate shops expect $20-50 per person for souvenirs

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4. The Midnight Moment (FREE Digital Art Installation)

Every single night at midnight, all the digital billboards in Times Square sync up and display the same coordinated art installation for exactly 1 minute. It's free. It's weird. It's actually beautiful. Thousands of people stand around watching these massive screens (some 18 stories high) all flash the same synchronized animation or art piece. Then it's over. Then everyone goes back to the regular ads. It's one of those Things to Experience in New York that costs nothing but feels genuinely special.

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Time needed: Show up around 11:50 PM, watch at midnight, done by 12:05 AM

Best for: People who want a free Times Square experience. Photography lovers. Insomniacs.

Cost: Free

Pro tip: Arrive early to get a decent spot. There will be a crowd. Stay back from the street edge.

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5. RiseNY (Museum + 4D Flying Theater Experience)

This is part museum, part flying simulator. Start with interactive galleries about NYC's cultural history—Broadway, fashion, music, pop culture. See actual memorabilia and exhibits. Then you step into the main event: a 4D motion seat that lifts you 40 feet in the air while a 180-degree screen surrounds you with 8K aerial footage of the entire NYC skyline. You're literally "flying" over the city. It's immersive. It's impressive. It feels like you're actually soaring.

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Time needed: 60-90 minutes

Best for: First-time visitors who want an all-in-one Times Square experience. People who like immersive tech. Anyone who wants to see the city from the air.

Cost: $35-50

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6. Photographs in Father Duffy Square (Red Steps & Iconic Photo Spots)

The 27 ruby-red TKTS steps are basically a landmark themselves. They're one of the most photographed spots in Times Square. Climb to the top. You get elevated views of the billboards, the crowds, and the whole Times Square vibe. Sit and people-watch. Take selfies. Get that classic "I was in Times Square" photo with the city behind you. The red steps sit above the TKTS booth at the north end of Times Square. It's the epicenter of the area.

Time needed: 20-30 minutes if you're just taking photos. Hours if you want to sit and people-watch.

Best for: Photography. People-watching. Getting oriented to the area.

Cost: Free

Pro tip: Go early in the morning (before 10 AM) if you want clear photos without a massive crowd in the background. Or go at night when the lights are on and it's full of energy.

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7. Where to Eat (The Restaurant Question)

This is important because you'll get hungry. Times Square has chain restaurants everywhere, but there are actually solid options if you know where to go.

Quick answer: Check out our complete guide to the best restaurants in Times Square. It covers everything from Carmine's (the most famous family-style Italian spot) to Los Tacos (the quick taco bar everyone goes to) to Gallagher's Steakhouse (the upscale classic).

Here are 3 popular spots to give you an idea:

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Carmine's — Huge family-style Italian portions. It's loud, chaotic, and exactly what Times Square dining feels like. Expect a wait.

Los Tacos No. 1 — Standing-room taco bar with solid Tijuana-style tacos. Cheap, fast, always packed.

Joe Allen — Broadway bar with theater-goer vibe. Budget-friendly, good cocktails, great for pre-show meals.

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For the full breakdown with 20+ restaurants, pricing, best for what occasion, and pro tips—read our complete restaurant guide.

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Times Square Logistics

Best Time to Visit

Daytime (9 AM-5 PM): Crowds are slightly smaller in the morning (9-11 AM). Lights aren't as dramatic. Good for photos and exploring.

Nighttime (6 PM-midnight): The lights are incredible. The energy is peak. The crowds are massive. This is the Full Times Square Experience.

‍Avoid peak hours: 6-9 PM is absolute madness. If you're going at night, go earlier (5-6 PM) or later (after 10 PM).

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Where to Stay

Times Square itself has tons of hotels. They're expensive and touristy, but you're paying for location. If you want to be in the middle of it all, book nearby. If you want sanity, stay in a different neighborhood (Midtown East, Upper West Side, Hell's Kitchen) and take the subway. You'll save money and mental energy.

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Getting Around

Subway: Multiple lines hit Times Square–42 Street Station (N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, 7). It's one of the busiest stations in the city. Avoid peak times (8-9 AM, 5-7 PM on weekdays).

Walking: Times Square is walkable. Broadway, 5th Avenue, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center—all within walking distance or a short subway ride.

Avoid: Times Square tends to have more street hustle than other parts of Manhattan. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night. It's generally safe but busy.

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How Long to Spend There

Quick visit: 2-3 hours (TKTS booth + walk around + photos)

Half day: 4-5 hours (Broadway show afternoon, shopping, photos, dinner)

Full day: Combine Times Square with nearby attractions (Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, MoMA, Central Park). You can hit Times Square plus 1-2 other spots.

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Plan Your Times Square Day with the NY Travel Planner

Want to figure out the best order to hit everything? See how far Madame Tussauds is from the TKTS booth? Plan your restaurant stop around your Broadway show time?

Use our NY Travel Planner to:

* Plot all your Times Square activities on a map

* See which attractions are actually close to each other

* Get a custom Google Map for navigation

It's free to start. Just add your attractions and the tool handles the logistics.

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Bonus Things to Know

Find the Musical Grate

There's a grate in the sidewalk on Broadway that plays music when you walk on it. People hunt for it. It's a fun hidden gem if you want something slightly off the beaten path.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum

Interactive oddities and bizarre exhibits. It's the quirky alternative to Madame Tussauds. Escape rooms, interactive games, 1-1.5 hours to explore.

Street Performers & Costumed Characters

Elmo, Spider-Man, and other characters wander around posing for photos (they expect tips). Street musicians perform throughout the area. It adds to the chaotic Times Square energy.

Popup Concerts & Live Performances

Times Square has unexpected popup concerts and performances. What's happening depends on when you visit. Keep an eye out.

Night Bus Tour (Hop-On Hop-Off)

Double-decker night bus tours for seeing Times Square lights and other NYC highlights efficiently. Good if you want to see multiple neighborhoods in one evening.

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Real Talk

Keep these things in mind as you visit the area. It's touristy. It's expensive. It's overwhelming. Everyone has opinions about whether it's worth visiting.

But here's the thing—if you're coming to New York for the first time, Times Square is worth experiencing. It's iconic. It's chaotic. It's exactly what you think it's going to be. Just go in with a plan. Eat somewhere good. Catch a show or hit the attractions that appeal to you. Take the photos. And don't spend your entire trip there—it's one part of New York, not the whole thing. You'll understand why it's famous. And you'll probably go home with a story.

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Got questions about what to see, where to eat, or how to plan your day? Hire an Experience Designer.

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