Times Square

As a major commercial intersection and one of New York City's most popular areas, the "Crossroads of the World" features on just about every sightseeing tour of the city, along with the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Rockefeller Center. Many visitors come to the area to enjoy a Broadway show or behind-the-scenes theater tour. Day trips to the Big Apple from Boston often include short Times Square tours, and hop-on, hop-off bus tours stop nearby.

• The square is a must-see for first-time New York City visitors.

• Wear comfortable shoes and prepare to walk; Times Square is best explored on foot.

• If you take photos with costumed street performers, be prepared to tip.

• You can book Broadway tickets ahead of time (ideal if you want to guarantee your seats). Alternatively, pick up same-day discount tickets at the Times Square ticket booth on W. 47th Street.

• The area's many hotels and department stores are your best bets for finding restrooms in Times Square.

Times Square is a triangular area formed by the intersection of 42nd Street, Seventh Avenue, and Broadway, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan’s theater district. There are several subway stations nearby, including 49th Street and Times Square/42nd Street Stations.

The always-busy Times Square offers some of the city’s best people-watching—there isn’t a bad time to visit. At night, though, the lights and billboards look their brightest. The square floods with visitors during the annual Times Square Ball Drop.

In addition to its role as the hub of the theater world, Times Square is home to numerous other attractions—many perfect for families—including Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, M&M’s World, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium, and Hershey’s Times Square. You’ll find some of New York City’s most famous restaurants along Restaurant Row on West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

There are so many ways to see Times Square on a tour. From hop-on hop-off bus tours and other itineraries that visit numerous New York City highlights to theater tours, walking tours, photography tours, and even helicopter tours, you have countless options for touring the iconic Manhattan neighborhood.

That depends on your interests. For a quick visit to experience Times Square's energy, an hour is plenty of time to walk through the area. However, if you want to explore popular shopping stops like M&M's New York—or see a Broadway show—you could spend hours wandering the area.

It depends on your tour itinerary, but you can generally look forward to seeing highlights such as the Red Stairs, Broadway theaters, neon lights and blinking advertisements, Naked Cowboy, and nearby attractions such as Bryant Park, Madame Tussauds, and Rockefeller Center.

Yes, you can see Times Square on many helicopter tours of Manhattan. The New York icon (which is shaped more like a bowtie than a square) is generally unmissable, thanks to the ever-present glow of its larger-than-life billboards. See if you can spot the yellow cabs from the air, too.

Yes, you can walk around Times Square—and for many, that's the best way to soak up its ineffable energy, as well as its over-the-top lights, sounds, and street energy. Many segments of the Manhattan neighborhood have been pedestrianized, making it even more walker-friendly—just prepare for some serious crowds.

That depends on what you want to see and do. If you want to visit without big crowds, come early in the morning. However, Times Square comes alive after dark, when its enormous billboards light up the night. Stop by before or after a Broadway show for maximum effect.