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Times Square

Times Square, New York City

If you're planning a trip to New York City, you must spend time seeing the spectacular sights and sounds of Times Square.  There are many pulse points in Manhattan, but Times Square is the heartbeat of the city.  

Times Square is about Broadway, the theater, the TKTS Booth, for same-day discount tickets to Broadway, Off Broadway, music and dance productions, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Madame Tussaud's Was Museum of New York, Good Morning America, the brightest lights and the biggest signs, designers, artists, photographers, writers and illustrators, glittering marquees, the best restaurants and tourists walks -- Times Square - you can't miss it!  

There is so much to do and see in Times Square, you won't want to waste a minute by staying anywhere else but right in the Square. There are some fabulous hotels that are fairly pricey, but so well worth the expense.  Take the Marriott Residence Inn located on 6th Avenue and 39th Street - designed to meet every travelers needs from the use of complete studio apartment to amenities that spell comfort like 27' flat screen LCD Satellite RV, free, wireless, high-speed Internet, fully-equipped kitchens, and so much more -within walking distance to all the exciting things to do and see in Times Square. W New York is in the theater district - a few blocks north of the great museums of NYC, and the infamous downtown just a subway ride away. The W offers 507 rooms with signature beds adorned with 350-thread count sheets, and lush robes - overlooking the city that never sleeps. Crowne Plaza Times Square is located near Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden. This hotel -- renovated in 2006, is 31 floors, 770 guest rooms, 17 suites, 368 single-bedded rooms, 402 double-bedded rooms, and 695 non-smoking rooms.

Places To Eat In Times Square
There's a myriad of dining establishments in Times Square. Take for instance, Junior's Time Square, home of the most famous cheesecake in the world. This is a great family restaurant that has reasonably priced meals and includes a children's menu.  Needless to say, you have to try the cheesecake!  
1515 Broadway (between 44th and 45th Street, (212) 302-0620 $5.00 +.  
Bond 45 features an Italian kitchen, steaks and seafood, and a bit of the glory days when New York was just recovering from Prohibition rolling into the 50s - a "good old days" kind of restaurant.
54 W. 45th Street, 212-869-4545, $35+
Thalia is a fabulous restaurant centrally located in the heart of New York City's Theatre District. The food is divine and so is the raw bar!
828 Eight Avenue (at 50th Street), 212-399-4444, takeout, $25+

Things To Do
Got to be kidding me right?  There is so much to do in Times Square that I couldn't possible begin or finish telling you about them. But I will tell you to definitely take in a play - any play will do - it's a once in a lifetime experience. Broadway Plays are performed in the 38 Broadway theaters clustered around Times Square near Broadway between 41st Street and 53rd Street. Most of them are musical productions with wonderful staging, beautiful costumes and the best song and dance performances. Tickets cost between $50 and $90. There are also Off-Broadway Plays that take place in approximately 50 smaller theaters in and around Manhattan. They cost between $20 and $50. There's even off-off Broadway Plays happening in about 200 small theaters for only $10 go $30.

Step inside Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum - one of the city's top attractions. Meet Morgan Freeman, Julia Roberts, Britney Spears and lots of other famous people - give them hugs and have your picture taken with them  -- they don't care, they're made of wax - but you'd never know it.  They look so real -- your friends will think you schmoozed with the stars.
Located on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. Open every day at 10:00 am, $23 - $30.

Want to visit a celebrity's house?  Well then, you cannot miss stopping by Toys "R" Us in Times Square and touring two of Barbie's two glorious floors - strictly fabulous and so Manhattan Pent House!  If Barbie is not a fixation of yours, then take a ride on the 60 foot tall indoor Ferris Wheel right in the center of this wildly wonderful toy store in, where else, but New York City.
1514 Broadway, New York City, NY, 800-869-7787, URL: http://www4.toysrus.com/TimesSquare/

If it's all just a bit too much, and you're not sure what to do, On Location Tours is the way to go.  Take this tour and see the actual locations where the Sopranos was shot. You can also tour locations of television shows like Law and Order. Movie locations are also included and you'll be thrilled with sets like Spiderman and Men in Black.  
347 Fifth Ave, 212-209-3370, www.screentours.com

Of course, Times Square would not be Times Square without - New Year's Eve.  The Countdown is "on" year after year for this special event. As a matter of fact, almost all eyes in the world are on Times Square on New Year's Even when the dazzling Ball makes its decent to ring in the New Year - "bye bye old" - "hello new."

Night Life
Did I mention that New York City never sleeps?  It's true, making the night scene probably one of the best in the world.

The Paramount Bar is a wonderful, tacky disco bar that drives the 30 something crowd wild. Its decked out with crystal chandeliers and all the bells and whistles that make a night here a lot of fun for sure.
235 West 46th cross street 8th Avenue, 212-764-5500, 5 pm daily, $10+

Jimmy's Corner, is a great place to go when you're looking for a mix of tourists, locals and actors all looking to relax and enjoy cheap beer, boxing memorabilia (owned by former boxer and trainer Jimmy Glenn) and an awesome jukebox.  
140W 44th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenue, 212-221-9510, open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 am, Sunday 12:00 noon to 4:00 am.

Caroline's On Broadway is a famous comedy club right on Broadway in Times Square. Anyone who's anyone has performed here including Jerry Seinfeld, Janeane Garofalo and many others. There is also a weekly New Talent Night. This place is a laugh a minute.
1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th, 212-757-4100, call for hours

The China Club is a big space with lots of room for partying and dancing. There DJ music most night, but once in a while the place showcases live music. The crowd tends to be older and local, but it's fun to stop by do a little stomping and have a good time.
268 W47th, between Broadway and 8th, 212-398-3800, open 10:00 am to 4:00 am.

Warnings
 I would have to say that Times Square is one big warning!  Watch out for the Naked Cowboy singing his heart out in Times Square.  If you got a great deal on a Rolex watch or a Gucci bag - for sure they are fake - watch out!  Taxi cabs have gotten very, very expensive, so if you don't like to walk either take lots of money of "get out of town."