New York Magazine

Why go?

Whether it’s to score Broadway tickets, catch Beyoncé at the MTV studios, or check out the Naked Cowboy, Times Square is on the agenda for most tourists. Hence, the crowds, huge crowds. By day, the streets are filled with shoppers, sightseers, and New Yorkers heading to and from work, while at night, theatergoers flood the area. When the glare of three-story-tall billboards, flashing ticker tapes, and screaming marquees starts to overwhelm, head west to Hell’s Kitchen. Here, decently priced restaurants and bars provide refuge in which to refuel, regroup, and prep yourself for more crowds at Macy’s in nearby Herald Square.

Tips

The New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Times Square is free and you don't need a ticket, but crowds start lining up early and are fenced in. Visit the bathroom before you go.

Don't expect to catch a cab after an evening at the theater. Plan to walk several blocks or take the subway.

How to Get There:

A, C, E to 34th St. (Penn Station); 42nd St. (Port Authority)

N, Q, R, W, B, D, F, V to 34th St. (Herald Square)

N, Q, R, W to 42nd St. (Times Square)

1, 2, 3, 7, 9 to 42nd St. (Times Square)

R, W to 49th St.

See all Times Square and Hell's Kitchen subway stops

Boundaries

Times Square

From 50th St. north to 32nd St.

From Tenth Ave. west to Fifth Ave.

Herald Square

From 36th St. south to 32nd St.

From Fifth Ave. west to Seventh Ave.

Hell's Kitchen

From Eighth Ave. west to the Hudson River

From 34th St. north to 59th St.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Rockefeller Center

Useful Links

• TimesSquare.com
• Times Square Alliance
• Hell's Kitchen, NYC
• Wikipedia Entry: Herald Square
• Must See New York: Herald Square Hotels