Top attractions

What to expect on your Times Square visit

A person looking at a billboard with their picture on it
Girl posing on red stairs at Times Square Tkts, New York City.
Crowds and bright billboards in Times Square, New York City.
Couple kissing at Times Square, New York City.
Woman standing in Times Square at night with colorful lights in the background.
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See yourself in the heart of NYC

With options to send in images or a short video to a billboard in Times Square, you can see yourself, your favorite memories, or your loved ones sprawled across the most visited location in the world.

Get a timeless photograph on the iconic Red Stairs

The luminous Red Stairs off Broadway create the perfect backdrop for professional photographs. Capture a timeless moment, creating a memory you will cherish forever.

Leave your mark in New York City

Catch yourself on display at Times Square over 2o times through the day, and leave your park in one of the most iconic places in the world.

Get professional photographs in multiple timeless locations across Times Square

Get over 300 raw files, with multiple edited photographs, professionally shot, across multiple popular spots in Times Square to capture picture-perfect moments or create a cherished memory with your loved ones.

Celebrate with a midnight private photoshoot

Have a special moment planned? You can book a private late-night photoshoot under the Red Stairs with the glowing lights creating the perfect backdrop for a timeless photograph, capturing a timeless memory.

From billboards to the iconic Red Stairs: Upgrade your classic Times Square experience

A person looking at a billboard with their picture on it

See yourself on a Times Square Billboard for a day

Send in a photo or a short video (15 sec) and live out your celebrity moment at Times Square for a day. Watch yourself on a Times Square Billboard for 24 hours and capture the perfect NYC memory.

Recommended experience:

  • Be Featured on a Times Square Billboard for 24 Hours in NYC
Two girls sitting on the red steps at Times Square at night.

Get yourself clicked on the iconic Red Stairs

Enjoy a private photoshoot at midnight with the soft red glow of the legendary Red Stairs in Times Square, set up with professional lighting, which includes printed copies along with the raw files, and create your own cinematic moments.

Recommended experience:

  • Times Square VIP Photoshoot on the Iconic Red Stairs
Young woman celebrating 15th birthday with balloons at Times Square, New York City.

Get camera-ready for a Times Square photoshoot

Strike a pose, or two, or ten, with your photographer leading the way, across multiple locations in Times Square. Get over 300 copies of images from your professional photoshoot, with 5 edited images, and spend your time soaking up the lights, cameras, and the action of NYC.

Recommended experience:

  • Times Square Photoshoot
Did you know?

You can see Times Square from space! The billboards and signs in Times Square glow so bright that it makes it easy to spot Times Square from the International Space Station at night.

Times Square at night with bright billboards and bustling crowds in New York City.

Plan your visit

Times Square in New York City with vibrant billboards and bustling street scene.

The public spaces of Times Square are open 24/7, though the timings of each Times Square experience vary.

  • Billboard display hours: 12am to 11:59pm (22 times, hourly)
  • VIP Red Stairs Photoshoot hours: 12am to 1:30am (30 mins)
  • Times Square Photoshoot hours: 11am to 11:40pm (15 mins)

Address: Manhattan, NY 10036, United States | Find on Maps

Times Square is easily accessible on foot from multiple NYC attractions, making it easy to visit multiple locations in a single day.

  • Distance from Broadway Theatre district: 7-minute walk (0.3 miles)
  • Distance from Madame Tussauds New York: 3-minute walk (0.1 miles)
  • Distance from Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock: 5-minute walk (0.2 miles)
  • Distance from the Empire State Building: 15-minute walk (0.6 miles)
  • Distance from MoMA New York: 12-minute walk (0.5 miles)

Walking around Times Square is highly recommended because it has hundreds of thousands of visitors daily, and it also allows you to explore the nearby blocks, which are significantly quieter and filled with NYC's hidden gems.

Cheesecake slices with raspberries and blueberries at a Dubai Mall café.

Classic Times Square dining options

  • Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery: Must-visit for their cheesecake. | Find on Maps
  • Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: For a Forrest Gump-themed meal. | Find on Maps
  • Times Square Diner & Grill: Classic American diner-style food. | Find on Maps

Alternate dining nearby

  • Restaurant Row: Alternatively, you can enter the historic district a block away and spend time exploring over 30 restaurants and bars for a lively evening after your day of exploration. | Find on Maps
Shopping at a London market, browsing colorful clothes on a rack.
  • For families with kids: M&M’s World, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and the Disney Store offer a variety of goodies, making them ideal for families with children.
  • For souvenirs: The Gifts on the Square is the place to be for themed souvenirs and gifts. | Find on Maps
  • For Broadway and theater enthusiasts: If you’re looking for Broadway memorabilia, then Theatre Circle Gifts is the place for you. You can shop for merchandise, memorabilia, and more. | Find on Maps
  • Retail stores and outlets: You can easily find several retail stores like Steve Madden, Sephora, Levi’s, H&M, and more across Times Square.
Luxury hotel room with king-size bed, modern decor, and large window.

Budget

Mid-range

  • Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South by IHG | Find on Maps
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West | Find on Maps
  • Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square West | Find on Maps

Luxury

Police officer in uniform at Times Square, New York City, with bright lights in the background.
  • Carry cash for street performers and spontaneous photo ops.
  • Use side streets to take crowd-free breaks without leaving the area.
  • Most stores on Times Square stay open late, so you don’t need to rush your visit during daylight hours.
  • Explore beyond the main square; the restaurants and bars one block away are significantly quieter and better priced.
  • Wear solid colors for your photoshoots because patterned outfits can clash with the bright ads in the backdrop.
  • Have pose ideas/screenshots prepared so you don’t waste time in crowded spaces.
  • Use high-resolution formats when you’re sending in your images, not to sacrifice quality.
  • Avoid overexposure in the images you’re sending in for the billboard displays. Bright Times Square lighting can wash out poorly edited photos.

Things to do in and around Times Square

Performers dancing on stage during The Great Gatsby Broadway show.

Broadway

Just steps from Times Square, Broadway is the heartbeat of New York’s theater scene, where world-class musicals and performances light up the night. It's the perfect follow-up to your Times Square visit; stroll from the buzzing screens to iconic marquees and feel the city’s creative pulse come alive.

Rockefeller Center with holiday tree and ice rink, view from Top of the Rock, New York City.

Rockefeller Center

A short walk from Times Square, Rockefeller Center is where architecture, entertainment, and culture meet. Home to the famous ice rink, NBC Studios, and festive holiday displays, it offers a change of pace from Times Square while still keeping you in the center of NYC energy.

Family viewing New York City skyline from Empire State Building observatory.

Empire State Building

A 10-minute walk or quick subway ride from Times Square, the Empire State Building offers classic NYC skyline views and Art Deco charm. It’s a great addition to your Times Square experience; you can go from street-level chaos to sky-high calm in just minutes.

Man observing Boccioni sculpture at MoMA, New York City.

MoMA

Located just a few blocks from Times Square, MoMA offers a creative refuge filled with iconic works by artists like Van Gogh and Picasso. After the visual overload of Times Square's billboards, MoMA delivers visual inspiration in a quieter, more artistic setting.

Guests posing with wax figures of musical artists at Madame Tussauds, New York.

Madame Tussauds New York

Right in Times Square, Madame Tussauds brings celebrity culture to life with lifelike wax figures and immersive zones. It’s an ideal stop during your Times Square visit; filled with fun photos, family-friendly activities, and meeting “celebrities” without the red carpet.

Tourists sitting on the beam enjoying views on their Top of the Rock experience

Top of the Rock

A short walk from Times Square, Top of the Rock offers unbeatable views over Midtown and Central Park. Unlike Times Square’s street-level frenzy, this observation deck gives you a breathtaking aerial view of Times Square itself.

Frequently asked questions about Times Square experience tickets

How long should I plan to spend in Times Square?

Most visitors spend 1-2 hours unless they’re attending a show, photoshoot, or attraction.

Will I receive a photo of my billboard after it appears?

Most companies provide a link to your display or proof shots. Alternatively, you can visit the spot at a specific time to capture it yourself.

How long does a typical Times Square photoshoot take?

Most photoshoots are 30-90 minutes, depending on the type of photoshoot option selected. Multiple locations, timings, and multiple angles are typically longer.

Can I use public restrooms nearby?

Restrooms can be found inside the Times Square Visitor Center, Bryant Park, or nearby fast-food chains.