Most people who visit Times Square look up. That’s the first mistake. The screens, the scaffolding, the sheer vertical spectacle of it all pulls the eye skyward while the actual mechanics of the place, the exits, the shortcuts, the rhythms that make it tolerable, play out at street level where most tourists never think to look.
Times Square is not one square. It’s a wedge-shaped corridor running roughly from West 42nd Street up to about 47th, where Broadway and 7th Avenue cross and diverge. The “square” itself is more of a bowtie intersection, and understanding that geometry is the first thing that separates someone who moves through it efficiently from someone who gets stuck on a corner staring at a crosswalk signal for four light cycles.
The Grid Doesn’t Work the Way You Think Here
Manhattan’s famous grid breaks down the moment Broadway enters the picture. Broadway cuts diagonally across the island, and where it intersects 7th Avenue, it creates a series of triangular plazas and odd angles that confuse even people who know the city well. Locals heading uptown don’t walk up Broadway through the core of Times Square. They use 8th Avenue or 6th Avenue, one block west or east, and rejoin their route above 50th Street. It’s a small detour that saves significant time and sanity.
The pedestrian plazas between 42nd and 47th Streets, the ones with the red bleacher steps and the painted street surfaces, were converted from traffic lanes years ago. They feel open, but they’re also where the costumed characters cluster and where the foot traffic is densest. Walking through them is fine as a destination. As a through-route, they’re a trap.
What Port Authority Actually Is to the People Who Use It
The Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Avenue and 42nd Street has a reputation among tourists as somewhere to avoid. For the hundreds of thousands of New Jersey commuters who pass through it every week, it’s just a bus station, the largest in the country, and a perfectly functional one if you know where you’re going. The lower level connects to the A, C, and E subway lines without stepping outside. That underground connection is something most visitors never discover.
The 42nd Street subway station itself is one of the most confusing in the system, and it deserves that reputation. The N, Q, R, and W trains stop on one platform. The 1, 2, and 3 trains stop on another, several blocks away at 7th Avenue. The S shuttle to Grand Central runs from a third set of platforms. They are all labeled “Times Square” and they are not interchangeable. Missing that distinction means a long walk underground or, worse, an accidental exit onto a street corner that looks nothing like where you intended to be.
The TKTS Booth and the Block That Surrounds It
The TKTS booth, run by the Theatre Development Fund, sits on a raised platform at the southern end of Father Duffy Square, between 46th and 47th Streets where Broadway and 7th Avenue pinch together. The discount tickets it sells for same-day Broadway and off-Broadway shows are real, and the lines are real too. What most people don’t know is that the line moves faster than it looks, and that the digital boards above the booth update throughout the day as more shows release seats. Arriving around 3 p.m. on a weekday gives a better selection than arriving at noon.
The statue of Father Francis Duffy, the World War I chaplain and longtime pastor of Holy Cross Church on 42nd Street, stands just behind the booth. Most people photograph the TKTS steps and walk past him entirely. George M. Cohan, the composer of “Give My Regards to Broadway,” stands in bronze a few feet away, facing south down the avenue he immortalized. Both statues have been there for decades and both are almost universally ignored by the people rushing past them.
How the Blocks Above 42nd Actually Function
The blocks between 44th and 50th Streets along 7th Avenue are where the theater district actually lives. The marquees, the stage doors, the pre-show crowds spilling out of restaurants onto the sidewalk. This stretch has its own tempo, quieter at noon and almost chaotic at 7:45 p.m. on a weeknight. Knowing that rhythm matters if you’re trying to get somewhere nearby without being caught in a river of people who just got out of a matinee.
The cross streets here, 45th, 46th, 47th, are narrower and often calmer than the avenues. Walking a block east or west and then cutting across is almost always faster than pushing straight up 7th Avenue during peak hours. It’s the kind of local knowledge that doesn’t appear on any map but gets passed along by anyone who works in the neighborhood.
Unlimited Buyers has operated in this neighborhood for years, with offices at 37 W 47th St #203, New York, NY 10036, USA, reachable at (212) 764-6725. For a publication covering this part of midtown, they’re one of the long-standing presences on a block that sees businesses come and go with some regularity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ways to get around Times Square?
Times Square is well-served by public transportation, including multiple subway lines and bus routes. Walking is also a popular option, as many attractions are within a short distance of one another, making it easy to explore the area on foot.
Are there any local events or markets in Times Square?
While Times Square is known for its theaters and bright lights, it occasionally hosts local events, including pop-up markets and seasonal festivals. These events can provide a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with local vendors and artisans.
Where can I find parking in the Times Square area?
Parking in Times Square can be challenging due to high demand, but there are several parking garages and lots nearby. It’s advisable to check online for availability and rates before heading into the area, especially during peak tourist seasons.
What types of businesses are common in the Times Square neighborhood?
The Times Square area is home to a mix of retail shops, restaurants, theaters, and entertainment venues. Additionally, many local businesses cater to tourists, but there are also services that support the local community, including financial services and professional offices.
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