Times Square: The Greatest Place for People Watching

by SuzyQ
(Richmond, VA)

If you had to pick one place that symbolizes New York City and all it has to offer, it would be Times Square. This has been one of the most popular tourist attractions for decades, documented by photographers and historians who recorded both magical and tragic moments. (Who can forget the famous Alfred Eisenstaedt photo of an American sailor kissing a young woman on VJ Day in 1945? It was taken in Times Square.)

Today, Times Square still holds its magic and allure, but for me, it is the best place for people watching. No matter what time of the day or night it might be, it is a Mecca for people from all over the world as they are become mesmerized by the neon lights, the honking horns of taxis, the news ticker encircling the One Times Square Building and the hustle and bustle that makes this area so vibrant. Whether you?re summoned by shopkeepers to look at their wares, or buying some food from a street vendor, Times Square has the most diversity of any area in the city.

From young to old, everyone who comes to Times Square is captivated by the lights and activities. No trip to New York City is complete without a stop at Times Square. And bring your camera!

New Yorkers Don't Like Times Square

by Max
(NYC, NY)

I do not enjoy Times Square. As a native New Yorker, I try to avoid this area as much as possible. Now, that's not to say that it is a terrible place at all. It is far from that. It's the center of the world and everyone should make a trip there to see just what it's like. Native New Yorkers like myself tend to want to pull our hair out when we are in this area because it contains thousands upon thousands of tourists staring up into the sky at the tall buildings and bright lights and all we want to do is get around them to get somewhere!

Now, I've had some great memories in Times Square and the surrounding area such as seeing my first Broadway musical which was The Secret Garden, and all of the shows I have seen since then. So while every single person should make a trip to the center of the universe, Times Square, I will tend to avoid it as much as I can, unless I'm with someone who has never been. Then, of course I would take them to see it, but then probably slip along to 9th Avenue for a much more "real" taste of New York and its awesome restaurants that the tourists don't know about!

Toys R Us in Times Square

I love the giant Toys'r'Us in Times Square. I was so excited the first that I went there and I saw that there was a huge ferris wheel inside of the store! You had to get tickets to go on the ride but my dad said that my brother and I would be able to go. The three of us bought tickets and we sat in the Candyland car. It was definitely a lot of fun.

I went back to the store with my boyfriend years later, but we were there too late to get into the ferris wheel, as the store was closing in 10 minutes. I am looking forward to bringing my own little children there when I have them!