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The Sights and Sounds of Times Square

Purchase Discount, New York Theater Tickets while taking in the View

Jul 30, 2009 Michelle Corbin

Marvel at the sights in New York's, Time Square, but don't miss the entertainment value of purchasing same day theater tickets at the TKTS booth.

Nothing sings, “New York, New York”, more than the bright, blazing, neon lights and energetic, eclectic crowds of Times Square. Located in the borough of Manhattan at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, Times Square lives out its most recent reinvention as a world-class entertainment district unlike any other. Theater after theater, clubs, bars, restaurants and shops, crowd this condensed neighborhood lit by massive displays of wall-to-wall illuminated signage. Home to ABC’s Times Square Studios, Good Morning America is broadcast from here and since 1907 has been the location of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. Not only are there endless entertainment destinations in and around Times Square but just the people watching is an event in itself.

TKTS Ticket Booth

Located at the north end of Times Square at the corner of 47th and Broadway is Duffy Square, home to the recently renovated TKTS booth. This wildly popular New York establishment is where visitors and locals alike line up in long twisting queues to purchase day-of-performance theater tickets. These tickets are offered at a discount price, which accounts for the high demand and popularity. Completed in October 2008, the new structure is a wedge shaped stadium style bleacher. The twelve sales box offices are located on the backside of the bleacher and despite the long lines they move forward in a surprisingly timely manner. On the sides of the towering red structure are continually changing electronic billboards listing the available tickets for performances scheduled that day. Keep an open mind as the choices may change but there seems to be something available for just about everyone.

New York People Watching at it’s Best

After time spent standing in line, allow for a few minutes to sit and take in all of the sights and action whirling around. There is another seating option besides the large TKTS bleacher. Randomly placed, nylon strapped beach chairs are positioned in and around the square. The traffic is blocked from entering the area so all are free to sit and enjoy. Look up and take in the jumbotrons of lit signage. Product and retail ads light up the sky while movie trailers and videos offer more entertainment and distraction. Look around. See and hear the voices of people from all corners of the world. It is people watching on a new level. Where else can a person pull up a city provided beach chair and chat with Elvis while watching a Naked Cowboy? “New York, NewYork”…Times Square sings it all.

The copyright of the article The Sights and Sounds of Times Square in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Michelle Corbin. Permission to republish The Sights and Sounds of Times Square in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Times Square, New York