Times Square
The Crossroads of the World — Broadway theatres, neon billboards, and the New Year's Eve ball.
Distance
1 mi
Drive time
~10 min
Route
Midtown Manhattan — Broadway & 7th Ave between 42nd and 47th St
Best window
April–June and September–November have the best walking weather
About Times Square
Times Square is the 0.1-square-mile commercial heart of Midtown Manhattan, where Broadway slices across 7th Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets. It's home to the Broadway theatre district (41 commercial venues), the world's densest concentration of LED billboards, and the New Year's Eve ball drop watched by a global audience. Roughly 360,000 pedestrians pass through every day. For groups, a 12–15 passenger van is the easiest way to consolidate a Broadway evening — pre-theatre dinner in Hell's Kitchen, drop-off at the theatre door, late-night pickup back to the hotel.
Why it's worth the trip
- Broadway theatre district — 41 active theatres within a 6-block radius, plus the TKTS discount booth at Father Duffy Square.
- Pedestrian plazas on Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets — closed to cars since 2009.
- Walk to Bryant Park, the New York Public Library main branch, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden.
- Open and active 24/7, with the highest concentration of late-night dining in Midtown.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Times Square
See a Broadway show
Use TKTS at Duffy Square for same-day discount tickets, or book in advance at Telecharge or Today Tix.
Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center observation deck — best Manhattan-skyline view because the Empire State Building IS in the picture.
The Edge / Summit One Vanderbilt
Two newer sky decks (Hudson Yards and Grand Central) — Summit's mirror installation is the most-photographed.
Empire State Building
1,250-ft Art Deco icon at 34th & 5th — sunset slots sell out earliest.
Bryant Park
6.7-acre Midtown park behind the Public Library — winter ice rink and holiday market, summer movies on the lawn.
Madame Tussauds & Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Wet-weather backups on 42nd Street — pre-book online for skip-the-line entry.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Times Square
- Do NOT try to park on Broadway between 42nd and 47th — it's a pedestrian plaza and you'll get rerouted.
- Closest van-friendly garages: Icon Parking 800 8th Ave, ProPark 250 W 49th St, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal garage on 8th Ave.
- Theatre drop-off lanes on 44th, 45th, and 46th Streets allow quick passenger drop-off only — no waiting.
- Avoid driving through Times Square between 4 PM and 8 PM — pre-theatre traffic and pedestrian crossings make a 4-block trip take 25 minutes.
Several Midtown garages (Icon 8th Ave, ProPark, Manhattan Plaza) accept Sprinter / Transit-height vans — call ahead and ask for 'high-roof' clearance (8+ ft).
When to go
Best time to visit
April–June and September–November have the best walking weather. December is magical but slammed (Rockefeller tree, NYE). Avoid New Year's Eve unless you specifically want the ball drop — entire blocks are closed off and ticketed from early morning.
Need a van for the trip?
Our New York fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to JFK, LGA, EWR, and Manhattan / Brooklyn / Queens hotel doors.
See New York vansPlan your visit
Official Times Square resources
Times Square District — official site
www.timessquarenyc.org
TKTS discount booth (Duffy Square)
www.tdf.org
Broadway League — official Broadway
www.broadwayleague.com
NYC & Company — official NYC tourism
www.nyctourism.com
More background
Times Square FAQ
Can you drive through Times Square?
Partially — Broadway between 42nd and 47th has been a pedestrian plaza since 2009. 7th Avenue is still open to vehicles, but it crawls during pre-theatre hours (4–8 PM).
Where can I park a 15-passenger van near Times Square?
Icon Parking on 8th Ave at 49th St, ProPark on W 49th, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal garage all accept Sprinter-height vans. Call ahead to confirm clearance.
When do Broadway shows let out?
Evening shows let out between 10:15 and 10:45 PM (matinees around 5 PM). Arrange your pickup on a side street — 46th, 47th, or 48th — not on 7th Ave.
Is Times Square safe at night?
Yes — it's one of the most heavily policed and CCTV-monitored areas in the country, and it's busy 24/7. Standard big-city precautions apply.
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