Times Square in New York City

Located in the heart of New York City, Times Square is an entertainment and commercial hub. It is also the site of the Times Square ball drop on New Year's Eve. It has become an attraction for both tourists and locals. It is one of the most visited places in New York City.

The history of Times Square dates back to 1886. The original building, known as the Times Building, was a 25-story structure. It was designed by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz. It was later renamed the Allied Chemical Building in 1963. During the 1920s, the area experienced a building boom. In addition, a number of movie theaters appeared on Broadway, transforming the street into a quarter erotic cinema. In 1945, the area saw its largest crowd in its history.

The area became home to several drug dens and hustlers. During the early 1990s, the Walt Disney brand store opened, attracting families and children to the area. The area also lost many of its theaters and cultural attractions. However, the reconstruction of the building in the late 1980s, along with other changes, revitalized the area.

Today, there are over 40 theaters in New York City. Depending on your budget, there are a variety of shows that are sure to please. The Empire State Building offers views of the city and New Jersey. The 86th and 102nd floors are open to the public and offer beautiful views of the city.

The theaters in New York have large crystal chandeliers and gold ceilings. They have hosted various Broadway theatres and Fred Astaire concerts. The Paramount Theater also hosted concerts by Bing Crosby.

During World War II, the Times Square ball drop was not held due to lighting restrictions. This caused a moment of silence. Despite the restrictions, the annual New Year's Eve celebrations continued. In 1990, neon advertisements began appearing in the area.

The Times Square Alliance sanitation crew wears bright red uniforms and distributes party favors to revelers. The billboards in the square synchronize at 11:57 p.m. to feature digital art.

In addition to all of the entertainment and shopping, Times Square is also home to a church. It is also home to an ABC channel office, a Good Morning America studio, and a Midtown Comics venue. There is also a M&M's World in the area.

There are over 4 million visitors to the Empire State Building's 86th and 102nd floor observatories every year. There are panoramic views of the New York City skyline, the Hudson River, Connecticut, and New Jersey. It is named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It is a must-see for anyone visiting New York.

The square has also been the location of live television productions, including the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It is a great experience to see the production in person. It is recommended to buy tickets well in advance. It is also possible to see free tickets on the websites of many television networks.