INTRO

The heart of the Theater District, Longacre Square, the Crossroads of the World, the heart of the Great White Way, they all refer to one place, Times Square. This area of New York City has made its mark on America, especially with tourists. It’s been through some tough times and some bad reputations, but this landmark will always be a symbol of New York City and America itself. Times Square represents the struggle of the American dream and the success of the American economy.

HISTORICAL

Times Square, formerly called Longacre Square, once had very high crime rates and was home to prostitutes, drug dealers, thieves, and hustlers. Oscar Hammerstein helped pave the way for this area in 1895 when he built the Olympia, an entertainment complex housing three theaters and a roof garden. Then, in 1904, Adolph Ochs moved the New York Times building to 43rd street, and the square was renamed after the building. Things started to go uphill from there and Times Square rapidly became an even more popular place. “During the First World War, Times Square became the premiere theatre district in the nation.” (Macbeth)



However, things then started to decline with the vast amount of people that flooded the area and the square quickly became known as a “sinkhole.” In the ‘60s and ‘70s entertainment such as live nude shows and porn shops began popping up in the area. Once again, crime, drugs, and prostitutes were occupying Times Square and giving it a bad reputation. In the ‘80s some businesses and public officials got fed up with the negative view the public had on the area, so they got together to try and change it. They succeeded and in the ‘90s Times Square was “a symbol again for the vibrancy of Manhattan.” (Macbeth)

Here's a picture I took of the New York Times building when I was in Times Square:

GEOGRAPHICAL

Times Square is located in New York City, New York. It is considered the area where Seventh Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street intersect. It is an urban area filled with hotels, restaurants, shops, tourists, billboards, and many other attractions. (“Times Square”)


("Times Square Map")

BIOGRAPHICAL

Times Square was invented by the immigrants who first moved to New York and formed the roads. However, the Times Square we know today is how it is because of the tourists and businesses that inhabit it. Adolph Ochs gave Times Square its name by moving the New York Times building to the location in 1904. He then celebrated this success with the first New Year’s Eve celebration for the renaming effort. “Every year since, hundreds of thousands of people gather and wait for hours in the cold of a New York winter for the famous ball drop ceremony. It is estimated that one billion people around the world now watch the tradition via satellite.”(MacBeth)

Here's a video of the 2009 New's Year's Eve Celebration in Times Square:

ARTISTIC

Times Square is known for its giant billboards, lights, and many forms of entertainment. “No area better represents the city’s glitter.” Times Square is a sight to see, especially at night, when it “is illuminated not by the moon but by acres of glaring neon and sweeping arc lamps.” Everything in Times Square is flashy and bright. This is probably because “zoning laws actually require businesses to include a certain level of illuminated signage on their facades.” Of course the big luminous lights aren’t the only exciting factor of this popular tourist spot. Times Square provides many different shops, restaurants, festivals/events, and hotels. (“Broadway & Times Square”)


SHOPPING:

CBS Store- selling products based off of the CBS network and their famous TV shows

Dale & Thomas Popcorn- offering gourmet popcorn in many different flavors, along with chocolates and gift sets

Hershey’s- a one of kind chocolate store to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, providing not only their varieties of different candies, but also special Hershey’s merchandise

M & M’s World- offering the well-known m & m’s candy in colors you can’t find anywhere else

Modells- a store for sports lovers with a plethora of equipment and apparel

The MTV Store- a gift shop below the MTV studio which sells all different souvenirs related to music and MTV

Quicksilver- a store for skateboarders, snowboarders, and surfers offering brands such as Roxy

Sanrio- the store providing everything hello kitty and hello kitty characters with a huge assortment of products

Sephora- every kind of make-up you could ever need

Toys ‘R Us- a well-known toy store suitable for anyone with a big imagination

The Virgin Megastore- “Manhattan’s largest multimedia center”, this store will offer you a large array of CDs, DVDs, and books

Of course, all around Times Square you will also find New York City souvenir shops with all sorts of products, and street vendors with all sorts of food and drinks. (“The Shopping Guide to Times Square”)

Here's a picture of my visit to the Sanrio store:



RESTAURANTS: There are a lot of restaurants located in Times Square, along with candy shops, street vendors, and cafes, but here are a few of the featured restaurants from TimesSquare.com(“Featured Restaurants”)

Mars 2112- has an atmosphere that appears as if you are actually dining on Mars with aliens and spaceships

Cascina Restorante- serves Italian and country-style food with an authentic Italy feel to the restaurant

Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse- features the finest food and is a more upscale place for the socialites and entrepreneurs

Zanzibar- provides Mediterranean food served in a casual lounge area

Frankie and Johnnie’s- one of the older restaurants there, it’s a steakhouse of great quality with large portions

Langan’s Restaurant- provides New World cuisine at almost anytime of day

Lattanzi Restaurant- offers fine dining and Italian cuisine

Tattorio Dopo Teatro- a more affordable Italian restaurant for lunch or dinner with a relaxing atmosphere and right above the Secret Garden, “creating the feeling of dining in a romantic Italian villa.”


FESTIVALS/EVENTS: Times Square has a wide variety of festivals and events. Since it is the heart of the Theater District, there are many theater events that vary at any time of year. There are also music events, which also vary depending on the date. These include a lot of shows performed at venues such as the Blue Note, Terminal 5, and the Bowery Ballroom and some music festivals, such as the JVC Jazz Festival and the CMJ Music Marathon. Times Square also provides art, comedy, food, dance, and international events. Depending on the day, week, month, or year you are there, you will find a great assortment of exciting festivals and events to keep yourself entertained.


HOTELS: There are many hotels in and around Times Square and here’s a list of a few of them: (“Times Square Hotels”)

Hilton Times Square
Hotel 41 at Times Square
Millennium Broadway Hotel
Westin New York Times Square
New York Marriot Marquis Times Square
AKA Times Square
Hotel Mela
Night
Room-Mate Grace
Paramount
St. James Hotel
Milford Plaza
The Muse New York
The Edison Hotel
Stay
Portland Square Hotel
Comfort Inn Times Square
Manhattan Broadway Budget Hotel
Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square

SOCIETAL

Times Square is significant to American society because it is a staple in our history. Times Square attracts people from all over the globe and all over America. It represents American society and the struggle for the American dream.



Times Square symbolizes success. After all of the ups and downs in its history, Times Square is back on top again, representing a symbol of Manhattan’s livelihood. It has been through hard times, but it is still visited by 20 million tourists a year. People from all around the world come to New York City, Times Square in particular, because other cultures view it as the representation of our society. Just like if an American wanted to visit France, they would go to Paris; foreigners come to America and want to visit New York City. Times Square just happens to be the heart of Manhattan, making it such a popular tourist destination.



Times Square is an American icon because it shows the success of the American dream. New York was one of the first places immigrants came too and they formed Times Square. The area may have suffered terrible crime rates at one point in time, but that’s what makes it such a success. People have seen the transformation of Times Square and how it has become such an American icon to the public because of the hardships endured. Without the low points Times Square wouldn’t be what it is today.

WORKS CITED

"Broadway & Times Square." Time Out. Ed. Keith Mulvihill. 2008 ed. New York. Great Britain: Edbury Publishing, 2008. 124.

"Clintons Drop Ball in Times Square." YouTube. 1 Jan. 2009. CBS. 15 Mar. 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tve9FjUAtd0&feature=related.

"Featured Restaurants." Times Square. 8 Mar. 2009 http://timessquare.com/Dining/Featured_Restaurants/.

Macbeth, VR. “Times Square: Part of New York City History.” Times Square. 1 Mar. 2009 http://timessquare.com/New_York_City/Times_Square_NYC/Times_Square %3A_Part_of_New_York_City_Hitsory/

"The Shopping Guide to Times Square." Times Square. 8 Mar. 2009 http://timessquare.com/Shopping/Shopping_Guide/The_Shopping_Guide_to_Times_Square/.

"Times Square." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2009. Grolier Online. 8 Mar. 2009 http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0290255-0.

"Times Square Hotels." Hotels.com. 2009. 8 Mar. 2009 http://www.hotels.com/hotels_timessquare_14098352.html?PSRC=INKT&utm_source=yahoossp&mcid=inkt.landmarks.

"Times Square Map." NYCtourist.com. 9 Mar. 2009 http://www.nyctourist.com/ map_timesquare.htm.