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