times square ny why is it so special

boblibarn

im really sorry to come across as ignorant but i am going to stay in ny with my daughter and when i ask friends etc for recommendations they all say " oh so and so is great right near times square" so my question is what is times squareand what makes it so special all i know is when i see it on the new year count down on the telly, :rotfl: ?

Bob_the_Saver

http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=fr&sugexp=gsihc&cp=14&gs_id=1l&xhr=t&q=Times+square+new+york&pf=p&sclient=psy&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=Times+squ

nw_man

boblibarn wrote: »

im really sorry to come across as ignorant but i am going to stay in ny with my daughter and when i ask friends etc for recommendations they all say " oh so and so is great right near times square" so my question is what is times squareand what makes it so special all i know is when i see it on the new year count down on the telly, :rotfl: ?

It isnt special, its specially expensive though

The above view is mine and mine alone, before anyone has a go

phatbear

First off theres a dedicated new york forum here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2230655

however im not sure you'd call times sq special, however its an icon and you should probably visit it once, pref at night when its lit up, much the same as people may tell you that you have to go up empire state, however most people in the know would suggest the top of the rock instead

However saying that as of next monday i'll be sitting in a hotel just off times sq, but we're only staying because its a well thought of hotel and its reasonable

phatbear

nw_man wrote: »

its specially expensive though

have to disagree with you there are bargains to be had

Nobjocki

It's not special any more - just a neon-encrusted tourist trap like Piccadilly Circus.
But many moons ago when Manhattan was seriously dodgy there was a certain frisson walking down 42nd Street into Times Square.
Imagine Midnight Cowboy, lots of fierce-looking black fellers hanging around derelict buildings, live sex shows, peep-shows, porno theatres, gay bath houses, vagrants,winos,heroin addicts,three-card trick merchants,pimps,prostitutes,thieves and any sort of drug you cared to lay your hands on.
If you could stomach it and knew how to look after yourself there was immense beauty in this rich tapestry of seedy life.
I absolutely loved the place but on mature reflection with a wife and kids in tow I must admit that sanitized Manhattan is better and safer even though blander.

Bob_the_Saver

Nobjocki wrote: »

It's not special any more - just a neon-encrusted tourist trap like Piccadilly Circus.
But many moons ago when Manhattan was seriously dodgy there was a certain frisson walking down 42nd Street into Times Square.
Imagine Midnight Cowboy, lots of fierce-looking black fellers hanging around derelict buildings, live sex shows, peep-shows, porno theatres, gay bath houses, vagrants,winos,heroin addicts,three-card trick merchants,pimps,prostitutes,thieves and any sort of drug you cared to lay your hands on.
If you could stomach it and knew how to look after yourself there was immense beauty in this rich tapestry of seedy life.
I absolutely loved the place but on mature reflection with a wife and kids in tow I must admit that sanitized Manhattan is better and safer even though blander.

Not so much Midnight Cowboy but Naked Cowboy now
http://www.nakedcowboy.com/

nw_man

phatbear wrote: »

have to disagree with you there are bargains to be had

Cheers, point me toward them, as I couldnt find any

pelirocco

I found it pretty souless tbh , but then it was feb and-10 degrees !

i wouldnt stop there again

Doshwaster

Nobjocki wrote: »

It's not special any more - just a neon-encrusted tourist trap like Piccadilly Circus.

A good comparison. It's a place to see on your first trip there but afterwards it's just an area that you will pass through while crossing the city. Like the tourist traps in London, avoid all of the bars and restaurants there - there's much better and cheap a black or so away.

What is quite impressive is how safe the area feels, day or night, compared to 10-15 years ago. I'd have no problem walking there after midnight, but I wouldn't be keen to do the same in areas like Leicester Sq in London.

Lady_S

We stopped right in the middle of times square on one occasion, and it was okay. At night it was a bit of a pain getting in and out of the hotel. But the price we paid for the hotel meant that we could overlook any little problem like that.

For me it is all about the right price for the hotel. If we can get the right price we will consider anywhere to stop.