7 Things You Didn’t Know About Times Square

During your stay, you'll inevitably pass through Times Square. Here's what you need to know to see beyond what the average tourist sees!

1/ Times Square got its name from a newspaper

Originally, Times Square was called Longacre Square. It took its current name in 1904, after the New York Times, the prestigious New York newspaper that had just opened its headquarters there.
The New York Times has since moved. Its current headquarters is further south on 8th Avenue, between 40th Street and 41st Street. Read my article about the New York Times headquarters in New York.

According to the organization that tracks it, more than 300,000 people cross Times Square every day. On the busiest days, the count can reach nearly 480,000 people.
On New Year’s Eve, Times Square welcomes close to one million people. If you’re thinking about joining them, check out my tips for New Year’s Eve on Times Square.

Times Square holds another record: the world’s largest advertising screen. A giant measuring 100 m (328 ft) long and 14 m (46 ft) high.
If you want to run an advertisement on this screen, be prepared to spend big: rental costs more than $2.5 million for four weeks.
There’s a more affordable option if you don’t have $2.5 million to spare. A Times Square screen can display a photo or video of your choice. Learn how to display your photo on Times Square.

On Times Square, you’ll almost certainly meet the famous Naked Cowboy. This cowboy wears nothing but underwear, a hat, boots, and carries a guitar. Rain or shine, he poses for photos with tourists for a few dollars. Think he’s crazy? Consider his annual earnings: around $140,000 a year!
Learn more about his business in this article on the Naked Cowboy of Times Square. Also check out my guide on how to take a photo with the Naked Cowboy.

Don’t light a cigarette on Times Square: since February 2011, Times Square has been officially smoke-free.
If you’re caught smoking, the fine is $50. That’s the law!

The pretty red chairs you can use on Times Square are French! This model, called “Bistro,” is made by Fermob, based on a design used by café owners in the late 19th century.
The original model, called Simplex, was patented in 1889. When you take a break on Times Square, you can think of France!

Times Square is the heart of the theater district, home to famous Broadway musicals. The oldest theater still in operation, the New Amsterdam, dates back to 1902. Since March 2014, it has been home to a major Broadway hit: Aladdin!
For more information, check out my article on the major musicals playing on Times Square this year.