Times Square
Times Square is known for its towering digital billboards that burst with vivid colors and reflections, creating captivating compositions.
Times Square sits at Broadway between 45th and 46th, where 55 LED displays and neon billboards yield workable shots at any hour. Yellow taxis thread beneath neon rising four stories up, and costumed characters fill pedestrian islands. Subway, bus, and Citi Bike serve the area; Max Neuhaus's sound installation marks the plaza's north end.
History of Times Square's Iconic Features
Times Square sits at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue in Manhattan, taking its name in 1904 when The New York Times occupied what is now One Times Square. The New Year's Eve ball drop has been a fixture here since 1907, when a wood-and-iron globe fitted with 100 light bulbs was first lowered from a flagpole; the current ball weighs nearly six tons and is lit by 32,256 LEDs, making the midnight moment a reliable subject for low-light photography. For daytime or event coverage, note that a sound installation originally present from 1977 to 1992 was reinstated in May 2002 through collaboration with the Times Square BID, MTA Arts for Transit, and Dia.
Best Photo Spots
Here are six Times Square photography spots, from public plazas and pedestrian areas to elevated rooftop viewpoints.
TKTS Red Stairs
Photographs of This Location
Times Square Landmarks and Renovation History
Times Square spans West 42nd to West 47th Street, with One Times Square marking the building where the New Year's Eve ball drops each year, making it a focal point for seasonal photography. Billboards throughout the district typically advertise Broadway shows and retail stores, contributing to the visual density that defines street-level compositions. The neighborhood underwent scheduled renovations in 2022, continuing a pattern of change that began when Breaking Ground acquired the former grand hotel at the Times Square building in 1991 and restored it from disrepair.
Common Questions
No permit is required for a personal proposal in the Times Square pedestrian plaza, though large physical setups or use of the digital screens require a separate process.
Times Square can be too crowded at peak weekend summer afternoons, but early morning or blue hour on a weekday is manageable and a Local Lens photographer will know where to position for a clean frame.
Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets is closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians, but cross-street traffic remains open at each block between these areas.
The Times Square Alliance's district covers most of the territory from 40th Street to 53rd Street between 6th and 8th Avenues, plus historic Restaurant Row on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
Bring a smartphone to instantly receive and download your photos after the session.
The top of the red steps at Times Square gives a sweeping view of the area, including One Times Square.
One Times Square Tower Today
Although the One Times Square tower lent its name to the district, the building is mostly vacant today, holding only a ground-floor Walgreens and offices for the New Year's Eve Ball. Photographers visiting in late December will see crews installing the famous Ball Drop roughly a week before the annual celebration. The adjacent red steps, where the "Empire State of Mind" video was filmed, remain a prominent visual marker in the square.
Practical Information
Broadway and Seventh Avenue, between West 42nd and West 47th Streets; Broadway, Manhattan, NY, 10036; M7, M20, M42, M104, BxM2, QM1-QM6, QM20, SIM routes
Times Square offers many options for both long-term and short-term parking at garages run by operators including Icon Parking, Quik Park, iPark, Meyers Parking, and the Marriot Marquis Hotel.
24 hours a day, seven days a week; Hours of operation vary by attraction and should be checked on the individual attraction listing.; In May 2009, Broadway was closed to vehicles between 47th and 42nd Street, creating a pedestrian plaza where over 400,000 people walk through every day.
$325; $425; up to 50% off
A timed-entry ticket is required for admission and must be purchased online; there is no on-site box office.; No permit required; The Times Square is a private residential building for low-income and formerly homeless adults, not a public photography location.
Session Tips
- Times Square is ideal for long-exposure shots that highlight the movement of crowds and traffic under neon lights.
- Shoot on the TKTS red stairs early in the morning to avoid big crowds.
- Avoid shooting at the Times Square subway station during rush hour to prevent commuters from photobombing.
- Note that due to Hurricane Ian, many shops and restaurants in Times Square are currently operating out of trailers and pictures of Times Square are not up to date.
- If driving, do not take Broadway south through Times Square; you will be redirected at 47th Street, so drive south via 7th Avenue or north via 6th or 8th Avenues instead.
Photowalk
Walk the Times Square Photo Trail
2 routes through the same vantage points, from a quick loop to a full afternoon.
The Heart of the Crossroads is the classic Times Square shot standing at 7th Avenue and 45th Street with signs stacked in every direction.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
10:27 AM - 10:54 AM
10:54 AM - 11:54 AM
9:34 PM - 10:34 PM
10:34 PM - 11:01 PM
Best Season
New Year's Eve
Avoid
December 28-31
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:17 | 16:53 | 9h 35m |
| Feb | 06:49 | 17:30 | 10h 41m |
| Mar | 07:07 | 19:02 | 11h 55m |
| Apr | 06:17 | 19:35 | 13h 18m |
| May | 05:38 | 20:06 | 14h 27m |
| Jun | 05:24 | 20:29 | 15h 5m |
| Jul | 05:37 | 20:25 | 14h 48m |
| Aug | 06:06 | 19:53 | 13h 47m |
| Sep | 06:36 | 19:04 | 12h 28m |
| Oct | 07:07 | 18:15 | 11h 8m |
| Nov | 06:42 | 16:37 | 9h 54m |
| Dec | 07:12 | 16:29 | 9h 16m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Nighttime is the most productive window at Times Square, when neon signage lights the streets and long exposures can render the movement of crowds and traffic. For cleaner compositions, arrive early in the morning and shoot from the TKTS red stairs, or avoid the 11 AM–3 PM weekend slot when overhead light is harsh and tourist density peaks. Drivers heading in should skip Broadway south, since vehicles are redirected at 47th Street; 7th Avenue south or 6th and 8th Avenues offer unobstructed routes.
The session begins by meeting the photographer at the Klik Photography Booth near the Red Stairs.
The Broadway's Beginnings walking tour, led by actors and stage crew, departs at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings.
The standard Times Square photoshoot session lasts between 10 and 15 minutes.
“Skywalk visitors can leave wishes on a confetti wishing wall to be dispersed on New Year's Eve and take home a crystal gift.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- An additional accessible elevator to the Times Square-42 St station is located on Broadway Plaza between 42 St and 43 St.
- Public transit
- 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, and 7 trains at 42nd Street–Times Square Station; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, W to 42 St-Times Square; A, C, E to 42 St-Port Authority; N, Q, R, 1, 2, 3, 7, S at 42nd St & 7th Ave
- Bike friendly
- Bike racks line Old San Carlos Boulevard for convenient access to shopping and restaurants in the Downtown District.