10+ Little-Known And Surprising Facts About The Famous Times Square In New York City
It's one of the busiest and most luminous areas in the world, but it wasn't always like that.
Even within its buildings today, if you look closely, you can find remnants of the past and of what once was, as well as other little secrets, like hidden art that you really have to look hard to find, and we're here to help you out.
It Wasn't Always Named "Times Square"
Although it is now known worldwide as Times Square, it actually used to be named "Longacre Square" until the New York Times moved its headquarters there in 1904, eventually outgrowing the building in 1913.
Interestingly, though, the area isn't even a square at all, it's more of a triangle with Broadway intersecting on a diagonal.
A Secret Art Installation Under The Subway Ventilation Grates
Max Neuhaus, known as a "sound sculptor," created an installation also named "Times Square" underneath the subway ventilation grates between Broadway and 7th Avenue in 1977. Many walk through it without even noticing the emanating sounds.
Secret Handmade Ceramic Art Inside A Subway Station
Most visitors walk through the 42nd Street–Times Square subway station without catching the handmade ceramic reliefs between the N/R/Q/W corridor. They were sculpted by Toby Buonagurio and featured in the tunnel's frosted-glass walls since 2005. There are 35 of them!
Times Square Was Once A Huge Hub For Adult Shows
In the 1960s '70s, and ‘80s, prostitutes, peep shows, and adult movie theaters were everywhere around Times Square.
In fact, the rate of crime and drug use was at an all-time high. It's kind of like what you see in the movie Taxi Driver. Most tourists and locals just avoided the area altogether as it was considered one of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.
Times Square Uses 161 Megawatts Of Electricity Every Year
That is so many megawatts that it's enough energy to power approximately 161,000 average U.S. homes, and twice the electricity required to power all of the casinos in Las Vegas. All in one area! I mean, those billboards alone...
Times Square Is Not Actually As Big As You Think
Times Square is the space from Broadway and 40th in the east, 8th Ave. to the west, and 49th St. to the north. In fact, The TKTS red booth that many consider an integral part of Times Square isn't even technically a part of it!
If You Look Hard Enough, You Can Find Remains Of Its Old Glorious Theaters
Times Square is known for its theater and Broadway stages, and it has been since the early 1900s. However, since then, some theaters were turned into cinemas after the Great Depression, and adult theaters have been altered or torn down, so its look has definitely changed.
To get a glimpse of how it used to be, you can still find remains like the former Loews Mayfair Theater that's now a souvenir shop on 47th Street and 7th Ave.
As Of 2011, Times Square Is 100% smoke-free
Don't get caught smoking anywhere in the area, or you can be fined $50, which, if you're in NYC, you likely have a million other things you would rather spend it on.
Find a designated smoking area or leave the temptation at home.
Instagram-Worthy Murals Can Be Found In This Subway Station
If you're passing through the 42nd Street–Times Square subway station, you'll find a mural illustrated by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein. The New York native artist also has paintings featured at MoMA, the Met, and elsewhere, so enjoy this free public piece of a futuristic train shooting through an underground station.
The Confetti Thrown On New Year's Eve Has Little Wishes Written On It
On New Year's Eve, if you look closely at the brightly colored pieces of paper falling, you'll notice that they actually each contain a handwritten wish written on them. Those wishes are written by visitors to the Times Square Visitor Center, located between 46th and 47th Street on 7th Avenue.
Times Square Is So Bright, It Can Be Seen From Outer Space
Even when the sun goes down, Times Square remains bright wits billboards and LED lights on every corner. The light pollution is so bright that it's one of the few places on Earth that astronauts can literally pinpoint from outer space.
A Hidden Map Is Available If You Get Lost
A trick if you get lost is to walk half a block north and look at the ground. You'll find a 28-foot map that draws the locations of 40 professional Broadway theaters in granite and stainless steel, built right into the sidewalk. The map is also a memorial to the composers, lyricists, and playwrights that have theaters named after them.
You Can Be One Of Its 340,000 Daily Visitors
The area became pretty much car-free in 2009, when Broadway closed to cars. Now, it's estimated that around 340,000 pedestrians walk through Times Square on a typical day.
Who knows, you could be one of those 340,000 on your next visit!
