Is it safe to go to Times Square at midnight?
You may be wondering, "Is Times Square safe at night?" For the most part yes. There is a good police presence in the area. Still, always pay attention to your surroundings and use your common sense. Check out our post on staying safe in New York City.
If you want to see Times Square really showing off for you, visit around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., right before the Broadway shows start. This is when the lights will seem brightest and the crowds will seem largest.
Midnight Moment is the world's largest and longest-running digital public art program. Presented nightly to millions of viewers each year, Midnight Moment showcases the work of contemporary artists on one of the most iconic public canvases — the electronic billboards of Times Square.
Overall, New York City is a rather safe city for solo travelers. New York City is safe at night too, because the streets have plenty of lights, and people are walking around at all hours.
The vast majority of cases of crime and violence in the park occur at night. It may seem tempting to take a stroll in Central Park after dark, but it's safer to wait for the sun to come up. Generally speaking, you want to stay away from areas of the city when they are empty and deserted.
Times Square has huge crowds, and locals (and even many tourists) feel it is gimmicky. Mostly, the only people who go to Times Square are visitors, which means you won't get an authentic local experience. What is this? Many locals don't feel that Times Square well represents the city that they love.
Vinegar Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and the Theatre District/Times Square have the highest crime rates in New York City. Note that these areas are usually okay during the day apart from possible petty theft and pickpocketing. Stay aware of your surroundings at night, or if possible, avoid these areas completely.
6 answers. Hello, It depends on the pace. Generally it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk there. Its a very safe walk anytime of day.
- Tribeca.
- Battery Park City.
- Kips Bay.
- Brooklyn Heights.
- Greenwich Village.
- Murray Hill.
- Nolita.
As early as 1960, 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues was described by The New York Times as "the 'worst' [block] in town". Later that decade, Times Square was depicted in Midnight Cowboy as gritty, depraved, and desperate.
How do people survive in Times Square on New Years Eve?
- Dress warmly. ...
- Eat a hearty meal before you go and bring snacks. ...
- Public drinking is not permitted in Times Square. ...
- There are NO PUBLIC OR PORTABLE RESTROOMS IN TIMES SQUARE! ...
- Once you are in the official viewing area, you are in until midnight. ...
- No large bags or backpacks will be permitted.
York City. burlesque were the main attractions lining 42nd street.
Absolutely. Just be aware of your surroundings but there are always a lot of people there and there is safety in numbers.
Stick to main streets and pathways and always cross at the intersection. Follow the traffic signals and pay attention to cars and cyclists. Be hyper-vigilant at night and stick to well-lit, populated streets. Plot out your path before heading out — and stick to it.
You will be safest if you stick to pedestrian pathways or sidewalks when walking at night. Always make sure you are highly visible and alert while walking. Do: Walk against traffic if you're in the street. If possible, walk on the sidewalk.
Midtown Manhattan is safe, especially during the day. It includes several neighborhoods, some safer than others, depending on the time of day or night. Its borders are the Hudson River on the west, the East River on the east, 14th Street on the South and 59th Street on the north.
- Roosevelt Island.
- Battery Park.
- Tribeca.
- Murray Hill.
- Kips Bay.
Yes, backpacks are very very common here, but we are very accustomed to being surrounded by throngs of people and knowing how to aviod thefts from backpacks. NYC has the lowest crime rates of any large city, but that doesn't mean you should be too lackadasical. Pickpocketing and scam artists are the most common crimes.
Times Square is a tourist trap. Since it is your first time in New York City, you should experience Times Square. However, be warned — this area of Manhattan is crawling with tourist traps.
Visiting Times Square is a must when visiting New York City with kids. It is busy, fun, and full of NYC energy. There are a few places we like to see each time we visit this popular New York state attraction.
What stop to get off for Times Square?
The closest stations to Times Square are: 49 St is 184 yards away, 3 min walk. 6 Av/W 46 St is 206 yards away, 3 min walk. Av Of the Americas/W 45 St is 245 yards away, 4 min walk.
If it's your first time in New York (or you have a short trip), stay in Midtown. It's as central as it gets, walkable to Central Park, and full of the unbridled energy that makes NYC special. We will say that it gets a little overwhelming near Times Square.
To answer the question if New York City is safe for travel and for visiting right now, the answer is a big “yes.” New York City is one of the safest cities you can travel to and we're going to show you why.
Is it better to stay near Central Park or Times Square? For a first-time visitor, it is better to stay near Times Square due to its location and access to entertainment options.
New Years Eve Times Square Bathroom tip - make sure you go BEFORE you arrive. The number one question asked by anyone visiting Times Square - where is the bathroom? Unfortunately, there are no portable restrooms in Times Square, so plan to use the restroom before you arrive or at a local restaurant.
The display is meant to share the wonders of digital art with New Yorkers and is brought to Times Square through a collaboration with Samsung and two South Korean companies. “Waterfall-NYC” will play every 2-4 minutes in 60-second increments.
Manhattan is one of the most vigilantly policed and regulated cities in the world. While there are sometimes violent crimes in Manhattan, they usually occur in residential neighborhoods, and tourists are rarely targets. The biggest risks to visitors in Manhattan are generally pickpockets and curbside scams.
| Rank | City | Safety Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Hampton Town | 1.29 |
| 2 | Port Washington | 1.13 |
| 3 | Floral Park Village | 0.98 |
| 4 | Southold Town | 0.96 |
According to crime statistics, Queens is safer than Brooklyn, the Bronx, and even Manhattan. Although Brooklyn and Manhattan tend to be feature pricier real estate, Queens has a rate of violent crime that is more than 50% lower. In contrast, violent crime in the Bronx is more than 250% higher than in Queens as a whole.
One of the main reasons why Times Square is so popular is the sheer amount of theaters along Broadway, in Lincoln Center, and the Theater District. You can catch award-winning plays and musicals all year long. The area is busiest during annual festivities, especially New Year's Eve.
Why is Times Square called Deuce?
From the late 1950s until the late 1980s, 42nd Street, nicknamed the "Deuce", was the cultural center of American grindhouse theaters, which spawned an entire subculture.
Presently, the rusted gates of Show World are shuttered, and scaffolding surrounds the former entrance, signifying the symbolic end of the peep show era.
Time Square is World Famous. But it is only one tiny area that makes up Manhattan. Most New Yorkers don't go to Time Square unless they are going to a Broadway Show. Yes it's an eye opening spot with all the lights and Clubs and Touristy Museum like the World famous Wax Museum.
The characters in Times Square work for themselves. They do not have employers and do not belong to a union. The characters pocket their own earnings, up to two hundred dollars for eight hours, on a good day, but usually less than a hundred dollars.
Leave the alcohol at home
The pedestrian plaza is an alcohol-free New Year's Eve party, and there are scores of police officers on hand to catch anyone violating the rules. Save the drinks for after (or join us at our exclusive, guests-only St. Cloud party to be worry-free).
Located between Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Father Duffy Square, the 27 ruby-red steps can accommodate up to 1,500 people at a time and provide the perfect vantage point of the Theatre District.
De Wallen (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈʋɑlə(n)]) or De Walletjes (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈʋɑləcəs]) is the largest and best known red-light district in Amsterdam.
Since 2008, the bleachers-like ruby red steps, which serve as the TKTS booth, in Father Duffy Square have attracted mostly tourists as the perfect viewpoint for the twinkling billboards and a prime selfie spot.
Actually, Times Square is one of the safest places in New York. Last year, there were about 2,600 major crimes reported in the Midtown South Precinct, which includes Times Square, according to the police. That's a drastic drop from 1990, when nearly 23,000 major crimes were recorded.
Is the NYC subway safe? The short answer is yes. The subway system (just like city parks) reflects the overall safety of the city. And when New York City violent crime is near record lows and subway ridership is at record highs, it is safe to assume nothing will happen to you on the subway.
Is Times Square Safe 2022?
Yes, New York City is safe. New York City is the United States' most populated city with 8.42 million people, and it's the safest big city according to the FBI. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection ranks New York City as the 9th safest city worldwide just after Paris.
TIP 1 - Get there early
There is no set time to arrive, but if you want to get a prime viewing spot (see below), try to arrive by 3 pm or so. If you'd like to do some exploring of the area before staking out a good spot, use our guide to the Times Square area.
Stick to main streets and pathways and always cross at the intersection. Follow the traffic signals and pay attention to cars and cyclists. Be hyper-vigilant at night and stick to well-lit, populated streets. Plot out your path before heading out — and stick to it.
- During non-rush hours, wait for trains in designated areas.
- Avoid empty subway cars.
- During off-hours on the subway, ride in the conductor car. That's in the middle of the train.
- Use subway entrances and exits where there's the most activity.
What is the most dangerous part of New York City? Vinegar Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and the Theatre District/Times Square have the highest crime rates in New York City. Note that these areas are usually okay during the day apart from possible petty theft and pickpocketing.
Central Park closes between 1:00 am and 6:00 am and is off-limits to the public. Even though you can go there until 1:00 a.m., it's best not to. You should probably end your visit after dark, and certainly by 9 pm. Always avoid densely wooded areas at night, especially The Ramble, referred to above.
We didn't make it it to Ripleys. If you like to shop and want to go thru all the stores at Times Square probably 4 hours easy. If you want to shop and eat and people watch and see whatever is being hosted in the square plan on the majority of the Day. Going during the week is easier than the weekend.
You can't bring a bag into the viewing area, so anything you bring has to fit in your pockets. Make sure you check the weather but prepare for a long cold day. Wear layers and bring plenty of hand warmers. I also packed a few snacks in my coat pockets to keep me going through the day.
