Times Square, New York, United States

Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment center, and neighborhood in the Midtown Manhattan, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. One of the world's busiest pedestrian areas, it is also the hub of the Broadway Theater District and a major center of the world's entertainment industry. Times Square is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually.

Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the then newly erected Times Building, now One Times Square. It is the site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop, which began on December 31, 1907, and continues to attract over a million visitors to Times Square every year.

Times Square functions as a town square, but is not geometrically a square; it is closer in shape to a bowtie, with two triangles emanating roughly north and south from 45th Street, where Seventh Avenue intersects Broadway. Broadway runs diagonally, crossing through the horizontal and vertical street grid of Manhattan laid down by the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, and that intersection creates the 'bowtie' shape of Times Square.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

D Mortiffein (2 years ago)
If you are a tourist, you MUST visit this place. Great area for shopping and taking pictures as this is an American iconic place. Crossing paths with tourists from different and multiple countries in this one area is exciting as you get exposed to other cultures in a single place! Note: Stay away from food vendors. They are a rip off; even a bottle of water will be so expensive compared to buying it somewhere else. Unless you really want to eat at a restaurant with a view, I don't recommend eating in the area. The prices are ridiculously expensive. And last but not least, ignore the street people who approach you. They just want to make money out of you. I promise. Enjoy!

Mike N (2 years ago)
I love this place. Everything about New York City is amazing. The feel and the energy of the place is amazing. There's so much to do and so much to see, one never gets bored. Times Square is really cool because of all the events they have there, seems like they're always making a movie, plus the concerts and music and other life events they have there. Of course we all know about the New Year's Eve thing It is easy to connect to a subway, bus or train here that will take you anyplace you need to go. Be careful with the pose for money picture people. Lol. A great place for kids, families, couples or singles. Something for everyone.

Zaliq Ahmad (2 years ago)
What can I say? Such a nice place to visit. When you come to New Jersey or anywhere nearby, Times Square is a must! Yes, parking can be an issue but some looking around will find you a good spot. Been here a few times with family and friends including one time past midnight. Each time I was met with a lot of people and open shops, city never sleeps!

Alexander Freedman (2 years ago)
A really good place to observe New York at its finest, there were so many street performers and other attractions on both the street and the sidewalk. Although it's quite crowded (because it's an amazing place), I really had a fun time observing everything in and around the area. I really enjoyed it here and definitely recommend it to everyone!

Krista Vista (2 years ago)
I use to love coming to Times Square. But now, there are so many homeless and EDP, it's hard to feel safe. Also, there is so much trash on the streets and sidewalks. I love NYC, so Times Square will always be a staple. It's beautiful because of the lights and the history, but if the city doesn't clean up its act, it will only be a thing of the past!!!

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

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Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

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