Times Square - Facts for Kids

History & Origins

Times Square in New York City got its name in 1904 when the New York Times newspaper moved its headquarters to the area — before that, it was called Longacre Square!

Times Square was once a rural area where horses grazed, and in the 1800s, it was known for being New York City’s horse and carriage district!

The very first New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square happened on December 31, 1907, and people have celebrated it for over 115 years!

The first electric billboard in Times Square appeared in 1904, lighting up ads like Trimble Whiskey with bright bulbs that people could see from far away!

Times Square is called the “Crossroads of the World” because it sits where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross, and it became super famous in the early 1900s as crowds, theaters, and bright signs filled the area!

During World War II, Times Square became famous as a place where sailors and soldiers would gather to celebrate – especially on V-J Day in 1945 when World War II ended!

The first moving news ticker in Times Square was installed in 1928, and people would gather to watch bright headlines scroll by as big news flashed across the building!

Times Square and nearby Broadway were called the “Great White Way” because bright white electric lights lit up the streets and theater signs, making the area glow at night like daytime!

In 1904, the first subway line opened with a station at Times Square, making it much easier for people from all over New York City to travel there and enjoy the busy, exciting area!

The famous TKTS booth opened in Times Square in 1973, and it still helps families today buy discounted Broadway tickets so more people can enjoy amazing shows!

Architecture & Design

One of the biggest billboards in Times Square is a giant digital screen that stretches across an entire city block and is almost as long as a football field.

The famous One Times Square building, where the New Year's Eve ball drops, is 25 stories tall but is mostly empty inside – it makes most of its money from the billboards on its outside!

Times Square’s bright lights use a huge amount of electricity—about as much power as thousands of homes.

The New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square weighs about 12,350 pounds, which is roughly as heavy as two to three adult elephants!

The red glass steps of the TKTS booth in Times Square are actually the roof of the ticket office, and they light up at night using special LED lights!

Times Square has a hidden sound art installation under a street grate that plays a soft humming sound, making it a surprising place to hear music if you listen closely!

Times Square has special rules that require buildings to have bright, glowing signs, so the area stays lit up—even late at night.

Times Square’s famous Ruby Red Steps are made of 27 glass steps and can seat about 500 people, giving them a great view of the busy streets below!

Fun Numbers & Measurements

Times Square sees about 360,000 people every day, which is more than the entire population of Iceland, a small country with around 370,000 people!

The New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square is covered in 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that sparkle and create beautiful patterns when the lights shine on them!

Times Square isn’t really a square—it’s shaped like a bowtie and stretches across about five city blocks!

The largest LED screen in Times Square is about 25,000 square feet, which is roughly half the size of a football field!

The Times Square New Year’s celebration brings together about one million people in person and is watched by over one billion people around the world on TV!

Times Square has dozens of giant digital billboards, and some of them are as tall as a six- to eight-story building, lighting up the area day and night!

The New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square drops about 141 feet in exactly 60 seconds, counting down the final minute to midnight!

Times Square’s pedestrian plaza is actually huge—about 2.5 acres (over 100,000 square feet), which is much bigger than just a few basketball courts!

Times Square is one of the brightest places on Earth at night, and its lights are so strong that they can be seen clearly in satellite images from space.

Over 50 million people visit Times Square each year, which is about the same as the population of Spain.

Interesting Features

Times Square releases about 3,000 pounds of confetti on New Year’s Eve, and many pieces have people’s wishes for the new year written on them!

There are special apps and services that let you upload your photo and see it appear on a giant Times Square billboard for a short time!

The famous Naked Cowboy has been performing in Times Square since 1999, wearing his cowboy hat and boots (and yes, he wears clothes too)!

The TKTS booth’s red steps are designed with a special system that helps keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, so visitors can sit comfortably all year round!

Cultural Significance

Times Square appears in lots and lots of movies and TV shows, making it one of the most filmed places in the world.

The V-J Day kiss photograph, one of the most famous photos ever taken, was captured in Times Square in 1945!

Times Square was one of the first places in America to use huge, bright electric signs, and it helped change cities everywhere by showing how exciting glowing ads could be!

Modern Day Facts

Times Square has free Wi-Fi in many parts of the plaza, helping millions of visitors connect, share photos, and stay online while they explore!

Times Square has become much more pedestrian-friendly since 2009, when parts of Broadway were closed to cars to create big, safe spaces for people to walk, sit, and enjoy the area

Special Events & Celebrations

Every Valentine’s Day, Times Square hosts a special “Love in Times Square” event where couples can get married, propose, or renew their vows—often on the famous Red Steps!

During “Solstice in Times Square,” thousands of people do yoga right in the middle of Times Square on the longest day of the year, turning a busy street into a calm, peaceful space!

Visitor Tips & Fun Activities

The best time to see Times Square’s bright lights is just after sunset (called twilight), when the sky is still a little light and the glowing signs really start to shine!

Times Square has friendly Ambassadors who wear bright red jackets or shirts and help visitors with directions, tips, and information!

You can take a free walking tour of Times Square and nearby areas, and some of them happen on Fridays with knowledgeable guides who share cool history and secrets!

One of the best places to take photos in Times Square is from the Red Steps, where you can get a higher view and see lots of bright billboards all around you!

Times Square has fun candy stores—like chocolate shops—where you can watch treats being made right in front of you, especially during special in-store experiences!

The best time to avoid crowds in Times Square is early in the morning—especially before 10 AM, when there are fewer people and it’s easier to walk around!