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The heart of Midtown

The best of Times Square

The One Times Square Skywalk, Midtown walks, a street-food tour, a bagel class and Broadway next door.

By the Things to Do in NYC editorial team 6 tours compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 6 picks
Times Square at dusk with the screens lit and taxis in the street
Short answer

Times Square is free to visit, at any time. It sits around Broadway and 42nd to 47th Streets in Midtown, where the subway lines 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W and S meet. Only extras like the One Times Square Skywalk need a ticket, from €24 on GetYourGuide. The Broadway theatres are all around it.

GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

Our 6 picks in and near Times Square

One view, two walks, a food tour, a bagel class and a candy shop. Only the last one is non-refundable.

Times Square tickets and tours compared

Times Square tickets and tours compared
TourFromDurationGroup sizeFree cancellationWho it suitsWhy we picked it
One Times Square Skywalk 4.7 (558)€24
per person		1 hourNot statedYesViews and photosThe view over the square itself, with 4.7 from 558 reviews.
Midtown skyscrapers and Times Square walk 5.0 (11)€28
per person		2 hoursUp to 20YesA first visit to MidtownThe most sights in 2 hours, from €28, with 5.0 from 11 reviews.
Midtown street-food walk 4.9 (15)€48
per person		2 hoursUp to 15YesFood loversLunch and a walk in one, with 4.9 from 15 reviews.
Grand Central and Midtown tour in French 4.9 (17)€53
per person		2 hoursUp to 10YesFrench speakersA small group in French, with 4.9 from 17 reviews.
Bagel baking class 4.8 (41)€134
per person		2 hoursUp to 20YesHands-on food fansSomething to make, not just see, with 4.8 from 41 reviews.
i Candy at One Times Square 5.0 (9)€36
per person		1 hourNot statedNon-refundableKidsA sweet stop for kids, but few reviews so far (5.0 from 9).

  • One Times Square Skywalk

    €24 per person1 hour 4.7 (558)

    Details
    Group size
    Not stated
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Views and photos
    Why we picked it
    The view over the square itself, with 4.7 from 558 reviews.

  • Midtown skyscrapers and Times Square walk

    €28 per person2 hours 5.0 (11)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 20
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    A first visit to Midtown
    Why we picked it
    The most sights in 2 hours, from €28, with 5.0 from 11 reviews.

  • Midtown street-food walk

    €48 per person2 hours 4.9 (15)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 15
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Food lovers
    Why we picked it
    Lunch and a walk in one, with 4.9 from 15 reviews.

  • Grand Central and Midtown tour in French

    €53 per person2 hours 4.9 (17)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 10
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    French speakers
    Why we picked it
    A small group in French, with 4.9 from 17 reviews.

  • Bagel baking class

    €134 per person2 hours 4.8 (41)

    Details
    Group size
    Up to 20
    Free cancellation
    Yes
    Who it suits
    Hands-on food fans
    Why we picked it
    Something to make, not just see, with 4.8 from 41 reviews.

  • i Candy at One Times Square

    €36 per person1 hour 5.0 (9)

    Details
    Group size
    Not stated
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Who it suits
    Kids
    Why we picked it
    A sweet stop for kids, but few reviews so far (5.0 from 9).
  • None of the 6 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Is Times Square free?

Yes, Times Square is free. You can walk around it day and night without a ticket.

New Year's Eve is free too. Nobody sells public viewing spots; only private parties in hotels and restaurants need tickets.

Times Square tickets: what you pay for

You pay only for the extras. The One Times Square Skywalk starts from €24. It does not include access to the current New Year's Eve Ball.

The i Candy shop in the same building starts from €36, and that ticket is non-refundable.

Times Square tours: walks and the Skywalk

A Times Square tour is a walk, a food tour or a ticket to the Skywalk. The walks start on foot in Midtown and take about 2 hours.

  • Midtown skyscrapers walk: starts at 200 W 43rd St, goes inside Grand Central, up to 20 people.
  • Street-food walk: starts at 6th Avenue and W 42nd St, 6 tastings, up to 15 people.
  • French-language tour: starts at 20 E 40th St, Grand Central, up to 10 people.
  • Skywalk: 1 hour at One Times Square, at Broadway and 43rd St.

Things to do near Times Square

Near Times Square, you can see a Broadway show, bake bagels or walk to Grand Central. The bagel class is on W 40th St, a few blocks south.

Downtown, a walking tour covers Chinatown and SoHo. Our page on Chinatown and SoHo walking tours lists them.

Times Square at night

Times Square at night is lit by its big screens. Every night at 11:57 pm, art takes over the screens for Midnight Moment.

The theatres are all around the square. Book tickets for shows on Broadway and walk over after dinner.

Hotels near Times Square put you next to the theatres and the subway. For where to stay in NYC beyond Midtown, see our full guide.

Times Square history and facts

People have celebrated New Year's Eve in Times Square since 1904. The first Ball drop was in 1907.

Today the Ball drops for 60 seconds from the flagpole on One Times Square, at Broadway and 43rd St. It starts at 11:59 pm.

  • The current Ball is the ninth. It was introduced in 2025.
  • It is 12.5 feet across and weighs 12,350 pounds.
  • It has 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED lights.
  • More than 1 ton of confetti falls at midnight.

Tips for visiting Times Square

  1. When to go

    If crowds bother you, book a Skywalk time slot for a view from 19 floors up. Or come late for Midnight Moment at 11:57 pm.

  2. New Year's Eve: free, no tickets

    Viewing areas open at 3 pm, first come, first served. "All access" passes are not honored, and some were fake. If you leave, you cannot return to your spot. Large bags are not allowed.

  3. The candy shop cannot be refunded

    The i Candy ticket is non-refundable. The other five picks have free cancellation.

  4. Take the subway

    The 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W and S stop at Times Sq-42 St. The B, D, F and M stop nearby.

Times Square: questions and answers

Where is Times Square, and how do I get there?
Times Square is in Midtown Manhattan, around Broadway and 42nd to 47th Streets. Take the subway: the 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W and S stop at Times Sq-42 St, and the B, D, F and M stop nearby.

Can you see the Ball drop for free?
Yes. New Year's Eve in Times Square is free, and nobody sells public viewing spots. Only private parties in hotels and restaurants need tickets.

What time does the Ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve?
The Ball is raised at about 6 pm. At 11:59 pm it drops for 60 seconds from the flagpole on One Times Square. Viewing areas open at 3 pm, first come, first served.

Where can I buy cheap Broadway tickets in Times Square?
Go to the TKTS discount booth at Broadway and W 47th St. It is open 3 to 8 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and 11 am to 8 pm on the other days.

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Sources (3), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.