Visiting Times Square: HGI Hotel & Excursions
— Visitors Guide —
Times Square
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Times Square -
This 2022 Travel series features an Insider's Look at New York City, what's reopened in the 5 Boroughs, the best economy hotels, as well as amazing adventures you don't want to miss!
These 3 articles cover: the Times Square Experience (this article), The 5th Avenue Experience (including sunrise at the empire state building), as well as The Midtown East Experience.
A Brief History Of Times Square
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The crossroads of the world, the center of the universe, the heart of the world, these are all names referring to New York's most iconic location, Time Square. It is also the eastern terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first road for automobiles across the United States, running coast to coast from Time Square in NYC to Lincoln Park in San Francisco. Even though Time Square has a long and interesting history, the reason most people know of Time Square is because it's the site of the New Years Eve Ball Drop. The first Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop was held on December 31, 1907 and was created by the The New York Times to replace the longstanding fireworks show that had been outlawed by city ordinances after incidences of falling fiery debris on spectators below. The ball was located atop a large flagpole on the roof of the newspapers new headquarters. Ever since, the ball drop has been held annually in the same location with the only exception the years of 1942 and 1943 in observance of wartime blackouts.
On August 15, 1945, the largest crowd in the history of Times Square —an estimated 2 million people— gathered to celebrate US victory in World War II. That celebration was the site where the photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the iconic and America's most famous kiss between a sailor and a nurse.
It is estimated that more than 50 thousand people visit Time Square every day and more than 40 million visitors in a year. Time Square is a place that every visitor to New York should see. The restaurants rival anything you will find worldwide and the selection of wonderful Shows and Operas is second to none. See it by day and see it by night both are distinctly different and amazing experiences.
Times SQUARE
What’s happening in 2022!
Shows are back!
Broadway
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Broadway -
If you’re planning on seeing a broadway show in New York, knowing the key places to find tickets is important. There are 41 active Broadway theaters listed by The Broadway League in New York City, as well as nine existing structures that previously hosted Broadway theatre. So, how do I find my tickets?! I personally find nyc.com to be the most thorough place to begin. Here you’ll find which shows are playing, a brief synopsis, as well as showtimes.
Other trusted sites that sell show tickets are:
Where to stay
Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central
A budget-friendly option to consider when planning your trip is an economy hotel. Economy hotels are small to medium-sized hotel establishments that offer basic accommodations. Your next trip will be more affordable thanks to these hotels, which are often built by big names in hospitality (such as Hilton and Marriott).
Hilton Garden Inn Time Square Central is perfectly located amid the lights, action, and energy that is Time Square.
If you plan on walking during your stay, this hotel is in an ideal location!
While the hotel is located right at the center of all the action and energy outside the front door, the interior itself is calm and relaxing.
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This hotel is conveniently located just a few steps from multiple subway stations, three blocks from the theater district and countless coffee shops, lunch stops, and fine dining restaurants, this hotel put you right in the middle of all the best of The Times Square experience. If you’re interested in utilizing the subway system, the Urban Caffeine channel offers some amazing Youtube content on this topic, I’ve linked one of their videos here: Guide to the NYC Subway | How to Ride and Navigate the New York Subway
For those who want to dine in or have a drink with friends you will find Paul’s on Times Square located in the hotel lobby! Open daily from 6AM to 11PM, you can have breakfast lunch and dinner in a lovely setting of modern decor with floor to ceiling windows. Step out on the adjacent patio and you will see the world famous times square ball
The rooms are clean, comfortable, and supplied with bath and toiletry necessities. The hotel offers many types of suites & rooms including a King Bed Corner with Times Square (42nd) view, Queen beds with city views, and others
If you want to isolate and rest for the evening room service is available after 5 PM
for the foodies
Dining
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Dining -
Looking for some great restaurants in Times Square? Below are our top picks for the area!
Grand Banks Restaurant in Tribeca
MAMAN (Bryant Park)
Enjoy breakfast at Maman - A provincial style café, bakery, and restaurant. Their menu highlights favorites from the south of france and north america. You do not need a reservation to enjoy this establishment. They are best known for their use of vintage porcelain dishware - c'est trop mignon! (1 min walk from Hilton Garden Inn)
LA GRAND BOUCHERIE
La Grand Boucherie, as you may have guessed by the name is a traditional French restaurant and steak house. LOCATED AT 14th and 53rd st and stretching the entire block of 6 1/2 Avenue of the Americas, La Grand Boucherie is the lastest of four of the Boucherie restaurants in NYC. Designed in the elegant and ornamental Art Nouveau Style this location is a sight to behold and an experience like no other. This restaurant is sure to please and is considered one of the finest French Restaurants in New York.
PAUL’S ON TIMES SQUARE
The Hilton Garden Inn features its very own bar & restaurant! Paul’s on Times Square is open nightly for cocktails & light fare. The restaurant is newly built with modern décor and floor-to-ceiling views of Times Square.
CHARLIE PALMERS STEAK
Charlie Palmer Steak is conveniently located across the street from HGI Times Sq Central! Known for his progressive American cooking and seasonal menus, Charlie Palmer's restaurants highlight the region's exceptional resources from the nearby waterways and farmlands. A showcase of Manhattan's cultural crossroads with local distillers, brewers, and winemakers.
Things to do nearby
(Tap to open tabs)
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This can be especially fun if you’ve walked a lot the previous day! Bigbustours.com and Topviewnyc.com are the most popular options for the Times Square area. You can also book a Times Square Hop-on Hop-off Tour that allows you the freedom to come and go as you please throughout a 48-hour period.
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A huge three-story comic shop filled with all kinds of comics and merch related to your favorite superheroes and pop culture figures, Midtown Comics is one of New York City's most popular comic shops.
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The views, thrills, and luxury experience are superior to most any other activity, as the pilot points out all the main New York City attractions below - from Times Square to Central Park and the Hudson River. Helicopter tour info here!
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is one of many free TV tapings in New York City.
The show taping takes place from about 5.30 pm to 7 pm. For ticket information, click here.
You can also learn how to get tickets for popular shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon or The Daily Show With Trevor Noah by visiting nycgo.com!
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During the week, visitors can take tours of this world-renowned music venue.
Experience the history of this 125-year-old majestic hall with a knowledgeable guide.
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Times Square Church is an interdenominational congregation located at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on 237 West 51st Street in the Theater District of Manhattan in New York City. Times Square Church was founded by Pastor David Wilkerson in 1987 and bought the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1991. The Mark Hellinger Theatre was originally built by Warner Bros. in 1930 as a movie palace, the Warner movie palace Hollywood Theatre, which was later converted to a Broadway venue. Notable Broadway musicals that have played at the theater include My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar, and the Katharine Hepburn musical Coco. Service times and visiting hours can be found here.
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Eat as many ice cream treats as you want in 5 different shapes and forms - Connect with your loved ones through day & night activities hosted by our talented guides - Learn all about ice cream and its history across 13 multi-sensory installations - PLAY in the world-famous sprinkle pool and slide down NYC’s highest indoor slide. Plan your visit here!
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A famed bookshop with theater & film titles that include plays & scripts, plus in-store scene readings. Founded in 1917 by the Drama League, the Drama Book Shop became an independent bookstore in 1923 and since that time has been deemed a quintessential New York City cultural institution.
Take in a sunrise at the Empire State Building
Read all the insiders info on ticketing here!
Visit NYC’s floating restaurant: The Grand Banks
Bryant Park:
Explore more in the 5th Avenue area that’s adjacent to North end of Times SQ.
Go to: 5th Ave & Bryant Park
Also Nearby: Grand Central Terminal
Celestial ceilings, a main hall that ushers guests from one adventure to another. There are architectural details and finishes throughout that whisper to every guest, "I was built with love". The Glory of Commerce sculpture by Jules-Félix Coutan stands at the south entrance of the building, hinting at the true magnificence to be found inside.
Grand Central Terminal’s pièce de résistance, however, is the celestial mural on the main concourse ceiling -- a stunning rendition of Johann Bayer's 1603 star atlas. Over the years, the ceiling has been renovated and repaired numerous times. After it was completed in 1998, the restoration entailed a bit of controversy among art historians, especially with respect to the mural depicting some constellations of the zodiac and nearby stars. The timeless beauty, however, endures. It serves as yet another reminder of New York City's enduring spirit, its stories, and the places you'll go - all starting at Grand Central Terminal.
(additional info)
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Grand Central terminal is located on 42nd St. and Park Avenue between multiple famous skyscrapers such as the Chrysler building and the MetLife building. Grand Central Station was built in the early 20th century on the side of two earlier train stations. Named after the company that constructed it the station is famous for its beaux arts design. Grand central station covers 48 acres And was originally known as Grand Central Station. The name was eventually change to Grand Central terminal as their original station only operated a couple of years before being deemed insufficient and being torn completely down to make away for the new Grand Central terminal the largest station in the world!
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10. No One Knows if the “Whispering Gallery” Was Built to Whisper on Purpose (read more)
9. Grand Central Terminal Houses a Hidden, Gilded Age Bar (read more)
8. Some of the Iron Eagles of Grand Central Terminal Have Gone Missing
(read more)
7. Atop Grand Central Terminal is the World’s Largest Tiffany Clock
(read more)
6. A Hidden Brick Is an Effective, if Unintentional, Anti-Smoking Ad in Grand Central Terminal
(read more)
5. Track 61 Underneath Grand Central Terminal Still Serves as a Means of Clandestine Transportation
(read more)
4. There is a Top Secret Room in Grand Central Terminal That Doesn’t Even Appear on Maps or Blueprints
(read more)
3. Grand Central Terminal Has the Largest Basement of Any Building in New York City
(read more)
2. You Can Play Tennis in Grand Central Terminal
(read more)
1. The Ceiling of Grand Central Terminal is Backwards
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Dine Inside Grand Central Terminal
CIPRIANI DOLCI
For an evening to remember make sure to visit NYC’s iconic Grand Central Terminal and dine at Cipriani Dolci. The service is second to none and the well-priced authentic Venetian menu is sure to please. This restaurant blends gracefully into Grand Central and provides you with a birds-eye view of all the movement on the lower level!
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Images by:
ARTICLE BY:
Ashley M Lands
@ashleymlands On Instagram
Random Musings, the Daily Edit, and Fashionable Moments for all
Thank you to the Hilton Family & Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central for allowing us to highlight your business!
#hiltonpartner
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The New York Experience 2022 - by Stuff Oui Love
Thanks for Stopping By!
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