Does anyone else think Times square is overrated?

Answer 1

Not really. I stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it. Perhaps there wasn't as much to do as I originally thought (apart from theatre, eat, theatre, eat and more theatre!)

Answer 2

When I was a kid in the 1960's and 1970's, Times Square was dirty and seedy and full of pimps with fancy cars like you see in the old 1970's films. There were theaters that were open 24/7, flashing signs, the Bond club, stores full of slutty disco clothes and lingere, live sex shows, a huge Nathans and anything else you can imagine. Movie theatres had little machines that showed trailers and previews out on the sidewalks. It was seedy and exciting.

Now it is Disneyfied. And its safe ... but there is still a lot to do and see in Times Square and all around this wonderful city that I grew up in.

The problem with tourists is that they wander around a few basic streets and rarely venture into the rest of the city to see what it has to offer.

Answer 3

I agree with Sharon K , In the process of cleaning up Times Square they took way too much dirt and real excitement out of it. During the Midnight Cowboy/ Super-fly days the stretch of 42nd Street from the Port Authority to Times Square used to be one of the most exciting and at the same time dangerous streets in America.To a certain extent some of the excitement of NYC is the well worn and world weary grunginess of it . This is what gives NYC it's soul, take that away and you have Orlando and who the hell wants that

Answer 4

Waaaayyyyyy over rated! Just to see a bunch of lights?? Try working down in Times Square. I hate it, too many people that want stand around in the middle of the sidewalk, staring at lights....wooo, fascinating or walk so slow that you almost miss your train to get home. Uggghhhh!

My kids happen to like the Toys R Us because Barbie has a real like doll house and there is Candy Land and the Ferris Wheel in side. But even that place gets so crowded you can't breathe or walk. Times Square is very, very expensive.

Answer 5

I do. Whenever I go to New York, I avoid it... it's like the Disneyland of New York City. I'd much rather visit the "real" New York. I love going down to the Village/Union Square area, or down to the Lower East Side and into Chinatown. That's the real New York.

Answer 6

Yes it is but how can America compete with Trafalgar Square in London, the Piazza Navone or Pantheon in Rome or the Acropolis in Athens?

Its the best they can do, bless 'em.

Answer 7

not really it's like saying oxford street is overrated. times square is the only place in new york that i would visit.

Answer 8

gee... I thought I was the only one who thought that way.

I think Times Square is not only overrated, it is overly hyped, overly populated, overly dirty overly noisy, overly... well...overly.

Times Square is definitely one of those places you hear about and, when you finally see it in person, you wonder why you bothered and what all the noise is about.

Answer 9

I`ve been to Times Square three times and it is a great place. I thoroughly enjoyed myself - it`s true what they say, it never sleeps :-)

Times Square Cam - the camera angle keeps changing
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

Click on camera number one :-)

Answer 10

Not really it depends on what you expect it to be - we were there last week and it was a bunch of lights and shopping. Interesting, fun but my expectations were little to none. You have to go to Toys R Us it is awesome!