Times Square is one of the most famous squares in the world even though it isn´t a square. It is merely an intersection but a major one in the borough of Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. Formerly named Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in April 1904 after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly erected Times Building.

Times Square, has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and is a symbol of New York City and the United States. The theaters of Broadway and the huge number of animated neon and LED signs have long made them one of New York's iconic images, and a symbol of the intensely urban aspects of Manhattan. Times Square is the only neighborhood with zoning ordinances requiring building owners to display illuminated signs.

There are many cinemas and theatres near Times Square and the extended Times Square area, is also called the Theatre District. It consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from south to north.

Times Square now boasts attractions such as ABC's Times Square Studios, where Good Morning America is broadcast live, an elaborate Toys private://Яprivate:// Us store, and competing Hershey's and M&M's stores across the street from each other, as well as restaurants such as Ruby Foo's (Chinese food), the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (seafood), Planet Hollywood Restaurant and Bar (theme restaurant) and Carmine's (Italian) along with a number of multiplex movie theaters. It has also attracted a number of large financial, publishing, and media firms to set up headquarters in the area.

In February 2011, Times Square became smoke free as New York extended the outdoors smoking ban to the area. The measure will see smokers fined $50 if they light up.