Why is times square so popular

During the season, productions were staged within the block area. Many celebrities, including Irving Berlin, Fred Astaire, and Charlie Chaplin, flocked to the area, which came to be known as "the Tenderloin" on account of its high desirability. During this time, films were becoming an important part of popular culture, and with them came many new film theaters in Times Square and around New York City.

When the Great Depression hit, the theaters and restaurants in Times Square initially seemed immune from the economic collapse. But as time went on, many property owners were forced to sell or close their theaters. The theaters were converted to show popular and vastly cheaper Hollywood movies.

Following this economic collapse, businesses needed something to draw people to the area. So began Times Square's era of vice.

During the s and s, live nude shows, sex shops, erotic bookstores, and X-rated movie theaters dominated the area. More and more, Times Square was perceived as a symbol of the city's decline.

With this new reputation came a higher crime rate that turned the area into one of the most dangerous parts of New York. Beginning in the s, however, businesses and city officials began to revitalize the square. New legislation and building condemnation began to reverse Times Square's bad reputation. By there were only 36 adult businesses, down from in the s.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani vowed to further improve the area by increasing security, closing pornographic theaters, and pressuring drug dealers and "squeegee men" to relocate.

During the s, Times Square became a new symbol for the vibrancy of Manhattan. It is the only place in New York City where tenants are required to display lighted signs officially known as "spectaculars" and "Jumbotrons". Boasting an estimated 26 million annual visitors each year, Times Square has changed in many ways since it was founded years ago. Now, instead of worrying for your safety, you can stop to shop in a toy store on Broadway while on your way to a production of Disney's The Lion King.

Looking for Times Square facts and figures for kids? You're in the right place! Not only do we go there, we LOVE it! We love the energy. We love basking in the legendary neon lights of Broadway.

We love looking at the costumed characters and marveling at their increasingly audacious outfits. We love the electricity, the edginess, the sheer massiveness of it all. We love the in-your-face dynamism in summer, winter , spring, and fall. In a city like New York that defines excitement, Times Square is at the center of it. So how did Times Square get its name? It once went by the name Longacre Square. In fact, it was on December 31, when the first ball started its descent together with the countdown to the New Year.

To be there in the middle of it all, to participate in the countdown, to feel the anticipation and excitement is a feeling everyone should have at least once in a lifetime. Another fun Times Square fact and reason why Times Square is the crossroads of the world is that it has almost unlimited entertainment possibilities.

There is always a good selection to choose from. You can also try to snag tickets to a recording of Saturday Night Live. Want music? Times Square has that, too, big time. A wide range of musical talent regularly performs live at the Broadway Plaza come rain or shine. Some of the best jazz clubs call Times Square home. Over the past 20 years, the recently renovated Iridium has built a reputation as a destination for some of the best rock, blues, and jazz in the city.

This is jazz heaven. The rumor is that a large percentage of the patrons are regulars, some frequenting as often as once a week. You want to talk food? Head down the side streets of Times Square for some of the best food in the city. Some will tell you the food in Times Square is a tourist rip-off. The culinary variety in Times Square reflects the ethnicities of the people that inhabit it; Chinese, French, Vietnamese, Argentine, Japanese, Mexican.

Stroll down Restaurant Row on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues to become even more overwhelmed with the myriad of culinary options there; Brazilian, Thai, Greek or Spanish. Another one of the many facts about Times Square is that there is no shortage of places to stay the night.

It has an ultra-modern atmosphere with high-tech guestroom features such as a Techno Wall containing a flat-screen television, charging ports for portable electronics, and a motorized bed. Here is a random sampling of their reviews from all over the world:. Always a must do when you visit NYC.

Though there are many excellent hidden bars and restaurants in New York , this is the only one in the Theater District and it's known for its discretion. If you've ever passed through after dark, you know that the light pollution here is real.

Even after sunset, it feels like the land of the eternal sunshine. In fact, Times Square is so bright, it's one of the few places on earth that astronauts can pinpoint from outer space. For you.

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