5 Reasons to Love Times Square

By Shari on the Aisle

 If you’re a guest at any of our Library Hotel Collection properties in New York City (especially The Casablanca Hotel), a visit to famous Times Square is a must. Here are 5 reasons why. Once you learn about the richness of the neighborhood, we think you’ll love it as much as we do! 

1. There’s No Business Like Show Business. You gotta love a place where the local Catholic Church is called “The Actors’ Chapel.” That’s St. Malachy’s on West 49^th Street, between Broadway and 8^th Avenue—right across the street from “The Book of Mormon.” But wait—that’s not even the best part. Every Wednesday at 1:45 p.m., just before matinee curtains rise throughout the neighborhood, St. Malachy’s church bells chime Irving Berlin’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” (With a reprise at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays). It brings a smile to my face every time I hear it.

P.S.: Douglas Fairbanks married Joan Crawford at St. Malachy’s on June 3, 1929. And thousands of fans jammed West 49^th Street to pay final tribute to Rudolph Valentino, whose funeral mass was held at the church.

P.P.S.: You can also visit The Actors’ Temple on West 47^th Street, “A place where spirituality meets creativity,” according to their Website. Many Jews in show business have been members, including Sophie Tucker and two of the Three Stooges (Moe and Curly).

2. The Theatuh, Dahling. This one’s obvious. According to The Broadway League, there are currently 40 operating Broadway theatres. That’s a lot to choose from. There are also plenty of terrific off-Broadway options in the area (Signature, Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, the New Victory to name a few). Save money by visiting the TKTS Booth at 47^th/Broadway, where you can purchase tickets to many productions at 20-50% off. You can also take advantage of theatres’ rush, standing room, and lottery policies to save even more money. Join hundreds of theatre lovers at the Book of Mormon or Matilda lotteries where you can put your name in a hat for a chance to buy two mega cheap (around $27) front row or partial view seats. Your chances are often slim (I once struck out 3 times in one day), but somebody’s got to win. If you are with a group, each person can enter to increase your chances. (Learn more about ticket lotteries, rush, and standing room policies at Playbill.com).

3. It’s the Crossroads of the World. That’s the official nickname of Times Square, and while perhaps not everyone would agree, I challenge anyone to sit at one of the (often) sticky red tables in Duffy Square, surrounded by the flashing neon lights advertising Kinky Boots, Pippin, Phantom, Wicked, etc., and not feel a thrill. Look Downtown and see the tower where the ball drops every New Year’s Eve. Look Uptown and see tourists chilling on the cool new TKTS staircase. Listen and you’ll hear every language of the world. Once, I even saw Santa Clause enjoying some well-deserved R&R near McDonald’s. Who wouldn’t want to be here?

P.S. Duffy Square is named for Father Francis P. Duffy, who served as pastor of Holy Cross Church on West 42^nd Street until his death in 1932. A statue of him was erected that year and benevolently guards the North end of the Square, close by the TKTS booth.

4. You Can Expect the Unexpected. Once I headed up Broadway after work, enroute to City Center to see a play. I got only a couple of blocks when I saw a scene that actually made me stop in my tracks—and that’s saying a lot. It was a group of naked people—men, women, old, young, fat, and thin—with intricately painted designs covering their bodies, including their most private parts. I had no idea what was going on. The people weren’t doing anything, just milling around. I later found out that they were the work of an artist, Andy Golub. But it was certainly unexpected, even in this neighborhood, where a man walks around with a cat on his head, a peevish Elmo may shove a small child, a Naked Cowboy poses for pictures, and you might see Lena Dunham shooting the upcoming season of “Girls.”

5. You Can Get It if You Want It. Whatever the season, you can buy what you need on the street—fake Pashminas in winter and fall, fake designer sunglasses in spring and summer. And a $5 alien head pattern scarf makes a fashion statement all year round. Hats, gloves, I Love NY sweatshirts, socks; you can put together an entire outfit, with a fake designer handbag and $3 jewelry to accessorize. No excuse not to look sharp in this neighborhood!

JUST ONE MORE. I know I titled this post “5 Reasons to Love Times Square,” but it’s hard to choose just 5. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give a shout out to

on 8^th Avenue/48^th Street. I love these brave guys for honoring their theatrical neighborhood every day. Their fire truck proudly boasts their motto: “Never Missed a Performance.” Truly, for everyone in Times Square, the show must go on.

Please feel free to leave us a comment and share with us what you love most about Times Square!