If you’re booking your trip to NYC on a budget, visiting Times Square should be at the top of your to-do list. There are plenty of things to do in Times Square for free if you’re pinching pennies. Plus, our Midtown hotel is located within walking distance of Times Square, so you won’t need to pay cab fare. Check out some of our favorite things to do in Times Square for free!
The TKTS Red Steps offer one of the best views of Times Square. The Red Staircase is actually the roof of the TKTS ticket booth, where visitors can purchase day-of tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Taking in the view of Times Square from the TKTS Red Steps is one of the best free things to do in Times Square – you can spend time on the steps watching the crowd, scouting out restaurants and shops, and getting lost in the bright lights!
Speaking of bright lights, one of the coolest free things to do in Times Square is the Midnight Moment. This is the world’s largest and longest-running digital public art program and you can see it nightly for free! Beginning daily at 11:57 pm, digital displays from 41st to 49th Streets synchronize to showcase the work of contemporary artists in place of advertisements. It’s no wonder why NYC is known as ‘The City That Never Sleeps’.
There are two statues in Times Square, and you can visit them both for free. Duffy Square, the section of Times Square that holds the iconic TKTS Red Steps, is home to two statues: one of Chaplain Francis P. Duffy, and another of composer, playwright, producer, and actor George M. Cohan.
Attending a live taping of Good Morning America is a unique and free thing to do in Times Square! While you’ll have to wake up early to secure your spot closest to the windows where you can watch the show, the experience is worth it. You’ll have front row (or at least super close!) views of the cast and any special guests. You can also request free tickets for special tapings, like the Summer Concert Series, here.
From dancers to musicians, there are plenty of street performers to peep for free in Times Square. If you’re traveling with the family, the kids may even get a photo op with their favorite characters. Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty and other popular personalities have been spotted in Times Square.
With visitors from all over the globe, people watching in Times Square can provide epic entertainment on a budget. Times Square welcomes more than 300,000 pedestrians per day, which proves for some perfect people watching year-round. Plus, the aforementioned TKTS Red Staircase provides the best seat in the house.
If you enjoy late-night television, plan your penny-pinching trip around a free taping of TV’s top nighttime entertainment. You can score free tickets to a few top talk shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and Late Night with Seth Myers.
In addition to plenty of things to do in Times Square for free, Club Quarters Hotels can help you save BIG on your trip to The Big Apple. Our Times Square – Midtown Hotel offers top travel deals and discounts. Pack up your pup and check out our Pets Stay Free Program, or work from your hotel room and explore Times Square after hours with our Work Play Stay deal. PLUS, when you stay, access to all of our on-site amenities is included. Book your money-saving trip to Times Square today.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Visitors GuideIf you’re planning a trip to The City of Brotherly Love, we’ve created a Philadelphia visitors guide packed with plenty of things to do during your stay.
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