Destination Spotlight

Times Square and Broadway

Although Broadway runs the entire length of Manhattan, it is best known for its entertainment district, which extends from 40th to 53rd Streets and is bordered by Avenue of the Americas and Eighth Avenue. Many of the 40+ theaters in the area were built between 1910 and 1930. Over the years, vaudeville, melodramas, comic operas, and dance performances were popular on Broadway. Today, most of the theaters present musicals, many of which run for several years. Times Square, which is referred to as the “Crossroads of the World,” marks the center of this concentration of well-known theaters, cinemas, and great shopping.

Interesting Facts:

• The Lyceum is the oldest theater still in operation, built in 1903.
• The first New Year’s celebration in Times Square took place on New Year’s Eve 1907, in which a lighted ball was lowered at midnight. Six different balls have been used over the years.

– The first ball was used from 1907 to 1920.

– The second ball was made in 1921 and lasted until 1955.

– The third Times Square ball was taken out of commission in 1999.

– A fourth ball, created for the new millenium, dropped for the first time to ring in the year 2000.

– The fifth ball, specially designed for the centennial anniversary, was only used once to kick off 2008.

– The current ball is the sixth one and has only been in use since New Year’s Eve, 2008.

• Several television shows are filmed in studios located at Times Square, including ABC’s “Good Morning America” and MTV’s “Total Request Live.”

Links:

Times Square Webcam