Times Square gets a reputation it only partly deserves. Yes, it's loud, commercial, and relentlessly busy, but the surrounding blocks are home to some of the best things to do in New York City, and most visitors walk right past them.
From nightly digital art displays to world-class observation decks, the attractions near Times Square reward those willing to look a little further than the flashing signs. Whether you're planning your first trip to the city or returning with fresh eyes, this guide focuses on experiences worth the effort and skips the rest.
Experience the Best of Times Square Without the Crowds
Times Square has more going for it than most travel guides let on. Two standout experiences let you engage with the area without jostling for space.
The TKTS Red Steps, operated by the Theatre Development Fund, offer one of the best free vantage points in all of Midtown. The elevated bleacher-style seating rises above street level and gives you a clear, unhurried view across the neon-lit intersection. It's a genuinely relaxed spot right in the heart of the Theater District, making it a natural launchpad for an afternoon of exploration.
Every night at 11:57 PM, the giant digital billboards across Times Square shift simultaneously to display synchronized, curated artwork as part of the "Midnight Moment" program. It's the world's largest digital art display. Organized by Times Square Arts, it runs for three minutes and transforms the area's most commercial real estate into something closer to an outdoor gallery. It's one of the most memorable things to do in Times Square, and one of the least crowded.
Iconic Sightseeing Within Steps of the Neon Lights
Step away from Times Square's busiest blocks, and the sightseeing gets considerably more rewarding. Several major New York City landmarks sit within a 10-minute walk, and they tend to deliver far more than what's on offer at the intersection itself.
Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center stands out as one of the finest observation deck experiences in the city. You have an unobstructed look at the Empire State Building itself, along with Central Park stretching northward and the Hudson River glinting to the west. The views are genuinely impressive, and the atmosphere on the deck is noticeably calmer than its more-visited competitors.
Radio City Music Hall, located a short walk away on Sixth Avenue, is one of America's most celebrated Art Deco performance venues. Its exterior is worth a pause on its own. If you want to go further, guided tours take visitors through the grand interiors and the storied history of the space, from its 1932 opening to its ongoing role as a marquee New York stage. For anyone drawn to architecture, design, or the history of performance, it's a deeper experience than most visitors expect.
These Midtown attractions offer a genuine counterbalance to the sensory overload a few blocks south. They're quieter, richer in history, and well worth the short walk.
Hidden Gems and Green Spaces in Midtown Manhattan
Not everything worth doing near Times Square requires a ticket or a reservation. For visitors wondering what to do around Times Square today, a few quieter spots provide genuine breathing room between bigger sights.
Bryant Park, located just east of the Avenue of the Americas on 42nd Street, functions as Midtown's most welcoming outdoor space. Depending on the season, you'll find an outdoor ice skating rink, a wide green lawn lined with café seating, or the popular Bryant Park Winter Village market filling the surrounding paths. It's one of the few spots in Midtown where slowing down actually feels natural.
One block east, the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is a Beaux-Arts landmark that's free to enter and far more extraordinary inside than the average passerby suspects. The Rose Main Reading Room alone makes the detour worthwhile. If you have 20 minutes to an hour between stops, the library is one of the most satisfying quick visits in the entire city.
For visitors who prefer their history with a cinematic edge, RiseNY offers an immersive way to experience the city's story before heading back out to explore it firsthand.
Maximize Your Visit With New York CityPASS® Tickets
Attractions like Top of the Rock are included with New York CityPASS® tickets, which provide access to NYC's most popular sights at significant savings off regular admission prices. Rather than purchasing each entry separately, CityPASS® tickets make it easier to plan your days, manage your budget, and move through the city without stopping to sort logistics at every door.
Before your trip, it's worth taking a few minutes to compare what's included across New York CityPASS® ticket options to find the right fit for your itinerary. See everything that's available and start planning the trip of a lifetime.