Page 140 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

138  NE W Y ORK CIT Y AREA B Y AREA

Street by Street: Times Square

Named for the 25-story New York Times Tower, which opened
in 1906, Times Square has been at the heart of the city’s
theater district since 1899, when Oscar Hammerstein built the
Victoria and Republic theaters. Since the 1920s, the glowing
neon of theater billboards has combined with the Times’
illuminated newswire and other advertising to create a
spectacular lightshow. After a period of decline starting in
the 1930s, which saw sex shows taking over many of the
grand theaters, rejuvenation of the district began during Paramount Hotel
the 1990s. Old-style Broadway glamor again rubs shoulders Designed by Philippe Starck,
with modern entertainment in this part of the city. this hotel is the hip haunt of
the theater crowd who drink
in the late-night Paramount
Bar (see p310).
Sardi’s restaurant was W 4 8 T H S T
established in Times Square in
1921, and has walls lined with
caricatures of Broadway stars
of yesterday and today.

Westin Hotel is a striking 45-story W 47TH ST
building that consists of a prism
split by a curving beam of light.
Stunning views over the city.

E-Walk entertainment
and retail complex W 4 5 T H S T
has a multiplex
cinema, restaurants, a
hotel, and the B. B. King
Blues Club.

42nd St-Port Auth W 4 3 R D S T
Bus Terminal subway
(Lines A, C & E)

W 4 1 S T S T
H A V Times Sq-42nd St W 4 3 R D S T
T subway (lines N, Q,
N
E R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7)
9. One Times Square V
Every New Year’s Eve at midnight, S E
the famed crystal ball drops from
the top of One Times Square. There . New Victory Theater
are great views from the front of This classic Broadway theater is used as a
this New York landmark. performance space for children and families.

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