#214 of 2,480 things to do in New York City

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What people are saying

Jan 2022

This isn't the Spanish Steps of Rome, but it comes close as a central meeting spot since you can't miss it. At the northern end of Times Square this is where the famous TKTS steps are located that everyone uses as the obvious meeting landmark. Just to ad some useful trivia to this review to impress your friends, Francis Patrick Duffy was a Canadian American Catholic priest and military chaplain. During WWI he helped rescue many wounded soldiers.

By Northern_Traveler00

“Love the TKTS booth”

Dec 2021

Went to nyc this past weekend hoping to see as much theater as possible. Didn’t want to buy in advance with so many shows canceling, so we went to TKTS at opening on Thursday just after 11 AM. No line, walked right up and got tix for American Utopia and To Kill A Mockingbird that day and Company on Friday. Utopia was canceled due to a Covid, so we went back to the booth who promised a refund in 7-10 days. Other shows went as planned with great seats and superb entertainment.

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The area

Address

Neighborhood: Theater District

How to get there

49th St • 2 min walk
50th St • 3 min walk

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

118 reviews

Excellent

59

Very good

42

Average

14

Poor

1

Terrible

2

wherehaveinotbeenyet

Manchester, UK404 contributions

Great place to view the Times Square action and buy reduced theatre tickets

Nov 2021

Great views of Times Square from the red steps in front of the TKTS ticket booth, and you really feel as if you're part of the action. You can also see where the ball drops from 1 Times Square on NYE from here. The TKTS booth opens at 3pm and you can buy cut-price tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows for that night and the following day matinee if applicable. The queue is long but moves quite quickly and you can get some bargains if you're flexible about which shows you will see.

Written November 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Northern_Traveler00

California77,780 contributions

Love the TKTS booth

Dec 2021

Went to nyc this past weekend hoping to see as much theater as possible. Didn’t want to buy in advance with so many shows canceling, so we went to TKTS at opening on Thursday just after 11 AM. No line, walked right up and got tix for American Utopia and To Kill A Mockingbird that day and Company on Friday.

Utopia was canceled due to a Covid, so we went back to the booth who promised a refund in 7-10 days. Other shows went as planned with great seats and superb entertainment.

Written December 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

catiriley

34 contributions

Great to SEE/VISIT... PART of TIME SQUARE

Feb 2012 • Friends

This area is always hopping! It is located right near the TIME SQUARE building where the famous NEW YEAR'S EVE ball drops. You can sit down and enjoy the sites around you. You can buy tickets for a Broadway SHOW here.... The prices are great. So, if you're looking to see a show, get there early... early because the lines get mighty long. Many tourists gather here to take pictures, enjoy the sites.. and grab a cup of coffee........ and if you're not a tourist.... you'll love it just the same!

Written June 5, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad

Hong Kong, China175,624 contributions

Where you find the staged platform for views and picture making of Time Square.

Dec 2011 • Couples

This small square is located directly opposite Time Square's famous buildings. Here you find the staged platform that you use, like stairs in order to get elevated views and take slightly better pictures of Time Square. Essentially, its location, makes Duffy Square one of the best view points in New York City. Its just a great place to place to have a seat and check the pulse of Time Square, its busyness, vibrancy and energy.

We stopped here several times, day and night, to enjoy the views and could easily have stopped more times had we not had other things we wanted to do and see in NYC. Its easy to get caught up watching the movement of people, the lights and the total energy that surrounds you while standing on the stages at Duffy Square.

Below the stage, you'll also find the TKTS office where you can buy the discounted tickets for Broadway shows, making another reason to visit this little square during your Time Square visit.

Overall, we really liked Duffy Square and highly recommend targeting this location for the views and picture taking opportunities of Time Square and also to buy your same day, discount show tickets. You can visit this square multiple times during your trip to NYC, making sure to see both at night and in the day.

Written December 19, 2011

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cyfran101

Worcester, UK23 contributions

One of the best free things to do in New York!

Apr 2012 • Couples

I not so sure visitors will distinguish this from Times Square as they are so close together but this is one of the best things to do in New York.

The reason is basically the TKTS office where you get discounted on-the-day Broadway tickets has a red grandstand over the office,

This is free to access and is the best and only free position to sit and take photos of the seething masses of people. Its surprising how much time you can spend watching the illuminations and people watch from up there and its got even better now they have pedestrianised one side of the square.

If Central Park (The best free thing in New York) is the lungs of the city this is its rapidly beating heart. Take a drink and something to nibble so you can rest your weary feet and absorb the atmosphere.

Written April 27, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon and Catrina@TravelOurStyle

Cheshire, UK187 contributions

TKTS, Last Minute Tickets ( under the Big Red Steps)

Dec 2019

Just off time square at Duffy Square side under the big red steps go to the booth as hawkers are hanging around offering all kind of incentives ta great service. Tickets become available for that evening at 14:00hrs and I believe to get the best is to be open minded to get a real bargain.

Written December 16, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The World is My Oyster

Orlando, FL21,671 contributions

Amazing Atmosphere

May 2019 • Business

I loved just sitting on the set of red bleachers and just take in the whole atmosphere. The views all night are just spectacular and unique.

Written May 3, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bwco

New Jersey1,746 contributions

Its okay

Sep 2017 • Couples

We walked thru it a few times when we were in the area. Its been improved over the years, but now, sadly besides the TKTS booth, the only other thing in the square are people hawking things, such as bus tours. We tried to get in and out of it as fast as we could.

Written September 19, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allan S

New York City, NY7,082 contributions

Very but Sy spot but tats office for discount tickets is here

Aug 2017 • Solo

Right in the Times Square area lies this small spot. Lines are here with people lining up for discount tickets in all sorts of weather . Personally I would not but this isthe place to save money for Broadway shows.

Written August 25, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christopher M

Honolulu, HI14 contributions

A bit confusing

This is unattractive area, but it is a bit confusing for the first time visitor. There is a statutory father Duffy at the front of a triangle. This triangle expands into red grandstand style seating, under which is the TKTS Booth for discounted same Day Broadway shows. What's disorienting, is that the seats are set up for you to be able to watch? Time Square. There is not a show or a specific venue for entertainment ? this is just an area where you can sit and watch the people, the signs, the full of traffic.

Written November 11, 2013

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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