Description:
If you are in the Times Square vicinity and have only a short amount of time to explore the area, take the two-hour Times Square Expose Free Walking Tour available every Friday at noon, rain or shine.
Originally called Longacre Square, this neighborhood was dubbed Times Square in 1904, when as legend has its name was changed when the New York Times headquarters was built at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue. Today over 26 million people visit this epicenter of bright lights and dynamism each year.
Tours typically take you through historic theatres, past the art deco former Paramount Pictures headquarters, the ultra-modern New York Times Building and perhaps inside a church or two. John’s Pizzeria, what was once the Gospel Tabernacle Church, boasts remarkable stained glass windows and the savory aroma of their signature coal fired pizza.
Guides point out interesting architectural details and the stories behind them such as the marble and bronze statues depicting famous actresses on the outside walls of the I. Miller Shoe Building. Apparently, Miller, an immigrant cobbler, made shoes that were a hit with Broadway actresses like Ethel Barrymore and Mary Pickford.
Times Square is an area of New York that should not be missed, especially since it has been vastly cleaned up. For those interested in catching a Broadway performance, there are many nice restaurants around Sixth Avenue, particularly on West 45th and West 44th Streets.