| Tourism is a huge industry in New York City, with | | | | Times newspaper, which had its main offices on |
| approximately 44 million domestic and international | | | | Times Square until 1913, the area was widely regarded |
| tourists enjoying a trip to the city every year, to enjoy | | | | as one of the most desirable locations in Manhattan |
| spectacular architecture and a whole host of historical | | | | during the 1910s and 20s. The Square's reputation |
| attractions | | | | changed during the Great Depression of the 1930s |
| Many people visiting New York for the first time will | | | | when many began to consider it a dangerous |
| awestruck by the breath taking structures that | | | | neighbourhood. However, a commercial building boom |
| dominate the New York skyline, with none more | | | | that occurred in the 1980s and a concerted effort to |
| impressive than the Empire State Building. Since the | | | | clean the area up in the mid 90s have helped Times |
| building's opening in 1931, millions have taken in the | | | | Square achieve the status of an iconic world landmark, |
| stunning view of the city from the observation deck on | | | | in much the same way as Red Square in Moscow |
| the 86th floor, offering an unparalleled look at the | | | | and Trafalgar Square in London have. Tourists now |
| bustling expanse below. During the evening the Empire | | | | flock to the area to enjoy the theatres of Broadway |
| State Building is illuminated beautifully, making it an ideal | | | | and the large, animated, digital advertisements signs |
| spot for those wishing to enjoy a romantic evening. | | | | that surround the Square. |
| Few tourist excursions to New York City would be | | | | Since 1907 the Square has also been the site of New |
| considered complete without a visit to the site of the | | | | York's New Year's Eve celebrations, an event that |
| Statue of Liberty - one of the most recognisable | | | | sees on average around 750,000 revellers take to the |
| American monuments in the world - which was | | | | streets in and around Times Square to witness the |
| originally brought to the U.S from France in 1886. | | | | Waterford crystal ball being lowered on a pole atop |
| Liberty Island receives 15,000 visitors daily, most of | | | | the main Times Square building, signifying the start of |
| which consists of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of | | | | the New Year. The area is now well known for being |
| the impressive 150 foot structure. Despite the statue | | | | a cultural hub full of theatres and music halls, as well as |
| itself now being closed to the general public due to fire | | | | being the home of several upscale hotels in New York. |
| regulation contraventions, the museum and ten-storey | | | | Known worldwide as "the city that never sleeps", a |
| pedestal can still be accessed, with the glass ceiling in | | | | great time is guaranteed for any tourist visiting New |
| the pedestal allowing visitors to view the monument's | | | | York City, no matter where your individual interests lie, |
| iron framework. | | | | with a great number of cultural landmarks and historical |
| Times Square has also become a hotbed of tourist | | | | attractions located throughout the city. |
| activity in recent years. Named after the New York | | | | |