Is Times Square Worth Visiting with Kids?

Times Square is one of the most famous places in New York, and even if you’ve never been before, you’ll almost certainly recognise it. It’s the area filled with huge digital billboards, bright lights, street performers, shops, yellow taxis and crowds, and it’s often shown in films, on TV and during the New Year’s Eve countdown. When people picture New York, this is often what they’re imagining.

So the question for families is usually not what is Times Square, but is it actually worth visiting with kids? In our experience, yes — but not for long.

This guide shares what we learned while planning our trip, with links to the exact places, tours, and tools we used or considered to make planning easier. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever share experiences we’ve personally used and genuinely enjoyed, and hope these links help you plan a trip that feels exciting and manageable rather than overwhelming.

What Times Square Is Actually Like

Times Square is loud, busy, bright and crowded. It’s not somewhere you go to relax or spend hours walking around, but it is somewhere that’s worth seeing at least once, especially with children.

For school-aged kids, it can feel quite exciting because:

• the screens are enormous

• everything is very bright and over the top

• there’s a lot happening all at once

• there are big shops like the M&M’s store and LEGO store nearby

It feels very different from anywhere in the UK, and that’s a big part of the appeal. We took Joshua to see it, and he loved seeing all the lights and the giant screens, but realistically we didn’t stay that long. Once you’ve seen it, taken some photos and maybe visited one or two of the big shops, you’ve kind of done it. If you’re deciding what to prioritise in New York, this is why we recommend combining Times Square with other nearby attractions, which we explain in our 2-Day New York City Itinerary for Families with School-Aged Kids.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Times Square?

Times Square is impressive during the day, but it’s much more impressive at night when all the screens and lights are fully lit up. That said, it will be busy at all times of day. If you visit in the evening, just expect crowds and keep a close eye on children, as it can get very packed in certain areas. We visited in the evening, walked around, went into a couple of shops, took some photos and then moved on — and that felt about right.

Things Kids Will Enjoy in Times Square

While Times Square itself is mostly about the atmosphere, there are a few things nearby that work well for children:

• The M&M’s World store

• The LEGO Store

• Big American candy stores

• Street performers

• Huge toy shops and themed stores

These stops break up the visit and make it feel more like an activity rather than just standing in a busy square.

Is Times Square Worth Visiting with Kids?

Yes — but think of it as a short stop, not a full activity.

It’s one of those places where:

• children will probably love the lights and atmosphere

• you’ll take some great photos

• but you won’t want to stay for hours

For us, it was definitely worth seeing, but it worked best as part of a wider day rather than the main event.

How to Get to Times Square

Times Square is located in Midtown Manhattan, around 42nd Street, and it’s one of the easiest places in New York to get to because so many subway lines stop there.

The main subway station is Times Square–42nd Street, and multiple lines stop here, including the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S trains. This makes it very easy to reach from most parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

If you’re already sightseeing in Midtown — for example visiting Summit One Vanderbilt, the Edge, Rockefeller Center or the big shops on Fifth Avenue — you can also simply walk to Times Square, as many of these attractions are within walking distance.

We found Times Square easiest to visit in the afternoon after other Midtown attractions, rather than making a special trip just to go there. It works well when combined into a day where you are already in that part of the city. If you’re unsure about using the subway, read Getting Around New York City with Kids: Subway, Walking and Taxis, where we explain how we found navigating New York transport as a family.

Final Planning Insight for Parents

Times Square is chaotic, crowded and very touristy — but it’s also iconic. For a first trip to New York with kids, it’s worth visiting just so they can see it and experience the atmosphere for themselves. Just don’t plan your whole day around it. See it, enjoy it, take it in — and then move on to the next thing.

Planning a Family Trip to the USA

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.