13 Bizarre Things You Didn’t Know About Times Square
New York City’s Times Square is like a beating heart with pulsing energy, lights, noise, and an overwhelming crowd of tourists and locals trying to explore amidst the chaos. Times Square is more than just the world’s most famous crossroads: it’s also a place of secrets and oddities. It’s a place of the unexpected, and there is more than meets the eye.
Here are some exciting but bizarre things you didn’t know about Times Square.
One Times Square’s Hidden Apartment
Have you ever wondered who lives above the famous New Year’s Eve ball? There used to be an apartment up there, as the Times Building was home to editorial offices for The New York Times before it became a giant advertising platform. Even the top floors had a small residence for the paper’s chief engineer, with a breathtaking (and probably blinding) view of the glowing lights below.
The Midnight Moment
Every night at 11:57 PM, Times Square experiences a unique moment until midnight. The massive billboards align and show art, a moment of calm in the chaos. This three-minute phenomenon is known as the “Midnight Moment” and features works from global artists. It’s like a quiet museum exhibit if your museum had an audience of 360,000 people a day.
The Billboards that Use a Lot of Energy
There are billboards in Times Square that operate with a 3D robotic system, and have 1,760 independently moving LED cubes that make dynamic waves and animations. This billboard consumes hundreds of kilowatts of energy! Talk about energy inefficient.
A Piece of the Berlin Wall
There’s an actual fragment of the Berlin Wall in the middle of Times Square. This piece of history is tucked away in a courtyard at 53rd Street reminding us about a history of division and unity. Overshadowed by the neon madness just a few steps away, visitors often miss it.
Times Square Miniature Zoo
In the 19th century, a miniature zoo with exotic animals could be found in Times Square. This Madison Square Garden venue known as Gilmore’s Garden, once displayed everything from camels to kangaroos. Now, the only wild animals you’ll find are costumed characters shilling for tips.
The Ball Drop Is a Modern Marvel
The New Year’s Eve ball has come a long way from its first drop in 1907. The original was made of iron and wood, but today’s version is a 12-foot sphere covered in 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, powered by LED lights. It’s six tons of proof that all that glitters isn’t gold, but Swarovski-grade fabulousness.
If You Want to Get Married in Times Square, You Can
In Times Square, couples can get married in a big, flashy way. On each Valentine’s Day, the area hosts mass wedding ceremonies and vow renewals under the towering lights. The wedding photos attract lovebirds from around the globe.
The Secret Subway Station
There is an abandoned subway station that was never opened to the public and is hidden below the clamor of Times Square. This mysterious space is familiar to urban explorers as the 42nd Street Lower Level is a holdover from the city’s less open past. It’s sometimes used for film shoots, but you can’t get on a train there anytime soon.
The Times Square Hum
Have you ever walked through Times Square and heard a strange, low hum? You’re not alone. According to locals and visitors, this strange sound is caused by underground ventilation systems. There are many theories for why we can’t shake the hum, but why we fall under its hypnotic spell, no one’s quite sure.
The TKTS Booth Rooftop Garden
Famous for offering discounted Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth, most people don’t know there’s a rooftop garden behind the foldable chairs. It’s an oasis in the middle of the madness and a small green respite for anyone willing to climb the steps. It’s also a great place for people-watching.
A Time Capsule You Can’t Open
A 1965 time capsule by Mayor Robert Wagner and the Children’s Recreation Commissioner Joseph Isenberg was buried with items like Beatles records and letters from prominent figures. It is set to open in the year 3000, so if you haven’t worked out how to become immortal, you’ll have to take someone else’s word for the content of the time capsule.
The Connection to the Midnight Cowboy
Few people know that Times Square has been a cinematic icon for decades, but even fewer know about its starring role in the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. The Oscar winning film was the perfect backdrop to the area’s grittier, seedier side, a version of Times Square that was more about shadows than stardust.
You Can Be Feature On a Billboard
Yes, you read that right. Anyone can have their photo or message displayed on Times Square’s giant screens for the right price. One Texas man famously spent $5,000 for a ten second spot to propose to his girlfriend. She said yes—thank goodness!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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