Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Skaters in Times Square
Top Things to Do in New York City for Skaters in Times Square
1. Times Square
The neon heart of NYC doubles as an early-morning flatground canvas. When the crowds thin, the bowtie-shaped plazas offer long lines, buttery pavers, and unmistakable skyline backdrops.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the ultimate session-meets-sightseeing moment—land tricks under billboards and capture unforgettable clips in the city’s most famous crossroads.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise to mid-morning on weekdays; very late nights on Sundays.
✓ Insider Tip:
Keep speed low, avoid obstacles, and be courteous to Times Square Alliance staff and NYPD; security presence is high and waxed ledges aren’t welcome.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Chaotic by day but electrifying when quiet—skaters rave about the energy and footage potential.
2. Duffy Square
Home to the TKTS Red Steps, this northern triangle of Times Square has smooth granite and a bit more elbow room at off-peak hours for manuals and mellow lines.
✓ Why Go:
The steps create a perfect vantage point for filming and taking breathers between runs.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings or after curtain times when theater crowds are indoors.
✓ Insider Tip:
Keep tricks low-impact and away from the steps; security will move you if it gets hectic.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Photogenic, iconic, and surprisingly chill when timed right.
3. One Times Square
The base of the New Year’s Eve Ball drop offers open forecourt space and cinematic neon reflections after dark.
✓ Why Go:
Skate by the building that defines New Year’s in NYC and snag legendary background visuals for clips.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Dawn on weekdays or late nights when street teams have wrapped.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stay clear of barricaded zones and temporary installations; security is vigilant here.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Bucket-list backdrop with short but memorable sessions.
4. George M. Cohan Plaza
The central island around the Cohan statue gives you a straight, smooth stretch right in the bowtie, great for manuals and flat tricks between light cycles.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a classic Times Square island where the flow of Broadway creates a unique urban rhythm.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early mornings; avoid preshow evening rush on Fridays and Saturdays.
✓ Insider Tip:
Skate the perimeter and keep clear lanes for pedestrians—traffic agents are active here.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Beloved for quick hits and people-watching between tries.
5. Bryant Park
Just a few blocks from the bowtie, Bryant Park’s pathways and plaza edges provide smooth cruising with leafy views and plenty of seating for tune-ups.
✓ Why Go:
A calm reset from Times Square intensity with dependable pavement and amenities.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings and late afternoons outside of major events.
✓ Insider Tip:
Use the clean public restrooms on the 42nd Street side; keep boards off benches and planters.
✓ What Visitors Say:
An oasis feel in Midtown—skaters appreciate the surfaces and mellow vibe.
6. One Bryant Park Plaza
The Bank of America Tower forecourt features polished stone and open sightlines—good for flat and footwork when office crowds are light.
✓ Why Go:
Architectural, modern plaza surfaces steps from Times Square make quick sessions easy.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Weekends and early evenings when commuter flow dips.
✓ Insider Tip:
Security is courteous but firm—keep it low-key and avoid grinding building fixtures.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Clean lines and slick ground earn steady praise from street skaters.
7. The New York Times Building Forecourt
A broad, granite forecourt with canopy sections near 40th Street offers weather-friendly flatground options close to the subway.
✓ Why Go:
Reliable pavement and cover make it a rainy-day alternative near the Times Square core.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings after office hours or weekend mornings.
✓ Insider Tip:
Mind posted rules and pillars; keep sessions quick and considerate.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Underrated, practical, and clutch when weather turns.
8. Port Authority Bus Terminal Plaza
The terminal’s broad sidewalks and covered edges provide room for cruising and warm-ups before pushing back into the bowtie.
✓ Why Go:
It’s a useful staging area with space, lighting, and non-stop urban atmosphere.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Very early mornings or late nights when commuter traffic is minimal.
✓ Insider Tip:
Watch for rolling luggage and cab queues; security patrols are routine.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Gritty but convenient—skaters value the practical space.
9. Shubert Alley
This historic theater walkway offers a sheltered, photogenic pass-through with smooth paving between showtimes.
✓ Why Go:
Tuck into a quieter corridor just off the main crush for lines that feel cinematic.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-mornings and early afternoons on non-matinee days.
✓ Insider Tip:
Respect theater operations and play it mellow—no waxing or loud sessions.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Charmed by the Broadway ambience and tidy ground.
10. Times Square 42nd Street Plaza
The south end of the bowtie near 42nd Street has long sightlines and frequent light cycles, useful for timed crossings and flowing lines.
✓ Why Go:
It’s where the visual overload and smooth pavement converge for classic NYC lines.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Sunrise on weekdays; late Sunday nights for the emptiest feel.
✓ Insider Tip:
Plan runs around light changes and keep clear lanes for pedestrians.
✓ What Visitors Say:
High-energy setting that rewards patient timing with great clips.
