Destinations / New York City / Top Things to Do in New York City for Street Art Fans in Times Square
Top Things to Do in New York City for Street Art Fans in Times Square
1. Midnight Moment
Nightly from 11:57 pm to midnight, dozens of Times Square billboards synchronize to screen a three-minute digital artwork. It transforms the neighborhood into a sky-high gallery and is the easiest way for street art lovers to experience large-scale moving-image art for free.
✓ Why Go:
It’s the world’s largest, longest-running digital public art program—pure urban spectacle tailored for art fans.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
11:45 pm–12:05 am to catch the lead-up and full run; weekdays are slightly less crowded.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand on the Red Steps or along the Broadway plaza between 46th–47th Streets for the best sightlines without craning your neck.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors call it mesmerizing and unexpectedly poetic amid Times Square’s neon rush.
2. Times Square Mural (Roy Lichtenstein)
Lichtenstein’s bold, comic-inspired porcelain-enamel mural streaks across the Times Sq–42 St station, channeling the speed and drama of NYC transit. It’s a pop-art pilgrimage beneath the Crossroads of the World.
✓ Why Go:
A master’s work in the wild—free, permanent, and steps from the action above ground.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Mid-mornings or late evenings for clearer views on the mezzanine without commuter crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter near Broadway & 42nd Street and follow signs for the shuttle passage to see the mural head-on.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Art lovers rave about the scale and how perfectly it fits the station’s energy.
3. Each One, Every One, Equal All (Nick Cave)
Nick Cave’s exuberant mosaics and video—featuring his renowned Soundsuits—line the 42 St Connector linking Times Square and Bryant Park. It’s an explosion of color and movement that mirrors street culture underground.
✓ Why Go:
A contemporary public-art landmark that fuses mosaic craft with performance imagery.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Non-rush hours (10 am–3 pm or after 8 pm) to appreciate the details without foot traffic.
✓ Insider Tip:
Walk the entire connector to see how the mosaic bands and screens interplay—start from the shuttle platform side.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Frequently described as joyful, inclusive, and Instagram-ready.
4. One Times Square Ball
When it’s not dropping on New Year’s Eve, the crystal-studded Times Square Ball crowns One Times Square year-round—an illuminated icon and light sculpture looming over the plaza.
✓ Why Go:
It’s an emblem of NYC’s public pageantry and LED artistry—worth a close look any night.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Dusk to late night for the glow; December 1–31 if you want peak seasonal ambiance.
✓ Insider Tip:
For a centered photo of the Ball, stand on the Broadway median near 43rd Street and shoot north.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it bucket-list NYC—thrilling even outside New Year’s Eve.
5. George M. Cohan Statue
This bronze tribute to Broadway’s song-and-dance legend stands in the heart of Times Square. The statue’s theater-district setting makes it a perfect street-level art stop between shows.
✓ Why Go:
An iconic sculpture that ties public art to Broadway history—right on the plaza.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Early morning light for unobstructed photos; evenings for electric Times Square backdrops.
✓ Insider Tip:
Frame the statue with the marquee lights along 46th Street for classic shots.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors find it surprisingly moving—a calm, historic note amid the bustle.
6. Father Duffy Statue
Anchoring Duffy Square, the monument to WWI chaplain Father Francis P. Duffy is a dignified counterpoint to the glowing screens. It’s a cornerstone of Times Square’s public art and memory.
✓ Why Go:
A landmark sculpture on the very steps where crowds gather—easy to weave into any visit.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Golden hour before sunset for warm tones on the bronze and granite.
✓ Insider Tip:
Climb the Red Steps to capture the statue with the plaza sweeping behind it.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Often praised as a reflective spot with a strong sense of place.
7. U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station LED Flag
This compact glass pavilion wears an LED American flag on its façade—part civic symbol, part light art—glowing at the center of Times Square.
✓ Why Go:
A striking, photo-friendly slice of light-based public art embedded in the streetscape.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
After dark when the LED flag pops against the night.
✓ Insider Tip:
Stand diagonally across at Broadway & 43rd for a full-flag view without heavy foot traffic in your frame.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Travelers call it quintessential Times Square—patriotic and flashy in equal measure.
8. Nasdaq MarketSite Tower
The cylindrical Nasdaq Tower screen is a digital landmark that often features creative visuals and takeovers, turning corporate media into a towering, high-res canvas.
✓ Why Go:
For street art fans, it’s a must-see example of how artists and brands share Times Square’s largest screens.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Evenings for maximum vibrancy; weekdays to avoid dense weekend crowds.
✓ Insider Tip:
Shoot from the southeast corner of 43rd & Broadway to capture the full cylinder without wide-angle distortion.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Visitors love the sheer scale and color—an only-in-Times-Square backdrop.
9. Shubert Alley
This storied pedestrian alley between 44th and 45th Streets is lined with theater walls, show graphics, and occasional pop-up displays—an atmospheric slice of Broadway history that feels like an open-air gallery.
✓ Why Go:
A quieter artful detour steps from the plazas, perfect for poster art and marquee photography.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Late morning or late evening for fewer crowds; February often brings seasonal ‘Love in Times Square’ decor nearby.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter from 44th Street by the Shubert Theatre and look for reflected poster art in the alley’s glass and tile.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Fans describe it as charming, theatrical, and surprisingly peaceful.
10. The Commuters (George Segal) at Port Authority
One block west of Times Square, Segal’s life-sized figures—cast from real people—capture the everyday drama of bus travel. It’s a classic of late-20th-century public sculpture hiding in plain sight.
✓ Why Go:
A contemplative, photogenic counterbalance to Times Square’s dazzle—and free to see indoors.
✓ Best Time to Visit:
Midday outside rush hours for unobstructed views in the main ticket hall.
✓ Insider Tip:
Enter at 42nd St & 8th Ave and head toward the NJ Transit ticket area; look for the open door and clock motif.
✓ What Visitors Say:
Often called haunting and human—an unexpected favorite for art seekers.
