Times Square Webcam — Live Streaming from the Heart of New York

Times Square is the place where New York beats to the rhythm of neon and eternal movement. On this page, you'll find a live webcam opening a direct broadcast from the very heart of Manhattan. Before you is the intersection where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue, where thousands of people cross the streets every hour, and giant screens never go dark even for a minute.

History of Times Square: How Longacre Square Became the "Crossroads of the World"

Until 1904, this square had a completely different name — Longacre Square, named after the London district of coachmakers. Everything changed in April 1904, when The New York Times newspaper moved its headquarters to the new Times Building, and the square was renamed. Since then, Times Square has transformed from a modest commercial intersection into a symbol of the metropolis that attracts about 50 million visitors annually.

New Year's Eve Ball: A Tradition That Began in 1907

One of New York's most recognizable traditions was born right here. In 1907, the first time ball was installed on the roof of the Times Building, marking the beginning of the annual New Year's Eve celebration. The modern ball weighs 17 times more than the original — for the 100th anniversary of the tradition in 2007, Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting developed a new design with LED lighting. On the eve of New Year 2000, about 2 million people gathered in the square, which became a record figure in the entire history of observations.

Advertising Screens: The Neon Heart of Manhattan

Times Square is impossible to imagine without its legendary billboards. Here is located the world's largest Diamond Vision video screen, which Mitsubishi installed in 2014 — it occupies an entire city block and completely covers the building's facade. The average area of one advertising screen at Times Square is 187 square meters — this is more than 2.5 times the size of an average one-bedroom apartment in New York. Every day, about 300,000 pedestrians visit the square, many of whom come specifically for the show put on by dozens of bright advertising screens.

The Geometry of the Square: Why It's Not a Square

The name is deceptive: geometrically, Times Square is not a square — it has a "bow tie" shape with two triangles extending north and south from 45th Street, where Seventh Avenue intersects with Broadway. It is a commercial intersection between 42nd and 47th Streets, not a traditional square with clear boundaries.

Times Square by Day and Night

During the day, Times Square pulses with the rhythm of business Manhattan — streams of people hurry about their business, yellow taxis maneuver between buses, and advertising screens continue to broadcast their videos even in bright sunlight. With the onset of darkness, the square transforms: thousands of billboard lights create a neon glow visible from afar. On December 4, 2008, the first eco-friendly displays powered by wind and solar energy appeared at Times Square.

How to Get to Times Square

Times Square is located in the very center of Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets. The easiest way to get here is by subway — the Times Square–42nd Street station serves lines 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, and W. If you're planning a trip to New York, this webcam will help you assess the situation at the square in advance and understand how many people are usually in the center at different times of day.

The Economics of the Square: Screens Instead of Offices

The owners of One Times Square chose not to rent out offices, since the income from placing advertising screens on it significantly exceeds the income from renting premises. This is a vivid illustration of how valuable space at Times Square is — a square meter of advertising surface here brings more profit than any office in the city.

What You Can See on the Camera

The camera with a view of Times Square broadcasts a live picture from a high vantage point. At the intersection, there are crosswalks with white stripes, cars moving — black sedans, silver SUVs, yellow taxis — and many pedestrians. Large advertising screens and billboards rise around: T-Mobile caps and baseball caps, Pandora and Sephora advertisements, rainbow graphic elements. A shopping center with Pandora and Sephora stores is visible. Construction fences and temporary structures are installed on the street. Street lights, road signs, and lighting poles are present. The online camera allows you to observe the life of this legendary intersection at any time of day — from the daytime bustle to the nighttime neon show.