Is Midtown-Times Square safe?
Manhattan, New York · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Midtown-Times Square as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Midtown-Times Square
“Go with care. Midtown-Times Square is heavily policed and generally safe due to intense foot traffic, but it remains a hotspot for pickpocketing, aggressive hustlers, and opportunistic property crime. Stay aware of your surroundings, secure your belongings, and avoid engaging with pushy street vendors or costumed characters.”
About the area
Times Square is the world-famous commercial, entertainment, and theater hub of Midtown Manhattan, illuminated by massive digital billboards and bustling around the clock. It offers unparalleled access to Broadway shows, flagship stores, and major transit hubs, serving millions of tourists and commuters daily.
- Bustling Tourist Hub
- Entertainment District
- High-Density Commercial
- 24/7 Energy
Walking and biking in Midtown-Times Square
Walk score: 100/100 · Bike score: 85/100
Citi Bike stations are densely placed on almost every block, connecting to protected bike lanes along Broadway, 8th Avenue, and the nearby Hudson River Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Heavy, near-constant NYPD presence and extensive security camera coverage
- High pedestrian density at almost all hours reduces isolated street risk
- Extremely high access to tier-one emergency medical services and civic infrastructure
- Affluent surrounding residential towers with median household incomes exceeding $120,000
Cons
- High incidence of grand larceny, pickpocketing, and mobile phone theft in crowded plazas
- Frequent aggressive solicitation from unregulated costumed performers and CD sellers
- Elevated rate of property crime and retail theft compared to residential Manhattan neighborhoods
- Congested transit station corridors prone to erratic street activity and panhandling
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and panhandling are prominent, particularly near the Port Authority Bus Terminal, subway mezzanine corridors, and along 8th Avenue. Outreach teams and municipal shelters operate throughout Midtown to assist unhoused individuals.
What Midtown-Times Square is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active with commuters and delivery crews, offering very high safety as office workers and early tourists fill the sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Packed with tourists and street performers; safe from violent crime but demands vigilance against pickpockets and scammers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Vibrant and brightly illuminated with peak theater crowds, remaining safe along main avenues amid heavy police patrol.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Crowds thin past 2:00 AM, leading to an increase in erratic behavior, intoxicated nightlife patrons, and diminished situational awareness around side streets.
Transit, parking and getting around
The MTA provides unmatched access via the Times Square–42nd St/Port Authority Bus Terminal complex serving the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S, A, C, and E subway lines and extensive local bus routes along 7th and 8th Avenues.
Street parking is virtually impossible due to strict commercial loading regulations, so drivers must use commercial parking garages that typically cost $40 to $80 per session.
Things to do in Midtown-Times Square
- Watch a world-class Broadway musical in the historic Theater District
- Take in the panoramic neon views from the Father Duffy Square red glass steps
- Explore interactive exhibits and memorabilia at Madame Tussauds New York
Local favorites
- Junior's Restaurant & Bakery · Diner / Bakery · 4.5★ (18200)Famous bustling eatery serving classic deli comfort food and legendary New York cheesecake.
- Los Tacos No. 1 · Mexican Taqueria · 4.7★ (16400)Beloved standing-room taco counter serving authentic, freshly pressed Tijuana-style tacos.
- Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Times Square · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (14500)Iconic, bustling venue dishing out family-style portions of classic Southern Italian dishes.
Neighborhoods near Midtown-Times Square
Common questions about Midtown-Times Square
Is Midtown-Times Square safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Midtown-Times Square a good place to live?
On safety, Midtown-Times Square scores 69/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Midtown-Times Square?
Walk score 100/100 and bike score 85/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Midtown-Times Square are safer?
Upper West Side-Lincoln Square (90), East Midtown-Turtle Bay (86), Murray Hill-Kips Bay (86) score higher nearby.
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