sassy27

I’ve been going and staying in/near Times Square for the past 5 years or so but canceled this year due to COVID. I did not notice anything resembling a drug den. I also wasn’t looking out for one either. To me it reminds me of a boardwalk late at night as some shady characters come out then so I don’t walk around there after a certain time. I should be sleeping anyway.

I honestly couldn’t find anything on this expect that one article that showed that one lady. One person to me doesn’t mean every single person is injecting something illicit. Does it happen? Sure but I wouldn’t classify a place based on just that.

janisj

My guess is -- because there are so few tourists and almost no day to day 'regular' office goers/commerce/patrons that right now there IS a lot more overt shady activity. Not many people out and about so 'bums and junkies' will seem more prevalent

ambermiller9799

Just went in October 2019 - didn't see anything like that.

janisj

Probably not, but Oct '19 was several months before all the tourists went away, the restaurants closed, and 'regular people' got locked down in their homes.

ninasdream

stowflake - Times Square was "Disney-fied" years ago, when Disney moved a large retail store in there, and "cleaned it up" - cleared out the hookers and the nudie bars. though I am no fan of either, at least it was real, unlike Disney, which was the reflexive reaction from myself and other New Yorkers at the time..(Note: Also, used to be pretty safe to walk uptown, because of the police foot patrol presence). I am guessing that was what the poster was referring to.

If you said Washington Square Park after dark, I might think there was merit. But Times Square is way too high traffic with tourists, with the banned selfie sticks, and the relocated TKTS booth for Broadway tickets, IMO.

janisj

"If you said Washington Square Park after dark, I might think there was merit. But Times Square is way too high traffic with tourists, with the banned selfie sticks, and the relocated TKTS booth for Broadway tickets, IMO."

But currently there are no tourists, TKTS is closed . . . and for sure no one is checking for selfie sticks . . .

jubilada

There’s no reason to go to Times Square.

Jean

But people have "lists." I work in Beverly Hills and can never understand why tourists are drawn to walk up and down Rodeo Drive other than to say been there, done that.

mlgb

I suppose people go to look at the billboards, just like they did back in the '50s. One of my few distinct memories of NYC as a young child is the smoking Camel sign.

sassy27

Saying that is like saying "There is no reason to go anywhere". What a silly statement make on a travel website. I am so glad not everyone likes the same things. If the OP doesn't want to go because they are afraid then don't go. I am different and would still go, I love touristy things and especially to check it out myself. I don't always listen to others and again the OP can leave after a minute of looking around and judging for them self.

SusanC

That is ridiculous. I live a few minutes walk from there and that is anything but the case. I usually try to avoid Times Square because it is so awful (complete agree with the "Disney" comment of the other poster!) but now it is much calmer and more appealing.

NYC is open to visitors and your hotel will be very cheap! The only thing not open is the theater but museums, Bronx Zoo, Macy's, Empire State building, Top of the Rock etc. Just make sure to quarantine if you come from certain states.

nelsonian

We have been to Times Square several times, always enjoyed it.

ekscrunchy

This thread is really a little alarmist. There are drug users everywhere and the last thing most want to do is to alert the police to their activities. I have friends who live in the area just west of Times Square and a couple of them just scoffed at the idea of drug users preying on unsuspecting tourists. I happen to patronize a bakery just to the west and walk in that area a fair amount. Sleazy, perhaps, but dangerous......I don't think so. I have never seen anyone shooting up on the street in Manhattan (in a few European cities, yes, but so what....look the other way). If one is that afraid of coming to NYC, I would advise staying home.

Tonyr4

I live in Manhattan, and can tell you that it's not nearly as bad as the media makes it out to be.

ekscrunchy

Tony--yes!

Janis--you paint a picture of midtown that is far from accurate. Would a big ticket food purveyor open a flagship in that area is things were as dire as you seem to think?????

https://www.krispykreme.com/timessquare

Why not visit someday and see what you think and only after that visit, write your thoughts and comments.

ekscrunchy

Walked through RIMES SQAURE yesterday for md appt.....WHAT the heck is this thread about? On the other hand, I saw a guy taking relief (imagine!?!?!) outside GrandCentral!!!! Saw the same thing in Frankfurt although doubt if it was the same guy??!!! Why did this thread pop up now????

nycguy10002

It popped up now only because you brought it up. You were the one who did the previous posting and that was almost 2 years ago in Sept 2020.

suze

Why did this thread pop up now????

Or could have been advertising or an offensive post that brought it back up, that Fodor's already removed.

janisj

It's possible but I don't think so - I read the thread about 2 minutes after ekscrunchy posted and the latest two posts were ekscrunchy Sept. 26 '20 and ekscrunchy May 26 '22.

suze

Why would someone ask why a thread came back up, if they were the one who 'topped' it?