Times Square

I warned you, there is so much to see downtown Manhattan, New York.
Just too much to fit into one post, so off we go again......
Times Square- the mecca of the advertising world.
The home of Broadway theatres, and also known as the "Crossroads of the World," it is a major center of the world's entertainment industry.
Formerly named Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in April 1904, after The New York Times moved its headquarters to the newly built Times Building which is now called One Times Square. It is the site of the annual ball drop on New Years Eve.
According to Wikipedia, Times Square is the only area that has zoning ordinances requiring the building's owners to display illuminated signs.  The density of these illuminated signs in Times Square now rivals that of Las Vegas. 
These electronic signs in Times Square are officially called "spectaculars," while the largest of them are called "jumbotrons".

The Father Duffy statue - Times Square - is a bronze statue by American sculptor Charles Keck, situated at the northern end of Times Square, appropriately named Duffy Square in honour of Father Francis P. Duffy.
Father Francis P. Duffy was a military Chaplain and Roman Catholic priest. As a member of the  legendary "Fighting 69th" Infantry of the Rainbow Division, he served in Europe during World War I.  He became the most highly decorated cleric in the history of the U.S. Army.
The Father Duffy statue is depicted as a soldier-priest in military uniform, helmet at his feet, and bible in his hand. The statue is on a pedestal backed by a green granite cross more than 17 feet tall.

The George M. Cohan statue - Times Square
The bronze statue depicts the American composer, playwright, actor and producer, who was once known as The Man who owned Broadway.
He is considered the Father of American musical comedy, since he wrote, composed, produced and appeared in more than 36 Broadway musicals. He wrote 500 songs including the standards, "Over There," "Give my Regards to Broadway," "The Yankee Doodle Boy," and "You're a Grand Old Flag."

These steps are actually the roof of the TKTS booth where discount theatre tickets are sold. They also provide seating for various events. Also a good vantage point to take in all of the activity going on in Times Square.

The Toshiba billboard, right under the New Years Eve ball drop.

A clearer view of the ball drop (albeit leaning in this photo)

Billboards billboards everywhere......

New York tour buses filled to capacity.

Didn't I say Billboards everywhere?

And I mean everywhere.....

Everyone is here....even Sesame Street character Cookie Monster, as well as Alvin that mischievous chipmunk and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. There is a fee to take photos with/of these characters...I sneaked these photos hurriedly.

Elmo rubbing his ears, and Alvin checking me out about to take another free photo....

Here is  Batman waltzing with a tourist (for a fee of course!)

Right in the middle of all the action......this poster.

Electronic billboards as far as the eye could see......

ABC Super Sign waverunner LED curved ticker on the left.
ABC's Good Morning America broadcasts live from Times Square.

The seven story curved NASDAQ sign and electronic billboard....one of the most well recognised advertising venues in the world

To get a feel for the place, check out here.
Can you tell where we are off to next? Check the large hand on top of the building on the left.