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TimesSquare posts
Video Of The Day: Times Square In The 1980s
Sep 24th, 2012 at 5:00PM:
Here's a bit of nostalgia for all you old-time New Yorkers out there.
This mini-documentary on Times Square really captures my memories of it from the 1980s. Walking around there with my friends at night was a gritty, sleazy, surreal experience. Touts tried to sell you stolen watches or draw you into shell games or strip shows. Street preachers screamed at the crowd and were totally ignored. ...
YouTube Sensation: Real Actors Read Yelp
Sep 8th, 2012 at 3:00PM: Possibly, I've been living under a rock, but I just discovered the hilarious YouTube series "Real Actors Read Yelp," the brainchild of Gotta Kid to Feed Productions.
Broadway thespians and television bit players provide heart-wrenching (and sometimes downright terrifying) enactments of real reviews from across the country. There's everything from the Times Square Olive Garden ("The ...
An Exclusive Look At The View From America's Tallest Hotel Building
Aug 22nd, 2012 at 11:00AM:
Last year, Marriott International made waves with the announcement that its latest New York City property would be the tallest stand-alone hotel building in Manhattan. But now, about 17 months into construction, it has become clear that the new Nobutaka Ashihara-designed skyscraper will not just be the city's tallest hotel, but the tallest stand-alone hotel building in the entire United ...Classic Travel Writing: Jack Kerouac's 'Lonesome Traveler'
May 15th, 2012 at 9:30AM: While blogs take up most of my travel reading these days, every now and then I like to dip into an old classic. So on a recent flight to Washington DC to attend the Gadling bloggers summit, I read "Lonesome Traveler" by Jack Kerouac.
This slim volume contains eight stream-of-consciousness essays in the style you'd expect from one of the leaders of the Beat Generation. For example, the author ...Biking the car-less streets of New York City after Hurricane Irene
Aug 28th, 2011 at 1:30PM: I've suddenly found myself stuck in New York City after my 3-day Rome trip canceled. Watching the news last night, it looked like Manhattan would be without power and struggling even to survive the 'storm of a lifetime' on Saturday.
Instead, after Hurricane Irene passed through the city earlier this morning there was an erie calm. As I woke up, I wondered if we were in the eye of the storm.
...Marriott Renaissance New York Times Square: Manhattan's hidden hotel treasure
Nov 3rd, 2010 at 2:00PM: There's a lot to love about Times Square. The bright lights of Broadway, the scrolling marquees, endless restaurants and bars, TKTS booth and on any given occasion, a live street performance. Times Square is the epicenter of New York - the convergence of everything - the mecca of Manhattan.
Tourists come in droves, book Times Square hotels and spend the majority of their time walking Broadway ...Top ten overrated U.S. travel destinations/attractions
Oct 14th, 2010 at 4:30PM: Whether or not you're an American, there are certain places that are on almost everyone's must-visit list. Some tourist traps, like the Grand Canyon or Disneyland, are worth joining the masses and ponying up the entrance fee (although I just checked the Magic Kingdom's website, and Mickey and friends are bilking the parents of children under nine for $68 a pop).
Other much-lauded, highly ...Times Square Fairfield Inn to celebrate "straight 10s" with Shake Shack
Sep 22nd, 2010 at 9:30AM: If you kept track of my Shake Shack odyssey a few weeks ago and built up an appetite, you're a few weeks from being able to satisfy it. On October 10, 2010 ... that's 10-10-10, in case you didn't realize it ... the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Times Square is going to make it easy for you. To celebrate the day of straight 10s, the hotel will give a $10 gift card per room for guests to use a ...5 reasons to be a tourist
Aug 3rd, 2010 at 12:30PM:
After three months living in Istanbul, I've gained a stable of a few dozen Turkish words to string into awkward sentences; learned some local intel on what soccer teams to root for, where to get the best mantı, and the best Turkish insults (maganda is the local equivalent of guido); and have come to avoid Sultanahmet with the same disdain I used to reserve for Times Square when I lived in New ...Naked Cowboy versus Naked Cowgirl
Jun 24th, 2010 at 1:00PM: The Naked Cowboy, a Times Square icon, has filed a cease-and-desist order against a fellow public performer for infringing on his trademark. The Naked Cowgirl, a former stripper, has been performing in the cowboy's territory lately and isn't budging. Both performers wear limited clothing, a cowboy hat, and play a guitar for tourists visiting Times Square.
The Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, is ...
The InterContinental Times Square to open July 12
Jun 3rd, 2010 at 10:30AM: Times Square's newest hotel is set to open its doors on July 12. The InterContinental New York Times Square will offer 607 guestrooms overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Hudson River or Broadway district.
The InterContinental New York Times Square was designed to capture the essence of chic Manhattan residence, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, oversized bathrooms with walk-in rain ...Staybridge Suites Times Square giving one guest a spot on Broadway
May 14th, 2010 at 10:00AM: Admit it, you've always wanted to see your name in lights. Well, you just might get the chance to live out your Broadway dreams, thanks to Staybridge Suites.
Staybridge Suites Times Square, New York City, is hosting a "Big Broadway Break" contest that invites wanna-be stars to express their talent for a chance at getting their name in lights.
Aspiring Broadway stars simply need to submit a ...Car bomb defused in Times Square
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:30AM: A car bomb was discovered shortly after 6pm yesterday in Times Square, the busiest tourist destination in New York City.
A street vendor spotted an SUV parked at the corner of 45th Street and 7th Avenue with its hazard lights on and smoke issuing out of some of its vents. Police evacuated the area and called in a bomb squad. The vehicle contained three propane tanks, two five-gallon containers ...Memorable in Manhattan: Package for first-timers
Apr 23rd, 2010 at 1:00PM: You'll never forget your first time. It may have been thrilling or awkward, but it was memorable. Many are still waiting for their first ... their first trip to New York City. If you're only exposure to this city is what you've seen on television or the big screen, this is your chance to experience it for yourself. The Crowne Plaza Times Square's First Time in New York Package will make it easy to ...Starwood ordered to pay $3m for spying on employee
Mar 17th, 2010 at 3:00PM: File this under: What were they thinking?!?
Starwood Hotels and Resorts was found guilty of spying on a New York employee and has been ordered to pay $3 million in damages.
Apparently, the hotel set up a hidden camera to watch 46-year-old Moises Mendez, a baker at the Westin Hotel at Times Square, following repeated complaints from Mendez that he was being discriminated by the hotel.
...NYC Hotel introduces guests to life on Lexington Ave.
Jan 26th, 2010 at 11:00AM: If living the life of a Park Avenue socialite intrigues you, one New York hotel is willing to feed your curious mind. The Renaissance New York Hotel 57 recently renovated its suites to look like a typical Manhattan luxury home, and the results would make even a Hilton sister proud.
The Renaissance New York Hotel 57, a Marriott boutique hotel, redesigned its carriage house suites to resemble ...Santa crawl around the world: Ho! Ho! Ho! from Gadling to you
Dec 18th, 2009 at 4:00PM:
Last Saturday night, Times Square was literally a Santa free for all. I first noticed the Santa madness as I approached from the direction of the Empire State Building while walking along Broadway. Along the way, a group of five Santas passed me. Then another group of Santas strolled by. Then there was a lone Santa and a Santa with Mrs. Claus. There were also elves.
By the time I reached 42nd ...Times Square becomes shooting gallery
Dec 12th, 2009 at 10:00AM: If you were leaving the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan on Thursday morning,what you saw was not a movie. A plainclothes police officer shot a 25-year-old man; the shot was fatal. But, before going down, the Bronx resident, who was not identified, fired first with a semiautomatic Mac-10. The gunfight broke out over whether the gunman was a scammer, writing tourists' names on CDs and using that to ...Three great hotel deals in NYC this winter
Dec 9th, 2009 at 3:30PM: It's getting cold in New York City and as the temps drop so do prices for the city's hotels. Across Manhattan, you'll find deep discounts and deals, plus added perks and freebies. Here are three fantastic hotel finds for winter.
The Upper West Side's Moroccan-themed Marrakech Hotel is offering rates starting at $99 per night, which is 20% off the normal rate. Guests will also receive two ...New Year's Eve deals: Front-row, distinguished and out of town
Dec 9th, 2009 at 1:00PM: New Year's Eve parties are filling up fast, and the hottest spots are likely to go soonest. Whether you want to be as close to the ball as possible or plan to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of deals out there. New York City is always a top spot, with people from around the world soaking in live what many only see on television. But, that's just the start. See below for a few suggestions on ...
