In celebration of the Oscar nominees, the Westin Times Square beckons with a hotel deal
for the movie buff. This Times Square hotel package includeFour movie tickets for any time of day and a $10 gift card for Starbucks.

The Westin Times Square hotel also provides a VIP package to the Discovery Times Square. Unlike other hotel packages where there are black out dates, VIP access allows guests to skip the lines This hotel deal expires on April 15, 2012

Reservations on most Times Square hotel packages are generally, non-refundable, non cancellable and require advance payments.

Times Square History Review 2011
In 2011, Times Square served as a platform for Occupy Wall Street, where protesters voiced disenchantment with “corporate America and power investors.  During October, a progressive concept, comparable to President Theodore Roosevelt’s idea during the Great Depression, organized by Katarina Jernic,  allowed local artists to vend masterpieces in the open air plaza of Times Square. This happens to be one event that artists hope to see a repeat of in 2012.

In March, CBS News reported that the Times Square video-jumbo-tron was allegedly commandeered when a hacker programmed the feed to display images of the trailer for the movie, “Limitless.”  As the viral video feed proved quite successful, repeating the stunt is not recommended.

For some, the Dead Sea Scroll exhibits at the Discovery Times Square center marks a momentous epoch at Times Square (supplied by the Israel Antiquities Authority).   (Source: New York Times)

Times Square New Years 2012
New York Cityofficials of  the urban development department and in confluence with Mayor Michael R Bloomberg plan to quarter off the Times Square area, barring any vehicle access from one of the most traveled hubs in Manhattan. As Mr. Bloomberg vehemently opposes cigarette smoke, tourists should make note that there is a $50 fine  for violators of the law, at the Times Square pedestrian plaza. (According to CNN, the public smoking ban went into effect in May 2011).

Nonetheless, the impending schematics for Times Square would assure a modicum of safety to its visitors. There is speculation that the construction is underway to prevent a reenactment of the bomb left in an SUV, parked in close proximity to New York Times Square in 2010.

Times Squares tentative construction plans are diverting the Macy’s Christmas Parade 2012 to take another course through Manhattan. According to individuals planning the route,  the proposed path would make way for a wider thoroughfare, coursing from Sixth Avenue from Central Park South to 34th Street. Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance and local merchant owners are unhappy about the new Macy’s Parade route.

Nonetheless, Manhattan has no shortage of places to visit and sites to imbibe. Yet, for the visitor, preferring to stay in close proximity to Times Square, attractions of the area often serve as places for an unexpected brush with fame and elebrities.

Where are the hotspots, underground clubs and places to gawk at celebrities in  Times Square NYC?

Included on the Times Square attraction list are a bevy of restaurants, studios and clubs for a tourist’s sightseeing pleasure.

Quite often tourists visiting Times Square can catch a glimpse of a movie being shot on location. Last year, bystanders gazed at Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis performing a dance routine in the blockbuster, film “Friends with Benefits.” While this is not the normal Times Square attraction, on any given day a television, film or video crew can be seen recording the action of the are.

Good Morning America
American Broadcasting Company (ABC) reports that scoring tickets to the Good Morning America involves a 7 AM arrival to the Times Square attraction. Guests standing outside of the studio have a chance as securing a seat during the broadcast, where many celebrities often appear on camera with GMA’s anchors. This Times Square attraction lives  on 44th Street and Broadway.

Away from Times Square Attractions

Cut through the Garment District From New York Times Square to the PHD Lounge , a 36-minute walk leads to roof top of luxurious at the Dream Downtown New York hotel, and one never knows what celebrity one might stumble upon. Right outside of the Meat packing District  Dream Downtown Hotel’ address is  355 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011,

In immediacy to Times Square New York, quaff down some libations in Hell’s Kitchen at the Gossip Bar NYC, where anyone and anything is a possibility. 733 inth Aveneue NY, NY 10019 between 49th && 5oth Street 212..265.2720

The latest hotspot for celebrity sightings in New York Times Square – Theatre District resides at Penthouse 760, appropriately located at 760 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10046. Penthouse 760.

What is your favorite Times Square Attraction in NYC?

Book wise.
Book more than two nights stay.  In an effort to increase occupancy rates, Times Square hotels offer moderate discounts on reservations exceeding two night’s stay.  Also,  reserve stay at a Times Square hotel in immediacy to the Times Square New Years ball drop. Bombs, bank robberies and other unusual events have heightened security and awareness for local police officials.  This means that moving in and out of Times Square can be complicated. As a result, consider hotels with entrances leading to New York Times Square.

Plot your location.
A Times Square map depicts a diminutive intersection in relationship to the population density that traverses the area on a daily basis. In other words, for those not accustom to navigating large crowds, Times Square New Years may be a bit overwhelming and easy to lose friends. But with a little planning and an understanding of the proximity of the hotel to the Times Square New Years ball drop, merrymakers overcome any mishaps.

For those with wishes for 2012, a Wishing Wall: located at the Times Square Visitor Center is the perfect place to post your wishes. As an alternative,  Timessquarenyc.org is accepting wishes too. Either way, those same wishes will be used as confetti during the Times Square New Year 2012 countdown.

Holiday events make the months of November through December an enchanting yet chaotic time of year around Times Square New York. From Broadway to the Avenue of the Americas. Times Square hotels, concert venues and retailers ring in the season with throngs of holiday events and festivities for everyone.

At the Macy’s Herald Square (151 West 34th Street | New York, NY 10001), customers discover new hairstyles for the holidays from Dean Manowetz. The flagship store also has several events in-store to do during the Thanksgiving Day parade on November 20^th, when plenty of costumed characters will be in the toy department to greet the little ones.

Music / Concerts /

Then the day before Thanksgiving Day, Five Finger Death Punch jams out at the Best Buy Theater (located in Times Square New York), Ticket prices start at $35. Best Buy Theater | 1515 Broadway | New York, NY 10036 212.930.1950. On the December 20^th, Ellen Kaye plays for the holidays at the Iridium 1650 Broadway (51st | New York, NY 10019 | 212.582.2121

At the Time Square hotel, Crown Plaza–the Macy’s and Bloomingdales shopping package covers a  shopping spree discount, a personal shopper, primo seating at the Times Square Planet Hollywood, a complimentary appetizer and of course overnight accommodations. For the weekend of December 10-12,  two night’s stay was $460 in. It is noteworthy that this deal is not available for every weekend. 1605 Broadway|  New York, NY 10019 | between W. 48th & 49th Street  |     212.977.4000

Toast the Season…For $1 More Holiday Package at the Times Square hotel Muse. Here this hotel in Times Square package spreads good cheer with a dual selection of complimentary cocktails during each night’s stay. The hotel deal at the Muse Hotel offers the best night rate, which varies by the day, depending on the demand.

The Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 30^th is a historical landmark of the season, where some make this annual holiday event in Times Square a family tradition. 1230 6th Ave | New York, NY  | 10020 212. 221.9666

What is the best and worst Times Square hotels to reserve stay during the holidays in NYC?

Where to Worship Your God in Times Square New York

Amid the neon, blinking lights of Times Square New York , an understated, sacred history often goes unnoticed. Spanning more than a century, a cross-spectrum of faiths sanctifies the Times Square neighborhood of NYC.   Here’s the history of three landmarks for worship,representing Catholicism, Judaism and Mormon religions  in close proximity to New York’s Times Square.

• St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church

Somewhere between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, on West 49th Street, St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church (also dubbed, the Actor’s chapel) has been doling out the Sacrament since 1902. What makes this  place of worship so dynamic is how it parallels the chronology of Times Square New York.

When the church was originally built, it served the standard parishioners of the neighborhood. Then when the Theatre District ushered in an artistic community, St. Malachy’s began to attract performers, musicians and tourists.  In the 1920s, the church built a chapel named the St. Malachy’s the Actors’ Chapel.

Afterwards, gentlemen’s clubs, massage parlors and peep shows eventually repelled the church’s congregation. Subsequent to assuming an active role in the Times Square New York community, today, St. Malachy’s flourishes as the haven of worship for the entertainment community: celebrities, tourists and other artists. St. Malachy’s | 239 West 49th Street| New York, NY 10019 |212.489.1340

• Central Synagogue

In close proximity to Times Square New York , Central Synagogue garners a dramatic past. In 1872, the temple opened. Fourteen years later, a fire damaged a great portion of 12 story sanctuary.  In 1998, it underwent another fire, and it latest restoration was completed in 2001. Recognized for it architectural splendor the restoration has won a number of awards, attracting worshippers around the world. Central Synagogue |  123 East 55th Street | New York, 10022 | 212.838.5123

Manhattan New York Mormon Temple

The most lauded church development, happened in 2002, in immediacy to Times Square New York, when President Gordon B. Hinckley announced a new temple, expected to take two years times and was completed in record time, in under five months.  Latter Day Saints  Mormon Temple | 125 Columbus Avenue| New York, New York | 10023-6514 | 917.441.8220

The gala event is the outcome of when the world’s most influential TV personality hosts  an evening for a critical cause: cancer, benefiting the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.

The address to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is: 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023

Not long before  retiring a 20-plus year reign as the queen of talk, former mayor of Chicago,  Richard Daley presented  a street sign, bearing her moniker: Oprah Winfrey Way.  Ms. Winfrey also produced a show highlighting Ralph Lauren’s  career, in May 2011. Here is Ralph Lauren’s Video:

Other sponsors of the momentous evening–Ralph Lauren Cancer Benefit, include American Express, the Hearst Corporation and Conde nast.

Slated also to attend this fashion fabulous event is Mr. Lauren’s son David Lauren and Lauren Bush.  Perhaps, Ralph Lauren will reveal the inspirational details about designing his daughter-in-law’s wedding gown for her recent nuptial to his son.

Three Times Square hotels with economical rates are  located within walking distance  to the Lincoln Center of Performing Arts. These include: The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square, the Edison Hotel Times Square and the Econo Lodge of Times Square.

While this exclusive New York Times Square event is by invitation only,  due to the attendance of such high-profile guests, rumor has it that the red carpet affair will the prelude to an extraordinary evening.

Here is the Ralph Lauren video.

Which celebrities do you predict to make the guest list of this event?

Savvy New York vacationers know all too well that Times Square hotels don’t always assure the best value and why it’s commonsensical to compare prices accommodations in SoHo.  For famiilies, Times Square hotels generally afford walkable destinations, alleviating the chaos of taking public transportation.

New York Times Square.net conducted a per night stay analysis at 4 popular, but comparable  hotels to ones in Soho and Tribeca. Here are the findings:

• In SoHo, the major brand hotels such as the Four Points Sheraton Manhattan SoHo village and the  and the Courtyard New York Manhattan/Soho afford accommodations for less than $350 a night (not including the city tax and other fees). New York hotel boutiques generally start at $400 a night in SoHo. SoHo fulfills the girl’s weekend in NYC or the couple getaway.

New York Times Square hotel tip: It is noteworthy that the rates at TripAdvisor and the hotel websites were comparable, However, travelers, who plan to reserve stay for more than two-nights at a SoHo or hotel in Times Square should visit the official websites, where discount incentives offer savings  up to 40 percent.

• At top name Times Square hotels, we were able to find comparable prices. For instance, at a four-star hotels such as the InterContinental New York Times Square, The Muse Hotel New York – a Kimpton Hotel and the the Hilton Times Square, accommodations are under $350 per night.

Note that New York Times Square hotels charge higher per night rates during hectic holidays and certain trade shows.

• For one night’s stay at a Times Square hotel, the tax rate is a 14.75 percent per night in NYC.
• Meanwhile hotels in New York Times Square begin as low as $250 a night. (However, that does not seem to be the case at the W, Times Square Hotel where New Year’s 2012 hotels show rates starting at $550).
• But, don’t expect all Times Square hotels to accommodate the entire family or any extra guest in the same room, as service terms clearly identify that rollaway beds and cribs are unavailable at the W Hotel and other area hotels.

The address of the W Times Square hotel is: 1567 Broadway   | New York, New York 10036

• Check in usually commences at  3 PM on, while check-out time is at noon.
• With advance reservations, some  hotels may allow guests to redeem corporate discounts, auto membership clubs and promotional discount codes for New York Times Square New Years hotel stay.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the reservation have to remit a forfeiture amount along with any other taxes or charges. For instance, if one cancels after 4 pm – 23-hours prior to the check in time, expect to pay for the reservation and all fees.

Currently, The Algonquin Hotel, Marriott’s Autograph Collection presents an imaginative special, dubbed the “Friends of Matilda.” Although the  hotel shows a special rate of $260 to $305, available until the end of the year (through December 31, 2011), guests have to stay a minimum of two nights and enter the letters “MAJ”  for the promotional code, in order to secure  the special rate as well as all the included amenities of this hotel deal. Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection | 59 West 44th Street | New York, New York 10036

Although many  hotels in Manhattan   feature special reservation deals, note that some have black out dates, limited availability or a 2-night minimum stay requirement– especially during New Years and other special occasions.

It you’re planning to visit New York’s Time Square  to celebrate New Years 2012, how soon will you reserve your stay?