The Heart of the Big Apple

New York City is packed not only with people but also with shops, eateries, cars and much, much more. As people bump into you on the sidewalk, you walk by clean, modern shops with expensive clothes and shoe shops filled with all the newest styles. There are cheap fastfood restaurants that are noisy and always full of customers.

And then there is Times Square. This part of Manhattan (the main part of New York City) is one of the oldest tourist attractions in New York. Times Square has come to symbolize New York itself with its tall buildings and massive lit-up advertisements. These days, Times Square is all about 21st century commerce and advertising. There is so much traffic that it is a difficult place to walk around and enjoy. In the past, however, Times Square was a cultural centre in New York.

On New Year’s Eve, huge crowds gather in Times Square. As people countdown to midnight together, a gigantic ball made of crystal and lights comes down a pole. When the ball reaches the bottom at exactly midnight, everyone hugs and kisses. It is one of the traditions that helps New York stay in touch with its past. It has also become an iconic celebration that is famous all over the world.