June 13, 2012 - 7AM - Times Square - My Time of Day

Ok, before I became temporarily 1 armed , I was developing an early morning Times Square tour because I think early morning is the only time to really see Times Square - the heart of visitor NYC. The subways and buses are arteries and veins and Central Park is the (primary) lungs of Manhattan.

For most of last month I was not going out of my way to travel to midtown for any reason. The cast isn't off yet but I am much more mobile so I thought I would be much more likely to show up in Times Square at 7AM if there were people waiting to find me so....

Locals, visitors, even fellow tour guides if you notify me in advance, meet me by the stadium seats in Times Square for a free explore (fam) tour, travel board meet up, informal focus group experience. For any of you heading to work, breakfast or more early morning touring, I intend to end this by 8:30 although since it is free, you can leave whenever you wish.

The Times Square Visitor Center and Museum will be open when we end.

Afterwards, who knows. I will probably head for breakfast. I have to be in Brooklyn by  1 but there will be plenty of time for more exploring.

RSVP by comment or email or PM. As long as 1 person tells me they are showing up, I will be there.

NOTE: the postcards are views that you will not see in today's Times Square at 7AM.

Also, The Devil's Playground by James Traub is only one of many great books about the history of Times Square - the crossroads of the world. 

Comments

[Andres]

I won't be there but I'd love to. I'll be on NYC the first week of July so if by any chance you repeat this amazing adventure, count me in. The coffe is on me.

Regards

Andres
(found your blog via tripadvisor)

[Sue]

See you in July! Had a nice solo walk today and it felt good to get into the groove. It is a great time to see the 'hood. I discover something new on the route I"ve chosen every time.

[Sue]

Andres, I know you are traveling but if you get a chance to read this I will be in Times Square Tues July 3rd at 7AM - we'll do the tour and have coffee afterward.

[David Wood]

Hi Sue,

I was in Times Square with my wife three weeks ago when you approached us and asked would we like to participate in your free early morning walk of the surrounding blocks. We agreed and it turned out to be one of the most interesting times I have spent in that area.

Having been to New York a number of times previously, we were both familiar with the usual tourist spots but this tour points out the Times Square behind the flashy lights and tourist traps. I hadn't realised there was so much history that I was walking past each day that I wasn't even noticing.

Backed up with Sue's seemingly inexhaustive supply of New York facts it was a fascinating 90 minutes education.

I would urge anyone who has the time to contact Sue and arrange this trip. Times Square in the early morning is a wonderful place to be and discover hidden treasures that you are unlikely to stumble across during the day when you are carried along by the masses.

On my next trip to New York I will certainly be contacting Sue to arrange other trips and make use of her vast local knowledge.

Many thanks for your time Sue.

David and Debbie

[Sue]

Thank you David and Debbie. I'm really glad you enjoyed your morning. I will be doing the tour again on August 9th in case any of your friends are in town. I need a bit more Market Research before I start charging for it and doing it on a regular basis. I'll see if I can find a few more unsuspecting tourists in addition to the ones who are reading about this on the blog. Hope to see you again soon! A Guide Named Sue