Times Square is one of the most famous intersections globally, known for its bright lights, theater district, and massive New Year’s Eve celebration.
This quiz looks at the area’s rich history, including its early horse-trading days and the iconic ball drop. You will see questions about its geography, historic buildings, and famous street performers.
When you finish, you can explore other famous landmarks, learn about global cities of the world, or discover more famous streets and squares.
In which major U.S. city is Times Square located?
Chicago
Chicago
New York City
New York City
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Which famous thoroughfare slices diagonally through Times Square?
Park Avenue
Park Avenue
Broadway
Broadway
Wall Street
Wall Street
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue
What was the name of Times Square before it was renamed in 1904?
Union Square
Union Square
Madison Square
Madison Square
Longacre Square
Longacre Square
Herald Square
Herald Square
Which iconic object is lowered in Times Square to mark the beginning of the New Year?
A silver bell
A silver bell
A giant apple
A giant apple
A crystal ball
A crystal ball
A golden star
A golden star
Approximately how much does the Waterford crystal ball used in the New Year’s Eve celebration weigh?
9,875 pounds
9,875 pounds
12,875 pounds
12,875 pounds
11,875 pounds
11,875 pounds
10,875 pounds
10,875 pounds
In what year did the first New Year’s Eve ball drop take place?
1910
1910
1913
1913
1904
1904
1907
1907
Before it was renamed Times Square, what was the area known as?
Longacre Square
Longacre Square
Herald Square
Herald Square
Madison Square
Madison Square
Union Square
Union Square
Which street performer, known for wearing only briefs, a cowboy hat, and boots, became a fixture of Times Square?
The Times Square Magician
The Times Square Magician
The Subway Performer
The Subway Performer
The Naked Cowboy
The Naked Cowboy
The Broadway Troubadour
The Broadway Troubadour
Which soft drink company has maintained a prominent, multi-story digital billboard in Times Square since the 1930s?
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Pepsi
Pepsi
7-Up
7-Up
Which numbered street is famously celebrated in a classic musical about the Broadway theater district?
42nd Street
42nd Street
46th Street
46th Street
40th Street
40th Street
44th Street
44th Street
In what year did the City of New York initiate the permanent pedestrianization of the central traffic lanes of Times Square?
2010
2010
2008
2008
2009
2009
2007
2007
Which iconic Alfred Eisenstaedt photograph, taken in Times Square, captures a sailor kissing a nurse to celebrate the end of World War II?
V-E Day
V-E Day
D-Day
D-Day
V-J Day
V-J Day
Armistice Day
Armistice Day
What is the Broadway street address of the building where the New Year’s Eve ball drop ceremony takes place?
1475 Broadway
1475 Broadway
1540 Broadway
1540 Broadway
1560 Broadway
1560 Broadway
1500 Broadway
1500 Broadway
The current New Year’s Eve ball is covered in panels manufactured by which famous glass company?
Steuben Glass
Steuben Glass
Baccarat Crystal
Baccarat Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Swarovski Crystal
Swarovski Crystal
Which historic Beaux-Arts luxury hotel, opened in 1904 in Times Square, was famous for its spectacular roof garden?
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel
The Knickerbocker Hotel
The Knickerbocker Hotel
The Pabst Hotel
The Pabst Hotel
The Astor Hotel
The Astor Hotel
For decades prior to its major 2020s redevelopment, what was unique about the status of the building known as One Times Square?
It was used as a government office building
It was used as a government office building
It housed the headquarters of The New York Times
It housed the headquarters of The New York Times
It displayed constant messages for the United Nations
It displayed constant messages for the United Nations
It was mostly vacant and served primarily as a billboard tower
It was mostly vacant and served primarily as a billboard tower
In 2014, a record-breaking digital billboard debuted on the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Approximately how many square feet did this massive screen span?
45,000 square feet
45,000 square feet
25,000 square feet
25,000 square feet
15,000 square feet
15,000 square feet
35,000 square feet
35,000 square feet
Times Square underwent a massive revitalization project in the 1990s to move away from what reputation?
1970s and 1980s urban decay and crime
1970s and 1980s urban decay and crime
1890s horse carriage trading center
1890s horse carriage trading center
1950s Cold War nuclear drill sites
1950s Cold War nuclear drill sites
1920s Prohibition era speakeasy culture
1920s Prohibition era speakeasy culture
What is the name of the famous red glass staircase booth where tourists purchase discounted same-day Broadway tickets?
The Broadway Ticket kiosk
The Broadway Ticket kiosk
The Lincoln Center box office
The Lincoln Center box office
The Playbill station
The Playbill station
The TKTS booth
The TKTS booth
What is the most common nickname for Times Square?
Red Square
Red Square
The Great White Way
The Great White Way
The Crossroads of the World
The Crossroads of the World
The Canyon of Heroes
The Canyon of Heroes
The first-ever New Year’s Eve ball, created in 1907, was primarily made out of what materials?
Wood and iron
Wood and iron
Plastic and neon gas
Plastic and neon gas
Paper and papier-mâché
Paper and papier-mâché
Steel and lightbulbs
Steel and lightbulbs
Which musical holds the record for the longest-running show in Broadway history?
Wicked
Wicked
The Lion King
The Lion King
Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera
Chicago
Chicago
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If you liked this, try our architecture trivia, look at other places, or read about art history.
