Hotel at a Glance: Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central

For first-time visitors (and more than a few returnees), nothing is more thrilling than staying amid Times Square and its neon ads and street performers. Opened in September 2014, Hilton Garden Inn New York/Times Square Central puts you right in the center of the action. Guests inside the hotel have front-row seats to the hustle and bustle of Manhattan from the hotel's lobby, restaurant, and bar.

• Contemporary accommodations: Stylish guest rooms have 50-inch flat-screen TVs, complimentary WiFi, MP3 docks, and work desks with ergonomic chairs.
• A culinary treat: Paul's on Times Square, a bright-and-colorful Italian restaurant, is located on the lobby floor.
• Grab a drink at the lobby bar, or start your day with a fresh cup of complimentary coffee or tea.
• Within walking distance: Rockefeller Center, Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, Madame Tussauds wax museum, Times Square, and much more

Times Square, Manhattan: Flashy Neon Lights and World-Class Culture

Times Square is at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The famous address—affectionately known as “the Crossroads of the World”—is home to hypnotizing billboards, giant wraparound news tickers, and the neon lights of Broadway. Beyond the glitz and gimmicks, there are a number of cultural offerings in the area, ranging from museums to Michelin-rated restaurants. Buildings of historical and architectural interest include the Paramount Building and One Times Square, site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop.

Nearby, the Museum of Modern Art houses a trove of masterpieces including Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night, Claude Monet's Water Lilies paintings, and Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. Save time for a stroll through the museum's outdoor sculpture garden, where installations are clustered around sparkling reflecting pools. About a mile north of Times Square, the David H. Koch Theater is home to one of the world’s foremost dance companies—the New York City Ballet, which stages contemporary works as well as classics like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.