You've seen them. Even if you've never stepped foot on the sticky pavement of 47th and Broadway, you know the red stairs Times Square because they’ve become the de facto "I’m in New York" selfie spot. Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird phenomenon. Thousands of people flock to sit on a giant glowing plastic bleacher just to watch a bunch of Elmos and Spider-Men harass tourists for tips. But if you look past the neon chaos, there’s actually a really fascinating story about how these stairs transformed the most congested intersection on the planet into a place where people—shockingly—actually want to hang out.
People call them the "TKTS steps" or just "the big red bleachers." They sit right on top of the TKTS booth, which is where you go if you want to snag half-price Broadway tickets without paying the insane "convenience" fees online. But the stairs themselves? They weren't just an afterthought. They were a massive architectural gamble that basically saved the pedestrian experience in Midtown.
The Architecture Behind the Glow
Back in the day, Father Duffy Square—the little sliver of land the stairs sit on—was a mess. It was cramped, confusing, and dominated by traffic. In 1999, the Van Alen Institute held a competition to redesign the TKTS booth. The winners, John Choi and Tai Ropiha, came up with this wild idea: why not put a giant staircase on the roof? It sounds simple now, but at the time, the city wasn't sure if people would actually use it. They were worried it would just become a massive obstacle or a magnet for trouble.
Perkins Eastman and PKSB Architects eventually took those initial sketches and turned them into the structural beast we see today. If you've ever wondered why they feel so solid under your feet, it's because they're made of glass. Like, a lot of glass. Specifically, the steps are comprised of 27 separate glass load-bearing "stringer" beams.
The lighting is the real trick, though. Every step is illuminated from within using red LEDs. This isn't just for the "wow" factor; it creates a glow that competes with the massive billboards surrounding the square. If the stairs weren't that specific, aggressive shade of ruby, they’d be swallowed up by the Samsung and Coca-Cola ads. The red color actually pays homage to the "red carpet" of Broadway, which is a nice little nod to the theater district history that most people completely miss while they're trying to find a good angle for their Instagram story.
Why Everyone Sits There
It’s about the view. But not just any view.
When you sit on the red stairs Times Square, you’re looking south. This is the "classic" Times Square view—the one with the One Times Square building (where the ball drops) right in the center. Because the stairs are elevated, they give you a sense of scale that you just can't get from the sidewalk. You’re above the crowd but still part of the energy. It’s weirdly peaceful in a very loud, very New York way.
I’ve noticed that people use the stairs as a sort of "living room" for the city. You’ll see teenagers from Queens eating halal cart chicken, tourists resting their feet after walking 15 miles in bad sneakers, and office workers just trying to breathe for five minutes. It’s one of the few places in Manhattan where you can sit down for free without being expected to buy a $9 latte.
🔗 Read more: Kings Island Tickets WinterFest: Why the Gate Price is a Trap
A Few Things Nobody Tells You
- They get hot. In the summer, that glass and plastic trap the sun. If it’s 95 degrees out, sitting on those stairs feels like sitting on a radiator.
- The "hidden" booth. Most people wait in the massive lines at the front, but there’s often a much shorter line for "Play Only" tickets (non-musicals) or for people who have already used the booth before.
- Security is everywhere. You might not see them immediately, but the NYPD has a heavy presence around the base of the stairs. It’s probably one of the safest spots in the city, despite how chaotic it looks.
- They are heavy. The entire structure weighs about 400 tons. That’s a lot of glass and steel sitting on top of a subway station.
The Struggle of the Red Stairs
Maintaining a giant glass staircase in the middle of New York City is a nightmare. Think about it. Thousands of shoes—covered in slush, salt, gum, and god-knows-what—grind into that surface every single day. The glass has to be incredibly durable, but it still gets scratched. The cooling system for the LEDs is also a feat of engineering because those lights generate a ton of heat. If the cooling fails, the stairs could literally crack from the thermal stress.
Also, the weather. When it rains, those stairs get slick. When it snows, they become a death trap until the heating elements kick in. Yes, the stairs have a built-in heating system to melt ice and snow. It’s not just for comfort; it’s a liability thing. New York doesn't want thousands of tourists sliding down 27 rows of glass into 47th street.
How to Do the Stairs Right
If you’re actually going to visit, don't just walk up and sit down. There’s a strategy to it.
First, go at night. Obviously. The red glow is 100 times more impressive when the sun is down. Second, try to aim for the very top corner on the left side (if you're looking at the stairs). It gives you the widest angle of the intersection and usually has a little more "breathing room" than the middle sections.
If you’re there to actually buy tickets, check the "TKTS" app first. It’s surprisingly accurate and tells you exactly what shows are available in real-time. Don’t stand in line for two hours only to find out the show you wanted is sold out. That’s a rookie move.
Real Talk: Is it Overrated?
Kinda. I mean, it’s a staircase. If you hate crowds, you will hate this place. It represents everything "touristy" about New York. You’ll be surrounded by people taking the exact same photo as you. But there’s something undeniably cool about the engineering and the way it transformed a dead space into a public plaza. Before 2008, this area was mostly asphalt and car exhaust. Now, it’s a landmark.
Moving Beyond the Stairs
Once you've had your fill of people-watching from the red stairs Times Square, don't just linger there. Move north toward Central Park or duck into one of the side streets like 46th (Restaurant Row) to find something to eat that isn't a chain. Times Square is a great jumping-off point, but the stairs are the destination, not the whole trip.
To get the most out of your visit to this specific corner of Manhattan, keep these practical points in mind:
- Check the TKTS App: Don't guess which shows are on sale. Use the official app to see live availability before you even arrive at the booth.
- Watch Your Bags: It's a high-traffic area. While safe, it's prime territory for pickpockets who count on you being distracted by the lights.
- Timing is Everything: 11:00 PM on a Tuesday is a completely different vibe than 2:00 PM on a Saturday. If you want the glow without the crush, go late.
- Look for Father Duffy: Take a second to look at the statue in front of the stairs. It’s Francis P. Duffy, a highly decorated military chaplain. Most people use him as a coat rack, but he’s the reason the square has its name.
- Respect the "No Smoking" Signs: The city is pretty strict about this on the stairs because of the crowds and the materials.
The red stairs aren't just a place to sit; they are a lens through which you can view the organized chaos of New York. They represent a shift in urban planning that prioritizes people over cars, even if those people are just trying to get a better selfie. Whether you love the commercialism of Times Square or find it overwhelming, the engineering and social impact of those glowing red steps are impossible to ignore. Grab a spot, watch the screens flicker, and realize you're sitting on one of the most expensive and complex pieces of public furniture ever built.