Father Duffy Square

The NYC triangle tourist hive!
Any person working/​living in NYC knows to avoid this area during lunch. When you work in the area, You’ll see tourists everywhere. Look Big screens! Broadway! Everyone looking up and not looking where they’re going and then…
They just stop walking. Standing in the middle of the sidewalk pointing. Why…
Father Duffy Square is located between 45^th and 47^th Streets, I’ve always associated the area with TKTS, the reduced-​price theater tickets booth but it’s been a synonymous with NYC since Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia dedicated the area with a statue of Chaplain Francis P. Duffy of New York’s «Fighting 69^th» Infantry Regiment on May 2, 1937.
I’m sure Father Duffy seeing a statue of himself would be happy. He’s surrounded by smiling people taking pictures and overlooking NYC.
Father Duffy Square, It’s the pulse of NYC and here for everyone to enjoy.

Father Duffy Square is the place to just hang out in the Broadway and Times Square area. The bleachers are there to sit and relax and take in all the sounds and people watching as well as being completely surrounded by all the big screens and bright lights. This is the one of the most memorable and iconic touristy experiences of NYC.

One great place to people watch in NYC, along with all the selfie takers and other tourists. The city has already put in many large granite stones that make this easier to clean with a mini gamboni street washer. The area shines and the red chairs and tables come out and you try hard to soak all of it in. It is an assault on the senses! Nonetheless you should experience this locale once or twice or everyday of your visit. Large grandstand over looks Father Duffy statue as you look toward Times Square. It’s hard to imagine New Years Eve in 90 degree weather but I tried and was thankful that we weren’t shoulder to shoulder! This was relaxing sitting and watching believe it or not. Tried to upload pics, I’ll try again.

cold as heck but typical new york tourist red steps picture… checkkkkk

I could people watch all day here.
Definitely a tourist spot to check out… park your butt on the steps and watch the impersonators and all the billboard shows. On the east side of the street. Times square has a mini museum worth checking out.
Only negative is that you have these «comedy» show ticket hecklers everywhere. They seriously do not leave you alone. Your best bet is to just say «no thank you» everytime and keep walking. Some may still hound you. but just keep moving.

Considering I never look at statues or read monument signs while living in NY (#1), it’s no surprise I find out the «ascending lit red staircase of Times Square» is really the back drop and view of the infamous Father Duffy Square, one of the area’s most recognized spots.
Brightly lit and open at all hours, the stairs serve as an ideal meeting spot in the Times Square chaos. It is approximately 27 steps, all large enough not to fall, and the seating capacity can be as much as 1,000. It is a fitting addition to Times Square, representing the bright lights of Broadway and presenting another option to the photo hungry tourists.
Aside from its historical relevancy to the area, it is for all intents and purposes a great place for a quality photo op at night and a great people watching spot. Climb to the top of the stairs where you’ll find yourself on top of TKTS and with a new camera angle to capture the city.
Whenever I am forced to show newbies to the city around, I find myself parked here at the square till they’re done walking around. There is a certain serenity while sitting elevated in the chaos of people and watching time slow down while the clock ticks faster for everyone else below.
In addition, there is also the element of surprise: my friend orchestrated a surprise proposal to his now bride on these very steps, in the treacherous winter, without her realizing she was to say «Yes» in front of dozens of friends in the heart of the city. It was a momentous occasion and wonderfully executed. Duffy Square is more than just a monument, a meeting place, or a park. It’s one of the things that helps makes Times Square beautiful in its own light.
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(#1) That’s what locals (don’t) do … right?

just follow the red lit stairs and your smack standing /​sitting in duffy square! which ever position you prefer! either way this place is pretty awesome to view all of times square and to take your touristy photo shots! i prefer going in September when the weather is just right! definitely is a nice place to people watch! so much going on around you its hard not to get bored just sitting here drinking coffee or just a bite to eat and watch the city go by!

The lovely red steps. They are so pretty and perfect for a nice touristy feel in the city. On a nice summers night its crowded. Like you can’t even walk up the steps there are people everywhere. But isn’t everything in the city crowded on a nice summer night? Duh.
If you’re in the area stop by. Read the little statue thing and look at all the millions of people standing around. It humbles me sometimes standing up there looking at the sea of people going by. Crazy stuff.
On a quiet night (if there ever is such a thing out here) get to the top. That’s my master plan. Sit right at the top of the stairs and reflect for a bit. Maybe soon, since its getting colder.

Sits on the northern triangle of Times Square, «Crossroads of the World,» Father Duffy Square is open to the public and definitely a tourist trap where locals and out-​of-​towners flock to the red steps resting, mingling, reading, eating lunches, couples smooching and smoochs with mistresses/​forbidden lovers other than boyfriend/​girlfriend or husband/​wife. This outdoor space is a magnet for tourists, a staging area for public rallies, the scene of victory celebrations, Christmas caroling since 1973, plus more.
Below the red steps is home to one of the TKTS Booth which sells day-​of-​performance tickets only to broadway and off-​broadway shows.
The northern statue honors the namesake of this parkland, Father Francis Patrick Duffy (1871 – 1932), a military chaplain and a priest in the Times Square area.