Times Square is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. In addition to the bright lights and bustling crowds that make Times Square so captivating, it offers a diverse range of characters from street performers and costumed superheroes to artists and activists, all of which contribute making Times Square the crossroads of the world. The characters in Times Square earn a living from dressing up as recognizable characters, so you can be sure they expect a tip for any photographs you take of them, whether with or of them.
While some visitors find the characters to be a fun addition to their Times Square experience, others have expressed concerns about the behavior of some of the characters as they can be aggressive in getting tips from visitors. Despite these concerns, the characters remain a popular attraction in Times Square, and some performers have even developed their own fan bases, such as the Naked Cowboy and Da Gold Man. Overall, the characters in Times Square are an interesting and unique aspect of a visit to the area, whether by day or night.
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Times Square Costume Characters
The costumed characters who roam the streets in Times Square are a major attraction, posing for pictures with tourists and entertaining passersby. These characters are a phenomenon that has become synonymous with Times Square, and they have become an integral part of the area’s culture and identity.
The characters are typically dressed in costumes that depict popular cartoon or comic book characters, such as Elmo, Minnie Mouse, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants, Batman, Mickey Mouse, and others. They often wear oversized heads or masks that cover their faces, adding to the whimsical and playful nature of their appearances.
While the characters are not officially affiliated with any particular organization or company, they do work for tips, and they can be seen posing for pictures with tourists and engaging in playful banter with passersby. It is common for a number of characters to flock towards anyone who is interested in taking pictures, with all of them expecting tips for posing in pictures.
Superheroes
As can be expected, Gotham is full of superheroes on any given day, and not just Batman.
You can see how involved these costumes can be with this Transformer character getting into costume in Times Square.
Naked Cowboy
The one constant in Times Square tends to be the Naked Cowboy. He is there come rain, shine, snow, and even the pandemic. He was always around even when Times Square was deserted during the early days of the shut down thanks to Covid 19, and hearing him sing was the only live music I heard in about a year!!
Ironically, during the pandemic, the Naked Cowboy did finally cover up by putting a mask on!
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty characters are common to see in Times Square. They are always on stilts, and a popular choice for pictures given the New York connection.
Da Gold Man
Da Gold Man is a constant in Times Square as a character that is completely covered in gold, and he stands still till he is tipped by passers by as a sign of appreciation, when he breaks into a dance depending on the size of the tip. Da Gold Man is actually the subject of an exhibit at the newly opened Grand Central Madison, Still Life, which consists of 10 photographs of Da Gold Man that are larger than life.
Dancing Baby
There are a number of characters that have a fleeting presence on Times Square, of which the Dancing Baby was one. I have thankfully seen this character only once, it was very disturbing!
Buddy the Rat
The video below is of a character called Buddy the Rat that manages to make its way around New York! The sighting in Times Square was an unusual one. You’ll notice in the video that I step away for a second as I thought it/he was coming towards me!!
Limited Time Exhibits
It is not uncommon to see limited time exhibits with recognizable characters make their way to Times Square, such as this Transformers Exhibit that was very popular with crowds for a couple of weeks.
Times Square Characters Tips
The characters in Times Square are a constant that can smell out a tourist when they see one, and you can be sure they will expect a tip any time they find someone pointing a camera at them. In fact, it is not uncommon to see a large group of costumed characters running towards anyone that is interested in taking pictures, and each one expects a tip for their participation.
While in the past it was okay to tip $1 – $2 for a photograph, the characters expect to see more, though there is no defined amount that they should be tipped.
In the past, some characters have been accused of aggressive solicitation, including demanding tips for taking photos with tourists. To address this issue, the City Council has implemented new rules for vendors and costumed characters in Times Square. Now, costumed characters are required to stay within designated “activity zones” and are prohibited from blocking pedestrian traffic. They are also required to display a sign that informs tourists that tipping is optional.
While it is important for tourists to remember that tipping is optional and that they should not feel pressured to give money to the characters, you can be sure that compensation will be expected if you are taking pictures with or of the costumed characters in Times Square.
Faces Behind the Masks of Times Square Costumed Characters
When you cross Times Square often enough, especially during times when it is not teeming with tourists, these characters are often seen with their heads off, so you can see the faces behind the masks. It is a common sight to see this on my way in to work in the mornings, and these are some of my favorite photos that I have taken over the years.
No one stops to give a sight like this a second look in Times Square!
Closing Thoughts
Times Square is a really fun place to visit, especially as a first time or infrequent visitor to NYC. Costumed characters in Times Square can be a part of the charm and appeal to visit, especially if you have children with you. However, it is important to know that these characters work for tips, and expect to be compensated for pictures you take with or of them. The characters also tend to flock to visitors that are interested in taking pictures, often multiplying the number of characters you need to tip. It is perfectly okay to say you are not interested if these characters approach you, or happen to be in the frame when you are taking pictures of Times Sqaure and not specifically the characters. It is advisable to keep this in mind to make your visit to Times Square an enjoyable one.
