West 48 St, Times Square

West 48th at 7th is exactly what you would expect a Times Square area block to be: big buildings with a lot of lights and advertisements. The north corner holds a massive luxury high rise apartment building with big electric ads covering the top. It used to be the Studebaker which was one of the most notable buildings in the area but it was torn down in 2005. Why anyone would want to live right here is beyond me, but apparently enough people did to warrant the construction of the high rise. Across the street is the Ramada which is an odd-wedge looking hotel. The site used to be the Cotton Club which was a big jazz hang. What a shame that it's a Ramada now. And, it's not even an affordable hotel considering that it's a Ramada. Go figure, New York.
The block at Broadway holds another big, but not nice hotel with the Hershey shop on the ground floor. This amount of lights and clutter ought to be illegal. And, I have no idea how a kitschy chocolate store does well but I suppose the tourists just eat this up (pun intended). Across the street is a Morgan Stanley building which is terribly out of place and the Longacre theatre. I've never been to this theatre because they never have shows that are of any interest to me, but it has been around since the early 20th century. There are a few more hotels that cater to tourists on this block as well as the Walter Kerr theatre. The Walter Kerr usually has some of the best Broadway shows so you can almost bank that you'll see a good one here. They are responsible for debuting Angels in America, a number of August Wilson's work and Proof. It's a standout theatre that I highly recommend. Hurley's Saloon is also on this block. It has been around since the 19th century but moved here around the early 2000's after a long fight to not be taken over by Rockefeller Center in its old spot. As far as Times Square bars go, this one isn't too bad and I think it's because it has been around for so long.
This area is really annoying to me because of all the people, trash, lights and noise, but tourists love it. I think it's because it looks so different from any other part of New York, let alone the country. It's definitely a tourist trap so you won't find many locals just hanging around here, but it's less crowded than 42nd and it, at least, has a good theatre and a decent bar.