There is probably no other location in NYC that is more polarizing than Times Square. New Yorkers detest it and avoid it like the plague. Tourists flock to it like flies rushing towards its shimmering lights. Love or hate, Times Square is a New York staple, and it is also located in one of the most dynamic and convenient locations within Manhattan.
Besides the billboard lined streets of TS. Midtown is home to the theater district, Billionaires Row, Central Park, Madison Avenue, 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park (New York Public City Library), Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and a whole array of attractions and landmarks. With a wide variety of hotel accommodations, it is not difficult to see why it is visitors first, and sometimes their only experience in NYC.
One way to make the most of Midtown is to acknowledge its uncomfortable truth, Times Square is small, crowded, and not a good representation of what NYC has to offer. It is a beacon of everything problematic of the # culture, and it is in no respect the best or most representative landmark of the city. Then take a selfie, and move on from the area to discover everything Manhattan has to offer from a convenient location. No visit would be completed without a Broadway show, a stroll in Central Park, or a wandering excursion through the area's many historical and most recognizable landmarks.
The best way to experience Midtown (NYC in general) is on foot. Take time to discover the area, don't be afraid of going a couple of streets over the most traveled road. Immerse in some of the most shot and photographed locales within the city. Midtown is essential because it is recognizable. It creates an immediate emotional connection with anyone who didn't grow under a rock and is aware of the many movies and events that have taken place in this landmark area.