There are very few places in New York City that locals unanimously despise more than Times Square. The combination of obnoxious neon lights, hordes of slow-walking tourists, and the bizarre gathering of Elmos generally produces huge eye rolls. Despite the warnings many of us give our out-of-town visitors, we still find ourselves making this requisite Midtown stop on the NYC tour. So to help ease the annual frustration, we found the best places in Times Square that would impress your BFF from college and even the most jaded New Yorker.

Words by Michelle Morgan at Taste The Style

[Photo via The Knickerbocker]