Times Square has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. Once notorious as the city’s seedy underside, its spirit and style have changed dramatically. It is still the heart of the city and the crossroads where commerce meets the performing arts, but the crime rate has plummeted, the sidewalks are among the cleanest in the city, and bigger and bigger business are moving in every day. If it weren’t for all the enormous, dazzling “supersigns,” the “zipper” flashing the latest news, the dense displays of head- and taillights, and the constant flow of 1.5 million pedestrians, you might not recognize it at all.

What hasn’t changed is the entertainment: as always, the ways to amuse and delight yourself are endless. All of the “Great White Way” lies within the boundaries of Times Square; with 39 theatres (many of which are landmarked), it is home to the highest concentration of showplaces in the world.

And while New York City is teeming with celebrities, there’s only one place you can absolutely guarantee yourself some star-spotting: Madame Tussauds in Times Square. All five members of the popular boy band One Direction recently sat for Madame Tussauds to have their own wax figures, and they (or, more accurately, their likenesses) are on a world tour that hit New York in July and runs through October 11. A special site has been set up — www.madametussauds.com/1D — with exclusive interviews with Louis, Liam, Harry, Zayn and Niall, behind-the-scenes photos, and more.

The Spirit of New York is an interactive exhibit celebrating many of the city’s greatest icons and defining cultural moments. You can immerse yourself in everything that is “New York” with a vibrant walk through the city’s history along with iconic wax figures of yesterday and today; stand alongside Marilyn Monroe in a classic movie scene; ring the bell at the Stock Exchange; and reflect at the 9/11 Memorial. And be sure to check out their multi-level Avengers experience featuring wax likenesses of The Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and two new wax figures of Captain America and Thor, as well as the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience, a short film with thrilling special effects—we’d say more, but we don’t want to ruin any of the surprises!

Other figures recently unveiled at Madame Tussauds include Rihanna, soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruce Willis, and Whitney Houston. Madame Tussauds is open 365 days a year, 10am-10pm. Tickets and more information is available at nycwax.com. 234 W. 42nd St., 866-841-3505

Not an art museum, not a science museum, and not a circus sideshow, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Times Square showcases the oddities in life and delivers the ultimate in shockingly odd, true stories. The exhibits include Ripley’s collection of 24 shrunken heads that were the spoils of war for the Jivaro Indians of Ecuador; a collection of Olympic torches; and human and animal oddities. Be sure to visit their shop, which features t-shirts, bizarre collectibles, unique jewelry, crazy candy and toys that will engage your imagination. 234 W. 42nd St., 212-398-3133; ripleysnewyork.com

Discovery Times Square is NYC’s first large-scale exhibition center presenting limited-run, immersive exhibit experiences that explore the world’s defining cultures, art, history and events.

After hosting Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Leonardo da Vinci’s Workshop, King Tut, and Harry Potter, among others, the space now features three showstoppers: Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick,  the largest display of LEGO® art ever assembled, with brand-new, never-before-seen masterpieces by the New York-based artist; SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure, a journey through maritime history; and BODY WORLDS: PULSE, a multimedia experience about the human body and the challenges it faces navigating the 21st century. 226 W. 44th St. btw. 7th & 8th Aves. For tickets, call 866-987-9692 or click here.