Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park
4.5
About
A 9.75-acre city park in Greenwich Village, characterized by its large, central fountain, and known as a major center of community activity for the neighborhood residents.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Greenwich Village
Commonly known as “the Village” to New Yorkers, it was here in Greenwich Village that both 1960’s counter culture and the LGBT movement were born. Famous for its bohemian past, head to Washington Square Park to get a feel for this diverse and energetic neighbourhood. You’ll find NYU students, street performers, skateboarders, kids frolicking in the fountain, and locals relaxing and playing chess. Stroll the streets to discover a mix of majestic town homes and hidden bars and restaurants that give this neighbourhood an old-school residential feel. When the sun goes down, check out one of the famous jazz or comedy clubs that still packs them in every night.
How to get there
- West 4th St – Washington Square • 4 min walk
- 8th St – NYU • 6 min walk
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4.5
3,688 reviews
Excellent
1,937
Very good
1,430
Average
285
Poor
26
Terrible
10
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN6,511 contributions
Jul 2019
We visited in the early evening on a Friday night last summer and found a vibrant and fun atmosphere providing a nice slice of life in the City. Incredible views of the Arch with the Empire State Building in the distance. Great listening to the street performers and watching artists at work.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nostalgiyeah
Bothell, WA2,068 contributions
May 2022
The stately arch in this park lacks much of the grandeur that usually accompany such arches in Europe and other parts of the world, but it feels just perfect in the Washington Square park. The arch is impressive, with a stately design indeed looks regal and somewhat reminded me of Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The park is located in Greenwich Village, beside New York University campus which would explain the large presence of students in the park on any given day. Not just students though - the park hosts a number of food carts, people selling handmade wares, artists, musicians and what not! The park itself is not huge, but it was fairly crowded with number of tourists and residents enjoying the evening sun when we visited and it exuded a very lovely vibe! Grab a coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice is!), take a seat on one of the numerous benches in the park and soak in the vibe - a very relaxing way to spend a few minutes (or even an hour or two) enjoying the views and sounds of this city park.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,125 contributions
Oct 2021
Everyone should experience Washington Square Park at least once. Late on a warm October afternoon, it was packed with young people, vendors selling all sorts of wares, musicians, dancers, and more. It was interesting walking about to see it all. Plenty of room to sit and chill and do some people watching!! After sunset, we walked back through it...the Washington Square Arch, designed by Stanford White in 1891, made of white marble, all lit up is an awesome site to behold!!
Written 3 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minu321
Zurich79 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
better than the movies! Awesome place which displays the uniqueness of NYC: A mixture of everything really. Diversity at its best. Unfortunately also spotted an open drug scene north-east of the park, avoid this spot if you cannot bear reality.
Other than that the action really happens around the fountain. I found it the most interesting spot in all of NYC simoly because it seems to be the melting pot of NYC. Visited many times during hot summer evenings/nights when the park probably performs at its best.
Other than that the action really happens around the fountain. I found it the most interesting spot in all of NYC simoly because it seems to be the melting pot of NYC. Visited many times during hot summer evenings/nights when the park probably performs at its best.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,234 contributions
Jun 2019
This fun, active park is a great place to hang out and people-watch. It's near NYU, so there are a lot of university students hanging around as well. There's a big fountain in the middle, which adds some coolness in warmer weather. Sometimes you can hear live music and/or see people painting or doing street theatre.
Written 12 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WesOrmond
Ormond Beach, FL210 contributions
Sept 2020
Had a good ride to the park on the Citibike. There is a large deployment of them around the square. Interesting place to people watch as there are a large assortment of different folks here. Some were playing music, couple of skateboarders, couple of busker/hustler folks. Neatest thing was that a group of pet rabbit owners were having a get together in one area and there were over a dozen bunnies running around. Several places to get food around so good place to eat a lunch and bask in the sun.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Swiss Nomad
Lugano, Switzerland3,504 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
While visiting the neighborhood and heading south for a cronut, we stopped at Washington park to take a look at the numerous squirrels running about in this square.
There is a lovely fountain in the middle of the park, a massive arc at the northern entry and lots of trees and benches where you can relax. Some artists were playing the piano and dogs having fun in a specific playground for animals.
We grabbed a coffee nearby and spent some time relaxing on a bench.
If you are in Greenwich village, take a look at this park and enjoy a bit of nature in between a concrete jungle.
There is a lovely fountain in the middle of the park, a massive arc at the northern entry and lots of trees and benches where you can relax. Some artists were playing the piano and dogs having fun in a specific playground for animals.
We grabbed a coffee nearby and spent some time relaxing on a bench.
If you are in Greenwich village, take a look at this park and enjoy a bit of nature in between a concrete jungle.
Written 17 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CumfyCritter
Glasgow, UK389 contributions
Dec 2019
This is another sight in New York that people will be familiar with from films etc. Looking through it you will see the Empire State Building and this is a view which has been photographed many times. There is interesting history to the Arch and Washington Square Park is a nice place to have a stroll (and listen to people perfor sometimes too).
Worth a visit.
Worth a visit.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
наталья е
Vladivostok, Russia875 contributions
Nov 2019
Nothing special to say about the The Washington Square park with the exception of the Arch.
This very impressive construction was initially erected in 1889 to commemorate the centennial of the inauguration of George Washington as the US president.
Originally the Arch was build with plaster and wood; everybody considered it to be a temporary piece of architecture.
However the Arch became so popular that in 1892 it was decided to reerect it using the marble stone.
This very impressive construction was initially erected in 1889 to commemorate the centennial of the inauguration of George Washington as the US president.
Originally the Arch was build with plaster and wood; everybody considered it to be a temporary piece of architecture.
However the Arch became so popular that in 1892 it was decided to reerect it using the marble stone.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elin8
Bromma, Sweden795 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
It’s a place to soak in. Entertainers, kids, artists, small dogs, and when we were there, Sarah Jessica Parker with some reporters. It’s got a very nice atmosphere although not spectacular in terms of architecture or anything. Worth strolling to if the weather is nice.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does the Christmas tree at Washington Square Park stay up until?
Written 19 December 2017
Till after Christmas, probably till New Year's day
Written 19 December 2017
hi, what kind of shops are there?
Written 6 November 2017
No shops in the park but many shops on all the streets and avenues that radiate off the park.
Written 29 December 2017
These themes attracts me to visit at NYC, I have already heard about this place from my friends who visited last month through govisitnyc and give this place best rating to visit once. So I am here looking for another way to visit all places like that which is com my budget, Can anyone suggest me ?
Written 6 October 2017
The park is free and is Surrounded by Greenwich Village, which is also interesting to stroll through. It's best to visit the park on a nice day when there are lots of things going on there. Also not far away is Highline Park, which is a beautiful place to stroll.
Written 8 October 2017
Yekaterina B
New York City, New York
Hi. I've read there are a lot of people with dogs and I haven't seen dogs wearing muzzles in the pictures... Please, tell me if it's true and if the park is dangerous that way? Thank you.
Written 20 June 2017
The dogs are all on leashes and not threatening at all.
Written 8 October 2017
Hi - just wondering if there were opening/closing times where access was restricted ot the park, per the "The Big Apple Guide" on the TA travel guide sections, it states 9am-9pm for Washington Square park? Or is it an all hours park?
Given it is open air, and therefore no theoretical lines would any day be advisable to go? Or is there particular days where it is nicer to enjoy the park and/or other special aspects, people watching etc? Will be a first time visit to NYC! :)
Written 24 February 2015
Not sure about the opening hours either, but as far as when to go, I would have thought weekends would be best.
We were there on a Sunday in November and there was plenty of activity between buskers and people milling about. Sit back and chill time
Written 24 February 2015
Aí perto tem uma pizzaria boa e barata com um pedaço de pizza enorme por 5 dólares: Artichoke Basille's Pizza (111 Macdougal Street).
Tem um outro na mesma rua, que se chama Mamoun's, me indicaram, mas não fui. Tem comida árabe e dizem que é muito muito barato (119 Macdougal St).
Written 29 December 2014
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