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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See what travellers are saying
  • Niamh B
    Alvesta, Sweden57 contributions
    Lovely park but scary
    We have planned to get a dounut and sit and relax in the park but the amount to homeless/ unstable people was scary. There was tons. We ended up taking a few nice pics then we left. We were shouted at my a few and a couple of fights broke out. It was a real shame as the park is nice but not relaxing
    Visited May 2022
    Written 19 January 2023
  • JenRed2014
    Buffalo, New York912 contributions
    You never know what you’ll see!
    We visited the park on a beautiful sunny day in January. There were lots of people out enjoying the sun with their dogs, kids, each other. We saw an artist or two sketching, some food vendors, lots of pot “vendors”, a few performers, and a peaceful demonstration. With this park, you never know what you’ll see! Today was pretty tame! There is also a public restroom, which can be hard to come by in the city!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 February 2023
  • Jack
    Old Bethpage, New York770 contributions
    Pretty Park
    Great place to sit on a bench and drink Starbucks on a nice sunny, summer day. It’s very pretty with tons of shade and plenty of benches. It in a great part of the city and I highly recommend!
    Visited August 2022
    Written 21 March 2023
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, California16,407 contributions
    Lots of Activity Always
    I always enjoy this park as it is so lively, a nice sample of New York life with music, activity, people hanging out. And it is located in the middle of one of the most interesting and exciting parts of town. With the iconic arch.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 19 July 2023
  • kfsvc78
    Springfield, Illinois106 contributions
    It just ok
    Park is well balance. Playground, the square arch monument , fountain, chess area it another place to see in New York while you are in town. Visit during the day there a quite amount of sketchy people 😬
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 August 2023
  • The Trusty Trip Gal!
    England, United Kingdom114 contributions
    Don’t Sit Down The Rats May Cuddle Your Feet!
    We was having a late walk around this area and took a walk through the park to have a look at the arch. It’s quite a pleasant walk, there were plenty of people around at night. The arch is bright and nice to see. I would never sit down in this park. I couldn’t believe how many rats I saw just in that one place! Coming out of bins, crawling through the bushes and under the benches. I was cringing seeing people sat on the benches with a rat less that a foot away from their feet! The arch is pretty to see but I wouldn’t stay in the park for long.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

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Excellent
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Poor
23
Terrible
6

Karine R
Gaithersburg, MD5 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I enjoyed the park. It's pretty, but I enjoyed the people who make going there an interesting group.
Written 14 October 2023
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.

A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK1,313 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We finished our walking tour here on a Saturday lunchtime. The park was crowded with people which I guess is to be expected when the sun is out at the weekend but it just doesn’t have the pleasant vibe of parks in Central London.
It’s dirty, the benches are partly taken up with people openly smoking cannabis, there’s litter everywhere which entices rats n pigeons, just not appealing.
Written 13 October 2023
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 Trusty Trip Gal!
England, UK114 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We was having a late walk around this area and took a walk through the park to have a look at the arch.

It’s quite a pleasant walk, there were plenty of people around at night. The arch is bright and nice to see.

I would never sit down in this park. I couldn’t believe how many rats I saw just in that one place! Coming out of bins, crawling through the bushes and under the benches. I was cringing seeing people sat on the benches with a rat less that a foot away from their feet!

The arch is pretty to see but I wouldn’t stay in the park for long.
Written 11 October 2023
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.

Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,204 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Washington Square Park is the heart of Greenwich Village, a lively, progressive neighborhood in downtown Manhattan. While most visitors go for the iconic arch, the park itself is quite sketchy with a de facto marijuana row at the western side. Some homeless and drug addicts can be hostile and provocative to tourists.
Written 15 September 2023
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.

kfsvc78
Springfield, IL106 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Park is well balance. Playground, the square arch monument , fountain, chess area it another place to see in New York while you are in town. Visit during the day there a quite amount of sketchy people 😬
Written 14 August 2023
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.

Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,407 contributions
May 2023
I always enjoy this park as it is so lively, a nice sample of New York life with music, activity, people hanging out. And it is located in the middle of one of the most interesting and exciting parts of town. With the iconic arch.
Written 20 July 2023
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.

ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
there is Washington arch at the entrance, it may be the most attraction point in this park, there is also a playground and a fountain
Written 7 July 2023
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.

Nico Samneil Sy Salado
Newport, VT683 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Iconic from the movie “I am legend” by will smith. Symbolic arch by history. There needs to be a patrol guy that keeps the vandalisers away from messing the area. It is a instagrammable worthy place.
Written 4 June 2023
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.

Jessica S
Canada242 contributions
May 2023 • Business
Not a great experience. Sparsely vegetated and absolutely packed. Lots of garbage. Shouting and some violence. The arch is beautiful.
Written 20 May 2023
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.

matelajolla
La Jolla166 contributions
May 2023 • Family
We love Washington Square Park. It is where NYU spills out into the city. Super for people watching.
Written 15 May 2023
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.

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Washington Square Park (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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