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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Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,622 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Niamh BAlvesta, Sweden57 contributionsLovely park but scaryWe 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 relaxingVisited May 2022Written 19 January 2023
- JenRed2014Buffalo, New York912 contributionsYou 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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 February 2023
- JackOld Bethpage, New York770 contributionsPretty ParkGreat 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 2022Written 21 March 2023
- Thomas VOakland, California16,407 contributionsLots of Activity AlwaysI 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 2023Written 19 July 2023
- kfsvc78Springfield, Illinois106 contributionsIt just okPark 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 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 14 August 2023
- The Trusty Trip Gal!England, United Kingdom114 contributionsDon’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 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,657 reviews
Excellent
1,926
Very good
1,421
Average
281
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.
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.
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.
nadi94
Staten Island, NY3 contributions
How long does the Christmas tree at Washington Square Park stay up until?
KARENSK_12
New York City, NY826 contributions
Till after Christmas, probably till New Year's day
Craig Henaghan
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK156 contributions
hi, what kind of shops are there?
shellyf
Brooklyn, NY703 contributions
No shops in the park but many shops on all the streets and avenues that radiate off the park.
Teddy_Llong
2 contributions
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 ?
yitz_1
Fort Lee, NJ125 contributions
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.
Yekaterina B
New York City, NY
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.
yitz_1
Fort Lee, NJ125 contributions
The dogs are all on leashes and not threatening at all.
SaberX
Perth, Australia698 contributions
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! :)
Gary W
Cork, Ireland113 contributions
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
elide m
1 contribution
os bons restaurantes da regiao
TKrut
Rio de Janeiro, RJ1,844 contributions
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).
elide m
1 contribution
quais sao os bons restaurantes por perto
Gustavo P
Rio de Janeiro, RJ525 contributions
Saigon Shack (vietnamita)
114 Macdougal St
New York, NY 10012
Greenwich Village
Mamoun’s Falafel
119 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
Greenwich Village
Bares
Vol de Nuit cerva belgas
148 W 4th St
New York, NY 10012
b/t Avenue Of The Americas & W Washington Sq in Greenwich Village
Peculier Pub dive boa carta cerva
145 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012
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Claim your listingWashington Square Park (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Square Park
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Washington Square Park:
- Greenwich Village Walking and Food Tasting Tour (From ₹ 7,914.51)
- Artistic, Alternative Greenwich Village Walking Tour (From ₹ 3,249.46)
- New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village (From ₹ 2,994.50)
- Greenwich Village Small-Group Haunted Ghost Tour, in NYC (From ₹ 2,499.58)
- Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in NYC (From ₹ 2,916.18)
- Hotels near Washington Square Park:
- (0.21 km) Washington Square Hotel
- (0.20 km) The Marlton Hotel
- (0.67 km) Moxy NYC East Village
- (0.72 km) The Bowery Hotel
- (0.59 km) Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
- Restaurants near Washington Square Park:
- (0.16 km) Il Mulino New York
- (0.21 km) Mille-Feuille Bakery
- (0.15 km) The Half Pint
- (0.22 km) Amelie
- (0.22 km) La Lanterna di Vittorio
- Attractions near Washington Square Park:
- (0.01 km) Giuseppe Garibaldi Statue
- (0.02 km) Kornblit Tours
- (0.02 km) New York Ghost Tours
- (0.10 km) Famous Fat Dave's Food Tours
- (0.08 km) Greenwich Village