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
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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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,662 reviews
Excellent
1,929
Very good
1,421
Average
281
Poor
24
Terrible
7
Berti H
10 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Going there during the day for a few photos could be okay but be aware that the area is a bit sketchy. We did not expect this, since there are a lot of positive reviews, but immediately after getting off the subway I had a bad feeling about it. We went to the arch to take a few pics and left as soon as possible because we didn’t feel safe. Massive amount of homeless people in the park. The whole area smelled awful. We didn’t even go inside the park as we saw from the outside that it’s a place we don’t want to go through. Next time we’ll make a more thorough research before visiting any place if the city. Quite a shame, I imagine it could be nice if they did something with all the sketchy people around there.
Written May 9, 2024
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.
soinic
Lux.2,478 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
A great impressive arch (reminded me of the "Arc de Triomphe" in Paris 😉), also a nice fountain ....
We went there in the morning and were bystanders at a special "show" ! Plenty of NYU students had graduation "photo shootings" and were nicely dressed up for this happening 🌞, very cute.
Busy with plenty of tourists, but also local people enjoy this little green oasis.
A lot of benches, but many were dirty/bird poop .... the whole park smelled of weed, which is allowed to be smoked in NYC (I noticed that many tourists aren't aware of this policy and were kind of apprehensive/thought they were visiting a "dangerous drug dealers park" 🤣 ).
Don't miss this place 🤗
We went there in the morning and were bystanders at a special "show" ! Plenty of NYU students had graduation "photo shootings" and were nicely dressed up for this happening 🌞, very cute.
Busy with plenty of tourists, but also local people enjoy this little green oasis.
A lot of benches, but many were dirty/bird poop .... the whole park smelled of weed, which is allowed to be smoked in NYC (I noticed that many tourists aren't aware of this policy and were kind of apprehensive/thought they were visiting a "dangerous drug dealers park" 🤣 ).
Don't miss this place 🤗
Written May 8, 2024
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.
Jack
Old Bethpage, NY2,287 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Beautiful as always. Washington Square Park is a great park to relax in, walk through, ride your bike through, or to just see the arch. I highly recommend.
Written March 15, 2024
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.
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 October 14, 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, UK2,717 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 October 13, 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, UK243 contributions
Sept 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 October 11, 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, China19,648 contributions
Sept 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 September 15, 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, IL115 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 August 14, 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, CA16,259 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 July 20, 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 States11,824 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 July 7, 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, NY892 contributions
Till after Christmas, probably till New Year's day
Craig Henaghan
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK177 contributions
hi, what kind of shops are there?
shellyf
Brooklyn, NY673 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, NJ120 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, NJ120 contributions
The dogs are all on leashes and not threatening at all.
SaberX
Perth, Australia701 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, Ireland123 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, RJ1,800 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, RJ479 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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