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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Neighborhood: 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 neighborhood. 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 neighborhood 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 wait 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
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 August 26, 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, CT2,118 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 May 12, 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
Sep 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 September 29, 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, Switzerland3,519 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 March 17, 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, UK372 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 January 21, 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 February 27, 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, Sweden790 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 March 7, 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.
Molly
337 contributions
Dec 2021
We visited Washington Square Park on 29th December.
It was very empty when we visited, though we may have just caught it at a bad time - early morning in the winter. In the summer, it must be nicer with buskers etc.
The arch is a good photo opportunity and there are NYU buildings surrounding it, so the area is nice at least.
May be coming back if I'm ever in the area.
It was very empty when we visited, though we may have just caught it at a bad time - early morning in the winter. In the summer, it must be nicer with buskers etc.
The arch is a good photo opportunity and there are NYU buildings surrounding it, so the area is nice at least.
May be coming back if I'm ever in the area.
Written January 5, 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.
JJK13
New York City, NY99 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I live nearby the park. I’m not sure who likes it better...me or my dog. Super pet friendly. Something is always going on artsy. Great musicians simply setting up shop. Such an easy place to visit for an out-of-towner and much better reflection of what it is like to live in NYC the other attractions.
Written January 12, 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.
Craig F
Leeds, UK494 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Not a nice park. Lots of noisy performers- too many so they were drowning each other out. Also, lots of people smoking weed (legal) but also taking drugs or clearly suffering the after effects of drugs.
Written May 1, 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.
nadi94
Staten Island, NY3 contributions
How long does the Christmas tree at Washington Square Park stay up until?
KARENSK_12
New York City, NY895 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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