Union Square Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Union Square which includes a city and a square or plaza
Relax under shady trees near important statues and reflect on the early days of this national historic landmark, now nearly 180 years old.

While northern Manhattan has Central Park, travel south for Union Square. Enjoy this pleasant park as you see the sights between Lower Manhattan and Midtown.

The space was once a potter’s field near the southern end of Broadway, until it became an oval park surrounded by fences and hedges in 1839. Today’s Union Square was inspired by an 1872 redesign by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who created Central Park. Renovations over the years have made the park more accessible for residents and visitors. Appreciate the open spaces, wide paths, dog run, playgrounds and shady trees that make the area a welcoming place that can comfortably accommodate tens of thousands of visitors daily.

Since 1976, Union Square has hosted a farmers market with seasonal produce. Visit the Union Square Greenmarket on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays or Saturdays year-round to browse through the stalls on the outer edges of the park. Nearly 140 local producers display and sell fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and other items, from orchids to ostrich meat.

See the impressive statues throughout the park. At the southern end is one of the city’s oldest statues, an equestrian George Washington. Nearby is a modern statue of Mohandas Gandhi. Head north to the James Fountain and statues of Abraham Lincoln and the Marquis de Lafayette, who joined Colonial forces fighting the Revolutionary War.

Participate in the park’s Summer in the Square events, from morning fitness to lunchtime jazz to evening dance, with kids’ movies and arts and crafts. Sample culinary specialties created by local chefs at September’s annual Harvest in the Square festival. The Greenmarket sources produce for the event.

Surrounding Union Square are coffee shops, cafés, restaurants, bars and shops frequented by local office workers and students from New York University who live in nearby residential halls. See excellent off-Broadway productions at the Daryl Roth Theatre,DR2 Theatreand Union Square Theater just east of the park. Several subway lines stop below the park’s southern end.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Union Square Hotel Deals

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
4 out of 5
790 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is NZ$189 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
NZ$189
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
5.6/10 (4,316 reviews)
"Great location, great stay, will def stay here again and would recommend. Only thing is that their room maintenance is a little below par"

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2024

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel
Chelsea Inn
Chelsea Inn
3 out of 5
46 W 17th St, New York, NY
The price is NZ$299 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
NZ$299
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, premium TV channels, and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"This is a fabulous stay for simple lodging, pristine and easy in and out a great location for us"

Reviewed on 10 Jun. 2024

Chelsea Inn
Paramount Times Square
Paramount Times Square
4 out of 5
235 West 46th Street, New York, NY
The price is NZ$239 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
NZ$239
per night
1 Jul - 2 Jul
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (2,512 reviews)
"Property was under construction with areas blocked off but staff kept it safe and clean. Did not create any extra noise."

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2024

Paramount Times Square
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
4 out of 5
481 Eighth Ave., New York, NY
The price is NZ$303 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
NZ$303
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8/10 Very Good! (4,553 reviews)
Good hotel, good location
"Good for a business trip. Good service and central location. Facilities are a bit old but it was clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2024

The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel
Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1605 Broadway, New York, NY
The price is NZ$336 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
NZ$336
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,046 reviews)
"I liked how it was convenient to walk to different attractions and the hotel was super clean."

Reviewed on 15 Jun. 2024

Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hyatt Grand Central New York
4 out of 5
109 East 42nd Street, at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$306 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
NZ$306
per night
30 Jun - 1 Jul
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,586 reviews)
"Good location to everything"

Reviewed on 15 Jun. 2024

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Union Square

Greenwich Village which includes a fountain

Greenwich Village

5/5(8 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like 5th Avenue while getting to know Greenwich Village, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station to see more of the area.

Greenwich Village
The High Line Park showing a garden, street scenes and a city

Chelsea

4/5(27 area reviews)

Chelsea is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Madison Square Garden and Chelsea Hotel. See more of New York by jumping on the metro at 23 St. Station (8th Av.) or 23 St. Station (7th Av.).

Chelsea
Chelsea featuring a city

Midtown South

While you're in Midtown South, take in top sights like Empire State Building or Madison Square Garden, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 34 St. Station (Herald Square) or 33 St. Station (Park Av. S).

Midtown South
SoHo - Tribeca featuring street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people

SoHo

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in SoHo. Spend some time visiting top spots like The Apartment, and catch the metro at Prince St. Station or Spring St. Station to see more of the area.

SoHo
Default Image

Midtown

4.5/5(75 area reviews)

Times Square and Broadway are a few top attractions in Midtown. Hop around the city on the metro at 42 St. - Bryant Pk. Station or Times Sq. - 42 St. Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, soaring skyscrapers and acclaimed art galleries.

Midtown
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Lower East Side

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Travellers love Lower East Side for its fantastic nightlife, and you can see more of New York by jumping on the metro at Essex St. Station or Delancey St. Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Orchard Street Shopping District and Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Lower East Side


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