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Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park, New York City: Address, Phone Number, Washington Square Park Reviews: 4.5/5

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Washington Square Park

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Washington Square Park
4.5
3,611
#100 of 1,390 things to do in New York City
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
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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.
Suggested 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
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Olio e Più
2,726
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Tuscan
Mille-Feuille Bakery
284
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • French • Cafe
Petite Boucherie
589
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • French • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Molly's Cupcakes
682
0.4 km$ • Bakeries • American
Amelie
451
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • French • European • Wine Bar
Faicco's Pork Store
362
0.5 km$ • Speciality Food Market • Italian
Numero 28 Pizzeria
1,125
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan
Beatnic - West Village
398
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Healthy
La Lanterna di Vittorio
370
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Pearl Oyster Bar
533
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Gluten Free Options
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Attractions
1,557 within 10 kms
Giuseppe Garibaldi Statue
7
6 mPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Greenwich Village
3,808
85 mNeighbourhoods
New York University
108
0.1 kmEducational sites
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU
12
89 mTheatres
Grey Art Gallery NYU
7
0.1 kmArt Galleries
No. 7 Washington Square
11
0.1 kmHistoric Sites
Judson Memorial Church
5
0.1 kmChurches & Cathedrals
The Gym at Judson
2
0.2 kmTheatres
Provincetown Playhouse
1
0.2 kmHistoric Sites
The Players Theatre
40
0.3 kmTheatres
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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
3,611 reviews
Excellent
1,914
Very good
1,401
Average
272
Poor
20
Terrible
5
Andy
Buenos Aires, Argentina303 contributions
Not as great as Central Park but…
Solo
The Washington Square Park may not be as charming as the Central but it still has it’s own uniqueness to it. The biggest highlight would be the Arch of Triumphe look alike but not much other then that. Also stay far from crazies there. There’s a bunch
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bwalsh_phx
Phoenix, AZ59 contributions
Nice part of town
Family
Spent some time in and around the park after a college tour of NYU. Love this part of town. Restaurants, thrift shopping, etc. And the park was bustling at the center of it
Written 28 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rich s
Ottawa, Canada22 contributions
Drug haven park
Went to this iconic park today, only to find that it is a haven for anyone wanting drugs. Horrible and a shame that nothing is done about this. Tables are set up everywhere, drugs being sold and used openly, with users sprawled on benches. To be avoided.
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nostalgiyeah
Bothell, WA1,771 contributions
A beautiful park in Greenwich Village
The stately arch in this park lacks much of the grandeur that usually accompany such arches in Europe and other parts of the world, but it feels just perfect in the Washington Square park. The arch is impressive, with a stately design indeed looks regal and somewhat reminded me of Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The park is located in Greenwich Village, beside New York University campus which would explain the large presence of students in the park on any given day. Not just students though - the park hosts a number of food carts, people selling handmade wares, artists, musicians and what not! The park itself is not huge, but it was fairly crowded with number of tourists and residents enjoying the evening sun when we visited and it exuded a very lovely vibe! Grab a coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice is!), take a seat on one of the numerous benches in the park and soak in the vibe - a very relaxing way to spend a few minutes (or even an hour or two) enjoying the views and sounds of this city park.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda K
Knoxville, TN32 contributions
A Nasty Park
Family
We walked through this park as part of a tour. It was incredibly nasty. Trash was strewn about everywhere, and it smelled bad. I would not want to spend any time here.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia14,230 contributions
The Village Central park
This is a nice square size park in the center of beautiful Greenwich Village. It's famous for the NYC Triumphal Arch and a nice fountain in the middle.
Park is always full of people so it's a nice place to people watch - street performers, chess players,... Mostly there's younger generation, as all around are NYU student blocks.
However, at night it becomes little bit sketchy so do take extra care - heavy weed smell and suspicious people despite heavy police presence.
Plenty of very good and cheap eateries around in the side streets.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MikeCardarelli
Buffalo, NY46 contributions
Cool, but DON'T PLAY CHESS
Yeah this place is cool for the fountain, the arch, and visually watching the chess players. But don't you dare sit down and play with any of them. First off, they start off nice, but then if they see you're not a "pro" who invested half their lives into perfecting the game, they get frustrated and downright mean, THEN WANT MONEY ON TOP OF IT.

I ended my game after a few minutes after he told me I'm stupid. As I was walking away he called me the gay slur and continued to yell at me as I walked away. This was even after I gave him a $10 tip for his time and pointers, even then he told me that his time was worth more than that.

See the fountain, see the arch, and leave.
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chukki27
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia100 contributions
Historical
Lovely park in the lower Manhattan.
Marble Arch is the iconic monument.
Direct view from the Arch, there is a Christmas tree behind it which was illuminated during my visit & The Empire State Building tower can be seen at a distance.
Park also has a corner for dogs too.
Park was crowded with students.even though the weather was cold.
Pommes Frites Restaurant famous for Belgian fries on MacDougal street is a short walk from this park.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Craig F
Leeds, UK286 contributions
Not pleasant
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 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,926 contributions
Always worthwhile
I walked through Washington Square Park in March 2022 and I have visited here many times. It was a cold and windy day so I did not linger. The arch is a good photo opportunity and so is the New York University campus which is near the park. I went to school at NYU so I had a lot of memories. Washington Square Park is very crowded and lively during the summer but I like going there during the winter when it is less crowded. After visiting the park, I headed to the East Village and you can also explore Greenwich Village which borders the park.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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