Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is popular with locals and tourists alike
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Where Harry met Sally, Washington Square Park is one of New York's most loved parks and has been a community meeting place and community center since it opened in 1826.
With an eclectic past as a cemetery, public gallows and military parade ground, Washington Square Park is well-known for its eccentricity and is emblematic of the Beat generation and hippie movement in bohemian Greenwich Village. Now, avant-garde street performers are a more common sight than the shifty types that plagued the park in the 1980s and Washington Square Park is once again one of the city's most popular spots for locals and tourists.
One of the most prominent features of Washington Square Park, Washington's Arch, was built in 1889, modelled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, to commemorate the centenary of President Washington's inauguration. Originally built in wood and rebuilt in marble in 1891, cars were allowed to drive through Washington's Arch until 1971 when the park was redesigned and closed to vehicular traffic.
Washington Square Park's previously unnamed fountain was recently refurbished and relocated to the center of the park and controversially renamed the "Tisch Fountain", after a wealthy family of NYU benefactors. While officially access to the fountain is denied and a fence has been erected as a deterrent, it hasn't stopped visitors from using the fountain for its original purpose as a wading pool.
Children's play areas, dog runs, shady greens and walking tracks draw thousands of people to park daily. Chess tables in the southwest, where Stanley Kubrick played in his youth and featured in Searching for Bobby Fischer, always attract a crowd. Nearby cafes on Bleeker Street and MacDougal Street are lovely options to relax after a stroll in the park.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: noWashington Square Park Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Thursday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Address: Washington Square, New York, NY 10012, USA
Official Website: Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park Reviews
Rated
There is a lot of energy in this park, and it is worth stopping by. First of all, it is beautiful. Second of all, you never know what you will find. I feel like it is still a very eclectic gathering place - there are artists, performances, dancers, drum circles, and pretty much anything you can think of. It is a very interesting atmosphere, and it is great to have a place to sit and just watch the world go by, look at the art, see how other people react to things. It also has a really interesting history, which I think adds to the overall energy of the place. In my opinion, there is no other place in the city like it.
Еаликино Абинореал - 3 months ago
It's a great congregating spot. Always full of people, performers, and sound! Never a dull moment. Sure to see something interesting here. Also, seems pretty full of tourists and college students since it's right next to NYU.
One video is from a Pride gathering. Def wouldn't go back again since it was ~packed~ with people and that isn't necessarily my vibe anymore, but it was cool to go and see what was going on!!
Kazz Chang - 2 months ago
Washington Square Park is a lovely spot, situated right next to NYU, making it a perfect place for students and locals to relax. The park is always lively, with people sitting around, enjoying the scenery. The central fountain is a standout feature and adds to the calm atmosphere. It’s a nice, small park ideal for chilling out, reading, or just people-watching. With its prime location and welcoming vibe, it’s a great place to take a break from the hustle of the city.
Sunny Ghosh - 4 months ago
There is a lot of energy at this park, and it's worth a stop. First of all, it's beautiful. Second, you never know what you'll find. I feel like this is still a very bohemian hang out spot- it's full of artists, demonstrations, dancers, drum circles, and just about any and everything you can think of. It's a very exciting vibe, and it's nice to snag a spot to sit and just watch the world, watch the art, watch how other people react to things. It also has an extremely interesting history that I think adds to the overall energy of this spot. In my opinion, there's no other place in the city quite like it.
Melody Craig - 4 months ago
Washington Square Park is a compelling testament to the evolution of public spaces and their power to shape collective experience. Once a potter’s field, where the remains of an estimated 20,000 individuals rest beneath its surface, the park now thrives as a cultural epicenter—a place where history intersects with modern vitality.
Its two dog runs are more than just spaces for canine recreation; they are vibrant laboratories for socialization and behavioral observation. These runs attract experienced dog handlers whose insights contribute to a deeper understanding of canine psychology.
The park an invaluable forum for exploring complex cases, engaging in dialogue with seasoned professionals, and refining practical approaches to dog training.
Washington Square Park also serves as a stage for the pulse of New York City. It draws NYU students, street performers, and a parade of modern influencers, including TikTok creators conducting interviews and political activism. The park’s lively ecosystem is not only a magnet for the curious but also a powerful symbol of how public spaces can shape and reflect society’s evolving values and interactions—human and canine alike.
Hoiping Ngo - a month ago
Directions
Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
A, B, C, D, E, F or M | West 4th Street | 3 minutes |
N or R | 8th Street / New York University | 5 minutes |
How to get to Washington Square Park by Subway
Take the A, B, C, D, E, F or M train to West 4th Street, head northeast on 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), turn left on Washington Place or take the N or R train to 8th Street / New York University, head southwest on Broadway, turn right onto Washington Place.
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Accommodations near Washington Square Park:
Photo Gallery
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Washington Square Fountain at night cc licensed photo by eschipul -
Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: edenpictures - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: David Jones - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: mattk1979 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jeffrey - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Elvert Barnes - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: edenpictures - cc license via Flickr
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