Washington Square Park

Directions
Reviews
Gallery

Washington Square Park is popular with locals and tourists alike

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.

See the complete line of New York City Experiences on Viator

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: no

Washington 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 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

4 Star Rating 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 - in the last week

Show Less

5 Star Rating 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 - a week ago

Show Less

5 Star Rating A great park with a huge marble arch, a fountain, lots of benches and lots of NYU students and some very eccentric characters. The park has a kids playground and very clean rest rooms. The park is very safe even later in the evening. Always a very enjoyable and entertaining experience. Highly recommend this park.
Mike Zito - 4 weeks ago

Show Less

4 Star Rating Fun and lively park to hang out. This park holds nostalgic value to me since I went to NYU and I spent lots of time at the park in my 20’s. My daughter loves this park so much so we come here often after dinner and walk around. Live music, painter, bubble blowing, performance and so much fun things to watch.
Amy Kang - a month ago

Show Less

4 Star Rating Beautiful well-landscaped NYC park, favorite hangout place for the neighborhood. Packed with people at the time of my visit on weekday summer afternoon, too dense to my taste in this respect. Only Bryant Park in midtown sports higher density of visitors.
Mike Z - a month ago

Show Less

Read all Reviews Powered by Google Logo

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.