Union Square

New York

Union Square showing heritage elements and a city
Union Square featuring a square or plaza and a city
Union Square
Union Square featuring outdoor art and a statue or sculpture
Union Square which includes a statue or sculpture, a city and a park

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Union Square

The Manhattan at Times Square
The Manhattan at Times Square
4 out of 5
790 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is P5,885 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P5,885
P9,654 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star 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 (4,376 reviews)
"The location and staff are incredible!"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

The Manhattan at Times Square
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
The price is P11,195 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
P11,195
P15,625 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,499 reviews)
"Prime location"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Lotte New York Palace
Lotte New York Palace
4.5 out of 5
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY
The price is P25,646 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
P25,646
P31,245 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New York. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,523 reviews)
"Nice experience. Only thing was the beds are actually full and not queen. Coming from Texas it was an adjustment"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Lotte New York Palace
Hotel St. James
Hotel St. James
2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
The price is P8,638 per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
P8,638
P10,110 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,075 reviews)
"Great service!"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel St. James
Hotel Edison Times Square
Hotel Edison Times Square
4 out of 5
228 W 47th St, New York, NY
The price is P7,279 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
P7,279
P11,140 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 2 restaurants, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,598 reviews)
Great fam vacation
"This was the perfect spot for our family of 5! We appreciated the security, doormen, included breakfast, and room cleanliness. Location was wonderful!"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel Edison Times Square
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
The price is P9,845 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
P9,845
P13,753 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,773 reviews)
"Lobby had been under construction for a while now. Hence it is super crowded and busy."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
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 showing a fountain

Greenwich Village

Travelers choose Greenwich Village for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station and check out top sights like 5th Avenue.

Greenwich Village
West Village showing a city, signage and cbd

West Village

Consider a visit to Bleecker Street and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in West Village. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or 14 St. Station (7th Ave.).

West Village
The High Line Park featuring a city, a garden and street scenes

Chelsea

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
SoHo - Tribeca which includes a city

SoHo

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

SoHo
Macy\'s featuring signage, street scenes and a city

Garment District

Garment District is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Macy's and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.

Garment District
Midtown featuring a bay or harbor, a sunset and a city

Midtown

4.5/5(5 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

Union Square