Union Square, NY

New York

Union Square
Union Square featuring a square or plaza and a city
Union Square Park which includes a city and a high rise building
Union Square showing a statue or sculpture and outdoor art
Union Square showing a monument, a square or plaza and a city

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


Union Square Hotel Deals

Chelsea Inn

Chelsea Inn

3 out of 5
46 W 17th St, New York, NY
$163 nightly
The price is $190 total per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
$190 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
Total includes taxes and fees
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,671 reviews)
"Nice staff very Clean Quiet Area!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Chelsea Inn
Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

4 out of 5
811 7th Ave, New York, NY
$194 nightly
The price is $226 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$226 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and 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! (4,185 reviews)
"Checking was over hour long"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square 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
$218 nightly
The price is $253 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$253 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and 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! (5,957 reviews)
"Fast check in and check out. Rooms were clean and very quiet."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
Hotel St. James

Hotel St. James

2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
$190 nightly
The price is $222 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$222 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and 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! (6,223 reviews)
"The breakfast was excellent and the hotel staff friendly and helpful. I would stay here again in a heartbeat."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Hotel St. James
PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

4 out of 5
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY
$262 nightly
The price is $304 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$304 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 6 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,945 reviews)
"Hotel is lovely and beautiful."

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2025

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel
NEW YORKER BY LOTTE HOTELS

NEW YORKER BY LOTTE HOTELS

4 out of 5
481 Eighth Ave., New York, NY
$169 nightly
The price is $197 total per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
$197 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,715 reviews)
"Hotel staff were great, everyone was super friendly and accommodating. The hotel has a few good restaurants, which made grabbing a meal after work super easy. I don’t want to rate the beds too harshly because I’m used to a Tempur-Pedic mattress at home, so I don’t sleep well on spring mattresses. ..."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

NEW YORKER BY LOTTE HOTELS
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 neighborhoods around Union Square

Greenwich Village showing a fountain

Greenwich Village

4.5/5(466 area reviews)

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

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4/5(1,578 area reviews)

Primarily residential with a thriving art scene, this area boasts over 200 galleries, the High Line park, and Chelsea Market for food lovers. Easily accessible via multiple subway lines and bus routes.

Chelsea
SoHo - Tribeca which includes a city

SoHo

4.5/5(165 area reviews)

Discover cast-iron architecture in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District, and shop at trendy boutiques and chain outlets along Broadway, Prince, and Spring Streets. Easily accessible via multiple subway lines and bus routes.

SoHo
Midtown featuring a bay or harbor, a sunset and a city

Midtown

4.5/5(3,368 area reviews)

Central portion of NYC, Midtown Manhattan boasts iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square. Explore Broadway, Koreatown, and enjoy easy access to major transportation hubs like Grand Central Terminal.

Midtown
Lower East Side

Lower East Side

4.5/5(234 area reviews)

Lower East Side is highly notable for its fantastic nightlife, and you might want to visit top sights like Orchard Street Shopping District and Lower East Side Tenement Museum. See more of New York by jumping on the metro at Essex St. Station or Delancey St. Station.

Lower East Side


Union Square, NY

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