Union Square

New York

Union Square
Union Square featuring a square or plaza and a city
Union Square
Union Square showing a statue or sculpture and outdoor art
Union Square which includes a statue or sculpture, a square or plaza 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 Theatre 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
The price is CA $156 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
CA $156
CA $216 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & 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! (1,681 reviews)
"It was overall clean and when I had a spill in my room, the janitor cleaned it up. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The only thing I noticed was the vents in the AC looking pretty full."

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 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
The price is CA $231 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $231
CA $325 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (4,242 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2025

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel
Hotel St. James

Hotel St. James

2.5 out of 5
109 W. 45TH ST., New York, NY
The price is CA $232 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
CA $232
CA $271 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (6,244 reviews)
"Convenient and walkable"

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 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 CA $178 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
CA $178
CA $273 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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! (4,610 reviews)
"Stayed for four days and had a wonderful experience. The Hotel is in a great location and easy to get to many places especially when eating. Staff were super friendly and helpful!! I am never disappointed when I stay at Hotel Edison!!"

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2025

Hotel Edison 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 CA $257 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
CA $257
CA $363 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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! (5,994 reviews)
"Three special charges labeled destination charges were added to our bill. This was certainly surprising."

Reviewed on Aug. 15, 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager hotel

4 out of 5
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY
The price is CA $347 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
CA $347
CA $474 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & 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! (2,948 reviews)
"I appreciated everything about the place,food is as amazing"

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2025

PUBLIC, an Ian Schrager 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 which includes a fountain

Greenwich Village

4.5/5(31 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 cbd, café lifestyle and signage

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, street scenes and a park

Chelsea

4/5(161 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 featuring a city

SoHo

4.5/5(18 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
Default Image

Midtown

4.5/5(445 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
Default Image

Lower East Side

4.5/5(22 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: