Union Square Travel Guide

New York

Union Square
Union Square showing a square or plaza and a city
Union Square
Union Square which includes outdoor art and a statue or sculpture
Union Square showing a monument, a statue or sculpture and a garden

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


Top hotels in Union Square

Chelsea Inn

Chelsea Inn

3 out of 5
46 W 17th St, New York, NY
The price is ₹9,961 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹9,961
₹13,713 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, premium TV channels and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,651 reviews)
Great room for business travel
"The room seemed recently updated, especially the bathroom. Very nice shower. Perfect size for one traveler. I've stayed in other budget friendly hotels in Manhattan, and this one has them beat hands down. Great location."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Chelsea Inn
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 ₹14,598 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹14,598
₹21,013 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,717 reviews)
"Great location in walking distance to Times Square and there’s a subway at the hotel. Great rooms and central to most attractions in Manhattan. Next door to the Summit and Chrysler Buildings."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Hyatt Grand Central New York
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 ₹14,412 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹14,412
₹20,306 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,894 reviews)
"It was very clean and rooms were comfortable."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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 ₹12,986 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹12,986
₹15,204 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,152 reviews)
"It was really nice. I was looking for somewhere clean, safe, and friendly to stay. The front desk was awsome and ended up getting early check in."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Hotel St. James
Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace

4.5 out of 5
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY
The price is ₹43,812 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
₹43,812
₹53,047 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
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! (1,550 reviews)
"Awesome location, super helpful and upbeat staff, amazing view of cathedral and nice clean rooms. Oh also loved the courtyard area. Overall fabulous experience!"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Lotte New York Palace
Arlo Midtown

Arlo Midtown

4 out of 5
351 West 38th Street, New York, NY
The price is ₹15,444 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
₹15,444
₹20,990 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New York. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5,696 reviews)
"Clean and convenient"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Arlo Midtown
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(41 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like 5th Avenue while getting to know Greenwich Village, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Christopher St. - Sheridan Sq. Station or W 4 St. Station to see more of the area.

Greenwich Village
The High Line Park showing a garden, street scenes and a city

Chelsea

4/5(111 area reviews)

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 showing a city

SoHo

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

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

SoHo
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Garment District

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Macy's to Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre – discover Garment District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Garment District
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Midtown

4.5/5(437 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
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Lower East Side

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Travellers love Lower East Side for its fantastic nightlife, and you can see more of New York by jumping on the metro at Essex St. Station or Delancey St. Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Orchard Street Shopping District and Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Lower East Side


Union Square Travel Guide