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    Bowling Green

    4.1 (77 reviews)

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    Pavol C.

    Bowling Green Park - This park feels like a small green oasis in the middle of busy Lower Manhattan. It is historically significant and at the same time very pleasant for a short rest. Benches, greenery, and a calm atmosphere make it an ideal place to pause during the day. I especially appreciate the contrast between the quiet park and the bustle of the surrounding streets.

    Immigrant Heritage Plaza at Bowling Green
    Susan C.

    A lot of reviews mention the history of the park being the oldest NYC park established in 1773, etc. so I'll just comment on the layout and overall experience. This plaza is located between Broadway and Broadway, that's right--it's located where this famous avenue splits into two at the very base of Manhattan, directly north of the American Museum of the American Indian, also just north of Battery Park. At the north tip of the park the Charging Bull stands poised to rush, a bronze sculpture commonly associated with Wall Street (also nearby). Usually a couple lines of tourists form at all hours seeking a photo at the front and rear of this anatomically correct animal. The immediate grounds inside the fenced portion of the park is flanked by tall trees that provide a good amount of shade in warmer months. There are benches encircling the fountain where you can sit and enjoy your lunch and take in the fountain. Overall the park is well maintained. There are usually a handful of street vendors (halal food, hot dogs) parked nearby, though if you walk further east toward away from the water toward more office buildings, a wider variety of street food is usually available during weekday lunch hours. Easy to reach via public transit since Bowling Green subway station (4/5) and Whitehall Street (R/W) trains are on the same block. Public buses also stop nearby. Would not recommend driving as street parking can be difficult and garages expensive.

    Alexis B.

    Bowling Green is NYC's oldest public park, and it's actually much older than the city - it once served as the council ground for Native American tribes (the National Museum of the American Indian is just across the street). It might be small, but it's a great place to take a breather from the crazy of the surrounding area (you don't feel like you're just paces from the lines of people waiting to get a photo with the charging bull statue!). There are a bunch of benches, a fountain, and some beautiful flowers. I stopped by last weekend for a few minutes of calm with my coffee and book. It was a treat.

    Fountain at Bowling Green Park
    Travis T.

    During my first visit to New York City years ago, I didn't think much of this little park when I first walked by it. But as I read up on it and realized how historical it is, I now have a greater appreciation for it. It is the oldest public park in New York City going back to 1733. In fact, the surrounding fence is the oldest fence in New York City. It was erected in 1773 to protect an old statue of King George III. The statue was pulled down after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Bowling Green Park has served many purposes over the past couple centuries. It was renovated in the 70's after years of neglect. Today it has a large fountain in the center and park benches around it to sit on. Bowling Green is a part of the Wall Street Historic District and is surrounded by buildings and skyscrapers. Nearby is the Charging Bull statue and Battery Park.

    Rezwana N.

    One of my fav spot , such cute little spot to just chill out ! You can also visit the Museum near by & its free also . The bull is right beside the park , so if you are traveling don't miss that . I got lucky with the red Tulips lol, Was out trying to celebrate Bengali New Year & on my way I ran into this beautiful Red Tulips ! You know I gotta take pictures...!

    Park Entrance.
    Theodosios C.

    PUBLIC PARK: The oldest Park in NEW YORK CITY with many National Historic Places and Landmarks located within walking distance. In 1626 the DUTCH purchased MANHATTAN at this site from the LENAPE Indians for the cost $24 worth of goods. WORTH VISITING.

    Bowling Green, New York
    Bruce K.

    Before you deal with the crowds and nonsense over there at the Charging Bull https://www.yelp.com/biz/charging-bull-new-york-3?hrid=hvFS2oYpPNqhYij7bAx7cw, take a moment to gather your thoughts in this park. It is the oldest public park in all of Manhattan and the fence around it is the original from the 18th century. Prior to being a park, it was a cattle market in the 17th century and the location of the city's first public well. Yeah, the history of this area goes back. And yes, before the Colonies were here, this is rumored to have been the spot where Dutch Governor Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan for $24 worth of merchandise in 1626. You can definitely spend more than that for merchandise now! Lots of benches and it is quite well shaded. [Review 18351 overall - 349 in New York - 1873 of 2022.]

    Denise W.

    Bowling Green is location right in front of the National Museum of the American Indian and right behind of the famous Wall Street Charging Bull. The park is centrally located in the Financial District. Many tourists are in the area on a daily basis. Surrounding bowling Green are many street vendors and it is close to a subway station. Super easy and accessible park. I came here in April 2022, so the flowers were not fully bloomed yet and the trees were looking a bit bare. I bet you in the summer time the park is beautiful. This is a nice small public park for people in the area to enjoy. I love how NYC has all these small parks everywhere.

    Nighttime
    Ruwan J.

    small park, close to the Wall Street Bill statue. relatively well-maintained, a fair amount of seating, with a large fountain in the middle. a good place to catch a breath, sip on some coffee, eat lunch outdoors, or catch up on reading. once just here, having lunch and taking a moment to relax. worth a stop by if you need a short break from the traffic of the city or life

    Entrance
    Steve A.

    A lot of history is in and around this grassy area. Bowling Green is the oldest park in NYC. It's about as old as the city. Food carts and musicians are often around it. There's also many nearby attractions to check out. Bowling Green was literally the first park in the city. It looks like it's been here a long time. There's a few details on the city's website. It was a site that Native Americans used for their council grounds. The Dutch came in and took the land over. In 1626 it was the site where Manhattan was sold to Peter Minuit. The land was mostly vacant. In 1686 it was designated a public area. This casually researched information is your history lesson. I enjoy these older parks like Bowling Green. It's not big but there's still lots of activities going on around it. There's always a crowd taking pictures with the Charging Bull statue, which is on the north side of this.

    The Charging Bull Posted with Review 02/21/20
    Marianne W.

    Bowling Green is a small public park. It is the oldest public park in New York City and is surrounded by its original 18th-century fence. It is located in the Financial District of Manhattan. The Charging Bull sculpture is located on its northern end, while Battery Park is located to the southwest. The park is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places under the name Bowling Green Fence and Park. I've got lots of photos in this neighborhood. I'm posting my two favorite tourist spots. Family and friends enjoy the Museum after we visit the Charging Bull. Within the Financial District there's many sites to see. There's food for every budget. When you plan your visit to the park I suggest you research historic landmarks nearby. There's so much within an easy walk. This is the tip of Manhattan where a short walk covers many historic sites.

    It's not all that green and they don't do that much bowling here
    Fox E.

    Not to be confused with BOLO Green (which is where the cops hang out) and YOLO Green (which you can only visit one time ever in your life). Cute little park which is so tiny that you might miss it if you take more than three steps across it. It's right in the middle of the financial downtown which is an area that doesn't have a lot of parking, and you have to go quite a long way to get to a really serious park as you know. There's little green space here, and it's a shame that it can't be a bit bigger. It's kept up quite immaculately but don't try to make a scene in this park because the cops around here are not messing around.

    Charging bull
    Michelle M.

    PHOTO LINE?: My second time coming here. Chaotic this time everyone crowding around in no organized fashion. Last time I came there was a line and people took turns taking pictures for each other so things moved fast and you got an unobstructed photo. They need to bring back this structure! I decided not to fight through the crowd and didn't take another photo figuring the one I got last time was sufficient enough. You can take a pic in front of the bull by the face or by the butt with its balls. OTHER: Police car with two cops nearby, but they weren't monitoring anything. There was a guy climbing on top of the bull, and they just stood there behind the crowd chatting without saying anything. Guess if he falls he can't sue? Not sure. OVERALL: used to be higher stars for me, but now just A OK 3 stars due to the chaotic photo op compared to the organized line they had the first time I came.

    Everybody's trying to get a shot w/ the bull.

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    15 years ago

    iconic place to take pictures. But be prepare to fight the tourists to take a picture with the bull.

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    Always a influx of tourists and children itching to climb on top of the bull for photos and grabbing the horn.

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    Bryant Park

    Bryant Park

    4.6
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.7 mi

    Just blocks from Times Square and the Theater district in Midtown Manhattan, Bryant Park is…read moredirectly next to the main branch of the New York Public Library. It's a park that my wife and I have passed by during the day on visits to New York City. But we finally saw it come alive as a community gathering place at night, with its many tables to talk or eat, permanent and temporary food trucks and carts, and a large greenspace lawn that was cordoned off this night, but can be the location for free summer movies on the lawn and an ice skating rink in the winter. On a warm summer night, the night atmosphere was magical, especially walking through the walkways with the London plane trees, after a great Broadway show. The current park is 9.6 acres and is located on two city blocks (5th and 6th avenue on the NW/SE, 40th and 42nd street on the NE/SW). The western half of the park contains a lawn, walkways, and a french-inspired carousel. Down below are the repository/stacks of the public library, located on the eastern half of the park. It opened in 1847 as Reservoir Square, later renamed for abolitionist William Cullen Bryant in 1884. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s. In 1980, the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation was formed as a non-profit, to try to create a long term solution for the maintainability of the park. Massive renovation was planned and implemented, with a complete rebuilding of the park (after the library stacks had been first built underneath). It reopened in 1992, to great acclaim. Since then, the value of the real estate around the park has greatly increased, attracting new development. The reclamation of the park has been often used a model for a successful urban renewal.

    If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you notice about Bryant Park is how everybody…read moreis trying so damn hard to act like they're having the time of their life. I walk by there on my way to Grand Central Terminal to get Metro North to my goddamn job at the law firm whichbis 45 minutes away, its so far,I think im gonna quit. It's right behind the New York Public Library on 42nd Street, trapped right in the middle of all these massive, skyscrapers looming over the trees like giant glass monsters. ​During the warmer months, they've got this giant green lawn laid out, and people sit around in these little green metal folding chairs looking like they're in some kind of advertisement for happy urban living. You see all these tourists and families sprawling out on the grass, taking pictures of each other with their fancy phones and fancy shopping bags and laughing at what seems to me like absolutely nothing. They sit there eating overpriced sandwiches and pretending they aren't surrounded by millions of tons of steel and exhaust fumes. It depresses hell out of me, it really does. Every single one of them acts like they just discovered nature because someone put a patch of sod between 5th and 6th Avenue. ​Then in the winter, the whole place transforms into this "Winter Village" deal. They put up a big ice skating rink right in the middle and surround it with all these tiny wooden kiosks selling fifty dollar scarves and gourmet hot chocolate whichbis pricd probably at about ten bucks. The tourists go completely crazy for it. You watch these parents pushing their little kids out onto the ice in those goofy plastic skate aids. Half the grownups are wobbling around like they're about to break a leg, but they keep smiling for the cameras because they want everyone back home in Ohio Belgium or wherever they are from to think they're having a marvelous time in New York. ​I mean, the kids are alright, it's actually kind of nice seeing a little kid who hasn't been ruined by everything corporate yet having fun on the ice, but the whole commercial spectacle of it kills me. Everybody's acting, and everybody knows everybody else is acting, but they just keep on doing it anyway. ​It's not the worst place in the city, I guess. If you need to sit down for ten minutes and watch a bunch of outta towners pretend to be relaxed, you could do worse. Just don't buy the hot chocolate unless you want to spend your last ten bucks on hot water and cocoa powder.

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    Fountain view
    Fountain view
    Skating rink
    Skating rink
    First snow of the season

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    First snow of the season
    St. Vartan Park

    St. Vartan Park

    4.1
    (22 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    Nice big park great for different age groups! Entrance on 1st ave for big playground and bathroom…read more Plenty of benches and equipment to play on. There is also a basketball quart and small field. Pretty clean and safe.

    Slowly trying to hoop at all the basketball courts in the city, so I came here after work before a…read morelong weekend. We were on our 4th game of 5 on 5 on this slanted, slippery court with double rims as the Midtown skyline looked over us. We had gone 3-0 and already on wobbly legs but wanted one more to really push ourselves to exhaustion and be WHOOPED. A group of 5 17 year olds showed up and I was lowkey like damn I don't wanna play these little kids for our last game but whatever, they got next. We were going back and forth, and to be fair they were actually pretty good but just too frail to give us any problems. At 5'10 174 lbs, I'm a BIG guard. I'm left handed, but shot a right handed floater fading to my right as I'm trying to get better. If you can hit a weak hand floater on the run you will be tough to stop. I bricked it and this little 17 year old kid goes "that's a TERRIBLE shot" looking at me dead in the eyes. Like bro y'all are losing and you suck why you talking? He woke me up and I started actually trying really hard and lowkey busting their ass... but tbh normally I'm not even that good. It was just one of those days where everything was falling. I hit a 3 and yelled out "THAT'S A LAYUP." I drove hard left, euro stepped and hit a tough finish through 2 and yelled "I"M TOO BIG," while flexing. I switched onto little homie and he took a terrible stepback shot after I turned him 3 times and bricked it. I just whispered to him "I don't even gotta say nothing after that one it speaks for itself" which really pissed him off. Then I hit the game winning 3 and did the Dame wave to him as he walked off the court PISSED as hell. I sat down and then he got the courage to say "STOP TALKING SO MUCH" while he put his hand together to mimic me YAPPING. I almost stood up and said "HOW BOUT U GET WIN?" But then I realized I'm a grown ass man and there is absolutely no reason to be jawing at this little kid on a beautiful Friday in New York City. I just kind of laughed at myself and asked what is wrong with me lol. All in all, these runs were kind of weak and this court is in horrendous condition. The court on the westside highway is still my favorite in the city. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov_reviews

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    St. Vartan Park
    Park entrance
    Park entrance
    Summer colors in 2025

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    Summer colors in 2025
    Herald Square

    Herald Square

    3.4
    (93 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Ian's Cookie Jar (Located in Herald Square Holiday Market)…read moreW. 35th. St. & Broadway New York, NY 10001 The Bucket Located in the Herald Square Holiday Market adjacent to Macy's is a chocolate chip cookie kiosk. This secret recipe was handcrafted by food influencer Ian Martin and Hungry Gnome bakery owner Danielle Sepsy. All cookies are freshly baked on the spot in these cookie ovens. An entire batch is immediately scooped up with a french fry scooper and handed off for your enjoyment. The Bucket: The primary ingredients in these cookies are all butter, brown sugar, and premium Callebaut chocolate. As soon as you try your first one, you will be far from done. They are warm and crispy on the outside while gooey on the inside. As a bonus, the holiday themed visual design on the bucket was hand drawn by Ian's sister. There is a decent amount of seating at the holiday market for you to enjoy your dessert. Be sure to arrive early because Ian's cookies are immensely popular and they will sell out. Stop by Ian's Cookie Jar kiosk at the Herald Square holiday market and indulge in this warm, gooey treat during the most wonderful time of the year. #ianscookiejar #chefdaniellesepsy #IanMartin #thehungrygnome #TheBucket #chocolatechipcookies #HeraldSquare #heraldsquareholidaymarket #nycholidaymarket #imma_eat_this #callebautchocolate #40cookies

    I really enjoy coming to this area of the city. So much to do and see, lots of shopping and food…read moreoptions. Madison square garden is also nearby. The historical Macy's Herald sq is here. It's beautiful in this area esp during the holidays. However, expect heavy crowds on weekends or after events like concerts

    Photos
    Christmas day at Macy's
    Christmas day at Macy's
    05/02/25
    05/02/25
    Holiday carousel

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    Holiday carousel

    Bowling Green - parks - Updated August 2026

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