New York city's park that is always filled with artists, local merchants. Great place to people watch. It also hosts on Monday's Wednesday's Friday's and on Saturday's the biggest and most popular farmers market is still open. Come support your local merchants and farmers. Prices are reasonable and not inflated. Fresh produce as the spring season continues to roll in. Ramps, baby potatoes, baby carrots galore read more

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I love walking through here when the markets are open. They have year round markets. Today the holiday one was set up so in addition to the farm stands there were lots of booths to Christmas Shop. A lot of fun to walk through. read more

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I forgot how cool this spot in Manhattan is, Union Square is filled with tons of eateries, shopping, and bright city lights. I walk here but there's a subway station that will take you right into the park. The park itself isn't anything to super, but it's a popular hangout and meeting point for locals and tourists alike. I found out the during the summertime, the farmer's market is huge here! It's a bustling area that stays busy from morning until night. read more

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Excellent park, lots of shaded benches, a dog run, and a thriving market where you can buy fresh produce and other comestibles, as well as art, jewelry, etc. You might see a political action or Hare Krishna chanting. Play chess if you dare! read more

This has been, and always will be once of my favorite places in the city. Whether you're a teenager skateboarding or a corporate exec sitting on a bench and eating your lunch, Union Square is a place where people from all walks of life congregate to be themselves. In the summer it serves as a place with everything from chess tournaments to food festivals. You may get some random music popping up by a musician or you may see a pop up protest for any given issue. Regardless, it's place that is never the same twice, if you like surprises. In the winter it's beautiful around Christmas time. When the booths set up with various holiday foods, trinkets and music, it's one of the best places to be in the city. Ask any New Yorker and they'll tell you this area is a must at least once during the holiday season. In addition to that, there are lots of good surrounding restaurants in case you want to tie it all together. read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Lovely market with the thrills of fresh produce, lavender pillows and succulents as samples when walking through this place during farmer's market. I got my sun in for the day. Convenient spot for meet ups and pretty central to a lot of things. read more

What draws me here is the hodgepodge of culture and creativity. Hustlers allll over whether chess playing, dancing harikrishnas, street art vendors or ladies w/ fresh mango. Dope place to people watch and shop, just very busy- There are stampedes of people and nonstop traffic but many places to sit and watch it all unfold read more

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When my son was younger, he would practice his Diabolos (also called Chinese Yo-Yos), in the middle of Union Square Park. He was so good that he would draw large crowds! He flip them in mid air, I just hung in the background watching him do his thing. While my son was doing his thing, there are others with the same agenda. Some folks would talk about the US bank failure and have pamphlets to back up their theories, chess players, but the best are the folks giving free hugs. Now, anything for free I question. I'd walk up to them and mess with them: If I get a free hug are you gonna put a sign on my back saying KICK ME (I took a free hug from a 20 year old girl, no sign was on my back) Over the years I've seen movies being filmed, the famous Farmers Market, Big Gay Ice Cream truck got its start here and if you can believe it, the subway is here! Union Square Park - Its a small but always active and fun park read more

Union Square - Hola! - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

Union Square is a few blocks downtown Manhatten that has everything. Shopping and restaurants everywhere. You can probably eat every meal for weeks at a different place each meal. There's a big park here too. Plenty of subways and buses closeby. read more

This park always has something going on it seems every day of the year. From protests to art exhibitions to music performances to entertainers of all kinds. Can't forget to mention the terrific farmers market that features all types of local grown products. Great place to people watch, and the park is basically the anchor for the area's shops and restaurants. Subway stop for 4,5,6 lines are right there for easy access. But honestly to me this is more of a concrete park and not a true green park, and loses a star because it sometimes seems to have a dirty grungy feel to it. Still, it is an iconic place to chill out and take in the crazy ongoing scene. read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Union Square. I spent so many afternoons here after school let out back in my high school days. This was our preferred hang spot. Why? Because of the massive Barnes and Noble behind us, Whole Foods in front of us and all the shopping store around. The fact that so many trains come here and it's a great people watching spot was unimportant to us. Now as an adult, those are some of the reasons why I love coming here. I love to come here for the Farmer's Market to scope out all the lovely veggies and fruits and cheeses and the like for sale in the fall. In the summer I like to come here for the art for sale everywhere and the holiday market is also a gem. The bathrooms seem to have been replaced with loads of port-a-potties around the perimeter of the park. Not a big deal since I make it a point not to use public restrooms if I can help it. (I'm easily grossed out by even the most minor of offenses.) It's really fun to overlook the whole park from the cafe on the third floor of B&N and see what everyone else is doing. You run into lots of protesting being done here and really it's the perfect spot for it because of it's visibility and location. (Graduated from a school who believed in letting us out of class to go protest and more often than not, it was always happening here.) For some people the crowds would be irritating but for me it isn't. Being in introvert, I like being lost in a crowd in park/marketplace because it allows me to be around others without having to really interact. Best of both worlds really. read more

Union Square - Art for sale - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Another favorite place to hang out on a sunny day! I love to go to the Green Market! There are plenty of food places and shopping in the neighborhood. The artists sell their goods. People play chess. It's a typical NYC experience. This is another park that has a ton of history behind it. Read the plaques along the perimeter. You can spend hours soaking up the history of this city!! I intend to return to get pictures of the plaques. read more

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I came here for my numerous Meetups as the Regal Union Square movie theatre is nearby as well as shops like Sephora; Crumbs; DSW; and Whole Foods. This park hosts an outdoor farmer's market (weather permitting) and flea market there are many start-up artists selling their artwork of photos; drawings, paintings, buttons, jewelry, etc. I rate this park four stars due to lack of benches. On sunny days, like any other park, Union Square Park is always packed. At times there are rallys and vigils held here. read more

This was cool. Fun little park to distractify while we waited for our next touristy event. They had some sort of Farmers market. But we didn't have much interest in that. Our interests lay in the kiddie park! My daughter who is a small 12 had a blast hopping all around the place. My wife and I sat for a little bit and chatted then I went in to have a little fun with my daughter and get a few pics. Not sure what this place looks like at night but it was a nice park during the day. Makes me want to live in Manhattan, all the nice parks they have. read more

Union Square - Such a great place. - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Friday and Saturday farmers market, go once or twice, just GO!!! Don't miss the best assortment of food wine and cheese from the best New York State agriculture and farms have to offer right here in NYC- No tolls required !! Beautiful spring flowers and quite an arrangement of fungi ! Go next weekend and grab some local love from the hard working NYS farming families! Don't forget a tasting of Moonshine, bootlegged from Connecticut- read more

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Five enthusiastic stars for this lively, happening park. Not to dis any other parks, but Union has its own unique history, culture and atmosphere. I love it because of all these things and more. This is not a park where you come to meditate, but it is the park where you can meet up with a friend, sit on a bench and have a coffee and even bring your baby (I'm referring, of course, to dogs. There is a dog park here, but that is a separate review). Union Square has so much life - like the Greenmarket (another, separate review), charity functions like dog rescue fund raisers, protests/demonstrations and just the daily passersby that make this park wonderful. This park is special because of all these things. You can bring a blanket to sit on the grass or sit on a bench. Great spot to meet friends/make friends. Conveniently located where east meets west. I've loved this park for years and will never stop. read more

Ah, Union Square ...Emerge from the depths of the NY subway and behold the Union Square Market. On weekends and during holidays, merchants and local artists speckle the park in booths set up displaying an array of rainbow glass blown ornaments, carved wood, graffiti art, photography, paintings, bowls of fresh spices, and hot mulled cider for a dollar a cup. (See pics) This park is home to dog walkers, people watcher, lovers, quarrelers, and city slickers with shopping bags. Highly Recommend. *Items can be pricey, don't be afraid to bargain. It's NYC! read more

Union Square - Woman selling handmade Ornaments - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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Yuppies, hipsters and tourists, OH MY! Crazy section of the city that has tons of stores and people. There is a nice park in the middle of the chaos. When people say "let's brunch", this is where most people end up. I feel as though I am too old for this area... read more

I was pleasantly surprised as I got off the R line train at Union Sq and walked up and out onto a farmers market which gave a festive atmosphere to the park. The park itself is a historical treasure/landmark which I'll have to get into when it isn't as cold as it was. I saw so many statues and plaques and I really can't wait for the day when I can have a proper stroll through. It's surrounded by lots of stores such as clothing, books, cosmetics, supermarkets, pubs, banks and restaurants. It's really an interesting tourist area and I haven't the foggiest why in the past when I needed to be what I truly am, a tourist, I would only vist areas such as 42nd st and Grand Central. I am definitely coming back! The End (for now) read more

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Union Square Park is always busy and it's a great place to people watch. On the weekends in the summer it can be like an outdoor festival with the green market and artist displays. Then you have your live entertainment from the young performers dancing to the skateboarders just hanging out. You have your protester groups and tourists just hanging out taking it all in. There are several statues and tons of trees and benches. Most times I am either speed walking maneuvering through the crowds to get to the train or sitting down in the park waiting for a friend and people watching. I work in a homeless shelter in NYC so I am used to seeing a lot of homeless and people who appear to have some mental health issues. You see a lot of homeless in the park and it's sad that they don't take advantage of services available to them. However, I've never felt threatened in the park. Union Square Park is definitely a must see place to check out if you're in the area just to experience the eclectic and diversity of people you will see that make up our great city. read more

Quite nice square to hang out at! Went here for the first time with my cousin and we just chilled here while waiting for some other friends. I loved the atmosphere of the park. The atmosphere was so welcoming and the attitude here is to soak in each minute at a time with those around you. Citi bank was hosting bubble mania for those at the park, and the little kids went crazy over the bubbles...I partook somewhat in bubble making ;) read more

Union Square - FairyCrysta and the Porkchop, cousins 4evaaaa!!! XD - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

We've walked through this square during the market on several visits to NYC. There are many stands with lots of good looking fruits and vegetables, food, and craft items. We enjoy looking at the all the vendors' products but don't buy anything since we are just visiting the city and don't want the burden of carrying any purchases. Nevertheless, we do enjoy looking around. read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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I just love being here. There is always something happening. Sometimes I just want to stand in one place and take in all the action, the sights, the sounds, the people. It is surrounded by great shopping and is close to all subway stations. read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

This is a square in a busy area in Manhattan. People hangout here a lot or have their lunches. There's a George Washington statue here. You can see the art installation Metronome from here. There's a subway line in the middle of this square as well. Squares are important because it breaks up all of the close buildings and allows for a space where people can chill, rest, or hangout within the city. There are small markets like farmer's market that take place here too. The square isn't as beautiful as I expected it to be. It's also a refuge where homeless people sometimes hangout. I crossed paths with the square when going to Strands bookstore. read more

Union Square is a large park north of NOHO in Manhattan. It's always open and people often go for the Farmer's Market. Farmers and local are a businesses set up dozens of tents every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for visitors. They have fresh produce, cheese, honey, flowers, coffee, baked goods....just about anything! read more

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It is very crowded here in the weekends. On a sunny day everyone is out here to shop at the Farmer's Market which has grown leaps and bounds one day it will take over the entire park. Lots of hipsters here, tourist, and locals. It's the area to be seen and find someone you know here. Skateboarders, Chess players, Artist and protesters just to name a few. Pretty park to take pictures. Tons of shopping across the street. You can find practically anything around the perimeters. From Barnes and Nobles, Staples, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and apparel shopping too. Lots of restaurants and eateries as well. Never a dull moment here at Union Square. read more

I haven't been by here since early March so it was nice to pass by on 7/7. I was in the area and wanted to go to this bakery nearby. There is no GreenMarket at the moment (of course) and not many people clustered there. I seen lots of outdoor seating around and plenty of space in between sidewalk and shops and the traffic area. read more

While many people know that Frederick Law Olmsted designed the iconic Central Park, not everyone knows that he also redesigned Union Square Park. Nor do many know that Union Square Park has a major role in the history of New York City. It was the location of many community organization gatherings in support workers rights and the environment. It also commemorates historical figures with statues of Gandhi, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. Today, tons of people visit Union Square Park daily - whether just cutting through on the way to work, emerging from the subway station under the park, college students and young people hanging out, couples canoodling, etc. It's one of the better places to people watch for sure. Also, the Greenmarket is awesome. In addition, the holiday market towards the end of the year is a great place to find uniques gifts and yummy treats. :) read more

It was a chill park that I met up with my friend. We sat and chatted but it was hard to find setting. There was live music which was cool to sit and listen to. It's a huge park so good for families or a date at the park. read more

I visited here this past weekend after the pierogi fest & loved walking through all the local vendors to see what they were selling. There was also live music which is always fun. Beautiful park to stroll through! read more

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One of the best park to go to and enjoy your time outside. I tend to come here more in late afternoon, kind of just looking for a spot to wind down for an hour or so. Typically you can see people playing chess, protesters. And the skater kids (but not as Many as late 90's ) just hanging out at the entrance right on 14th. Great spot to come in evening while waiting for a date or any friend to meet up with. You can get your food, typically halal food for me from the truck near Trader Joe's and just eat in the open on a nice evening. read more

One of the things which pleases me the most about Union Square is that it is actually square! One of my funniest episodes in New York was when I asked a policeman where Times Square was only for him to look at me oddly as if I was trying to be funny. He then told me that I was standing in Times Square - well, Londoners or anyone else who hasn't been to New York, let me warn you that Times Square isn't actually square but more like a very long and thin triangle! Union Square Park is a little quiet oasis in the middle of what can be a busy and bustling square. There are benches and shady trees to sit, relax and watch the world go by There's always interesting things happening in the square - the farmers market, the artists dispaying their wares, food trucks. Though a little touristy, it's still a cool part of town to hang out read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a world unto its own within the middle of New York City. There's so much happening within this park. It is small, but filled with a little bit piece of every part of New York City. There's music, chess players, a farmers market and people. So many people. Have a seat on the bench, sit back and watch. You will see a phenomenon. Oh and, the train station is also in the park. Very cool. read more

This place is perfect to grab a drink to sit down and relax in. Although it's a small park, there are many things to do / observe: Vendors and their food market Chess players going at it Performers doing their thing Dogs playing in one section, kids enjoying the playground in another Plus the squirrels are quite entertaining - they're just waiting to take the offer on a piece of bread and they become quite picture friendly. Pretty nice spot to go to after a day of strolling the area or from SoHo/NoHo. If you want to leave, the subway station in right there, so easy come and go. read more

Union Square - Just your friendly Union Square Park neighbor - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

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On Union Square Park, an area with a history of social activism. Union Square Park Bustle is thy game, loud, disheveled Hemmed all 'round Flatiron, Greenwich, Chelsea, Gramercy Where Temperance can be found Crowded streets grown of iron Hurried masses tumble on Parades, processions, banners, beatings Roiling crowds work their orders Teeming in from many borders Open voices, vigils held Be seen! Be heard! For soon you'll meld Union Square Park read more

The hub of Union Square. If you're taking the train, you don't even need to walk all the way here from whatever station you intended on. You can just emerge from the subway station that is right by the park. Lots of people of different cultural backgrounds gather here. Street performers, psychics, chess challengers, monks, sk8ters, & fake pigeons dot the landscape. Oh and let's not forget us, the pedestrians. During one of your adventures here, you might notice a vast array of tents in one area of the park. What's going on you ask? It's a Farmers Market where vendors peddle their wares and fresh produce at competitive prices. Transactions that once could only be conducted with primitive methods of payment in the past now include more modern methods--evident in the sophisticated tablets with card readers in each vendor's tent. To top it all off, nothing better than taking a brief respite by the benches, or steps, and staring back at the statues that overlook the Union Square. Park. read more

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I came here for the small park and walked around a bit to kill time while waiting for a friend. It's a cute park with lots of greenery in the middle of the city, so it's a nice place to unwind a bit and get away from daily activities momentarily. I went on a Saturday afternoon, so there was a farmers market-type event happening right next to the park, which added some flair to my afternoon stroll through the park! This is a child-friendly park with a small playground! read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

I love Union Square and fear for it's future. I wondered why the greenmarket folks were at the south end of the park this week, and why the chain link fence went up to corral pedestrians at the north end of the park. Well, I found out. One of Bloomberg's cronies on the Parks Commission (Adrian Benepe) happens to be spearheading a campaign to build a restaurant on the North side. And Benepe's project just happened to get a $5million dollar "anonymous" donation. And a certain multimillionaire restaurateur who happens to be a board member with Union Square Partnership is the popular choice for the new restaurant spot. Benepe denies any conflict of interest, but... You do the math. This pushes the greenmarket south. The greenmarket being moved pushes the street artists OUT. It makes less space for the activists and filmmakers and whackadoos that give the park some character. It cramps pedestrian style. And it makes a lot of money for someone who already has more cash and power than any of us little folks in NYC who use the park and make it an attractive destination. . This is of course coming on top of the closure of the central gathering place at Washington Square Park, which is being redesigned in a much less community-friendly way. Bloomberg's administration is essentially privatizing the parks in the worst possible way. Where will real people go now? read more

Union Square - Parks Near Me - New York, New York

Here are the rules for where you should go to fit in. The Skater - Please limit your activity to the North-West corner please, be sure to narrowly miss all the pedestrians making their way to the Subway/Starbucks The BMX biker - Please limit your activity to the South-East corner, please ensure that when you miss landing your trick, you launch your bike towards the nearest bystander at the crosswalk or steps. The Starving Artists/Crafts People - Please limit your activity to the South-West corner. I'd appreciate it if you would coordinate with your fellow artisans to create a blockade of tables in front of the Subway entrance directing all traffic towards the BMX Bikers or Skaters fully ensuring pedestrian injury. The Stoners / Emo / Goth Kids - Please stay hidden amongst the trees on the North-East corner. Use the water fountain to fill your bong whilst being passive-aggresive about the Stoners / Emo / Goth Kids encroaching your turf. Attempt to capture squirrels. Protesters / Soap-box standing crazies - Please congregate around the base of the George Washington Statue. I'm sure he's probably looking down on you thinking "I ought to come off my horse and kick your free-speeching ass, you're causing a ruckus" Either way continue on, it's part of the vibe here. Beggars / Charities / Pet Rescue - Please keep your activity around the outskirts of the South-West corner. It's safe to assume the closer you are to Gandhi the more philanthropic people will feel not to mention guilty that they haven't done anything for anyone else for a long time. Tourists - Feel free to gather en masse anywhere within the boundries of 14th & 17th street North-South and Union Square E & Union Square W East-West. The more confused you are in your congregating the better. In fact act completely shocked when someone tells you to get the fuck out of the way, then quietly jibber jabber with your tourist companions about how rude "they" were. Either way this park gets top rating for being so accommodating to all sorts of random folks. From vendors, the homeless, tourists, locals, artists, protesters, unemployed, celebrities and more this place is arguably *the* gathering spot. read more

This is one of my favorite parks in NYC. The park itself is fairly large, has a children play area, dog walking area, decent amount of seating and accessible grassy areas if you just want to spread out and just relax in the middle of a busy city. Weekly they have a farmers market setup at the park, I think that's on Tuesdays but it feels like it's there more often since I visit the park daily. Various street vendors setup just outside the perimeter of the park and you can even take up a game of chess with the local pro chess players that setup at the park steps. Winter time you'll find tons of vendor booths that sell trinkets and all kinds of holiday goodies. During the holiday season with the presence of the vendor booths the park can feel very cluttered so winter is my least favorite time to visit this park. But if you're a shopper you'll love the farmers market and the winter vendor booths. Outside the park there are tons of shops. One of my favorite parks that seems to have entertainment year round even if it's just watching some of the chess players are a street performer. read more