Tompkins Square Park
The East Village's storied square, from riots and punk history to hardcore shows, dog runs and farmers markets.
Example
Free hardcore matinees continue a punk lineage in the same square that saw the 1988 riots, alongside a dog run and a Sunday greenmarket.
Best tours and tickets
Curated from Viator. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
★★★★★ 4.8 · 14,887 reviews
From $59View tour
Related terms
Neighborhoods
East Village
The neighborhood east of the Bowery that birthed punk at CBGB and still runs on venues, dive bars and immigrant...
Ice cream
Ray's Candy Store
The East Village 24-hour counter since 1974 slinging soft serve, egg creams and fried Oreos to night owls.
Restaurants
Veselka
The East Village Ukrainian diner since 1954, famous for pierogi and borscht, back to 24-hour weekend service.
Parks
Central Park
The 843-acre engineered wilderness at Manhattan's heart, designed by Olmsted and Vaux in 1858.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tompkins Square Park worth a visit for a tourist?
As part of an East Village afternoon, absolutely: park, record shops, Veselka and Ray's within three blocks tells the neighborhood's whole story.
What is the Halloween dog parade?
The Tompkins Square dog costume parade each October, arguably the city's best free spectacle. Check dates, crowds are enormous now.
What can I combine with the park in one afternoon?
Veselka for pierogi, Ray's Candy Store across Avenue A and the record shops on the surrounding blocks. The whole East Village story sits within three blocks.
