Washington Square Park
Greenwich Village's marble-arched square, the city's stage for pianists, chess hustlers, NYU life and protest.
Example
A grand piano is usually parked under the 1892 marble arch while chess hustlers work the southwest tables and the fountain doubles as a stage.
Related terms
Neighborhoods
Greenwich Village
The bohemian heart of Manhattan, crooked tree-lined streets that hosted the folk revival, Stonewall and a century of...
Pizza
Joe's Pizza
The Greenwich Village slice shop operating since 1975, widely cited as the benchmark for the classic New York plain...
Coffee
Caffe Reggio
The 1927 Greenwich Village cafe that claims America's first cappuccino, still pouring under dark oil paintings.
Parks
Central Park
The 843-acre engineered wilderness at Manhattan's heart, designed by Olmsted and Vaux in 1858.
Frequently asked questions
When is Washington Square Park at its best?
Warm weekend afternoons for full carnival mode, weekday mornings for the calm neighborhood version. Both are legitimate experiences.
Is it okay to play the chess players?
Yes, agree the stakes first, usually a few dollars a game. You will lose quickly and learn something.
What is there to do here with children?
The fountain in warm months, the performers under the arch and the playgrounds inside the park. It works as a break between Village walking and a slice nearby.
