Columbus Circle

Columbus Circle is a major traffic circle and public plaza at the southwest corner of Central Park in Manhattan, New York City, marking the intersection of Broadway, Eighth Avenue, and 59th Street. It combines a monumental statue, busy vehicular traffic, and a large transit station, making it a prominent urban node.

At the circle’s center stands a tall column topped by a statue of Christopher Columbus; the landscaped ring around it offers pedestrian access and sightlines into Central Park. Immediately adjacent are large mixed-use buildings with retail, cultural venues, hotels, and offices, so the area serves both tourists and commuters.

The site dates to the late 19th century when the monument was erected; the modern traffic configuration and surrounding commercial buildings developed through the 20th century. The circle also functions as a major subway transfer point with underground station entrances clustered around the plaza.

Geographically Columbus Circle sits at the boundary of Midtown and the Upper West Side, on the southern edge of Central Park in Manhattan, a short walk from Fifth Avenue and major Midtown landmarks.

• Location role: Located at the southwest corner of Central Park, it functions both as a vehicular roundabout and a major pedestrian and transit hub connecting Midtown and the Upper West Side.
• Viewing tip: The pedestrian areas around the monument provide good views into the southern edge of Central Park and of nearby high-rise facades at sunset.

What to See #

• Columbus Monument: A late 19th-century columned monument topped by a statue of Christopher Columbus, occupying the small landscaped island at the center of the traffic circle.
• 59th Street-Columbus Circle station: Major subway and transfer point located under the circle with entrances to the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station serving several subway lines and providing direct access to the surrounding shopping and cultural venues.