Madison Square and Madison Square Park
Plaza Manhattan public park near the Flatiron Building
Madison Square Park sits beneath the Flatiron Building and became famous as the site of the original Shake Shack; visitors come for the park’s seasonal public art, food carts, and close-up views of Manhattan architecture.
Madison Square and Madison Square Park are a public green space and surrounding urban district in Manhattan, New York City, dating to the 19th century and long established as a civic and commercial node. The park functions as a small urban oasis amid the Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods.
The space served 19th-century civic uses before becoming a formally planted public park; it has undergone multiple restorations and programming changes, with a major revitalization led by a conservancy in the early 2000s that renewed plantings and public-art activity. The park has long been associated with the commercial growth of the surrounding district.
Situated in Manhattan’s Flatiron/NoMad area, the park lies near the intersection of Fifth and Madison Avenues and is within easy walking distance of the Flatiron Building, Union Square, and midtown Manhattan destinations.
- Original Shake Shack: The original Shake Shack kiosk opened in the park in 2004 and remains a popular informal gathering point for locals and tourists.
- Flatiron views and art: The park offers a clear view of the Flatiron Building from its southern edge and hosts rotating public art installations throughout the year.
How to Get to Madison Square and Madison Square Park #
Take the New York City Subway to 23rd Street (N, R, W trains at 23rd & Broadway; 4, 5, 6 trains at 23rd & Park Avenue; or F, M at 23rd & 6th) or the 28th Street station on the R/W. Numerous bus routes also stop along Madison and Fifth Avenues; the park is a short walk from Penn Station and Union Square.
Tips for Visiting Madison Square and Madison Square Park #
- Sit on a bench and watch lunchtime rituals-the Shake Shack story began here as a 2001 park restoration 'hot dog cart' that still draws lines.
- Approach from Madison Avenue to see the Flatiron and the park's planting beds in sequence.
Best Time to Visit Madison Square and Madison Square Park #
Madison Square Park is a city park best enjoyed in spring and autumn when planting and light make the manicured spaces most attractive.
Weather & Climate near Madison Square and Madison Square Park #
Madison Square and Madison Square Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1219 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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