Union Square, Manhattan

Plaza Manhattan plaza and busy civic gathering space

Union Square Park anchors a busy Manhattan intersection known for its Greenmarket, street vendors, political gatherings and transit hub; visitors pass through for shopping, cafés and occasional performances or protests.

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Union Square in Manhattan is a public plaza and surrounding commercial neighbourhood centered on the intersection of Broadway and 14th Street, known for its park, markets and civic gatherings. The square is a long-established urban landmark and transit hub in lower Manhattan.

The central green space contains pathways, lawns and several public sculptures; a high-profile farmers’ market operates multiple days per week and draws both locals and visitors for fresh produce and specialty foods. The square is a frequent site for political demonstrations, street performances and seasonal events.

Laid out in the 19th century as one of Manhattan’s planned public squares, Union Square developed into a commercial and civic focal point and has been repeatedly redesigned to accommodate changing traffic and public-use needs. It has long been associated with public gatherings and political speech.

Union Square sits at 14th Street where Broadway and Fourth Avenue/University Place converge, in the borough of Manhattan; it is bordered by retail corridors and is well served by multiple subway lines.

  • Greenmarket days: The outdoor farmers market operates multiple days per week (commonly Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and is a major draw for fresh produce and farmers' stalls.
  • Park size and use: The park area is compact, roughly 3.5 acres, and functions as a frequent gathering place for demonstrations, performances and community events.

What to See #

  • Union Square Park: A roughly 3.5-acre public park at the heart of the square with paved paths, lawns, and multiple public sculptures including an equestrian statue of George Washington.
  • Greenmarket: A long-running farmers market operating several days per week that supplies local produce and artisanal foods to the Manhattan area.
Union Square, Manhattan
Union Square Park, Manhattan, New York, NY 10003, USA (at Broadway & 14th Street)
40.7356, -73.9906
Union Square Park: Daily 6:00am-1:00am
Free (public park); vendor and market purchases extra

How to Get to Union Square, Manhattan #

Union Square sits at Broadway and 14th Street in Manhattan. Subway lines 4,5,6,N,Q,R,W,L, and PATH trains (to 14th St) all serve the neighborhood; many surface buses stop nearby.

Tips for Visiting Union Square, Manhattan #

  • Visit the Greenmarket (weekday schedule) early - local farmers set up fresh produce and it's easiest to walk through the stalls before crowds swell.
  • Use the pedestrian underpass at Union Square to move safely between the east and west sides rather than fighting street traffic.
  • On pleasant days the triangular park is full of chess players and impromptu performances - people-watching is as worthwhile as any monument.

Best Time to Visit Union Square, Manhattan #

Union Square is a public urban park best enjoyed during fair-weather months for markets, people-watching, and street performances.

Spring
April-June · 8-22°C
Comfortable weather for the farmers' market and outdoor events.
Fall
September-November · 8-20°C
Crisp afternoons and active streetlife; fewer tourists than summer.
Summer
June-August · 20-30°C
Lively markets and gatherings but also hotter and more crowded.

Weather & Climate near Union Square, Manhattan #

Climate

Union Square, Manhattan'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 (1214 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 36 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 22°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
14.3h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (115 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
14.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
19° 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

110 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 24°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

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