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.

Main image
Address
Union Square Park, Manhattan, New York, NY 10003, USA (at Broadway & 14th Street)
40.735556, -73.990556
Hours
Union Square Park: Daily 6:00am-1:00am
Admission
Free (public park); vendor and market purchases extra

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.

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

Nearby Attractions to Union Square, Manhattan#