Union Square, New York

Union Square (New York, USA) — description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

In the very center of Manhattan, at the junction of the Greenwich Village, Flatiron, Chelsea and Gramercy quarters, there is Union Square with a small well-groomed park, several monuments and a fountain. On one side there are solid buildings with expensive shops and banks, on the other – the buildings of New York University. Something is constantly happening here – a protest rally or a flash mob, a farmer’s fair or a skater competition, a concert by young musicians or a military band. Out of habit, it is even difficult to navigate this eternal bustle and find a place for a relaxing holiday. See itypetravel for geostatistics of New York.

A bit of history

The official story is that the square is named after the “unification”, that is, the intersection of the old post roads to Boston and Albany. Now it’s Broadway and Park Avenue. But there is another version – for 150 years, rallies of trade unions in defense of workers’ rights have traditionally been held here. In 1861, a record-breaking 250,000 people gathered at a proletarian rally.

A long time ago there was a cemetery for the poor, in 1830, when the city grew, it was closed and planted with trees. Gradually, the square was surrounded by business districts, but it itself remained an unpleasant place – illicit alcohol and drugs were sold here with might and main. But in recent years, the situation has changed dramatically, now it is one of the safest places in the metropolis.

What to watch

The center of the square is decorated with an equestrian statue of George Washington. It is believed that it was here that the New Yorkers met the army of colonists entering the city, led by their leader. On the south side stands the bronze Marquis de Lafayette, the first honorary citizen of the United States (the title is awarded once every 100 years, the second is Winston Churchill). The author of the sculpture is Augusto Bartholdi, the famous creator of the Statue of Liberty.

The monument to the great President Abraham Lincoln is devoid of any pathos. It looks very modest, but has a portrait resemblance to the original. On the east side of the park, the figure of Mahatma Gandhi is walking somewhere. Every year at the end of October, on the Diwali holiday, local Indians fill it with flowers.

But residents of the metropolis know Union Square mainly as a venue for farmers’ fairs. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the semi-circular area in front of the subway exit turns into a spontaneous market selling fresh vegetables, fruits and handicrafts from local farmers. Prices, of course, are higher than in supermarkets, but “straight from the garden.”

The alleys along the perimeter of the square are lined with cafes and souvenir stalls. Street musicians and jugglers perform in front of them. A lot of university students are lying on the grass, resting between lectures. Women with children are grouped near the children’s town with swings and climbing frames. Dog owners meet near a specially equipped area for walking. Lots of people are just strolling around hand-feeding cheeky squirrels and taking in the fashionable surroundings. From here begins the famous Ladies Mile – a fashionable shopping district on 5th and 6th avenues, the dream of expensive shopping lovers. The surrounding streets are also full of luxurious restaurants, hotels and boutiques.

Practical Information

Address: New York, Manhattan. Website in English

How to get there: Take the subway to the Union Square transfer hub.

Yankee Stadium

Yankee Stadium (New York, USA) — detailed description, address and photo. Reviews of tourists about the best entertainment in New York.

New York City, the “Big Apple”, is often perceived as a kind of concentrated embodiment of North America. Soaring skyscrapers, an abundance of neon light, noise, din and incredible contrasts. It is no coincidence that one of the iconic places in the city is the Yankee Stadium sports arena – the home and fortress of the famous New York Yankees baseball club in the USA. This place is worth seeing at least from the outside, because for America in general and New York in particular, baseball remains a source of independent pride and the most popular sport.

The first stadium on this site appeared back in 1923. But time is merciless even to stone, and therefore in our information age there is an urgent need to rebuild the sports arena. The project was completed in 2009 and the stadium is open for the start of the new baseball season to the delight of the fans. Which ended in an opening mast extravaganza when the Yankees defeated the Chicago Cubs.

The stadium was built according to the latest technology, but some continuity has also been preserved in the building – the features that were once inherent in the old can be traced in the building. In general, Yankee Stadium serves as a home arena not only for baseball players, but also for representatives of another sport – namely, soccer, which is gaining popularity on the other side of the ocean. The American Major League team, New York City, is based here.

The stadium can be visited either during the tour, or just by looking at the match. After all, it was here that Bruce Willis, in one of his famous Hollywood roles, once again saved the world. Needless to say, saved.

Practical Information

Address: New York, Bronx, intersection of River Avenue and East 161st. Website.

You can get there by subway – 50 meters from the stadium is the 161 Street – Yankee Stadium station.

There are group and individual tours around the stadium, which must be booked in advance by phone: (646) 977-86-87 or by mail [email protected]. Group tours are arranged every day from 9:00 to 11:40 and from 14:00 to 16:00 (if there is no game).

Cost: 25 USD, children 4-14 years old – 23 USD, up to 4 years old – free of charge. Prices on the page are for July 2021.

Union Square, New York