Washington Square Park

A parade ground. A gathering spot for avant-garde artists. A battleground for chess enthusiasts. A playground for canines and children. Washington Square Park has served various roles for its community throughout the years, adapting to meet its needs. Well-known for its arch, honoring George Washington, the man for whom the park is named, and its fountain, the arch’s elder by 43 years and a popular meeting spot, Washington Square Park also houses several other monuments and facilities.

The park has become an icon for the Village and the City. Meg Ryan was dropped off by Billy Crystal at the arch in When Harry Met Sally. And, since the characters of the hit TV Show Glee moved to NYC—to attend fictional colleges in the Village—the park’s fountain and pathways are frequently seen on the small screen.