Astor Place area was always a favorite of mine. I worked a couple blocks from the train station at…read moreAstor Place so I was always walking around the neighborhood. There's lots of shopping, food and more around Astor Place. When you need a break this Plaza is a relaxing place to stop. I can't speak for other times of the day but early morning when I was visiting on September 19, 2019 it was clean. I enjoyed looking at the sculptures. The area was not overly congested with people. If you're in this historic neighborhood you may want to visit this location.

We all know it's about hitting up this pedestrian plaza after some drinks with your crew along St…read moreMark's or at McSorleys to play with the cube. Can't help but spin the cube when I'm there. It used to be a lot easier a bunch or years back, but over time and the elements it seems like moving a mountain. Needs some WD-40!

Union Square - I've probably walked by or through hundreds of times by now. About time to write a…read morereview! :) LOVES: - the Greenmarket: with lots of fresh produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, condiments, seasonal wine, cider, syrup, flowers, etc. with products all sourced regionally in the NY metro area. Where chefs, locals, tourists, and everyone in between come to procure foodstuffs and ingredients. Open Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat. - the digital clock on the southeast corner: called the Metronome, from 2000-2020 it counted forward like a regular clock and backwards for each 24-hour interval down to 1/10th of a second. Since 2020 it's served as a Climate Clock, counting down at current emissions rates, how long it will take to burn through our "carbon budget", or how long we have left before hitting 1.5 degrees Celsius in global warming, which signifies destructive and irreversible climate impacts. - special programming like art and cultural festivals, including music and dance performances, food & drink festivals, occasionally parades that pass thru. I love that they have annual programming for dance groups of different ethnicities and backgrounds to perform. - people watching: it's a sociological survey to grab a coffee or drink, sit at a bench and observe loafers, loungers, rally attendees, work out buffs, chess players, break dancers, lunch breakers, skate boarders, artists, shoppers, vendors, and passerby. QUESTIONABLE: - the state of subway and general cleanliness of the surrounding area. NYC just isn't the cleanest place, unfortunately filled with many people who don't care for their community cleanliness. Undoubtedly not the worst area, though hardly the best. - the amount of green space for a park--to me it feels somewhat lacking especially since the north end of the square is essentially a large parking lot. I think it used to be more green before that section was paved.

One of the nicer parks in NYC. There's always something going on here-- whether it's guys dancing…read morein the front, someone doing some public speaking, people playing dominos, kids playing, a farmers market, etc--- this park has it all. It's located near several businesses, you may be here taking a break or taking in the sights. They constantly have people cleaning up and attempting to keep things orderly.

One of the places you need to stop by in NYC. Try and win some chess games or just watch the dogs…read moreat the dog park. They have a few playground sections for kids.

Not a large park, but a pretty one. The Arch reminds me of Paris and of course, the film "I am…read moreLegend" exterior shots. I loved the Greenwich area. Would recommend checking out this park during the day.

This is a wonderful community garden. It isn't the best place to take people who aren't steady on…read moretheir feet, as much of the garden has stepstones instead of a path. This is a small, local community garden where locals each have their own plot, so please tread carefully and don't pick anything. Because of the private nature of the plots, there are no sidewalks inside the garden. There is a small patio area near the beehives and storage shed where you could read a book, eat lunch, or simply sit on a bench and enjoy the company of the flowers, squirrels, and birds. The benches are not commercial benches, so it really feels like you're in someone's yard. The fence is open limited hours. If you aren't able to get inside the fence, it's a perfectly enjoyable option to walk around the edge of the plot as there are sidewalks and it is considered a public area. While you're here, why not stop in at Morton Williams, open 24 hours, for some excellent options? There is a fellow who lives on this corner. You can't miss him - her has dread locks longer than he is tall, and the end of them are growing moss that makes him look like a tree spirit. He has a small grill and a bicycle. COVID-Specific info: Last year, the garden underwent some renovations. Due to COVID, the garden seems to always be locked up. The new fences feel hostile. I hope to feel differently when everything is alive again in the spring. As with most of the iconic homeless people, the dryad is gone. I hope he is enjoying a hotel bed in the NYC Homless-in-hotels COVID program.

I wouldn't call this green space anything special, but it's a pleasant place to walk through that…read morespruces up the neighborhood a little.

Honestly pretty underwhelming for a private park. I was able to get in by doing a guided tour with…read moreThe Players Club. The statue inside is dedicated by the Players. The park itself is pretty well maintained. You need the highly coveted key to get both in AND out of the park. When I was inside, felt like a zoo animal with everyone outside the park staring in at you.

Gramercy Park - "you shall not pass!" Unless you have one of the highly coveted keys... I could…read morecare less. Gates remind me of cages. What if you lose the key and someone locks you in??? And all the restrictions - no this, no that - no thanks. There is something very un- New York about a private park in the middle of the city. But that's well known already. The park was even referred to on an episode of Billions called "stop structural schmuckiness" The surrounding area is beautiful though - ornate iron work & gas lights. * And - Gandalf's original quote was "you cannot pass"

Stumbled upon this uber cute, quaint, triangular park right where 8th Ave and Greenwich Ave…read moreintersect (right across from a shop called Smacking Burger) and decided to eat said burger and chill here for a moment. It's one of the oldest parks in the city! Beautiful iron fencing + paved walkways + a garden area w/ a focal point water fountain and plants dotted throughout. It's so charming. Surrounded by historic buildings and classic architecture and well manicured scenery; the quintessential place for taking some photos, reading, relaxing with a simple meal (didn't see any tables), or people watching. Was pretty busy on a Wednesday around 6PM so a bench all to yourself maay sometimes be hard to come by, if you're looking for that sorta thing. I had a pleasant time sitting next to the woman who was eating her own snack. Easy trash can access inside the park, too.

Nice little place to sit and relax with a sandwich or drink from local cafes/shops . Many benches…read moreand very clean . Perfect pitstop location. (No public restroom )

Came here today with my family, to see what the hype is about. The building gave me the impression…read moreim about to have fun. Once I walked in, we got checked in & paid $90 for 3ppl. I like i better get my money worth. Once I got in, i was like this place is mad trash. It was small asf, I literally scan the place & i was done in 10mins. I like wtf is this, like thats it. I was bored & ready to go. Its cool for small kids, but for us adults not the business. FYI, yah hype it up on IG, & not living up to the hype. Overpriced & not worth it. ILL NOT COME BACK HERE EVER AGAIN.!!!!

My wife (Won-ok) and I had a surprisingly good time at the Museum of Illusions a few weeks ago…read more I've got to admit: It was not a place I would have ever cared to see. I've always been bad at math and science, and I've never had much use for illusions. I thought the museum was about magic tricks or something, but, fortunately, I was wrong. I'm so glad we checked this place out. The highlight of the day was the photo opp at the "Illusion Street Station" of the NY subway system. A very kind and enthusiastic staffer named Julie encouraged us to experience that exhibit, and even took awesome photos for us that are absolutely going up on our walls. She also explained the basic of what we were looking at, and kept it in simple terms so a math/science-challenged guy like me could understand. I learned a few cool nuggets on those subjects but that was all I could absorb. That doesn't matter, though, because the museum achieved its objective with me -- sparking curiosity and a desire to learn more about the subjects it covers. Won-ok loved it, by the way, because she is all about the world of illusions. If you're looking for a completely unexpected treat in New York, stop by the Museum of Illusions -- unless it's not really there.

Just a quiet little oasis of green and flora to walk around, reflect, and get away from it all…read more Very well cared for it since to take a walk through. There are also some benches in the middle of the area to relax on.

One of the small, fenced-in, extremely dense gardenlike parks that pack concentrated magic into a…read moretiny area. Minetta Triangle is one of my favorites, even if the gate is often locked and thus prevents use of the locely benches.

Bryant what? Central who? Washington Square, why when you can go to Madison Square Park. I keed…read moreabout the other parks. I actually love all of them for different reasons. But Madison Square will always be my favorite. It's kept fairly clean and is a nice size. Mostly for the working professionals and students in the area, it's an awesome spot to eat lunch, with a great food selection in Flat Iron. It's home to the OG Shake Shack, which stands there til this day. There is also an awesome dog park there. This park is great at all times of the year, so don't hesitate to go now.

The most notable thing about Madison Square Park (at least for me) is that it's the location of the…read moreoriginal Shake Shack. Besides that, I never paid much mind to the park, especially in light of the fact that it's not in my stomping grounds. Nevertheless, I had just finished brunching nearby and since it was such a gorgeous day out, I decided to take a walk through the park and check it out. MSP is not large - the center of it is a large green space with paths on the perimeter that contain walking paths and benches. In addition to the Shake Shack, there's also a small seating area nearby where you can sit and eat, or just hang out. The park is ideal of people watching, eating your lunch, or just walking around a space that contrasts the hustle and bustle of the surrounding areas. Because of the weather, it was a little crowded but still pleasant. Overall, MSP is fine - it's not worth coming to unless you're in the area IMO, but a pleasant spot nonetheless.