Washington Square Tourist Guide - New York City

Located in the heart of Greenwich Village in the borough of Manhattan, New York, Washington Square is a unique place with plenty of charm and character. This is a place where people from all walks of life come, and is an area that has energy and a vibrant atmosphere. The square stands on what used to be a burial ground, with half being a nameless burial ground and the other half being a German burial ground.

Washington Square enjoys a rich and varied history, having been built in 1826. By 1833 a row of houses had been built to the north of the square, and this row of red brick houses simply became known as 'The Row'. Toward the end of the nineteenth century the north side and south side of the square were very different, with the south side being heavily populated with immigrants, and the north side attracting the wealthy.

There are two main attractions that usually bring visitors to Washington Square, and these are the fountain and Washington Arch. The area does enjoy something of an eerie past, as after its use as a burial ground it then became a place of execution and a public gallows. Despite this dark past, Washington Square is a popular area that attracts a variety if visitors, and offers its own unique and somewhat Bohemian culture.

When you visit Washington Square take in the seventy seven foot marble arch, which is Washington Arch, along with the pier sculptures of Washington as General and President. Also, relax and take in the beautiful fountain at the square, which is one of the other attractions that brings people flocking here.