Union Square, Flatiron District, Gramercy Park

As Broadway marches north and west across Manhattan, it forms a series of squares beginning with Union Square at 14th Street, the site of the first Labor Day Parade, held in 1882. Now, the Union Square neighborhood is a thriving cultural, business and education hub. Throughout Manhattan and beyond, the vibrant community is celebrated for its top-notch restaurants, diverse retailers, excellent universities and hospitals and one of the city’s most popular parks. The area is served by 14 bus routes, 14 subway lines and PATH access to New Jersey and has ten off-Broadway theaters.
 
Union Square Park, the staging ground for numerous historic rallies, demonstrations and gatherings hosts a popular greenmarket, where more than 70 farmers bring fresh produce, baked goods and more every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to the city’s inhabitants. During the holiday season, the southern end of the Park becomes the Union Square Holiday Market. One of the best places in the city to people-watch year round; you can review the never-ending parade of people or surf the net. Bring your computer to Union Square and log onto the Internet through the free wireless node. For a free guide to theatres and restaurants in the area, contact the Union Square Partnership at info@unionsquarenyc.org

Historic Madison Square Park is the vibrant center of Manhattan's Flatiron District offering flourishing gardens, lush lawns and cultural programs for all ages. Located on 6.2 acres between 23rd and 26th streets and Fifth and Madison avenues, the park is an oasis for those who live and work nearby, at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Tower and the triangular Flatiron Building. The park's Shake Shack is a popular lunchtime destination due to its burgers, thick shakes and "concretes." Trendy restaurants dot the Flatiron district, but others prefer the tried and true—the burgers at the Old Town Bar and Restaurant, at 45 East 18th Street, in business since 1892.

The park marked the end of "ladies mile," the city's most fashionable shopping district along Broadway and Sixth Avenue, the location of the original Macy's and Tiffany's. Retailers and restaurateurs have rediscovered the ornate facades and shopper-friendly dimensions of the Flatiron District.  Some say Madison Square Park is the birthplace of baseball, since Alexander Cartwright formed the first baseball club, the New York Knickerbockers, here in 1845. Now, the park accommodates more modern hobbies and offers a free wireless node.

To its east is Gramercy Park, located between East 20th Street and East 21st Street and between Park Avenue South and Third Avenue. This small, fenced park is accessible only to residents of its surrounding townhouses. A walk around the park, especially at Gramercy Park West and South, within the historically designated district, offer views of some of the most prestigious residences in pre-Civil War New York. President Theodore Roosevelt was born one block west of the park. The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace is at 28 East 20th Street, open Wednesdays through Sundays, 9am–5pm. For more information, visit nps.gov/thrb.

Another local legend is Pete's Tavern, which first opened its doors in 1864 and has remained open ever since, making it an official historical landmark and the longest continuously operating bar and restaurant in New York City. Not even Prohibition forced Pete's to close its doors: it remained open disguised as a flower shop. O. Henry wrote Gift of the Magi at his favorite booth by the door in 1904.

The subway stop in Union Square makes this 24-hour community easily accessible by the N, R, 4, 5, 6 and L lines.