Union Square is widely assumed to be named in honor of the preservation of the United States. What does its name actually refer to?

At the center of Manhattan, Gramercy Park stands as a rare, private green space conceived in 1831 by Samuel B. Ruggles.

Once a marshy expanse, Ruggles reshaped it into a peaceful refuge available only to local residents.

This guarded exclusivity preserves the park’s unique quiet in the heart of the city.

Upcoming Events

Experience the lively evolution of Manhattan’s Flatiron and NoMad with the latest in local dining, fitness, and community happenings delivered straight to your inbox.

The neighborhood has welcomed Felice Flatiron at 220 Fifth Avenue, bringing Tuscan-inspired Italian cuisine and stunning views of Madison Square Park in a grand, inviting dining room with soaring ceilings and a dramatic wine wall.

Culinary diversity grows with CHITORI, now open at 37 West 26th Street, offering a relaxed Japanese izakaya setting, yakitori, and shared plates that capture the district’s dynamic vibe.

District Street Festival

Date: June 27

Time: All day
Location: Along Sixth Avenue from 23rd Street to 34th Street.

Admission: FREE
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

Il Patio di Eataly Flatiron: Midweek Social

Date: June 24
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Il Patio di Eataly Flatiron 200 5th Avenue NYC, NY 10010

Admission: Buy tickets here.
Details: For more information, please visit the website here.

Manhattan’s parks provide a surprising sanctuary for birdwatchers amid the city’s bustle.

Central Park draws enthusiasts year-round, with spring and fall migrations bringing songbirds like warblers and thrushes, and winter offering views of Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.

Along the Hudson, Riverside Park boasts over 170 recorded species, from rare Snowy Owls to secretive Chuck-will’s-widows.

Business Spotlight

Chefs Rita Sodi and Jody Williams are bringing their acclaimed Bar Pisellino to the base of the historic Flatiron Building, expanding beyond their West Village roots for the first time.

The new spot promises the same beloved Italian espresso, cocktails, and light fare that made Bar Pisellino a neighborhood favorite since 2019, but now with the added grandeur of soaring ceilings and restored architectural arches in one of Manhattan’s most iconic buildings.

The Flatiron, completed in 1902 by architect Daniel Burnham, has a storied past with lively restaurants and jazz clubs, setting the stage for this fresh chapter.

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Union Square's name does not honor the federal Union. It marks the union, or junction, of two of Manhattan's main roads: Broadway and the old Bowery Road, now Fourth Avenue and Park Avenue South, which came together at this point in the early 19th century. The space first appeared on city maps as "Union Place" around 1815.