If you are in the Big Apple in summers, stop by Union Square Park for a couple of hours. You can see dogs running in the dog run, roller bladers competing for space, walkers and joggers busy with their routines while others busy in their recreational pursuits.

A host of many activities, this New York park is a favorite summer destination. You can find some of Manhattan‘s best restaurants and boutique shops bordering Union Square Park. You can buy flowers, plants and produce of all types at the popular Greenmarket at the park.

If you are there between November 24 and December 24, don’t miss the Holiday Market, where you can find various types of handcrafts, handbags and ornaments. Much like the Speaker’s Corner at Hyde Park in London, the square has been used for political rallies and corner speeches. In the recent past, it hosted candlelight vigils in honor of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Just a short stroll from the park, you can find other New York attractions such as Gramercy Park, Washington Square Park, the Empire State Building, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and the New York Public Library.

Blue Water Grill (212-675-9500), 31 Union Square W, serves American and continental cuisine. Experiment with their seafood menu and dine al-fresco here. At the nearby Pressure, 110 University Place, shoot pool and order from a full bar. The crowd here is mostly young professionals and university students.

The W New York Union Square offers a luxurious stay with modern home comforts, babysitting and a nice location close to major attractions. The Gramercy Park Hotel is located near the only private park by the same name in New York and shows off great pieces of art and furniture.

Trains: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th Street

URL: http://www.unionsquarenyc.org

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