Madison Square Park is offers an oasis of calm in an otherwise busy area of central Manhattan. The park is located just south of the hustle and bustle of Midtown and north of the lively Union Square area.
A View on Every Side
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The park is right next to the Flatiron Building, and is only a 15-minute walk from the Empire State Building. Both famous skyscrapers can be seen from the park.
The Oval Lawn is a big grassy expanse at the center of the park and is a great place to lounge, sunbathe, or picnic. It is also the site of free concerts and performances throughout the summer.
A Pleasant Lunch Spot
This well landscaped park is a great spot to eat lunch. At midday, the lawns and benches are strewn with business people taking a break. The park has some audacious squirrels so don’t leave food unattended!
The Shake Shack is the park’s renowned burger and shake joint that often has a long line curving around the southern end of the park.
Shake Shack has two types of shakes: frozen custards and concretes (dense custard mixed up with add-ins like hot fudge and cookie dough). Floats and cones are also available and the hamburgers are outstanding.
If the line is overwhelmingly long, there are numerous delis and eateries around the park’s perimeter.
Fun for Families and Kids
With its playground and dog run, this park is a popular place for people to push strollers and walk dogs. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and offers lots of programs and activities, especially during the warm months.
Madison Square Park Music
The Madison Square Park Conservancy puts on free summer concerts on Wednesday nights and free Saturday afternoon concerts in the fall.
These concerts are fun and family-oriented. Many people come with blankets and a picnic dinner. It’s the perfect place to lie back on the grass, enjoy the warm summer air, and listen to live music.
More information on Mad. Sq. Music: madisonsquarepark.org/music
Madison Square Park for Kids
Every year the park hosts a Spring Kids Fest and a Fall Kids Fest with fun activities. There are also kid-friendly performances on the Oval Lawn and arts and crafts on the playground all summer long.
- For more information on Mad. Sq. Kids: madisonsquarepark.org/kids
- Fore more details on everything the park has to offer, visit madisonsquarepark.org.
Essential New York City Guide Tip
When leaving Madison Square Park, walk north along Fifth Avenue to get one of the city’s best street-level views of the Empire State Building. Photo opportunity!
Location and Directions
Madison Square Park is located between Madison and Fifth Avenues and between 23rd and 26th Streets. Broadway intersects Fifth Avenue at the southern end of the park.
To get there by Subway, take the R, W, or 6 train to 23rd Street.