Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village

Hanging out in Washington Square Park is always entertaining. The playgrounds within are not the focus of this New York City destination, but they add to the iconic park, which dates back to the 1850s. It is best known for the Washington Arch, a 77-foot high marble structure first erected to commemorate the centennial of our first President's inauguration.

Of the play options, the most exciting is the Play Hills near the southwest corner. There are steep, turf-covered hills covered with rope nets – wide and low for scampering on all fours, and long (24 rungs!) and high (6 feet off the ground in the middle!) monkey bars. This area will entertain older kids for a while, and it’s also a space for younger kids to run around and roll down the hills.

There are also two standard older playgrounds here but with no particular theme or unique features. East of the Arch, the larger playground includes all the important elements: three separate structures at different heights for climbing and sliding, spray showers on concrete (including sweet, old spitting turtles), lots of sand, and swings (four big-kid, two baby, and a universal swing). A few minutes’ walk through the Park there is a tiny toddler playground with spring riders, a small play structure with a ramp and mini slide, baby swings, and a bronze cat (can you find it?).

What’s More? As you crisscross the park (which is a rectangle that spans 4 blocks by 2 blocks) to visit the play areas, you will likely pause – to join the crowds around the musicians, performers, or protestors; to take photos in front of the iconic structures; or to watch an intense game of chess. The Washington Square Park Conservancy works with the Parks Department to maintain the nearly-150-year old park and provides many free public programs.

Snack Time/Coffee Break? Around the park there are many shaded benches and within the main playground a few picnic tables, as well. There are cheap eats and treats nearby, in particular a walk on McDougal St. between West 3rd St. and Bleeker St. there are options for Belgian fries, crepes, and a few different ice cream shops. Starbucks is the closest fallback, on the south-east corner of the park.

Visibility/Safety: The playgrounds have good sight lines between structures and only one gate, which stays closed. The ground is mostly concrete with rubberized mats under the play structures. The Play Hills is an open space with steep hills and high monkey bars, so parents may want to be more vigilant here.

Bathroom Emergency? There is a bathroom with changing table located nearest the Play Hills.

Features: Baby swings, big-kid swings, universal access swing, monkey bars, slides, special climbing features, water sprays, sandpit, nearby snacks.

The bottom line: Washington Square Park is one of the great New York experiences regardless of whether you have kids. Go for the atmosphere, the chess players, the fountain, and the sense that the whole city passes through here eventually.

Gianna Abruzzo is EatPlayExplore's playground correspondent and the person who knows Manhattan's parks better than anyone. Brooklyn-born and mother of three, she has raised her girls on these playgrounds and spent years championing the parks that make this city liveable. She created a collection of embroidered iron-on patches to celebrate them. Shop her patches here and follow her on Instagram.