254 Park Avenue South, Apt r3 Union Square

Restaurants

With a different restaurant every few steps, your meal options are limitless when in the Union Square neighborhood. Famous for it’s seafood, the Blue Water Grill (31 Union Sq. W.) lies directly on the park, while the Union Square Caf (21 E. 16th Street) is an area staple, with a menu that is sure to please people of all tastes. For a delicious meal from one of America’s greatest chefs, be sure to check out Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill (102 Fifth Ave), or for good, messy fun, head over to Brother Jimmy’s BBQ (116 E. 16th Street).. And don’t forget to try Max Brenner’s, "Chocolate by the Bald Man" (841 Broadway), for the best (and only) chocolate pizza you’ll ever have!

Attractions

UnionSquarePark itself offers a number of attractions, from the Greenmarket with its fresh produce, to the Holiday Market in the winter, where you can buy everything from jewelry to candles. A famous statue of George Washington resides in the park, as does the beautiful and historic Temperance fountain, as well as a brand new playground. For cultural attractions, the YeshivaUniversityMuseum offers many exhibits on the history of Judaism, or you can catch a movie at the Regal Cinemas Union Square Stadium 14.

For more information about the Greenmarket in Union Square: http://www.cenyc.org/greenmarket

Transportation/Getting Around

Union Square is a major center for almost all of the Subway lines of the city. One can catch the 4, 5, or 6 Lexington line trains, as well as the L, N, Q, R, or W trains. Many local buses also stop around the Union Square area, and cabs are aplenty.

Schools

P.S. 41 and H.S. 460 (Washington Irving) are located near Union Square, as well as many private schools including Friends Seminary, GraceChurchSchool, and WinstonPreparatory School. NYU, CardozoLawSchool, and the New School of Design are also located near the Square and have dormitories in the surrounding area, giving the area an exciting, youthful vibe.

Nightlife

With too many places to choose from, the neighborhood of Union Square is home to an infinite number of bars and clubs. Belmont Lounge (117 E. 15th Street) is just a few steps away from the square and offers a "hopping" dance floor, while Karaoke One 7 (29 W. 17th Street) is one of the most famous karaoke bars in the city. Heartland Brewery (29 Union Square W.) offers a wide variety of beer, and the Union Bar (204 Park Ave S.) is an area favorite for a good place to hang out.

Shopping

The area surrounding Union Square has everything from JCrew, Anthropologie, and Zara along Fifth Avenue to discount stores like DSW and Filene’s Basement on the Square. There is a Whole Foods right on the park, a Trader Joe’s and a Best Buy nearby, as well as the Greenmarket and other grocery and health food stores.

Other restaurants near Union Square:

• 15 East (15. E. 15th Street)- $$$- Japanese

• Devi (8 E. 18th Street)- $$- Indian

• Havana Central (22 E. 17th Street)- $$- Carribean

• The House (121 E. 17th Street)- $$$- American, Wine bar

• Republic (37 Union Square West)- $- Thai

• Vintage Irving (118A E. 15th Street)- $$- Tapas

For more restaurants near Union Square, check out New York Magazine’s Restaurant Section: http://nymag.com/restaurants/?f=food

Other bars near Union Square:

• Lillie’s (13 E. 17th Street)- Megapub

• Pierre Loti Wine Bar (53 Irving Place)-Winebar

• Splash (50 W. 17th Street)- Dive Bar

For more bars and clubs near Union Square, check out New York Magazine’s Bars Section: http://nymag.com/nightlife/?f=bars

Gyms:

• Crunch Fitness (54 E. 13th Street)

• NY Health and Racquet Club (24 E. 13th Street)

• New York Sports Club (NYSC) (34 W. 14th Street)

Dry Cleaners/Tailors:

• Fancy Dry Cleaners and Tailors (254 Third Ave)

• Tower Cleaners (106 E. 15th Street)

• J & J Harmony Cleaners (71 University Place)

Liquor Stores:

• Italian Wine Merchants (108 E. 16th Street)

• Frank’s Liquor Shop (46 Union Square E.)

• Crossroads Wine and Liquor (55 W. 14th Street)

Grocery Stores:

• Whole Foods (4 Union Square E.)

• Trader Joe’s (142 E. 14th Street)

• Morton Williams Supermarket (278 Park Ave S.)