Washington Square Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

1. Washington Square Park

9.5
W 4th St (btwn MacDougal St & University Pl), New York, NY
Park · Greenwich Village · 710 tips and reviews

Mike C.Mike Campton: Grab a slice (or two) of Joe's famous pizza to go and sit in the park, people watching.

Andrea H.Andrea Hong: Love everything about this place because it's just perfectly New York. Sit around the fountain, people watch some crazies, and enjoy an impromptu show by whatever talented musicians happen to hang by.

VansiVansi: Great people watching with great music on the weekends.

Union Square Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

2. Union Square Park

9.0
Union Sq E/W & Broadway (btwn E 14th & E 17th St), New York, NY
Park · Union Square · 566 tips and reviews

Nick T.Nick Taylor: Great spot to eat lunch and people watch during the warmer months.

M. K.M. K.: Beautiful place to people watch and catch up with friends. NYC Classic.

Michael G.Michael Gesme: Best people watching on the planet- bar none. Plenty of famous people and crazies to go around too.

Bryant Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

3. Bryant Park

9.5
W 42nd St (btwn 5th & 6th Ave), New York, NY
Park · Midtown East · 1231 tips and reviews

Monica B.Monica Bloom: summer movies, winter iceskating, great place to hang out during the day and people watch

Kevin Michael R.Kevin Michael Reed: One of the best thinking and people watching spots in Midtown. Relax. Enjoy.

Aileen W.Aileen Wong: There's lots of things to love about this park - free classes, the ability to always find a table, and people watching. But don't miss their annual musical chairs event. It brings out the kid inside.

Bethesda Fountain is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

4. Bethesda Fountain

9.5
Terrace Dr (Central Park), New York, NY
Fountain · Central Park · 123 tips and reviews

Jenny S.Jenny S.: Great place for photo ops and people watching :)

Lafayette 148 New YorkLafayette 148 New York: Bridal parties getting their photos taken, outdoor fitness bootcamps and street performers all gather in one place – it’s one of our favorite places to people watch.

jamiejamie: Great for people watching and listening to street performers.

Sheep Meadow is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

5. Sheep Meadow

9.4
W 67th St (btwn West & East Dr), New York, NY
Picnic Area · Central Park · 158 tips and reviews

Eric M.Eric Mirkin: Bring beer, enjoy people watching, throw the ol' ball around

Matt D.Matt Dunlap: Best place to lounge out on a blanket & people watch in the park. No tourists here. Read more.

CollegeCandyCollegeCandy: The BEST for people watching during the summer. Go to Whole Foods first in Columbus Circle and pick up a picnic.

Madison Square Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

6. Madison Square Park

9.4
Madison Ave (btwn E 23rd & E 26th St), New York, NY
Park · NoMad · 481 tips and reviews

PureWowPureWow: A great spot to have a quick bite, people watch, or snap a few pictures of The Flatiron!

chrissy s.chrissy spaziano: Lovely during the summer to walk through and people watch.

Josh H.Josh Higgins: Great spot for people watching. Also home to the original Shake Shack.

Central Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

7. Central Park

9.7
59th to 110th St (btwn 5th Ave & Central Park W), New York, NY
Park · Central Park · 1841 tips and reviews

CatherineCatherine: Bring a blanket and some snacks for great people watching and a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline

Brad H.Brad Hager: Great to experience as often as you can. So much to do and see. Great music, people watching, and walking in nature. Be sure to do a carriage ride, very relaxing, educational & scenic.

David M.David Milberg: Bring my bike here occasionally on nice days. Great exercise, breathtaking views and a great place to people watch.

Times Square is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

8. Times Square

8.4
Broadway & 7th Ave (btwn W 42nd & 47th St), New York, NY
Plaza · Theater District · 2358 tips and reviews

Emily R.Emily Ryan: With the newly added tables and chairs, grab a coffee and people watch (or tourist watch)...a must do for your 1st time in NYC. You should also see it once at night.

Jackie 🍸🎀👠 C.Jackie 🍸🎀👠 C: Best people watching in the world!

Melting Hearts USA S.Melting Hearts USA Sunglasses: Great for people watching or character watching and always a great place to check out if it's your first time in New York!

Grand Central Terminal is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

9. Grand Central Terminal

8.9
87 E 42nd St (btwn Vanderbilt & Park Ave), New York, NY
Rail Station · 1469 tips and reviews

Allan S.Allan S: An amazing place to people watch. all spots r good.

Réjane T.Réjane T: Great architecture, food and snack selection, and people watching. I could live here.

Peter M.Peter M: Its Grand Central Terminal. It's busy. It's awesome. Best people watching in the city. Free WiFi thanks to the Apple Store

Tompkins Square Park is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

10. Tompkins Square Park

8.6
E 7th St to E 10th St (btwn Ave A & B), New York, NY
Park · East Village · 161 tips and reviews

M K.M K: Tompkins is a great EV park. It's definitely one of my favorite people watching locations, with passersby embodying many EV idiosyncrasies.

TEV N.TEV NYC: 5 Reasons to Love TSP: #1. The Sunday Greenmarket. #2. The HOWL! Festival. #3. The dog park. #4. There is actual grass. #5. People watching.

Miguel d.Miguel de Leon: Dog runs, people watching, and good coffee -- what's not to like?

Ground Support is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

11. Ground Support

8.4
399 W Broadway (btwn Spring & Broome St), New York, NY
Coffee Shop · SoHo · 507 tips and reviews

Mike A.Mike Anz: Great place to sit inside or outside and relax with great coffee and people watch.

Chet M.Chet Mancini: Grab a bench and people watch over some of the best espresso in SoHo. Free wifi (password is on a wood block on the counter).

Sumeet S.Sumeet Shah: Come for the fantastic coffee, stay to work (Wifi!), eat (50% off food after 5 PM), or chill (best people watching spot in Soho).

Columbus Circle is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

12. Columbus Circle

8.5
Columbus Cir (Broadway & 8th Ave), New York, NY
Plaza · Theater District · 232 tips and reviews

Adam W.Adam Weiss: Great place to sit and people watch!

Mi A.Mi Ane: Have breakfast with a friend early in the morning, sit back, and people watch.

Mike H.Mike Hopkins: A great spot for people watching and street performers

Washington Square Fountain is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

13. Washington Square Fountain

8.4
Washington Square Park, New York, NY
Fountain · Greenwich Village · 32 tips and reviews

James J.James J: Sit and people watch. Pretend you're at the beginning of When Harry Met Sally.

Ron J.Ron Ja: Amazing place to people watch and enjoy live music

John B.John Brian: My favorite park in New York City. Great for people watching... It's full of characters.

High Line is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

14. High Line

9.5
btwn Gansevoort & W 34th St (btwn 10th & 12th Ave), New York, NY
Park · Chelsea · 1500 tips and reviews

Bethany L.Bethany Larson: What a surprising place! Views, plants, old and new. This is a great place for a walk, for reading or sketching, for people watching, and it is in Chelsea/Greenwich Village area.

DanielDaniel: Excellent for people watching.

Jenn S.Jenn Schwartz: Best people watching.

Washington Square Arch is one of The 15 Best Places for People Watching in New York City.

15. Washington Square Arch

9.0
Washington Sq N, New York, NY
Monument · Greenwich Village · 46 tips and reviews

JENGAJENGA: Great spot to sit down, people watch and play JENGA!

PatrickPatrick: Great people watching and performers with cool views of Empire State Building and One World Trade

jireselljiresell: I love hanging out here and people watching. One of the best spots in the city!