Washington Square Park might not be quite as famous as its uptown cousin, Central Park, but it is a classic New York site that features the iconic Washington Square Arch. The park is set between the East Village and Greenwich Village and is in the heart of New York University. As such, it is frequented by NYU students, but there are any and all variety of New Yorkers and tourists who come to the park. There is a lovely fountain in the middle of the park that serves as its centerpiece, a gathering place of sorts, where one can find people eating lunch, playing music, or just hanging out. Around the park, you can find people walking their dog, enjoying the birds and trees, or, in the southwestern corner of the park, people playing chess. If you have a spare moment, just sit on one of the many benches in the park and people watch, glancing once in awhile at the squirrels gathering nuts or the birds looking for crumbs. Washington Square Park is an interesting and vibrant place that is worth visiting, whether you live just down the street, or are visiting New York for the very first time.