The Untapped Guide to Union Square

Welcome to our new weekly series, “5 spots in 5 Minutes”: our curated guide for a speedy Untapped exploration.

From a starting point at the intersection of 10th Street and Broadway, here is a list of five places (in no particular order) to explore within a radius of five minutes.

1)  Flaming Cactus

Most of the artworks comprising this public arts installation are concentrated around 8th Street and Astor Place. Presented by the Animus Arts Collective, they create these urban “cacti” by linking brightly colored cable ties thousands of times around a lamppost. According to the makers of this project, “We as artists wanted to create something of beauty out of everyday items. We wanted to show that making art doesn’t require a lot of resources, formal education, or even money. Art and creativity are things we’re all capable of.”

UPDATE (6/20): Unfortunately, the installation was just removed earlier this week, but they are still present in the city!  Animus Arts Collective and Hudson Square BID have partnered together and are refitting 23 poles on Spring Street in Hudson Square.

2) Strand Bookstore

Located on the corner of Broadway and 12th Street, this independent family-owned business has been in operation since 1927. With their awning proclaiming “18 miles” of books, they offer over 2.5 million used, new, and rare books. From the casual shopper to the ardent bibliophile, this store caters to many tastes. Additionally, on most days, bargain books from $1-$3 are placed outside, available for a quick read-through by a passerby.

3) Bully’s

Food cravings at an unreasonable hour? Bully’s Deli on 759 Broadway is open 24/7. Reasonably priced (within the neighborhood) and an expansive menu to boot, this deli offers a salad bar, specialty sandwiches, panini sandwiches, desserts, and more. For workers and inhabitants of NoHo, Bully’s is a convenient stop for all meals. Their delivery service is free (with a minimum purchase of $15) and encompasses East Village, Kips Bay, Greenwich Village, Gramercy, Flatiron, Stuyvesant Town, SoHo, Nolita, NoHo, Meatpacking District, Union Square, and NYU.

4) Abe Lebewohl Park

While Washington Square Park and Union Square are both in the vicinity of 10th Street and Broadway. For those interested in a public space that is not as frequented, there is always Abe Lebewohl Park on 10th Street and 2nd Ave. The park resides in front of St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, the second church to be built in Manhattan. The man who lends his name to the park, Abe Lebewohl, became renowned for his restaurant, the Second Avenue Deli, which served Ukrainian and Jewish delicacies. He also created a lasting legacyas a prominent figure in the East Village community.

This peninsula of a park is located near a residential area so with a little less fanfare and a little more privacy, this park serves as an oasis for those who wish to take a break, read a book, or finish a meal.

5) Grace Church

Lastly, right at the center of this 5-minute radius circle is Grace Church. Even though the church celebrated its bicentennial in 2008, the church building at this spot was not the original building. Designed by the then 23 year-old architect, James Renwick, the church was finished in 1843 and consecrated in 1846. Having been created in the Gothic Revival style, there is some question as to why the planners chose this style since preparations were made before the Gothic Revival had even arrived to the U.S. (However Trinity Church at 79 Broadway was also consecrated in the same year as Grace Church and constructed in the same style).

Currently, the church has been undergoing restoration since last year. One of the projects being done is rebuilding one of the main stained glass windows with limestone instead of marble. By using limestone as a tracery, the window can then hold approximately 10,000 pieces of stained glass.

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