Grand Army Plaza

Grand Army Plaza lies at the intersection of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue in front of the Plaza Hotel, stretching from 60th to 58th streets between East Drive and Fifth Avenue.

All About Grand Army Plaza

What is Grand Army Plaza?

Out of Central Park’s 843 acres, Grand Army Plaza has the distinction of being one of the first things that visitors might see when they visit the park. Designed by Carrère and Hastings, the layout of the plaza is unique, as its design actually consists of two separate plazas bisected by 59th Street. The plaza is laid out in two distinct semicircles, much like the Place de la Concorde in the beautiful city of Paris. When you rent bikes from Bike Rental Central Park, you can take a safe and leisurely ride to see all of the sights of Grand Army Plaza; NYC’s most spectacular park is breathtaking when you explore it by bike, and you can save money on your adventure when you book with us online!

Where is Grand Army Plaza?

For those curious New York City tourists who are wondering, “Where is Grand Army Plaza?” the answer can be a bit confusing: There are actually two of them, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. The one most visitors are likely to be looking for is situated on Manhattan’s 5th Ave. on the corner of Central Park. Grand Army Plaza is spread out before the legendary Plaza Hotel and encompasses a significant amount of land. It can be found between 58th and 60th streets, a prime location for anyone who is already visiting 5th Ave. Since it’s near some of the most popular NYC sightseeing stops for tourists, it’s easy for visitors to explore, whether they are on their way back to their hotels for a relaxing night or in the middle of a memorable adventure.

Historical events inspired the name and the look of Grand Army Plaza. Central Park’s most impressive plaza was named after the Union Army in the American Civil War: the Grand Army of the Potomac. It’s said that Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, after having completed his service, frequently rode through Central Park on his horse, and today, a gilded bronze statue of Gen. Sherman welcomes those who tour the park and reminds visitors of his role in American history. When you book a bicycle with Bike Rental Central Park and ride through the park, it’s possible that you’ll be moving along the same route that Gen. Sherman once took through Grand Army Plaza! NYC visitors can soak up plenty of the city’s and nation’s histories as they tour the park and the city on two wheels.

Grand monuments are a key feature of Grand Army Plaza. Manhattan may be full of important monuments, but some of the highlights can be found here. For fans of classical studies, the most memorable Grand Army Plaza statue may be the one of the Roman goddess Pomona; she stands guard over the Pulitzer Fountain, presumably imbuing it with her powers of abundance. The fountain itself was the bequest of Joseph Pulitzer, the famous publisher whose name is also on the Pulitzer Prize.

To experience your own personal adventure in Grand Army Plaza, Manhattan’s most impressive and educational plaza, book a bike tour or package with us today!