Bowling Green has been a public park since 1733, making it the oldest in New York City, and its iron fence still carries the scars from the night in 1776 when a crowd tore down a statue of George III. A Greenmarket on that ground is a good excuse to stand in it — regional produce, bread and lunch stands with the Custom House on one side and the Charging Bull just up Broadway. Shop, eat on a bench, and take the history for free.
What to expect
Expect a compact set of farm and prepared-food stands on the paved plaza around the fountain, geared to a lunchtime Financial District crowd — grab-and-go alongside produce for the commute home. Benches ring the oval, and the 1907 Custom House, now the National Museum of the American Indian, faces the park. Lines peak at midday.
Good to know
- Bowling Green is at the foot of Broadway in the Financial District, at the top of Battery Park.
- The 4 and 5 stop at Bowling Green; the R and W at Whitehall Street are a block away.
- Midday is the busiest stretch — come at the edges of lunch for shorter lines.
- SNAP/EBT and Health Bucks are handled at the GrowNYC info tent.
- The plaza is paved and level with benches around the oval.
- The National Museum of the American Indian in the old Custom House is free and faces the park.
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Common questions
How old is Bowling Green?
It has been public parkland since 1733, making it the oldest park in New York City.
Is the market big?
It is a compact Financial District market geared to lunch and commuter shopping rather than a full weekend market.
Can I use SNAP/EBT?
Yes — GrowNYC Greenmarkets accept SNAP/EBT at the info tent.
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