Union Square is lively block of a park sitting right before the downtown shopping district. On my errands to and from downtown this is often my middle point to catch a breath before continuing up the hills to get home. There's a lot to admire around and despite some homeless people wandering around, which may or may not shock visitors - it's well kept and well maintained with a lot of beautiful plants and flowers all around, and beefed up patrol since the string of incidents of theft and vandalism a while ago. We're in a CITY, y'all.

Anyways, great for people watching; there are benches, stairs and open air seating with two cafes (limited) on each end. In the middle is the square with a stage, the large Dewey statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of Victory representing the victory of the battle of Manila Bay (history peeps, this for you) host to many displays and events throughout the year: spring flowers, live music and performances, Christmas tree and ice skating rink during the holiday season, art displays and many more. Best on foot, but there's a paid parking garage underground and the cable car passes through Powell Street. I wish people would stop vandalizing parks as it offers refuge and adds a green element to an otherwise concrete jungle. If you pay attention closely, there is so much to discover in just a little square.