In New York City, the next generation is shaping its identity entirely on its own. Unlike generations before them, many Gen Zers aren’t anchored by one cultural identity or tradition, instead, they’re pulling from everywhere and building something new in real time. You see it most clearly in places like Washington Square Park, where young people gather not around heritage, but around each other, creating their own sense of belonging. They value in person connection, not as a nostalgic trend, but as their own new social landscape, alive with energy, experimentation, and a genuine desire for shared experience.