New York Public Library

Meet the iconic library lions, explore the Rose Room and marvel at millions of books at New York City’s flagship library.

Whether you visit to read, research or simply roam around, the New York Public Library provides an interesting visit. Although the main branch was renamed the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in 2008 to honor the famed New York financier, most people still refer to this impressive building along Bryant Park by its original name. Since it opened its doors in 1911, the library has been a welcoming public space and learning center for millions of visitors. Discover famous documents, historic publications and stunning settings at the library.

Find the library in Midtown Manhattan, near Bryant Park. Admire the white marble building, built in an imposing Beaux-Arts style. The celebrated building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and named a New York City Landmark in 1967.

Discover beautiful public spaces at every turn. Don’t miss the famous Rose Main Reading Room, an opulent space bedecked with sparkling chandeliers, lavish wood paneling and an intricately coffered ceiling. Marvel at the McGraw Rotunda, a sweeping space decorated with Edward Laning’s murals illustrating the history of the written word. Discover many of the English language’s most important manuscripts, such as a Gutenberg Bible and an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Say hello to the “library lions,” Patience and Fortitude. These regal marble statues have been guarding the library stairs overlooking Fifth Avenue for over a century. The lions were named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in the 1930s to champion the characteristics New Yorkers would need to survive the Great Depression. Their names stuck and today the lions are the mascots and symbols of the New York Public Library.

Join a docent-led Building Tour to learn about the architecture and history of the library. Get an overview of its collections and discover other fun facts. Embark on an Exhibition Tour to explore the library’s current exhibits. All tours are complimentary and meet on the first floor.

Visit the New York Public Library daily, barring special holiday closures. It has reduced hours on Sundays and extended hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near New York Public Library

Bryant Park

Stop for a picnic lunch at a shaded table, create some art, ride the carousel or play chess, ping-pong or boules at this amazing multi-use park in midtown Manhattan.

Midtown

Navigate successfully through the skyscrapers, suits and taxis that dominate daytime Midtown and you’ll find a whole heap of New York City landmarks you know and love.

Grand Central Terminal

This majestic, lively hub for commuters is a must-see for architecture buffs.

Empire State Building

No trip to New York is complete without zooming up the top of this iconic building, where the views of Manhattan are unmatchable.

Chrysler Building

Venture into one of the world’s most iconic buildings, which harks back to a time of industrial growth and art deco flair.

Hotels near New York Public Library

Roosevelt Hotel

45 E 45Th St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Grand Central Terminal. Chrysler Building and St. Patrick's Cathedral are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 5 minutes by foot and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station is 8 minutes.

Hotel Edison Times Square

228 W 47th St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Times Square and Broadway. 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. 49th St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station is 6 minutes.

Row NYC

700 8th Avenue

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from St. James Theatre, Shubert Theatre, and Richard Rodgers Theatre. Times Square and Broadway are also within 5 minutes. 49th St. Station is 6 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 7 minutes.

New York Hilton Midtown

1335 Avenue Of The Americas

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. St. Patrick's Cathedral and Times Square are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av.-53 St. Station and 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) are within a 5-minute walk.

The New Yorker A Wyndham Hotel

481 Eighth Ave.

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square and Empire State Building. Broadway and Grand Central Terminal are also within 1 mi (2 km). 34 St. - Penn Station is only a 2-minute walk and 34 St. - Penn Station (Fashion Av.) is 3 minutes.

Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square

145 W 44th St

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Times Square, Broadway, and Town Hall. Minskoff Theater and Shubert Theatre are also within 5 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) and 49th St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

The Belvedere Hotel

319 W 48th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Times Square, Gershwin Theater, and Richard Rodgers Theatre. Broadway and Lunt-Fontanne Theatre are also within 10 minutes. 49th St. Station is 6 minutes by foot and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 7 minutes.

Paramount Times Square

235 West 46th Street

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is steps from Richard Rodgers Theatre, Times Square, and Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Broadway and Minskoff Theater are also within 5 minutes. 49th St. Station is only a 3-minute walk and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Wellington Hotel

871 Seventh Ave

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Empire State Building are also within 2 mi (3 km). 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) and 50 St. Station (Broadway) are within a 5-minute walk.

Hyatt Grand Central New York

109 East 42nd Streetat Grand Central Terminal, at Grand Central Terminal

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is steps from Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal. 5th Avenue and Bryant Park are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Pod 51

230 E 51st St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue and St. Patrick's Cathedral. United Nations Headquarters and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and 51 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel

811 7th Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Broadway Theatre and Winter Garden Theatre. Times Square and Carnegie Hall are also within 5 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) is only a 2-minute walk and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 3 minutes.

Hudson New York

358 W 58th St

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Central Park and Columbus Circle. Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Opera House are also within 10 minutes. 59 St. - Columbus Circle Station is only a 5-minute walk and 57 St. - 7 Av Station is 5 minutes.

Pod 39

145 East 39th Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chrysler Building and 5th Avenue. Grand Central Terminal and New York Public Library are also within 10 minutes. 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Park Central Hotel New York

870 7th Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and Broadway Theatre. Columbus Circle and 5th Avenue are also within 10 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) and 50 St. Station (Broadway) are within a 5-minute walk.

Salisbury Hotel

West 57Th Street, 123

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and 5th Avenue. Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av.-53 St. Station and 57 St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Waldorf Astoria New York

301 Park Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Museum of Modern Art are also within 10 minutes. 51 St. Station is 5 minutes by foot and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 8 minutes.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton New York City - Times Square

1568 Broadway47th Street And 7th Avenue, 47th Street And 7th Avenue

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Times Square is the only all-suite hotel on Broadway, in the heart of Times Square, steps from Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Hard Rock Cafe, and much more.

Element New York Times Square West

311 West 39th Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and American Lyric Theater. St. James Theatre and Shubert Theatre are also within 10 minutes. 34 St. - Penn Station is 6 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel

790 7th Ave

Rated 3.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is steps from Winter Garden Theatre and Broadway Theatre. Gershwin Theater and Times Square are also within 5 minutes. 7 Av. Station (E 53rd St.) is only a 2-minute walk and 50 St. Station (Broadway) is 3 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan - New York City

569 Lexington Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Museum of Modern Art and Madison Avenue are also within 10 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station and 51 St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

YOTEL New York

570 Tenth Avenue

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this boutique hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Times Square and Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Broadway and Empire State Building are also within 1 mi (2 km). 34th Street–Hudson Yards Station is 12 minutes by foot and Times Sq. - 42 St. Station is 12 minutes.

Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, an IHG Hotel

1605 Broadway At 49th St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the entertainment district, steps from Walter Kerr Theatre, Ambassador Theatre, and Circle in the Square Theater. Eugene O'Neill Theatre and Duffy Square are also within 5 minutes. 49th St. Station and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Hotel St. James

109 W. 45TH ST.

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Broadway, Times Square, and 5th Avenue. Minskoff Theater and Town Hall are also within 5 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station are within a 5-minute walk.