New York Public Library - Bloomingdale Library
New York Public Library - Bloomingdale Library
New York Public Library - Bloomingdale Library
4.5
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit—spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's heaven where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit the Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
- 5th Ave • 1 min walk
- 42nd St – Bryant Park • 4 min walk
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4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
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therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,672 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I had a couple of reasons to visit the New York Public Library and I was grateful I did.
I tried to access the library from Bryant Park but this was not possible as they were getting things ready for the Christmas markets and there were pop up bars in the way so I went round the side.
The day I visited was wet and so I was glad to get out of the rain however loads of tourists had the same idea as me and they were dithering about and the staff were getting a bit frustrated as the tourists were not following simple instructions.
I wanted to go to one of the Reading Rooms to do some writing and was surprised at the large number of tourists that were wandering about but then I discovered the amazing architecture of the building and I could see why.
I spent a bit of time in one of the smaller reading rooms and the staff were happy to allow me to do this even though I was not a library card holder of a New York resident. Other people in the room had drinks out on the tables next to them and they were asked by staff to put them away.
I went into one of the other reading rooms and was blown away by the grandeur of these beautiful rooms, lined with books and study areas. There is also wifi available throughout the building.
If you do want somewhere quiet to do some studying then these are the perfect places to visit rather than the bustling corridors.
I tried to access the library from Bryant Park but this was not possible as they were getting things ready for the Christmas markets and there were pop up bars in the way so I went round the side.
The day I visited was wet and so I was glad to get out of the rain however loads of tourists had the same idea as me and they were dithering about and the staff were getting a bit frustrated as the tourists were not following simple instructions.
I wanted to go to one of the Reading Rooms to do some writing and was surprised at the large number of tourists that were wandering about but then I discovered the amazing architecture of the building and I could see why.
I spent a bit of time in one of the smaller reading rooms and the staff were happy to allow me to do this even though I was not a library card holder of a New York resident. Other people in the room had drinks out on the tables next to them and they were asked by staff to put them away.
I went into one of the other reading rooms and was blown away by the grandeur of these beautiful rooms, lined with books and study areas. There is also wifi available throughout the building.
If you do want somewhere quiet to do some studying then these are the perfect places to visit rather than the bustling corridors.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizakq
Naguabo1,718 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
The architecture on this building is beautiful. Entrance is free of charge and you will find a lot of people here so it won't be as quiet as you expect. The Christmas tree was just amazing and the exhibitions were very interesting. You really could spend a couple of hours here.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz B
Peabody, MA35 contributions
Feb 2020
As someone who has been to the city and walked by the NYPL on 5th Avenue hundreds of times, this was finally the time I went inside and took a tour! I'm so glad that I did. The library building is magnificent. The docent gave us a lot of very interesting details, including the fact that the library was built on what was formerly the Croton Reservoir -- you can even see some of the base of the reservoir wall! Although the tours can't go into most of the rooms, just hearing about the collections housed there is awe-inspiring. I know that I'll go back and visit again.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo W
Glenroy, Australia46 contributions
Feb 2020
This place was high on my wish list of places to visit and it did not disappoint. As I was staying nearby I spend a couple of hours one morning with the intention of returning. The gift shop is not like other gift shops so thought I would buy family gifts here before I left. With a closing time of 8pm I arrived just after 6pm the night before leaving. Gift shop closed at 6pm. Nevertheless I feel blessed to have walked these hallowed halls and highly recommend as a must see for any stay in NYC.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itinerant_Foodies
Greensboro, NC604 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We had an excellent tour from our docent. Half the job is herding cats and the other is delivering fascinating information and she was great at both. We also watched the Informative movie (just20 minutes and worth your time). The information about the collections was also fascinating. We wish we lived here to make best use of the nearly infinite resources such as genealogy, maps, periodicals, and millions of books. And don’t forget to visit the original Winnie the Pooh and other Hundred Acre Wood characters!
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aldabra007
Trieste, Italy2,499 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
The second largest library in the United States which is free to enter. It is located on 5th in front of Bryant Park and can also be entered from the side. Free entry and you can wander around quite freely. Walking along the large corridors in a tourist manner, the visit focuses on two large rooms where silence reigns and where it is possible to admire some historical objects. A valid visit to a place that still has its own history.
Written 29 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
russellking9
Westcliff-on-Sea, UK145 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Yeah it’s a library, but books and studying aside, firstly the building is a lovely piece of architecture within an open space in the middle of the city, and second it is some great exhibits.
Found this on our last morning visiting the big apple, and it was a lovely way to end our trip. Including the first print of the King James Bible, Charles Dickens chair and desk, and the original Winnie ther Pooh bears/toys. What a treat!
Found this on our last morning visiting the big apple, and it was a lovely way to end our trip. Including the first print of the King James Bible, Charles Dickens chair and desk, and the original Winnie ther Pooh bears/toys. What a treat!
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina B
London, UK104 contributions
May 2022
Always arrived at wrong time for any of the tours. However, the Library is welcoming and you can wander around quite a bit. Obviously the tour areas you cannot get access. Having seen a tour guide start her tour and still in the same place 15minutes later, put me off. One day I will get into the other areas. It is a pleasure just to walk around it. Also do admire the Lions at the entrance. The staff in the bookshop had no history about them but you can find lots of info in the small booklet 'The New York Public Library'.
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karenb001
High Wycombe, UK59 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This was our first trip to New York and the Library was not on our "must do" list. However, we were so pleased we did visit as there were some great artefacts. The building itself was a delight, with marble staircases and lovely ceilings. A great place to visit and it's free!!
Written 3 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MSUmindy
Shelby, MI706 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We enjoyed visiting the library. At Christmas the lions have wreaths around their necks. We went to the Children’s Room first since they have the original stuffed Winnie the Pooh and other stuffed animals that belonged to AA Milne’s son. We took pictures of them for our grandson. They also have the lions reproduced in LEGO blocks, so that was an added bonus. We also visited the Rose Reading Room. It was one of those “must dos” if you are a bibliophile.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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