Home Destinations USA New York New York City Sights New York Public Library (NYPL) Humanities and Social Sciences Library

New York Public Library (NYPL) Humanities and Social Sciences Library Review

Read our New York City sights reviews. Or post your own.

New York Public Library (NYPL) Humanities and Social Sciences Library

  • Address: 5th Ave. between E. 40th and E. 42nd Sts., Midtown West, New York, NY, 10023 | Map It
  • Phone: 212/930-0800; 212/869-8089 for exhibit information
  • www.nypl.org
Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

The "Library with the Lions" is a1911 masterpiece of Beaux-Arts design and one of the great research institutions in the world, with 6 million books, 12 million manuscripts, and 2.8 million pictures. But you don't have to crack a book to make it worth visiting: an hour or so at this National Historic Landmark is a peaceful (and free!) alternative to Midtown's bustle, along with some pretty incredible architecture, especially when combined with a stroll through adjacent Bryant Park. Buy a drink at a park kiosk, then head to the library's grand 5th Avenue entrance to people-watch from the block-long marble staircase, then check out the opulent interior.

The library's bronze front doors open into Astor Hall, which leads to several special exhibit galleries and, to the left, a stunning periodicals room with wall paintings of New York publishing houses. Walk up the sweeping double staircase to a second-floor balconied corridor overlooking the hall, with panels highlighting the library's development. Make sure to continue up to the magisterial Rose Main Reading Room —297 feet long (almost two full north-south city blocks), 78 feet wide, and just over 51 feet high; walk through to best appreciate the rows of oak tables and the extraordinary ceiling of this space. Several additional third-floor galleries show rotating exhibits on typography, literature, bookmaking, and maps (past exhibits have included old New York restaurant menus and a 1455 Gutenberg Bible). Free one-hour tours leave Tuesday-Saturday at 11 and 2 from Astor Hall. There are women's rooms on the ground floor and third floor, and a men's room on the third floor.

  • Open: Mon. andThurs.-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 1-5, Tues. and Wed. 11-7:30; exhibitions until 6
  • Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St.; 7 to 5th Ave.
Find more sights in New York City »

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 12/14/08
A gorgeous building inside and out, with attractive frescoes, plenty of intriguing architectural detail, and a nice clutch of paintings in an upstairs gallery across from the Main Reading Room entrance. Well worth a walk by and a pop-in.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0

Reviewed by spaniard from Virginia on 5/15/07
This is a MUST SEE! The building is stunning, the frescos are gorgous, and the ceilings are breathtaking... You might even be lucky enough to see a show of street entertainers outside...

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Experience: 5.0 Ease: 5.0 Value: 5.0 Don't Miss: 5.0
Add your own review

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2010 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.