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.
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.
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...
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