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Now famously known for the New York Spring and Fall Fashion shows, Bryant Park was at one time a hang out for drug dealers and other undesireables. Located right beside the New York Public Library, it was totally overhauled in 1989 to reopen as a place where the public can relax in. You are walking on hallowed ground here, as nearly 7 million books from the public library are stored underneath the park.
Visiting on a crisp fall day, I was overwhelmed with the charming Bryant Park Grill, and the shady, peaceful atmosphere provided by the many large trees and quaint folding chairs and tables provided for relaxation. A total delight to walk through; I felt I was somewhere in Europe. Leave a Comment Directions: 6th Ave. and W 42nd St.
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I LOVE this quote from their website! Sums up the local feeling totally.
“This is a garden, and it is ours.” Anne Raver, NY Times, March 15, 1992
This park has quite a history, in that it was the site where New York's first 'World Fair' was held. President Franklin Pierce spoke at the opening of this prestigious and historical event. Back then it was called Reservoir Square, and in 1884 became Bryant Park, named after local poet, newspaper editor, and civic reformer, William Cullen Bryant.
We came upon this gorgeous park whilst walking, and absolutely loved it!
It is overlooked on all sides by these very tall buildings, and one caught my eye particularly, it was gold and black. Not sure what it is, but we took some shots of it. The sunlight was hitting some of the gold bits and it looked surreal.
It being the second week after Christmas, the stalls were still up, although empty. There was a huge Christmas tree up still, with shiny stars hanging from the trees, and little glittering wintery lights everywhere.
Magical.
In the centre of the park was a temporary ice skating rink with quite a few people ice skating. We stopped to watch them and have a hot drink. Then continued on our way.
I loved the sculpture at the one end of the park where we exited. Leave a Comment
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Behind the Library on 42nd and 5th is Bryant Park. Bryant Park is a special place. In the heart of midtown it is a relaxing oasis to spend some time in the afternoon and break up the workday. Or you can come and see one of the free movies on Monday nights in the summer. On some occasions you can come see the Yankees in the Park where they set up a large screen and show the Yankee game that evening. Anything like this is nice because it brings people out and together.This is a Free WiFi area Leave a Comment
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Running across this jewel of a park was a happy accident. Bryant Park is right behind the New York Public Library (5th Avenue branch) and has had quite a history. A dedicated public space since 1686, George Washington's army fled from the British across this area during the Battle of Long Island in 1776. From 1823 -184, these lawns were a burial site - a potter's field - for the poor. After the cemetery was relocated, Union armies drilled on this soil during the Civil War. Here, an enormous Crystal Palace was erected for the World's Fair of 1853/54 - and burned to ground five years later.
Rescued from a sad state of neglect in the early 1990's, it's now a favorite gathering place for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Thousands come here on summer days to escape the office over the lunch hour, play a little chess, catch a few rays, stroll the promenades or meet friends for coffee. During the winter, there's a rink for free ice skating (skate rentals available) and The Holiday Shops to browse around the Christmas season.
A restaurant, casual cafe, 4 summer-only food kiosks, pretty carousel, free WiFi and year-round events are some of the fun things the park has to offer. It has an excellent website with a full history, schedule of events and information on amenities, services, a self-guided tour of the monuments, hours, etc. We brought our coffee and the New York Times here one morning for about as pleasant an hour as you could ask for. Great place for a picnic. Leave a Comment
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We were on the observatory tower of the Empire State Building and I saw Bryant Park, it looked like an oasis amongst the skyscrapers. As it was well after lunch I said we would walk there for a late lunch. Such a pretty park, green lawn with plenty of shade trees and there were many people there appreciating this facility. Unfortunately we could not get a table at the cafe and had to move on, not before walking through the park, enjoying the gardens and sun. Leave a Comment
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After Times Square and before heading to Empire State Building I walked to Bryant Park. This public park used to be the Reservoir square in 1847 and renamed Bryant Park in 1884 to honor the New York Evening Post editor W.C. Bryant. In 1899 the construction of the Library began.
The park had a bad reputation in the 70s with many drug dealers and homeless people going there in the night. In our days I found out the it was a nice park to relax, read a book and drink an orange juice in the middle of July. There are a lot of chairs and tables around for sitting and I noticed many people having their lunch there. There is free wifi access so if you have a laptop take it with you. There are also free concerts and film screening some days but I didn’t see any.
We spent some time there on the green lawn watching the Empire State Building and other impressive skyscraper views. Just in front on the park you will see the impressive Bryant Park Hotel (the former American Radiator building). It was built in 1824. It has 23 floors but it looks more tall to me. I liked a lot its black and gold color.
The New York Public Library is next to the park. You will notice the two stone lions at the entrance of it known as patience and endurance. It has one of the largest research library systems in the world but I had no time to check it out. The 100 people that work here will help you among the 7.000.000 books and more than 10.000 magazines! Directions: The park is in Midtown Manhattan between 40th str, 42nd str, 5th and 6th avenues behind the LibraryWebsite: http://www.bryantpark.org
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The Bryant Park Holiday Market is a great opportunity to do some shopping for exclusive gifts made by artisans that are much more unique than the things you get from the stores. Nestled around the skating rink, behind the Public Library, Bryant Park in winter is a wonderful place to people watch. During the Thanksgiving weekend and through December, the Holiday Market is home to many outdoor shops that sell holiday ornaments, cold weather gear, handmade glass decorations and many, many gift ideas. Enjoy free skating (skate rental costs a few dollars) and hot chocolate and snacks are available from various vendors. The tree at the end of the rink is lit by a local television station the weekend after thanksgiving.
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The only negative thing about NYC is that it is difficult to find a restroom/bathroom to use:) I was roaming the streets one hot day, and I was ready to wash up and have some lunch....so I strolled into this little Italian restaurant....I was heading for the restrooms, and a little Italian lady jumped out in front of me and demanded to know just where did I think I was going??? I was a little dumbfounded, and simply said "the bathroom?" She then quite rudely states that the bathroom is 'only for customers' and I said that after I used the restroom that I intended to sit and have lunch there....and then she says, 'well, ok, but you'll have to use the mens, since the ladies is out of order'....I said never mind, I will take my business somewhere else, since there are so many choices in NYC.....so I went next door to the Burger King....and used the bathroom without incidence....lol.....BUT, I did by a diet coke on my way out and eventually stopped in a sandwich shop for lunch.
Overall, there are FEW choices of using the bathroom in NYC, but I found that Bryant Park has a public restroom that is always available, clean, and even has an automatic paper changer on the toilet seat!!! so, BP is always my 'homebase' whenever in NYC. Leave a Comment
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 by klj&a |
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