Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
New York Public Library, New York City
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » North America » United States of America » New York State » New York City » Things To Do » New York Public Library Reviews

New York City Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

New York Public Library, New York City

New York Public Library - New York City
New York Public Library
by Zmrzlina
New York Public Library tips and photos posted by real travelers and New York City locals.

Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
• 75 Photos
• 55 Reviews

See all New York City Things To Do
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
New York Public Library: New York Public Library
  • Tip Rating:
  • madamx
  • Updated By madamx on October 29, 2005
  • New York City Page by madamx
  • Entrance to the main reading room - New York City
    Entrance to the main
    reading room
    by madamx,
    1 more photos
    You simply must take 15 minutes to look at the breathtaking grandeur of the New York Public Library. It's hard to remember that you are in a library when you walk around this magnificent building. Security is very tight, and they search all bags.

    The main reading rooms have undergone a massive restoration to their former glory. The original brass lamps have remained, where as the old card catalogues have been replaced by computers. Look right up to the restored ceiling, where it's always sunny blue skies and fluffy white clouds.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 963-8687
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting New York City?

    Read reviews about New York City Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    New York Public Library: Say Hi to Yor Friends at Home
  • Tip Rating:
  • KarenTaylor
  • By KarenTaylor on May 16, 2004
  • New York City Page by KarenTaylor
  • The Library on 5th Avenue lets you book a slot for internet access free of charge. It's a great way of sending messages to your friends and family, and you get the chance to see inside a really lovely building. On a hot day, it's beautifully cool, you have to book your slot in advance, then we returned a n hour or so later. Who said that you can't get something for nothing ???? Take a good look at the stone lions( Patience and Fortitude I think they're called.....when we visited in October one year, the Yankees were playing in the World Series, and they had Yankkes hats on !!!). Really nice park at the rear of the library. It's nice to grab some lunch and sit in there to catch your breath.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: The Library Lions
  • Tip Rating:
  • bugalugs
  • By bugalugs on June 11, 2005
  • New York City Page by bugalugs
  • Is this Patience of Fortitude??? - New York City
    Is this Patience of
    Fortitude???
    by bugalugs
    Outside the library are two huge lion statues, these are made from a marble called pink Tennessee Marble although they dont look pink unless perhaps you have had a few to drink! come to think of it they were a bit rosey coloured - only kidding :-)
    They have apparently had different names over the years since they came to sit here in 1911. At one time called Leo Astor and Leo Lenox after the founders of the library but in the 1930's the then mayor named them Patience and Fortitude after the people of New York who were going through the depression and the names have stayed with them.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: New York Public Library
  • Tip Rating:
  • roamer61
  • Updated By roamer61 on July 10, 2004
  • New York City Page by roamer61
  • New York Public Library - New York City
    by roamer61
    This grandiose building built at the dawn of the 20th Century houses one of the largest depositories of books in the world. The library is a museum of period architecture and regularly features free special exhibits. In addition, there are numerous paintings by famous artists (Rembrandt Peale, George Romney, John Singleton Copely, etc)

    The picture shows one of the famous lions that guards the entrance to the buiding.

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: New York Public Library
  • Tip Rating:
  • Dabs
  • Updated By Dabs on July 13, 2007
  • New York City Page by Dabs
  • NY Public Library lion - New York City
    NY Public Library lion
    by Dabs, 2 more photos
    On my recent visit to New York, I finally had a few minutes to visit the interior. Take the elevator up to the 3rd floor to see the Rose Main Reading Room, a room nearly 2 blocks long with ceilings covered in murals, rows of oak tables and carved woodwork. Other highlights include the DeWitt Periodical Room on the 1st floor, the McGraw Rotunda at the top of the main staircase and the Astor Hall, the marble foyer on the 5th Avenue side. I think I saw a sign with guided tours so stop at the information desk if you are interested or check out their website.

    I love the marble lions standing guard outside the Library, I have bookends that I bought years before I ever went to New York at home

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting New York City?

    Read reviews about New York City Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    New York Public Library: New York Public Library
  • Tip Rating:
  • mrclay2000
  • By mrclay2000 on December 22, 2003
  • New York City Page by mrclay2000
  • images of the New York Public Library - New York City
    images of the New York
    Public Library
    by mrclay2000
    After the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the New York Public Library is the largest in the United States with several million volumes in holdings and manuscripts. Finished in the early decades of the 20th century, and combining three private holdings at the time (the Astor, Tilden and Lenox libraries, all inscribed on the entablature), the building was largely funded by Andrew Carnegie. Today, the front steps form the perfect place to relax for daytrippers, and the library itself is a popular destination for tourists.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: www.nypl.org
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: NY Public Library & Bryant Park
  • Tip Rating:
  • Christophe_Ons
  • Updated By Christophe_Ons on September 14, 2005
  • New York City Page by Christophe_Ons
  • the lions named Patience and Fortitude - New York City
    the lions named Patience and
    Fortitude
    by Christophe_Ons, 4 more photos
    On the site of the former Croton water reservoir, the beautiful Beaux-Arts building of the New York Public library was built in the beginning of the 20th century, it opened in 1911 and is the world's 7th-largest research library.
    The main entrance is on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd St, the two impressive stone lions that guard the steps were named "Patience" and "Fortitude" by Fiorello LaGuardia, New York City's mayor in the 30's.
    There is an immense reading room on the third floor, the Rose Main Reading Room, which stretches two blocks. It reopened in 1998 after a $ 15 million renovation. Below it are 88 miles / 140km of shelves, holding over seven million volumes. The original library combined the collections of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox, the collection includes Thomas Jefferson's hand written copy of the Declaration of Independence.

    Adress : 5th Avenue at 42nd St
    Opening hours : Mon & Sat 10am-6pm, Tue & Wed 11am-7:30pm - hours vary and there are also tours available, check web site.

    Bryant Park spreads out behind the library, an elegant lawn usually filled in the warm months with lunching office workers; the stage at the head of the park hosts free cultural events throughout the summer, including screenings of classic films and jazz concerts. In spring and fall, world-famous fashion shows take place here. The park used to be a hangout for drug dealers and other undesirables in the 60's - it was closed and renovated in 1989 and is now considered safe (open 7am-9pm).

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 869 - 8089
  • Directions: Subway : D,F to 42nd St (at 6th Ave / Bryant Park) N,Q,R,S,1,2,3,9 to Times Square / 42nd at Broadway St (then walk one block east to Bryant Park) 4,5,6 to Grand Central Terminal (42nd St) (then walk one block west to the library) 7 to 5th Ave / 42nd St
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: Great Atmosphere ...
  • Tip Rating:
  • hundertmorgen
  • Updated By hundertmorgen on September 30, 2003
  • New York City Page by hundertmorgen
  • NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - New York City
    NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
    by hundertmorgen, 1 more photos
    in the NYPL. The Library is a really nice building with interesting exhibits.
    We saw a very emotional and stirring Foto Exhibition about September 11 there.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: Library Guards
  • Tip Rating:
  • cjg1
  • By cjg1 on August 25, 2003
  • New York City Page by cjg1
  • New York Public Library - New York City
    by cjg1
    This is really just a chance to see something you have seen in movies. I know sadly very few who have been inside. The inside is a wonderful research facility but almost all contained within can be found on the web with proper searching.

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    New York Public Library: The New York Public Library
  • Tip Rating:
  • seamandrew
  • By seamandrew on August 18, 2003
  • New York City Page by seamandrew
  • The New York Public Library main office. - New York City
    The New York Public Library
    main office.
    by seamandrew
    The origins of this remarkable institution date back to the time when New York was emerging as one of the world's most important cities. By the second half of the 19th century, New York had already surpassed Paris in population and was quickly catching up with London, then the world's most populous city.

    It was thanks to philanthropists such as Samuel J. Tilden, John Jacob Astor, and James Lenox and with the help of John Bigelow that the New York Public Library was formed. In 1895, it was decided to combine the Astor and Lenox libraries to form one great library. Dr. John Shaw Billings, one of the most brilliant librarians of his day, was named director. Billings knew exactly what he wanted. His design, briefly sketched on a scrap of paper, became the early blueprint for the majestic structure that has become the landmark building, known for its lions.
    It was completed on May 23rd, 1911.

    Steel baron Andrew Carnegie offered $5.2 million to construct a system of branch libraries throughout New York City, provided the City would supply the sites and fund the libraries' maintenance and operations. This was the stepping ground to one of the largest library systems worldwide.

    Almost overnight, The New York Public Library became a vital part of the intellectual fabric of American life. Among its earliest beneficiaries were recently arrived immigrants, for whom the Library provided contact with the literature and history of their new country as well as the heritage that these people brought with them.

    The branch system has grown to include 85 libraries, with collections totaling 6.6 million items. Its collections have contributed to such innovations as the splitting of the atom to the creation of the Xerox photocopying machine. Its holdings have also played a vital role in the creation of innumerable works in the arts, literature, and history. It is certainly one of New York's most precious gems!

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: (212) 930-0830
  • Directions: Take 1,2,3,9 to 42nd Street and Broadway. Walk two blocks east to Fifth Avenue.
  • Website: http://www.nypl.org/
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More New York City Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 1,451 - Photos: 985
    Things To Do
    Tips: 6,288 - Photos: 8,908
    Nightlife
    Tips: 1,019 - Photos: 759
    Transportation
    Tips: 1,208 - Photos: 889
    Restaurants
    Tips: 3,061 - Photos: 2,389
    Shopping
    Tips: 851 - Photos: 621
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 1,169 - Photos: 1,270
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 392 - Photos: 201
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 491 - Photos: 269
    Local Customs
    Tips: 518 - Photos: 415
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 222 - Photos: 98
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 179 - Photos: 205
    General Tips
    Tips: 1,725 - Photos: 1,539
    Flights
    Tips: 81 - Photos: 0

    Best New York City Travel Deals

    Hotel Roger Williams
    Hotel Roger Williams Official Site. Manhattan Luxury Hotel. Best Rates!

    New York City Great Hotel
    Experience the comfort & charm of service of our hotel. Book today!

    Excellent New York Hotel
    One of New York's grand hotels offers great location & rates.

    New York Luxury Hotel
    The Plaza Hotel in New York City - Exclusive online rates and packages

    Best Rates from $95
    Reserve Now in New York City, NY. Free Internet & Free Hot Breakfst!

    Sponsored Links

    More New York City Travel Deals

    Manhattan Ny Hotels
    Receive your 7th night free at this New York City extended stay hotel.

    New York Palace Hotel
    Spacious rooms in Midtown NYC starts at USD 295. Book now!

    The Waldorf Towers NY
    Luxurious & Elegant Suites In Midtown Manhattan NYC. Book Today!

    Sponsored Links


    New York City Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.