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New York Public Library

Certificate of Excellence
Neighborhood:
Midtown
Sponsored by:
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Address: 476 5th Ave New York, NY 10018, New York City, NY 10018
Phone Number: 212 930 0800
Website
Today
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Closed now
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Hours:
Sun 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Mon 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tue - Wed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Thu - Sat 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Description:

Two marble lions mark the entrance to this Beaux Arts masterpiece, a...

Two marble lions mark the entrance to this Beaux Arts masterpiece, a National Historic Landmark containing more than six million books.

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TripAdvisor Reviewer Highlights

Read all 8,382 reviews
Visitor rating
  • 2839
    Excellent
  • 1214
    Very good
  • 244
    Average
  • 28
    Poor
  • 12
    Terrible
Always Worth A Visit! Absolutely Stunning!

What a magnificent building! Such stunning ceilings, floors, lighting & grand entrance. So much to explore in different rooms. Interesting to read of the increase in underground... read more

5 of 5 starsReviewed 2 days ago
Clio H
,
Sydney, Australia
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8,382 Reviews from our TripAdvisor Community

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Showing 4,337: English reviews
Sydney, Australia
Level Contributor
749 reviews
259 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 266 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW

What a magnificent building! Such stunning ceilings, floors, lighting & grand entrance. So much to explore in different rooms. Interesting to read of the increase in underground storage under the adjacent Bryant Park. So good to see so many visitors at this splendid edifice.

Helpful?
Thank Clio H
Limassol, Cyprus
Level Contributor
214 reviews
131 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 63 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW

Another beautiful New York building, and a free place to enter and spend your time. On the 5th Avenue, look out for the trees outside.

Helpful?
Thank Angelos_Christou
Level Contributor
3 reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW

In a recent visit to NYC, I popped into the NY Public Library to see the Hamilton exhibit, since I could not get seats to the theatrical show. It was fantastic! I also enjoyed a lovely snack in the cafe and encountered the friendliest cashier in the gift shop!

Helpful?
Thank Mary C
Toronto, Canada
Level Contributor
12 reviews
7 attraction reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 days ago NEW

The entire building is gorgeous. The reading room was closed when I was there which was a disappointment, but lots of other beautiful details throughout... Well worth a visit for those who like architecture and historical buildings.

Helpful?
Thank torontogrrl
Redmond, WA
Level Contributor
46 reviews
22 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 78 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW

Tried to do a 2pm tour today (8/28) just to find the library locked and no staff present. There were several other tourists waiting by the main entrance for the tour. Nobody knew why the tour didn't happen. Tried calling the library and the automatic recording didn't say anything about the closure. Their web site also didn't have any closure... More 

Helpful?
Thank alexgav
Cardiff, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
35 reviews
18 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW

A grand yet free building to wander about. Lots of interesting rooms and impressive architecture. Worth popping in.

Helpful?
Thank Cerian E
London, United Kingdom
Level Contributor
41 reviews
13 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 27 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW

We went to just see the historical site and the building. We also viewed the Alexander Hamilton exhibition because it was open when we went there. It was very small, but interesting.

Helpful?
Thank TravelTheWorld_048
Brooklyn,NY
Level Contributor
48 reviews
14 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW

The history you feel when walking in should suffice, but their collections, internet support, historic records and maps, tours, special talks and events, etc.... make it truly worth a visit or 5.

Helpful?
Thank 1011traveler
Cordoba, Spain
Level Contributor
70 reviews
42 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 days ago NEW

The library is part of NY, part of the cinema history and a place invites you to study, read, think, discover...

Helpful?
Thank franciscormm
Australia
Level Contributor
74 reviews
23 attraction reviews
common_n_attraction_reviews_1bd8 30 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 days ago NEW

well worth a visit for the views (rooms) - lovely library to look around, the art and the walls, ceilings are amazing - we loved it

Helpful?
1 Thank AusTraveller2007

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Questions & Answers

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Typical questions asked:
  • Do I have to buy a ticket for my infant?
  • How do I get there using public transportation?
  • Is there a restaurant or café onsite?

Staying in Midtown

Neighborhood Profile
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 paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit 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.
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