New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Beautiful architecture and surrounding park with tables and chairs for relaxing time

Most beautiful building I ever saw!!

The New York Public Library is one of those places that genuinely takes your breath away the moment you walk in. Marble everywhere, stunning architecture and a feeling that is hard to put into words. It almost felt like walking into a Harry Potter scene. Beyond how gorgeous it is there is so much to explore. Tons of museum style rooms filled with different artifacts that you can walk through completely free. We eventually made our way to the researcher area to work and study and it was an absolute dream. So many tables, so many chairs and the most beautifully quiet and focused energy. Everyone around you is working on something and that synergy just pulls you right in. We easily spent three hours there working on our business and honestly did not want to leave. The gift shop also has a great coffee spot which is the perfect fuel for a productive session. If you are visiting New York and you love your work as much as you love to travel I highly recommend carving out a few hours here. It is the most inspiring coworking space I have ever been in and I am already dreaming about going back.

Fantastic space to study. I personally love the Rose Main Reading Room on the 3rd Floor. It is genuinely quiet with high ceilings and good lighting. You do have to get through some tourists on other levels but the quiet areas are very productive. Also, the architecture is great and it’s super close to the subway and Bryant Park.

Architectural masterpiece and the exhibit hall and Rose Room are not to be missed. A must see for any tourist and native NYer.

The Treasures exhibition alone is worth the trip: a Gutenberg Bible, the original Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed animals, rare manuscripts spanning Burmese palm-leaf texts to Ottoman illuminated works, and an early printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, all thoughtfully curated with excellent context and learning. The Rose Main Reading Room lives up to its reputation. Beautiful, and genuinely functional as a working space rather than just a photo stop. It does get crowded, but the crowds are well managed and the galleries stay organized throughout. Credit to the staff. One suggestion: security still relies on manual bag searches at entry and exit, which creates inconvenience and long lines at peak times. RFID gates (to detect library books) or similar screening tech would move visitors through much faster without compromising safety. For an institution this forward-looking in every other respect, the entry experience feels dated. Would happily return.

I can’t believe this is a public library. It’s the best public library I’ve ever been to - stunning, ample seating, and very friendly and enthusiastic librarians. Got a 250 year library card and it’s making me feel patriotic and proud of our public goods!

Beautiful library. Did a tour, 5 star guide. But sometimes hard to hear due to noise level. Not sure what else I can say.

This is probably the most lavish public library I’ve ever been to. The architecture is very cool, it’s spacious, and the rotating exhibits are free!

A must-visit attraction. The building itself is a masterpiece: the Beaux-Arts marble façade, the lions standing guard on Fifth Avenue, and the Rose Main Reading Room with its painted sky ceiling that makes you stop in your tracks and look up. Even if you never open a book, the architecture alone is worth the trip. & Great team 👌🏽. Thank you & God bless you and your family 😊