Tours and Tickets to Experience New York Public Library (Main Branch)
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New York Public Library (Main Branch)
The New York Public Library is a must for book lovers, who can walk right in off the street and explore.
Tours leave from the reception in Astor Hall, and are available on a first-come basis.
The library is a functioning research library so remain quiet in reading rooms and silence your phone.
The library is stroller- and wheelchair- accessible. Ramped access is available at the 42nd Street entrance.
There’s free Wi-Fi, public restrooms, and a water fountain at the library.
People Also Ask
There are plenty of ways to experience the New York Public Library (Main Branch). Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
The New York Public Library is free to visit for all. While you can explore some of the library’s rooms and collections on your own, the best way to learn more about the highlights is on a free docent-led tour or with a self-guided audio tour. Tours can be booked via the library website and are available daily from Monday to Saturday.
Yes, free docent-led tours and self-guided audio tours let you see more of the New York Public Library’s interior while learning about its history, media collections, and architecture. The library is also included on many New York City sightseeing tours—pass by the exterior and wave hello to the famous lion statues on your way to other Midtown destinations.
No visit to the New York Public Library is complete without seeing the two large marble lion statues guarding its entrance—walk right up to them from the street or swing by as part of a guided tour. Inside the library, the Polonsky Exhibition—the library’s first ever permanent display—showcases manuscripts, artworks, letters, and records from the library’s vast collection.
Yes, the New York Public Library is accessible to most people with disabilities, including wheelchair users. Inside the Visitor Center, you’ll find large print and braille label text and tactile objects related to exhibitions. You can request additional accommodations, including ASL interpretation and touch tours, by contacting the library directly.
The main branch of the New York Public Library is located in Bryant Park at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street. It’s close to many other top Midtown Manhattan attractions, including Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building. You can easily get to the library by subway, bus, bike, or taxi.