Bryant Park
4.7(107K)google
4.6(1.4K)yelp
FamilyDate SpotWinter SnowNight-FriendlyOutdoorCity LandmarkLocal LifeFreeLocal FavoriteNatureFestivalPerformance
Overview
Offering a profoundly peaceful, elegant, and beautifully managed French-style green urban oasis right behind the magnificent historic neoclassical facade of the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is a national treasure. Spanning several meticulously manicured acres enclosed by towering Midtown corporate skyscrapers, the park features a lush, expansive central lawn, historic gravel walkways lined with mature London plane trees, and charming Parisian bistro chairs. It serves as a tranquil, vibrant social sanctuary hosting free summer outdoor movie nights, winter holiday markets, and ice skating.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-2 hours
Best TimeMidday from June to August for lawn picnics and outdoor programming, or late afternoon in December for the winter village and ice skating. The sun filtering through Midtown skyscrapers onto the green lawn creates a perfect urban oasis.
Getting ThereLocated in the heart of Midtown (42nd St & 6th Ave). Take the B/D/F/M subway to 42nd St-Bryant Pk station or the 7 train to 5th Ave station; exits lead directly into this central public park.
Travel Tips
- Travel Advisory: The central Great Lawn's open status is strictly seasonal and weather-dependent. Heavy rain in summer or the construction of the Winter Village ice rink will trigger lawns closures; check their official site or social alerts before planning a picnic.
- Winter Village Tip: The Rink is advertised as NYC's only free-admission ice skating venue, but this only applies if you bring your own skates. Skate rentals are costly and dynamically priced; pre-book an online timed-entry slot including rentals to bypass mass queues.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Best Shot: Head to the 6th Avenue park entrance on the west side. Position yourself directly behind the Josephine Shaw Lowell Fountain, shooting at a low wide-angle eastward to stack the historic stone basin, green canopies, and the massive Bank of America Tower.
Reviews
Positive
- Though located in bustling Midtown Manhattan, it offers a peaceful escape; the large clean lawn and movable classic green chairs are extremely comfortable.
- The park excels in year-round activities, from lively outdoor movies and free yoga in summer to a highly popular ice rink and holiday market in winter.
- Adjacent to the New York Public Library, the surrounding public transit network is incredibly developed with direct subway access, making it one of NYC's most convenient parks.
Heads up
- Being in the core midtown commercial district, the park is frequently packed during weekday lunch hours or events, making it tough to find an empty chair to rest.
- The public restrooms, though beautifully decorated, often have extremely long lines, especially the women's restroom which can take over 20 minutes.
- Prices at food stalls and shops during the winter market are heavily marked up, with snacks or hot drinks often being much costlier than at regular shops outside.