The Morgan Library & Museum
4.7(5.1K)google
4.4(430)yelp
Date SpotSlow-PacedIndoorPhoto SpotMust-SeeLiteratureArtHistoric Building
Overview
Offering an exceptionally sophisticated, scholarly, and visually magnificent cultural experience, The Morgan Library & Museum in Murray Hill houses the legendary private book and art treasury of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. The grand neoclassical interior features majestic multi-level inlaid walnut bookshelves, rare historic stained glass rotunda installations, and three magnificent fireplaces carved by European masters. Housing an extraordinary collection of original illuminated medieval manuscripts, handwritten music scores by Mozart, and historic Gutenberg Bibles, it serves as a premier destination for bibliophiles.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeA magnificent indoor museum best visited on weekday mornings around 10:30 AM to bypass the crowds. This timing lets you appreciate Mr. Morgan's original three-story walnut-shelved library, illuminated manuscripts, and rare books in peace.
Getting ThereLocated in Midtown at 225 Madison Ave. Take the 6 subway line to the 33rd St station, then walk north along Madison Avenue for about 4 blocks (situated between 36th and 37th Streets). Public transit is advised.
Travel Tips
- Tickets & Modification: All admission tickets must be booked online in advance for a specific timed entry slot as there is no walk-up ticket window. Tickets are strictly non-refundable. For exchanges, you must email the ticketing department at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled time.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- Best Shot: To capture the three-story wall of historic books, stand dead center at the entrance of the East Room. Switch your camera to ultra-wide mode (0.5x) and shoot from a slightly lower angle to frame the majestic ceiling frescoes and the surrounding towering bookshelves together.
Photo Rules
- Pro-tip & Restrictions: The iconic historic library room is kept extremely dim to preserve rare manuscripts. Photography with flash, tripods, or selfie sticks is strictly banned. No beverages, including bottled water, are allowed inside the historic rooms and must be checked at the cloakroom.
Reviews
Positive
- The grand three-story walnut bookshelves, exquisite frescoes, and rare medieval manuscripts fill this space with an intense aura of classical wealth, knowledge, and art.
- Compared to massive museums, the tourist density here is much lower, and the management is well-ordered, providing a peaceful, intimate, and elegant atmosphere.
- Great location; the staff are incredibly polite and professional, and the museum thoughtfully provides high-quality free lockers and accessible facilities.
Heads up
- The admission fee is on the higher side given its small exhibition scale, and without a ticket, you can barely see the core, beautiful old library rooms from the perimeter.
- To protect the rare, historic collections, lighting in the core library and galleries is extremely dim, and flash photography or any photos in certain zones is strictly banned.
- Secondary spending inside, such as souvenir books at the gift shop or dining at the internal cafe, is priced very high, offering lower value for money.
Filming Locations
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