Bryant Park, New York - Opening hours, what to see, map

new york bryant park trees

Bryant Park in central Manhattan, is a little oasis of peace and greenery, surrounded by some of New York’s tallest skyscrapers. The park sits just behind the historic library on 42nd Street and although it’s small, it has a number of features to enjoy. There’s a children’s carousel and an iconic water fountain, but people come here mainly to sit on the grass and relax. Around the lawns are green chairs and tables, benches and chess tables.

new york bryant park library

Another feature in the park is the terrace at the rear of the library which is partly occupied by one of New York’s fashionable restaurants. The rest of the terrace is available for park goers to enjoy and gives a lovely perspective on the lawned areas of the park, surrounded by 6 large flower beds. There is also a free outdoor ‘Reading Room’ where you can pick up a book or publication from the carts and just sit and read it.

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The Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, stands on its own terrace and is one of the longest surviving features in the park. It was dedicated in 1912, but the park had a chequered history after that and was not always the magnet for New Yorkers as it is now. In fact in the 1970s it was a place to avoid unless you wanted to get mugged! Today, the park is friendly and welcomin and you’ll find frequent seasonal events here from summer music performances to a winter market.

new york bryant park fountain