Bryant Park

The Basics

Guided walking tours, food tours, and holiday tours in Midtown Manhattan often pass by, or through, Bryant Park. Consider booking one of several guided tours that explore the grounds. Alternatively, try a hop-on hop-off bus tour that passes by the park and stroll at your leisure. It’s easy to combine a trip to Bryant Park with a stop at the main branch of the New York Public Library, located around the corner on 42nd Street.

Bryant Park has several unique features, including a carousel, free ice skating rink, and a Reading Room, which lends visitors books and magazines and offers public literary events such as free poetry readings and workshops.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Food options are plentiful in the park. Bryant Park Grill features a full menu and rooftop dining, while Bryant Park Café offers informal meals.

• Bring the kids and enjoy the park's free events, games, and ping-pong tables.

• Bryant Park has free Wi-Fi.

How to Get There

Bryant Park is conveniently located between 40th and 42nd streets, and bordered by Fifth and Sixth avenues. Centrally located in Manhattan, Bryant Park is very easy to access by subway. To get to the park, take the B, D, F, or M subway line to 42nd Street/Bryant Park or the 7 train to Fifth Avenue.

When to Get There

An ideal year-round destination, Bryant Park always has something happening. On weekdays, the park is busy during lunch hours and after 5pm—it's a popular destination for dining alfresco. To avoid crowds, arrive in the morning or midafternoon.

Visiting the Bryant Park Holiday Market

During the holiday season, the Bryant Park Winter Village market is a perfect stop. Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, the village has boutiques, holiday shops, and food vendors lining the park's plazas and terraces. Pick up perfect holiday gifts for the family, or grab artisan-crafted handicrafts and souvenirs to remember your visit.

Ways to explore

While Bryant Park has a lovely meadow and shaded walking paths, its main attractions are cultural—think poetry readings, live music performances, and a calendar packed with special events. The park also has an eclectic dining scene, ranging from snack kiosks to the upscale Bryant Park Grill, plus family-favorite attractions such a carousel and seasonal ice rink.

Guided walking tours, food tours, and holiday tours in Midtown Manhattan often pass through Bryant Park. Alternatively, try a hop-on, hop-off bus tour that stops by the park and stroll at your leisure. It’s easy to combine a trip to Bryant Park with a stop at the main branch of the New York Public Library, located right next to it.

Accessibility

Bryant Park is accessible to wheelchair users, with accessible entrances on 40th and 42nd Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Age limits

None—bring the kids to enjoy free events, games, and ping-pong tables.

What to pack

Blanket, snacks, water bottle

What to wear

Weather-appropriate clothes

Not allowed

Smoking or vaping, drinking alcohol outside designated areas, feeding the pigeons

Amenities

Restaurants and concessions, restrooms, free Wi-Fi

Address

Bryant Park is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, right behind the New York Public Library. It’s easy to reach by subway, as well as by taxi, bus, or bike.

Driving

Driving in Midtown is generally not recommended due to heavy congestion and limited parking. If you must drive, look for parking in one of the area’s many parking garages.

Public transportation

Take the subway to 42nd Street–Bryant Park (B, D, F, M, 7), or walk 5 minutes from Times Square–42nd Street (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S) or from Grand Central–42nd Street (4, 5, 6, 7, S).

Best times to visit

On weekdays, the park is busy during lunch and after 5pm—it’s a popular destination for dining alfresco. For a less crowded time, arrive in the morning or mid-afternoon.

Best days to visit

The park is open daily, but you’ll find the fewest crowds at off-peak times midweek, versus on the weekends.

Best months to visit

Bryant Park is liveliest in the summer, but if you’re willing to bundle up, come during the holiday season to enjoy Winter Village—a European-style Christmas market and skating rink.

Special events

Nothing compares to Bryant Park’s summer lineup. On any given day, you’ll find activities such as outdoor movie screenings (put down a blanket hours before showtime), yoga classes, Broadway performances, kids’ entertainment, and more—all for free.