Jefferson Market Library
New York City, NY
Jefferson Market Library looks like a castle, was originally a courthouse, and is now a public library. This 19th-century architectural gem in Greenwich Village was saved by local residents from demolition in the 1960s, and now it’s popular with the laptop crowd. The Venetian Gothic structure is complete with regal spires and turrets, soaring stained glass windows, and an old firewatcher’s tower.
The basics
Pop into the library to check out a book, work on the computer, or sit in glorious silence by a stained glass window. Or you can admire the outside of the building on a walking tour of Greenwich Village, where you’ll learn the stories behind the neighborhood’s iconic locales, from the Stonewall Inn to the venues where great American musicians and comedians got their start. Ghost tours also make a stop at Jefferson Market Library—there are plenty of spooky legends associated with the site’s past as a courthouse and detention center.
Things to know before you go
- All ages are welcome at the library—there’s a whole floor of children’s books, as well as scheduled activities for children, like crafts and read-alongs.
- The Jefferson Market Garden next door to the library, formerly the site of an Art Deco prison for women, is open seasonally.
- The library is accessible to both wheelchairs and strollers.
- Head to the library’s website for its events calendar, which includes everything from poetry readings to movie nights.
How to get there
The Jefferson Market Library is in the heart of Greenwich Village, a short walk from attractions like Washington Square Park and the High Line. The closest subway station is West 4th Street-Washington Square, which is served by the A, B, C, D, E, F, and M lines, while the 9th Street PATH station is just outside.
When to get there
The library is usually open from 10am through to the evening from Saturday to Tuesday, with limited hours on Sunday afternoons. It is closed on Thursdays and Fridays. To combine your visit to the library with a stroll around Jefferson Market Garden, known for its dahlias in the spring and pumpkin patch in the fall, go when it’s open from April to October.
More rainy day activities
Rainy day in Greenwich Village? The neighborhood has no shortage of places to hide from a downpour. After a reading session at Jefferson Market Library, catch a show at one of the area’s famed venues, from jazz at the Village Vanguard or Blue Note to a few laughs at the Comedy Cellar. Or you can head to one of the many art galleries, indie theaters, or countless restaurants.
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