Bryant Park: A park at the foot of New York’s skyscrapers
Bryant Park is one of New Yorkers' and tourists' favorite parks. Enjoy a friendly and peaceful atmosphere with beautiful views of the Empire State Building.
What You Need to Know About Bryant Park
- Bryant Park sits at the foot of the New York Public Library, the city’s main library, between 41st and 42nd Streets and between 5th and 6th Avenues.
- The park was named in 1884 after William Bryant, a writer and owner of the New York Evening Post. Bryant was a passionate abolitionist.
- Here’s a curious fact: in 1823, the land now occupied by Bryant Park served as a cemetery for the poor. It closed in 1840.
- Another interesting piece of history: during the 1853 World’s Fair, this site hosted the debut of Isaac Singer’s first sewing machine and Elisha Otis’s first elevator.
What to See in Bryant Park
- Something is always happening in Bryant Park. The park runs year-round activities: a Christmas market, Fashion Week events, summer concerts, theater performances, and outdoor movie nights. You can even rent board games like Scrabble and checkers.
- At noon, office workers from nearby buildings fill the park for lunch. Bring your own sandwich and join them.
- Tip: well-maintained public restrooms are located at the corner of 42nd Street, behind the New York Public Library.
Visitor Reviews
- Nath Giron: “A pleasant park where you can catch summer concerts. You can eat, relax, and take a break on the many chairs or on the grass. It’s very peaceful. There are also beautiful statues and flowers.”
- Typhène Tyty: “Even in the rain, it’s a lovely spot. Our hotel was just two blocks away!”
- Éliane Villemaire: “I loved it.”
- Nicole Couturier: “Beautiful park. I saw the tree lighting on December 2nd, with a show on the ice rink.”
Bryant Park in Photos
