Where to find free toilets in New York?

Finding public restrooms in New York isn’t always straightforward. When nature calls, it helps to know your options. You’ll find restrooms in museums, bars, and restaurants throughout the city, but that usually means paying an admission fee or buying a drink—which may send you back to the restroom later. If you’re exploring the streets and need a restroom urgently, here are your best bets for free facilities:

1/ Starbucks cafés

• This American chain is a reliable option in a pinch. Restrooms are generally free, though some Midtown locations have closed theirs due to crowds. At most other Starbucks locations, restrooms remain accessible and free.
• You don’t need to buy anything to use the restroom at Starbucks—unlike many other chains, where you typically need to show a receipt to get a key.

2/ Department Stores

Department stores are New York’s major shopping destinations, and they all have free public restrooms for visitors, whether you shop or not.
Check out the full list of department stores in New York, including these three convenient locations:

• Macy’s on Herald Square, steps from the Empire State Building. Address: 151 West 34th Street, between 7th and 6th Avenues.
• Bloomingdale’s, with locations in Midtown and SoHo. Addresses: 59th Street/Lexington Avenue and 504 Broadway in SoHo.

3/ Public libraries

Public libraries are among the best places to find free restrooms in New York: they’re always well-maintained and peaceful, with few crowds. I especially recommend the New York Public Library, at the corner of 5th Avenue and 42nd Street in the heart of Midtown.
New York has 88 public libraries, so that’s 88 restroom options. Here are a few locations:

• Financial District: Battery Park City Library, in Battery Park. 175 North End Avenue, steps from One World Trade Center.
• Midtown: Grand Central Library. 135 East 46th Street, between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue.
• Roosevelt Island: Roosevelt Island Library. 524 Main Street, on Roosevelt Island. Steps from the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
• Greenwich Village: Jefferson Market Library. The architecture alone is worth the detour. 425 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue), between 9th and 10th Streets.
• East Village: Tompkins Square Library. 331 East 10th Street, between Avenue A and Avenue B, facing Tompkins Square Park.

4/ Lobbies of luxury hotels

• Luxury hotels typically have bars, restaurants, and conference rooms, making it easy to find free restrooms. To use them, I’d suggest not arriving in a large group: act confident and behave like a guest.
• Stick to major international chains like Marriott, Hilton, or InterContinental. The larger the hotel, the less likely you’ll be noticed. Avoid boutique hotels, where a receptionist will greet you at the door.

5/ Churches

Surprisingly, several New York churches have free public restrooms. These three popular tourist destinations are good examples:

• The beautiful Trinity Church, on Broadway, facing Wall Street, in the Financial District.
• St. Paul’s Chapel, the chapel used by rescue workers after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Beyond its historical significance, this chapel is definitely worth visiting and has free restrooms. Address: 209 Broadway, between Vesey Street and Fulton Street.
• Riverside Church, a large church overlooking the Hudson River in the Upper West Side. Address: 490 Riverside Drive, between 120th and 122nd Streets.

6/ Restrooms in Central Park

One more place where you might struggle to find a restroom: Central Park! The good news is that New York’s largest park has 20 public restrooms. They’re marked on park maps, but here are five key locations to remember:

• Tennis House: in the middle of the park at 94th Street. Open year-round.
• Model Boathouse (Kerbs) Cafe: at Conservatory Water and 74th Street. Open year-round.
• Sheep Meadow Cafe: in the middle of the park at 69th Street. Closed in winter.
• Bethesda Terrace: in the middle of the park at 72nd Street. Closed in winter.
• Robert Bendheim Playground: at 100th Street and 5th Avenue. Closed in winter.