10 things to do in Bryant Park NYC
Right in the heart of Manhattan, this park is a green gem that allows you to relax while still enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city.
Bryant Park in the heart of Manhattan | ©Michael Hutchinson
In the middle of bustling Midtown Manhattan lies a small haven of peace known as Bryant Park, one of the city's smallest parks but one of the most beloved by New Yorkers. It's a beautiful place to take a break during your visit to the Big Apple.
If you'd like to discover one of New York's best parks, take note and make the most of its cultural agenda and everything it has to offer:
1. Ice skating at Christmas
Ice skaters are a typical Christmas scene in New York. From late October to early January, you can be one of them in Bryant Park, which for a few weeks becomes the Christmas village of Bank of America Winter Village.
This is where The Rink is set up, a large ice rink with free admission, as well as an iconic Christmas market full of souvenirs and gastronomic delicacies. Just like at Rockefeller Centre at Christmas, Bryant Park also lights up a Christmas tree, although it is less publicised.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony
There are no celebrities to liven up the evening, but it is still very special: a group of skaters dance and perform acrobatics to live music as the backdrop to a story that concludes with the lighting of the tree. Afterwards, the ice rink reopens to the public while musicians from Lincoln Centre play jazz. If you are going to be in the city at Christmas, you can read my article on 15 Christmas Things to Do in New York City
The ice rink remains open until April, when it is dismantled during the spring and work is done to allow the grass in Bryant Park to recover for the summer.
2. Join one of their summer activities
At the end of May, Bryant Park organises a multitude of activities that attract many curious visitors: free yoga, tai chi and dance classes, a reading corner, spaces for entertaining yourself with board games and my favourite plan, the legendary outdoor classic film festival that is screened on Monday nights during the summer months. There's free popcorn at the entrance if you arrive early!
If you like the idea and are travelling to New York in the summer, I recommend checking the official Bryant Park website to keep an eye on their programme and find out about schedules, events, etc. well in advance.
3. Take a photo of the legendary Bryant Park fountain
As soon as you arrive, the first thing you'll see if you enter via Sixth Avenue is the popular Bryant Park fountain, although its real name is the Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain, which was erected in 1912 in honour of a social worker who fought to improve working conditions for women. It was the city's first public monument dedicated to a woman.
If you visit Bryant Park in winter, this fountain is one of the most photographed spots in the park, as the cold weather causes the water to freeze and create interesting shapes.
4. Make the most of Bryant Park's cultural side
In its reading room
During the warmer months of the year, the Bryant Park Reading Room is a beautiful space under the trees with benches and tables where you can spend a pleasant time reading the newspaper or a book for free. No ID or cards are required.
In addition, the Reading Room organises reading programmes at lunchtime or after work for those who work in nearby offices and want to disconnect from their routine for a while. There is also a book club, spelling bees, meetings with writers, film discussions and activities for children.
With its concerts
In September in New York, the American Symphony Orchestra offers several intimate concerts that quickly sell out. Since seating for these events is limited, I recommend arriving early because seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. All performances begin at 5:30 PM.
If you enjoy piano concerts, between June and October there are also ragtime, stride and jazz recitals every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Picnic Performances
One of the coolest cultural activities in Bryant Park, and one that will ensure you have a fun evening, is the Picnic Performances, where the public can attend short opera, dance, music and theatre performances for free, with no queues, no tickets and no dress code.
In addition, blankets are distributed to attendees at the entrance to make the evening more relaxed, so they can lie down and enjoy the picnic while watching the show. There are even jugglers and giant games to entertain the audience!
Take part in their writing workshops
Did you know that Bryant Park offers free writing workshops with teachers to help you hone your writing skills? If you're interested in writing, I recommend attending these workshops, as they're a great opportunity to boost your creativity and meet people in New York who share your interests.
5. Hop on the Bryant Park Carousel
Bryant Park also has a small vintage carousel that was designed in harmony with the French style of the park and in homage to the European and American tradition of carousels. Its decoration and the animals that comprise it were handmade. If you visit New York with children and specifically this park, they will love it. The ride costs $3.
Other activities in Bryant Park for children
If you are travelling to New York with children, it is important to include plans in your itinerary that they can also enjoy. Bryant Park is one of those places where little ones can play outdoors and have fun with the children's activities on offer: the merry-go-round, story time, bubble shows, magic and much more.
6. Take the opportunity to visit the New York Public Library
The part of Bryant Park that borders Fifth Avenue is occupied by the New York Public Library, a beautiful neoclassical building accessed by a marble staircase decorated at the entrance with two fountains and two lions nicknamed Patience and Fortitude, which guard the greatest treasure of this space: its more than three million books.
I recommend visiting it after a stroll through Bryant Park because it houses literary and historical treasures such as a letter from Christopher Columbus, a draft of the United States Declaration of Independence, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible and some manuscripts by William Shakespeare.
Go up to the third floor
The majesty of its reading rooms is such that it has been used as a setting for several films, but the most famous of all is the Rose Reading Room, the main reading room on the third floor. Not only because it is the size of a football field, but also because of its ostentatious decoration with hanging lamps, solid oak tables and frescoes on the ceiling.
Interestingly, on the same floor you can see the library with original furniture belonging to Mary Shelley, the author of "Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus". This is one of the least known corners of the New York Public Library for most visitors.
7. Join one of the tours that visit it
Bird watching
Who would have thought that a park as small as Bryant Park could be home to such a diverse range of birds? If you enjoy bird watching, between September and October the NYC Audubon platform for the protection of these animals and their habitat organises guided tours to observe the wildlife in Bryant Park.
Guided tours
Weather permitting, every other Wednesday there is a guided walking tour of Bryant Park to learn about the origins of this park, its history and how for a few years it became a haven for crime and drugs in Manhattan's Town Square.
The tour starts every morning at 11 a.m. from the Bryant Park fountain, near Sixth Avenue and 41st Street, and lasts 45 minutes.
8. Attend the Film Festival in Bryant Park
A great plan for Monday nights in New York during the summer is to head to Bryant Park to enjoy its outdoor Film Festival. A giant screen is set up in front of the park's famous fountain, where classic films are shown while the audience picnics on the lawn.
The viewing area opens at 5 p.m. for attendees to take their seats, but the film starts between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
9. Stop by Nikola Tesla Corner
The corner of Sixth Avenue and 40th Street is dedicated to the inventor Nikola Tesla, as it is said that he spent a lot of time here feeding the birds. In fact, there is a sign on the street that says "Nikola Tesla Corner" to mark the spot.
Other sculptures and tributes
- The William Earl Dodge Monument: On the north side of the park is a bronze statue dedicated to philanthropist and businessman William Earl Dodge.
- The William Cullen Bryant Memorial: Bryant Park is also home to a memorial statue to the poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant, after whom the park has been named since 1884. When the New York Public Library was completed, this monument was installed in 1911.
10. Take the opportunity to explore the surrounding buildings
If there's one thing that travellers to New York love, it's its eclectic architecture. From Bryant Park, we can enjoy views of some very special buildings surrounding the park that give the area a unique character.
42nd Street
- 500 Fifth Avenue: On the north-west corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street stands this 212-metre-high Art Deco skyscraper designed by the architects of the Empire State Building.
- Bryant Park Building: On the northwest corner of Avenue of the Americas and 42nd Street is this building, which was remodelled in 1985 to become the headquarters of Home Box Office Building (HBO).
- Salmon Tower Building: This beautiful 1920s building is notable for the tile vaults in its lobby and the bas-reliefs around its entrance, which represent the months of the year. New York University occupies part of the building.
Avenue of the Americas
- Bank of America Tower: One of the most modern skyscrapers surrounding Bryan Park. It was completed in 2010 with a sustainable design in connection with nature and is the eighth tallest in the city. You will recognise it by its sloping roof and glass structure that allows light to pass through.
- 1095 Avenue of the Americas: This is a 192-metre-high skyscraper that was built in the 1970s as the headquarters of New York Telephone.
40th Street
- American Radiator Building: One of the most beautiful buildings surrounding Bryant Park. Art Deco and Neo-Gothic in style, it is characterised by black brick with gold trim to symbolise fire. You'll recognise it right away!
Fifth Avenue
- Knox Hat Building: This is one of the most beautiful commercial buildings in the city. It was built in the early 20th century and housed the offices of a major hat manufacturer used by personalities such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller.
- New York Public Library: One of the most impressive buildings in New York, both inside and out. It was inaugurated in 1911.
Other nearby buildings
- Chrysler Building: The favourite skyscraper of many New Yorkers and tourists thanks to its striking Art Deco architecture.
- Grand Central Terminal: A marvel of art and engineering that opened in the 19th century and is now one of New York's most outstanding architectural gems.
Where is Bryant Park and how to get there
Bryant Park is located on 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, very close to Times Square. You can reach the park by underground on the following lines:
- Lines B, D, F and M (42nd St/Bryant Park stop)
- Line 7 (5th Ave stop)
Where to eat in Bryant Park?
Bryant Park is the ideal place in Midtown Manhattan to take a break and enjoy a relaxed meal. There is a little bit of everything: from luxury restaurants to cosy cafés and small kiosks.
The Lodge Deck
During the winter, next to the ice rink, The Lodge Deck offers a seasonal menu and hot drinks in a space overlooking the ice skating rink. There are different types of sausages with accompaniments and sauces, as well as various dishes of chips with cheese, spicy sauce or bacon. Open daily between October and March from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fever-Tree Porch
When the weather is nice, the Fever Tree Porch is a great place to grab a bite to eat while you recharge your batteries. Their salads are delicious, but there are also other options such as burgers and sandwiches.
In addition, the Fever-Tree Porch has power outlets available for charging your phone or computer, which comes in handy after walking around the city all day. Since Bryant Park has free Wi-Fi, you can take advantage of this to upload all your photos to social media or make a video call home to tell everyone how much fun you're having on your trip. It is open Monday to Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Bryant Park Grill
Bryant Park Grill is a sophisticated Parisian-style restaurant perfect for a romantic evening if you're travelling to New York with your partner. Depending on the time of year, the terrace adapts to the weather, and as for the food, the menu is extensive and delicious. Ask about their desserts and cocktails, they're exquisite! Open weekends from 12 noon to 8:30 pm.
Bryant Park Café
Bryant Park Café is run by Bryant Park Grill but has a more informal feel. No reservation is needed to eat here, and the menu is American-style. Its terrace is a very popular spot, especially during the summer. It is open Wednesday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.