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Bryant Park
Categories: Active Life Parks Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Parks, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
41 W 40th St(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10018
Neighborhood: Midtown West
(212) 768-4242
- Nearest Transit:
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5 Av (7, 7X)
42 St - Bryant Pk (B, D, F, M)
Grand Central - 42 St (S)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
317 reviews for Bryant Park
Review Highlights
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"In the winter, they have ice skating here." In 67 reviews -
"Spring - The Spring Fashion Week, Piano in the Park." In 31 reviews -
"people watching is amazing here." In 29 reviews
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317 reviews in English
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Review from Joshua V.
5/21/2012 1 photo
Free movies in the summer?!?! Boom, I'm there; and so's a bottle of cheap wine.
I love this park. A contradictory entity of serenity placed in the center the bustling metropolis; step within its bounds and you can feel the calm of it wash away the tension. Plus if you ever want to feel inept at chess, one of the many coffee tablers are more than happy to oblige... which is why I usually bring my own partner so that I can benefit from her ineptitude (and so we can sit on the lawn... need to get my tan on). -
Review from Tia T.
Manhattan, NY
5/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Bryant Park is pretty fantastic, great for lunch although its always crowded on a nice day, but that just makes it better for people watching.
Probably the cleanest public bathrooms in the city.
The public events that are held in the park are pretty great too. They've got the movies on Mondays, the Broadway lunch time shows, free yoga, and ping pong tables! -
Review from Bruce K.
Much like Rome, New York City has these hidden in plain sight spots that you stumble upon as you're walking streets. I'm usually lost and so to find a neat little park like this on the way to Times Square was cool. A wide open space with grass and trees is a given, but the beautiful fountain is a plus. And the chairs and tables scattered around make this a great spot to camp out (so to speak) and eat a snack instead of wasting away at a desk inside.
Bonus: Free wi-fi!
Extra bonus: Fab view of the Empire State Building poking out above. -
Review from Adige G.
Mountain View, CA
5/19/2012
Nice way to sit and have a sandwich, tea, or coffee. People watching has never been better!.
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Review from Diana H.
Baldwin Park, CA
First park I've been to in NY. My first day in New York and I was enthralled by it's beauty. I don't know what to say, but let out a sigh. Its a sigh of "omg it's so gorgeous and lovely!" I had my first NY meal there and my first actual glimpse of NY. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a ping-pong table outdoors, chess table, and a children's library outdoors. Holy, is this heaven?
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Review from Suanne L.
3/28/2012 20 Check-ins Here
An Ode to Bryant Park
Beneath your leafy canopy
Respite from the City's bustle and noise
Your green grass and pleasant paths
Abound with life in the purest sense
Nature bursts forth in delicate blooms and chirps
Thrilling the urban eye and ear
Perhaps, however, I would savor you more if
Alien tourists and Chipotle eaters
Required less space. And if topless sunbathers
Knew that the beer belly was not so attractive. -
Review from Sandra B.
Woodstock, NH
4/26/2012
You NYC tourists are gonna love this. Bryant park has an ice skating rink free to any one with or without ice skates. If you have none you can rent at a reasonable price right there behind the library.
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Review from Dimitrios D.
New York, NY
4/15/2012
It's a beautiful (but fairly small) park! It gets quite crowded though, because of this.
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Review from Jonathan W.
3/28/2012
A little peace in the concrete jungle. It's got some scenic people watching areas. It's got the New York feel and energy. Great access to the tourist locales and a nice break during your shopping tours.
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Review from Lauren L.
Manhattan, NY
5/10/2012
I absolutely love Bryant Park. It's a perfect example why NYC is so great - they put money into somewhere and a blah area of the city is able to completely reinvent itself and become a wonderful midtown oasis. My office is right near Bryant Park and I always enjoy walking through whenever I can! There are so many great things about it - the library is beautiful and an NYC landmark, and eating lunch on the steps or at a table outside on a sunny day is a wonderful thing. I also love the park in the winter. The holiday shops are adorable, and they're able to complete transform a green lawn that would ordinarily be useless in the winter into a free ice rink. Every time I walk through I am charmed by something new I discover, whether it's freshly planted flowers in the spring, hot cocoa from Celsius overlooking the ice rink in the winter, yoga by lululemon and broadway performances in the summer, free wifi all year, or kids riding the carousel.
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Review from Ann Q.
5/4/2012
i visited this park close to 10pm on a weekday and it was still full of life! there were people out playing ping pong and others just sitting and chatting. this place also has the cleanest public park bathrooms ever. i felt like i was walking into a 5 star hotel for a second! go nyc!
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Review from Valerie G.
Updated - 2/1/2012 3 photos
We went 3 days in arow, because the weather was so amazing it was 15 degrees Cad or 61 degrees US today, each time we just would sit and the Bar area where they have wonderful lounge rocking chairs, facing the fountain and chilled, reading and partaking in hot chocolate one day, Wine another, a beer, ya know relax.
We did try Pickle Petes, I would say he is no where as near as good as my pick the pickle guys (wow say that 5 times) guys, but he does have one of the spiciest pickles, I have ever tried. We are hotsauce and pepper people but I throw down the challenge to anyone who thinks they can eat a whole one.....they also have fried pickles, which just makes me smile, but you know I will have to try it at some point...Listed in: New york RW 2012, Jan 26-…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/28/2012
What an amazing way to relax outdoors in midtown Manhattan all year round. They have installed a… Read more »
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Review from J T.
New York, NY
4/17/2012
I can't think of a better place to take a lunch break in midtown!
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Review from Paolo M.
For my 100th review, my favorite spot of the year. Yelpers here, like Giacomo C., have already said about Bryant Park what I wanted to say. So, at the risk of being redundant, I fashioned a sonnet.
Ahem...
Affection abounds for you, Bryant Park
For freely you offer yourself complete.
Refreshing shade avert the summer's heat
Bejeweled winter lights resplendent in the dark,
Bryant Park, you are my most beloved landmark.
Voyeurs relish your abundant masses.
Lovers, haters, all, in secret glasses.
Like ants upon a watermelon found
Watchful eyes should I have of those around?
To skyscrapers, that tower and threaten
To swallow me, should I grieve or lament?
Nay. For this confluence where intricate
Green, ice, glass, and steel emerge harmonious
Its magic rests our silent sacrament.
* Like Giacomo suggests, Bryant Park is quite the hub to other activities: shopping on 5th Ave., Grand Central Station, Times Square, Little Brazil, Rockeffeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building, Port Authority (ok, not a great attraction, but a major transportation hub), St. Patrick's Cathedral, The MetLife Building, and my favorite spot next to Bryant Park - The NY Library.
* This place makes the best possible use of public space I've ever seen with it's corners to lounge in, tables and chairs scattered throughout, cafe, and restaurant (Bryant Park Grill) on the premise, outdoor entertainment, outdoor reading library, carousel, etc...
* Please take advantage of the FREE Southwest Porch to lounge under umbrellas as you listen to live music and people watch, or to use the free wireless.Listed in: 5 Star Eliteness: You Eff'n…
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Review from Eddie H.
3/18/2012
With Times Square (epitome of tourist overload in NYC) a few blocks away, Bryant Park provides that much needed departure not only from tourist central but the workplace. Sure it gets crowded during the warm months and sure no one wants to sit in the lawn without shade during those scorching hot days, but all you need is some patience and a strong sense of awareness to find a seat during the workday alongside the lawn. At the very least this place can provide solace mid-day in the fact that you are not alone in wearing a suit in degree weather anxiously awaiting for happy hour to arrive a few short hours away. Also, this place provides an ideal setting to meet some very well dressed singles outside the workplace or bar (which hardly ever happens because of lack of time).
Listed in: NYC Parks
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Review from Cheri D.
I love Bryant Park.
First of all, location is key. I love the area. Right in he middle of everything, surrounded by city. If you are visiting the great midtown sights like Empire, Chrysler, Times Sq, or shopping up 5th Ave, then take a nice stop in Bryant Park to rest and enjoy the people watching.
I love that whenever I visit NYC that there is always something going on in Bryant Park. Skating in the winter (free admission but there are fees for lockers etc) shops (mostly the normal trinkets and jewellery, but there is a pickle stand!), Le Carrousel (don't think i haven't done it, i have. $2 a ride), the fountain (they don't like people in the fountain, so just admire it from the side). The Porch was perfect when we wanted to grab a drink and sit by the fire pit to keep our feet toasty.Listed in: Get Outside!
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Review from Max Q.
New York, NY
4/9/2012 9 Check-ins Here
Great out door place to take lunch if you work in the area. One of the cleanest public bath room in mid town. I always look at this park as a little treat in concrete jungle!!
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Review from Giacomo C.
New York, NY
12/6/2011
I love the free ice-skating rink in the Winter.
I love the free movie-screening in the Summer.
I love the concerts in between.
I love the view of the surrounding buildings, which strangely don't make me feel like I'm suffocating.
I love the option of using their free chairs.
I love its closeness to a lot of other attractions in the city: the NY Public Library, Times Sq., Heral Sq. & Macy's, the Empire State Bldg, the Chrysler Bldg, the UN, the Rockefeller Center...
...Yes, I wrote this last one mostly for the tourists, but it's true: Bryant Park is an easy relaxing stop between every place in Midtown worth visiting.
:-) -
Review from Christopher C.
Sunnyside, NY
1/5/2012 8 Check-ins Here
What a nice park, they have all sorts of shop and table tennis.
It's nice to stroll through there before work. -
Review from Kelly S.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
When the crowds of Rock Center drive me over the edge insane, I stroll down the 10 or so blocks to Bryant Park for some proper people watching. People watching NYC style, not people watching people watching staring up at the lights and the trees and the action.
I, of course, love SW Porch and having an al fresco cocktail...around the fire in the winter, on a swing in the summer. I often meet friends here for a sammie from 'whichcraft and a watermelonade vodka. Hic!
It's a true urban oasis--the great lawn, the library steps, the fountains, the new yorkers. It's not a Central Park oasis--you still feel like you're in the city...just breathing a little easier. -
Review from Kristin Leigh M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Do I like this better than Rockefeller Plaza? I think so!
The tree here is just so lovely and you can actually get pretty darn close to it without being mobbed by tons of tourists and locals, alike!
The ice skating rink is a nice added winter touch; wish I could have gone skating. It looked to be less crowded than Rockefeller and perhaps slightly larger? Maybe it was just my eyes.
A nice place to people watch or to take a rest from the days' travels. Love it! -
Review from Faith D.
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
One word: Lovely.
Carve out some downtime from the chaos that NYC can bring. Grab food from a cart and bring it here or go to a nearby restaurant. In either case, you'll want to set yourself at one of the park tables and enjoy the day here.
It's a nice way to relax in the bustling city amongst the skyscrapers and other people. -
Review from dave q.
Manhattan, NY
3/25/2012
Everyone knows about Bryant Park judging by how crowded it gets on nice days, but I wanted to chime in anyways. This park is amazing! It is such a nice place to grab lunch or a coffee while taking in some sunlight when the weather is nice.
Ok, now to move on to some of the minor cons in the hopes that the staff will fix them:
1. Ban all solicitation (and enforce it)
2. I don't know if this is possible, but can you keep the lawn open more months of the year?
3. Again, not sure if this is do-able, but 4 months of ice skating? That's annoying. It just brings in tourists (also probably revenue from Citi, I understand) and wastes space. Consider making it a holiday thing (Nov-Dec).
Otherwise, great space! -
Review from Victor R.
9/29/2011
The old, iconic former home of NYC's Fashion Week...I like this Park A LOT. From the views, to the seating areas, you always get a great feeling eating in or visiting Bryant Park.
It's amazing looking at the wonderful architecture that towers over you, or the magnificently kept greenery that surrounds you. The lush greenery varies in height (from low foliage at ground level, to massive trees that provide nice shade). The fountain, circular design, and lush greenery always reminds me of a cross between Central Park & Columbus Circle. Like a snapshot of both landmarks, rolled-up into one magnificent spacing. One that fits snugly into Manhattan's "urban jungle".
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A little Pro-Tip: It can get REALLY hot and muggy at times in this Park. You'll feel like you're in a greenhouse. But on days when it's breezy out, you'll have a wonderful time here.
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As a follower of the Urban Land Institute (aka the ULI), this park's transformation into a "go to" destination has really been a remarkable story. In the Fall to late Fall (think around Late October into early December), it can TRULY be a joy to take casual strolls here with your girlfriend/wife, etc.Listed in: My NYC Stars, It's A Green, Green World
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Review from Benson Y.
Updated - 2/22/2012 187 Check-ins Here
I'm upping my rating now that they've finished construction on the 40street entrance. It's not anything fancy, but it is wide open and makes the park look much less like a construction zone in that section. Also, kudos to Bryant Park for keeping a portion of the holiday market (mostly food vendors) open until the end of February. It was nice to have a few of those stands left after their all too brief appearance during the holiday season!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/20/2011
Running across town every workday morning, I spent a good chunk of time getting psychologically… Read more »
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Review from Anna V.
The essential New York experience.
Park/lunch/movie/fresh air by summer months. Ice skate/christmas shop/hot chocolate by winter.
The best part, it is one of the few if not the only park where you feel the awe and energy of New York. Look up! As you chat on the phone, sitting on an ornate metal chair during lunch time, you realize you're not in Kansas anymore. You feel like the center of the earth as you're surrounded by rows of extremely tall trees, only to be outdone by a whole other sphere of skycrapers. Smile! -
Review from Althea A.
Updated - 2/4/2012 3 photos
I still love Bryant Park just as much as I indicated in my previous review!
I just thought I'd mention what to do if you lose something.
The other day, after sitting and drinking hot chocolate from Lily O'Brien's at one of the park's tables, I accidentally left my bag of dollar books from Book-Off, and didn't realize it until an hour later. Of course, it was gone. And no, I didn't get it back. I'm sure there are some neighborhoods where no one would WANT to pick up a used paperback by Kazuo Ishiguro, but right next to the NYPL, in a park that features a "Reading Room," isn't one of those places. Goodbye books! I hope that whoever found them is enjoying them!
However, since I did ask, on the off chance that someone found or turned in my books, I have now learned that if you lose something in Bryant Park, you should go to the maintenance shed, which is located at 40th St., between the library building and the carousel. The staff in the office there will be happy to use their radios to call around and see if anyone found something.Listed in: Parks of NYC, Things to See in…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/3/2011
Quote from last night: "you know, it's hard to even remember how it used to look here, with all the… Read more »
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Review from rose k.
10/18/2011
Hot damn. Chairs and tables to sit at, a fountain for snooty New York brides-to-be to take photos in front of, trees, good view of architecture, construction, the Southwest Porch to sit in a rocking chair and have a cocktail, a CAROUSEL, decent shopping nearby, . Basically your daily needs fulfilled in NYC. And, speaking of daily needs... drumroll please... Cleanest Public Restrooms I Have Ever Experienced. My friend and I were standing in line for the women's restroom and my elbow accidentally made contact with the astonishingly large flower arrangement at the entrance. WHAT?! FRESH, LIVE FLOWERS?! They sure were. My friend, the New Yorker, shot me an "I Told You This Was Worth It" look.
Complete with heat in the winter time, automatically-changing shrink wrap for the toilet seats and more fresh flowers to spruce up the sink area, I now understand why my friends would walk 27 blocks just to use this restroom. I had to pay at least 50 cents each time I wanted to use a hole in the ground in China. I'd say it's a privilege to have something like this.
(Take from this what you will, but interestingly enough right down the street as I was using the pristine Bryant Park toilets, the Occupy Wall Street protesters were conducting a march towards Times Square).Listed in: Park it here, Empire state of mind
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Review from Vineet S.
9/6/2011 3 Check-ins Here
An absolute gem in the heart of the city. I am in love with this park, I always feel good being close to the mother nature.
Ample seating arrangement for the park visitors. It is clean and very well maintained with free wifi too.It's not crowded with tourists(thinking of central park).It also has couple of eating options with my favourite being wichcraft.The other advantage of the park is the close proximity to the reading room(NY Library).
They also have movie shows during summer and other events.Will be on a lookout for the future events organised at the bryant park.Listed in: Touristy Places !!!, Green Pastures !!!
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Review from Morgen B.
12/6/2011
I really do appreciate and love all things related to Bryant Park.
I ate lunch here almost every day here as an intern this summer.
I stole a chair from an unsuspecting couple to watch a Broadway in the Park show.
I've battled pigeons with my flats, because they're so damn ambitious.
I've sat by the fountain and ignored my bosses text messages.
Ah, many memories, Bryant park, many memories.
You will be in my heart forever. Or at least until I make better memories in Central park. -
Review from Sasha G.
10/11/2011 4 Check-ins Here
A Haiku for Bryant Park:
I love Bryant Park.
Always so scenic and clean.
No dirt to be seen.
Yeah, that haiku sucks (but it took me a minute)! Anyways, Bryant Park is an awesome park. I've always found a seat when I'm there and I always appreciate my mother's anecdote; "when your father and I were dating we always came to this park. Right, Geno?" and my father of course nods. Cute. Apparently this park has been here for a while and although it's located in tourist-heaven which is very irritating to a New Yorker like me, it's still beautiful.
I appreciate the view, the people watching, the shops during Christmas time, the ice skating rink during Winter, the film festival during the summertime and free events year-round. Oh, yes. -
Review from Matty G.
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bryant Park is a nice little piece of greenery located in the middle of a asphalt jungle. It offers the amenities of a park along with a little extra at no cost to you. It may not be as big as Central Park, but who ever said size matters?
The park is nestled nicely in between a bunch of sky scrapers as well as the New York Public Library. It offers table and chair seating, a nice Cafe to get some coffee and snacks, as well as a small merry-go-round for kids. I was surprised by how clean it was for a city park and by how well the lights from the neighboring building lit up the main grass area. It seems like a popular spot to hit up for city residents and was very nice when I was there. My buddy and I enjoyed our pizza diner here and did some good people watching.
Overall I gave this place four stars because of the cleanliness, the beauty, and the different little things the park offered. I would say this is a good destination if you want to avoid the complexities of Central Park. I enjoyed it and if I am ever chowing food in the area again, I will be heading back here. -
Review from Yuna D.
11/25/2011
I love Bryant Park, and I don't know where to start.
First of all, I love the fact that it's right behind the library. It's so rewarding getting to go to Bryant Park after finishing up a crapload of work.
Second of all, I love how there's always seating at Bryant Park, even at night, when there's a lot of people waiting to ice skate or shopping at the holiday shops or eating.
Speaking of ice rink and all that stuff, I love how there's always so much to do there. The holiday shops are so adorable; the jewelry isn't exactly my style but theres even a cute Asian store where they sell hamtaro body PJs! I was going to buy one but my housemate said she would disown me ):
There's also a mini Max Brenner stand where they sell REALLY creamy goodness hot chocolate, which is perfect for a cold day, and they have these huge $5 dollar walnut chocolate chip cookies which are like... the size of my face (and I have a ginormous face.)
The view is so pretty too, with the towering trees, and the water fountain.
This would be such a nice place for a date.
... find me a boyfriend please. OTL -
Review from Janine C.
8/14/2011
Bryant Park has so much to offer. In the spring and summer months, catch a free movie screening on select Monday evenings. In the winter, grab a friend, your favorite mittens and head to Bryant Park for an ice-skating extravaganza.
Year round there is always plenty of seating so this is an ideal to meet up with a friend over lunch.Listed in: NYC Dates!!!
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Review from Gina K.
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this park. I come here pretty often whenever I'm in the area.
In the summer, they have the Summer Reading series, where there are shelves of books you can borrow to read. They also have the summer movie series and they actually show some pretty cool movies.
In the winter, they have ice skating here.
They also have a table tennis area and it's fun to watch all the Asian men playing. You can rent out paddles and wait for your turn.
This place gets backed in the summer, but I've always managed to find a table/seat here because they just have that many.
The bathrooms here are actually not too bad for park standards. I'm really surprised.
There are multiple dining areas, so you can take out and eat in the park. -
Review from Chloé L.
Theater District, Manhattan, NY
2/3/2012
I just love this place.
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Review from Alex C.
11/10/2011
This is one of my favorite parks in NYC. I stayed right across the street on 5th so I passed by here everyday. There is a lot of green space amidst the towering skyscrapers nearby (that BofA tower is amazing).
Plus, there are a ton of chairs and tables so you can relax by reading a book or newspaper. I just sat down to people watch; there was a range from business people to tourists to everyone in between.
The coolest part was watching a dad let his young son and daughter splash around at the fountain.
There are two major subway stops so you can here in no time flat. The park is centrally located to everything in Midtown. -
Review from Terrie C.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
9/21/2011
To my amazement, Bryant Park has the CLEANEST and most GORGeouS bathroom facilities for a park/public area!!! It has like granite counters and marble accents, auto flush toilets, elegant fixtures and so on. When I first stopped by I was soooo trepidatious in going into this separate shed-like structure that looked like one of those recreational parks facilities (boy did I have my share of the worst bathrooms in America traumatic experience). As soon as I walked in, it was like finding gold in the middle of a park and no one knows about it. SO FUNNY! there is always someone in there (looks like a maid) who is constantly maintaining the order and preventing mess. so this is where all our taxes go to!
This is not opened 24-hours, so you'll just have to get lucky. I tried to go another time at another hour (was not even off-peak) and it was closed. So the time that it was opened, I was just lucky! haha. -
Review from Kira c.
Manhattan, NY
8/2/2011
I think it's all been said but anyway.....This is a great park to rest your tired feet after walking around the area. Also great for relaxing and reading books and eating goodies from Kinokuniya book store. It's great in the Spring and Summer months , since there are lots of trees and umbrellas to provide a cooler shade.
I don't come here during the colder months, I prefer the Spring/Summer ;). But it's equally beautiful and nice with snow, holiday decorations,ice ring etc..... -
Review from Jay M.
New York, NY
Beautiful park right in the heart of midtown. They offer all kinds of events throughout the year, ice skating and holiday shops in the winter, concerts and other activities in the summer. Great place to chill and just have your lunch or even play a game of ping pong.
