A Guide to NYC for Book Lovers
This guide to NYC for book lovers will show you all the best literary things to do in New York City.
As a native New Yorker and a major book lover myself, I’ve rounded up all the best literary landmarks around the city to check out, from historic libraries to bookstores to book-themed bars and more!
Oh, and want to stay in the perfect literary hotel during your trip? I recommend the Library Hotel. It’s a charming boutique hotel in Midtown that’s steps away from Bryant Park, the Stephen A. Schwartzman Building of the New York Public Library, and Grand Central Station. Ideal for a literary trip to NYC!
The rooms at the Library Hotel have plenty of literary flair. The lobby and the lounge also feature decor that is a book lover’s dream. Plus, there’s a cute rooftop bar and restaurant called Bookmarks here!
Now here’s a look at the top things to do in New York City for book lovers:
New York Public Library
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library is the flagship location of the library, and it’s open to visitors. Located on Fifth Avenue and East 41st Street by Bryant Park, this grand marble library opened in 1911. This is one of the top places to visit in NYC if you love books and libraries!
With its twin lion statues standing sentinel out front, this stunning building in the Beaux-Arts style is one of my favorite buildings in NYC. It’s also one of the best free attractions in the city!
Inside the library, just past the lobby, there’s a free gallery that always has really interesting exhibits related to literary history. You can see some really cool, rare books and literary artifacts on display.
Free one-hour guided tours of the library are also available. They take place every day from Monday through Saturday at 11 AM and 2 PM. You can save your spot on a tour online in advance.
One of the most beautiful rooms in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building is the Rose Main Reading Room. Tourists technically aren’t allowed here and are discouraged from entering. But I’ll let you in on a little secret… If you just say you’re there for quiet reading or studying, you’ll be allowed to go inside.
There’s also a designated visiting hour every day from Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 11 AM, when tourists can enter the Rose Main Reading Room. You can also sign up for a free 15-minute tour of just the Rose Main Reading Room. You can find more details about this on the official website.
I have a whole guide about what to know before visiting the New York Public Library too.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Just across the street and diagonally to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, you’ll find the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library at Fifth Avenue and East 41st Street. This is a regular, working branch of the New York Public Library, so it has a different vibe than the museum-like Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
The main highlight here is the free rooftop terrace. It’s only on the 7th floor, so the views aren’t going to be as sweeping as those from the nearby SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, but it’s still cool to check out.
You can even see the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building from the terrace, as well as the 500 Fifth Avenue office building in elegant Art Deco style and the modern glass One Bryant Park office building. There are lots of tables and chairs out on the terrace where you can relax, read, eat, or just enjoy the view.
Like the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, you’ll find public restrooms in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library as well, which is a good thing to note because they’re not always easy to find in NYC!
The Morgan Library & Museum
Another one of the best literary landmarks in NYC is the Morgan Library & Museum. It opened in 1906 as the private library of the banker J. P. Morgan. One of the most interesting things about the library is that it was managed and developed by Belle da Costa Greene. At the time, it was remarkable enough for a woman to hold this role. But even more remarkable is that she was actually a black woman, passing as white.
Belle da Costa Greene’s story is really remarkable. I highly recommend reading The Personal Librarian by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray to learn more about her before you visit.
The Morgan Library & Museum is well worth a visit. It’s open every day from Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 AM until 5 PM (and open late until 8 PM on Fridays.) Tickets are $25 for adults, $17 for seniors aged 65 and older, and $13 for students. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.
If the ticket price seems a little steep to you, it’s possible to visit the Morgan Library & Museum for free on Friday from 5 PM until 8 PM. Reservations are required, so don’t forget to save your spot.
Additionally, the historic library rooms are only open for free on Tuesday and Sunday from 3 PM until 5 PM. Reservations aren’t required, and you can still see the best part (the library itself!)
From the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, it’s less than a ten-minute walk to the Morgan Library & Museum, so you can easily visit one after the other — you can never get enough of beautiful libraries!
The Strand
You can’t miss browsing some of NYC’s best independent bookstores. If you have time to check out only one bookstore in NYC, I’d make it The Strand on Broadway and East 12th Street.
This iconic bookstore opened in 1927 in an area south of Union Square that was once known as Book Row. Sadly, a century later, none of these old bookstores remain — except for The Strand.
Known for its claim of having more than 18 miles of books, you can spend a long time getting lost in the endless rows of bookshelves at The Strand, which sells new, used, and rare books. This is the perfect place to stop to buy a book or a literary souvenir, like a tote bag, mug, or postcard from The Strand.
I have a whole list of other bookstores in NYC that are worth a visit if you have more time.
Literary Central Park
There are a few great spots for book lovers to check out in Central Park. The first is Literary Walk, a section of the Mall that features a picturesque pathway shaded by elm trees. Literary Walk gets its name because of the statues of writers you’ll find along the path, from William Shakespeare to Robert Burns.
This is a beautiful part of Central Park to stroll in. Heading north up the Mall, you’ll reach Bethesda Terrace, a popular spot for musicians, singers, and dancers to perform for the gathered crowds. Just a couple of minutes past Bethesda Terrace is The Lake, where you can rent rowboats by the hour.
A couple of minutes further is another literary landmark in Central Park, a statue of Hans Christian Anderson, the Danish author of beloved fairytales like The Little Mermaid. And just beyond that, you’ll find my favorite statue: the large Alice in Wonderland statue, featuring several characters from the story.
You can see all of these literary landmarks in Central Park in a leisurely 15-minute walk, entering the park at Fifth Avenue and E 65th Street and making your way north by about ten blocks.
Book Club Bar
Finally, one more unique place to visit in New York for book lovers is Book Club Bar in the East Village. This cozy bookstore is also a bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.
The seating at the bar has a no-phones policy — only books are allowed! You’re welcome to grab a book from the store to peruse while you enjoy a drink at the bar. There are also comfortable armchairs in the back of the bookstore where you can sit and read. And there’s a nice outdoor seating area too.
Book Club Bar hosts author speaking events, community book club discussions, poetry readings, literary trivia nights, and other fun bookish activities, giving it a lively atmosphere in the evenings.
You can also visit in the morning or afternoon for a quieter, more relaxed experience. Book Club Bar is open every day from 9 AM until 12 AM or 1 AM (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.)
The Rabbit Books and Bar is another cool spot that opened in the East Village, and it’s just a ten-minute walk away. This is another place that you could visit for a mini bookstore slash bar crawl.
Best Books Set in NYC
Are you looking for the perfect book to read before, during, or after your trip to New York?
These are my top picks for the best books set in NYC! New York has inspired countless writers, as well as artists, photographers, musicians, poets, and filmmakers, throughout the city’s history.
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt: This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s a sweeping story following the main character, Theo, throughout his life, much of it in New York City. As a young New Yorker, his life is changed forever after a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- The Diviners by Libba Bray: I love this historical fantasy book that takes place in New York City in the 1920s. It follows a cast of diverse teenagers from across NYC whose paths cross in unlikely ways, brought together by mysterious magical gifts and a dark mystery involving the occult.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: In a classic coming-of-age story, this novel follows teenage Holden, a native New Yorker who runs away from his boarding school in Pennsylvania and goes rogue in NYC for several days. Although published in 1951, this story and its themes still resonate today.
- City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert: Told from the perspective of an older woman recounting her wild youth, this historical fiction novel takes you back to New York City in the 1940s, when a young college student is thrust into the glamorous yet dark world of NYC’s theater and society scene.
- The Personal Librarian by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray: I briefly already mentioned this book, but if you’re looking for a literary-themed historical fiction book set in NYC, I’d highly recommend this one, based on the true story of the Morgan Library’s Belle da Costa Greene.
- All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley: If you’re looking for a memoir, this is one that I absolutely love! The author spent a decade working as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it’s a beautiful love letter to one of the most iconic institutions in NYC.
I love reading books set in destinations I’m visiting, because it always enhances the experience. You can pick up one of these books from a local NYC bookstore, or read it at home before you go.
A Guide to NYC for Book Lovers
This guide showed you all my favorite spots in NYC for book lovers!
For centuries, New York has been a hub for writers. The city has inspired some of the greatest novelists in history. It’s also home to the largest public library system in the world. And of course, it’s the center of the book publishing and bookselling industries. So there are plenty of literary landmarks here!
This guide showed you the best libraries, bookstores, and other literary sights in New York City.
Enjoy your trip to NYC!
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