Bryant Park Reviews

The hotel has a great location and view! Renan, Jo and Scott were very nice with us and help us with our concerns! Loooove it!

Great place to chill for a while. The toilet's are also a great experience, never been to such a luxurious public bathroom.

Small park kept very well with many areas to stay cool.
Around many clubs and kiosks.
Really cute.

Located between 40th & 42nd and between 5th & 6th next to the public library, the park can be a nice and shady place to rest while walking around midtown. Sometimes it hosts shows in the evenings.

I've been here several times when there were events and when there weren't. I liked that there is space in the middle of the city (being one of the many parks) for people to catch their breaths, relax, sit down and read a book, or catch up with a friend. I also went to dine at the restaurant in this park and the food was tasty (and service was pretty good too).

An oasis of peace in the heart of Manhattan: Bryant Park, where time stands still!
Review:
Discovering Bryant Park was one of the most pleasant surprises of my visit to New York! Nestled between the towering skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan and just a stone's throw from the magnificent Public Library, this public park is a real gem.
In the midst of the chaos and bustle of the city that never stops, Bryant Park offers an incredible corner where you can stop, breathe and magically... make time stop for a few moments. It is the perfect place to take a relaxing break, sit on a bench watching life go by, read a book or just enjoy the greenery and peaceful atmosphere.
It is fascinating to see how this green space coexists in harmony with the surrounding architecture, creating a striking contrast between nature and concrete. There are often activities, markets or just people having lunch outdoors, which makes it a lively place but at the same time able to instill calm.
If you are looking for a getaway from the speed of New York, a place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a moment of serenity with spectacular urban views all around, Bryant Park is a must-see. A rejuvenating experience in the heart of the metropolis!

Stopped by Bryant Park while walking around NYC and it was very nice. Well kept and they seem to have a stage and free attractions. There are also a look of food vendors and restaurants in the area.

An Oasis in the Middle of Manhattan
We even had a little picnic there once
Chairs and tables are available
Around it a supermarket. Cafes and even a clean toilet. Various buses also depart there for city tours

Fantastic Christmas market !
We absolutely loved the different tastes and the ice rink! The whole place has a beautiful atmosphere! Absolutely recommend!

We stopped by this park when another event did not work out. We were greeting by a beautiful fountain that looks like a bouquet. We could have browsed around several stalls and eaten at the park as well. Good location right next to the subway.

A small quiet oasis of calm in the midst of Manhattan. Enjoy a coffee and cake and watch the world go by. Surrounded by trees and flowers, squirrels and birds, watch as people walk their dogs, meet for lunch, enjoy a game of chess or backgammon, ride on the carousel, read in the open air reading room or just enjoy a coffee and cake...........Bryant Park offers them all.
While we were there, there was a hive of activity, as booths were being erected ready for the Christmas season but even with all that going on, it still seemed peaceful in the midst of all the NYC noise and hustle and bustle.

Amazing park and the winter shop was so cool! I defienly recommend visiting this park and very close to Times Square. Also visit the library as it is very close by.

No matter where we stay in NYC we always seem to end up in Bryant for a drink or a meal so we really like to hang here.

A great location and very affordable skating. The holiday market was nice, but I was hoping more of the booths wouldn’t be holiday-themed. Instead they were mostly just items you could buy at their stores throughout the year. But a fun and crowded atmosphere.

The park is convenient to few hotels. During the winter, the Christmas Shopping village is pleasant to walk through. There is a bar, albeit pricey, where you can have a drink and watch the skaters from a heated seat. And of course, ice skating. During the summer there isn’t as much going on and it becomes just a place to sit and relax. Bathroom facilities are close to nonexistent as is parking.

What a super place to spend the end of our trip to the US we had a ball … a wonderful welcome from Jo at reception and Ronan who was so helpful. We loved this hotel. Location is amazing Lee stayed in room 1707 which looked directly onto the park. The room was clean and spacious. Loved Milton Brown in the bathroom. The muffins and coffee offered for free each morning was a bonus. The hotel is beautiful and located in a great spot …it’s comfortable and trendy and the staff are all very friendly and professional…
We also enjoyed the restaurant in the hotel which serves super sushi and sake
Would go back in a heartbeat 💓 thanks to all

We had waffles and ice cream while we sat and enjoyed the scenery. Bathrooms were the best you will find while walking the streets of New York.

A very nice park to enjoy especially in summer ... many tables available and when we were we also gave movies in the evening outdoor cinema style

One of the best-kept parks I've ever seen, even with free public toilets that are constantly cleaned by the staff. The park is full of benches and chairs, chess and ping pong are played. You can sit there in the evening drinking a beer and looking at the lights of the skyscrapers surrounding it.

One of the best parks in the city. Relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. several chairs and tables where you can stop to rest, read or simply chat. it is also home to several free events.

Great shops and food. Perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and a must see for anyone visiting around the holidays.

Bryant Park in December has the best ice rink (skating is free) and a brilliant Christmas market, just a great place to shop Christmas and relax with a drink hot or cold and watch the fun of the rink. Favourite park in New York

Bryant Park in the middle of New York is like a little oasis in the desert of hustle and bustle. It provides you with a spot to sit down, grab a coffee, and browse through some local specialty shops that display everything from handbags to jewellery. We were also lucky enough to be able to go ice skating on the rink in the middle of the park and it was great fun and very cheap as we only had to pay for skate hire. It was a very enjoyable way to spend a hour and there were plenty of shops selling something to eat and drink afterwards. It was good fun and there were lots of families doing it as well. Right in the heart of New York. Brilliant!

Ice rink, seats, putting green, food and drink, a great space in the heart of the city. Very busy at lunchtime. All the office workers go outside here. It’s really a wonderful little park.

During December the Christmas Market is set up. There is a great variety of shops and for the more energetic types there is also an ice rink. There are also plenty of drinks and food outlets to choose from.

Semplicemente meraviglioso! For this reason it is the most loved park by New Yorkers, offering an oasis of peace and freshness amid the chaos of the city

I was so looking forward to going to Bryant Park but have to admit that i was very disappointed with it. All the kiosks are duplicated and it was very expensive. Not sure what I expected but I came away disappointed.

It's nice to stroll around on non-rainy days. The prices for food are quite high and even at the bar, where you could eat and sit outside, next to the ice rink, the food on offer wasn't that great for the price.

It's a rare bit of open space in a loud busy part of the city, but in the winter with the ice rink and stalls they seem to turn it into a sponsored money making scheme. The ice dodgems seem kinda cool, but it isn't really a nature park. Lots of places to sit down and not too much litter are plusses

This is a beautiful place to enjoy a spring day. We sat at the Porch and had cocktails and snacks. Just lovely.

I liked the park more than I thought I would, it was very charming. Controversially, I think it may be my favourite park in New York

Bryant Park is a must visit every time and all throughout the year, but especially during the Christmas holiday season. The holiday market and food options are almost overwhelming - in a good way. Ice skating and igloos and snacks and food - what’s not to love. Maybe the crowds, which are really heavy on the weekends. But if the crowds deter you, plan for a visit during the week and/or earlier in the day. It’s definitely worth the visit - and the crowds.

you can sit and enjoy the hububof the city from here - very near Heritage Bread resturant and the Library

Beating heart in a not too large park which hosts the ice rink in winter. It is located behind the library and contains hot food kiosks and some souvenirs. A passage to savor a typical corner of Ny. The metro stop is exactly at one of the entrances.

I was staying in a hotel right by this little park. It's such a buzzy vibe day and night.

The Bryant Park Cafe is awesome, really enjoyed lunch in the sunshine. Excellent food and service here.

When I'm in NYC again, I hope to come back here.

It’s hard to believe that this park is right around the corner from Times Square. A small peace of green in an urban jungle. I went surprised on how nice and clean this park was. With the toilets being spotless and well maintained. Nice cafe where you can sit and look at people. When we there, there were preparations for an event.

A wonderful experience at the winter village when we came in October. The ice rink was in full flow and we had a great time shopping the stalls.

A small park but very lively on a Sunday morning with the stalls of local producers of crafts, jewellery, paintings etc. A free concert planned for that afternoon which a pre planned event meant we missed and judging by the lost a forthcoming events a well used small location.

Bryant Park is a beautiful green park amid the New York City buildings and includes at one end the Public Library. Shady corners with self-service tables and chairs allow you to rest and forget the hubbub of the city. You can also buy drinks or attend concerts depending on the day. A little oxygen bubble in the middle of the buildings.

I have always loved Bryant Park, and was so looking forward to visiting again. And I was excited to see the Winter Bryant Park. How disappointing!! We paid a massive amount for an igloo, thinking it was the day we arrived from London, and just sitting there, having a snack, would be lovely. You pay for 1,5 hours, but we had hardly been there 30 minutes, when we decided we were tired, and bored, and were leaving. We packed up the remainder of the food, and on our way out handed it to a very thankful homeless person. It was Thanksgiving week in NYC. It was crazy with people. There were long, long queues to get something to eat, and when you were lucky enough to get a table and chair to sit down and eat, nothing felt clean. Impossible perhaps to keep clean with so many people. And we saw the queues of people hoping to get to a toilet!! Poor people! Just an impossible situation. We watched the ice skating while we were eating, then left. People were just about trampling on you with all the little stalls all around. No thank you - the Summer Bryant Park with lovely lawn is so much better. Been there, done that, got the badge!

Stopped and rested in Bryant Park on our way to Grand Central Station. It was busy and many people were taking a break,
.Worth a longer visit

An oasis in the middle of town. We found an empty table and chairs and sat for a while to rest in the midst of lovely shade trees. Great architecture all around. Lots of things for sale in the market in the center.

Stopped by and enjoyed the Christmas market. Watch the skaters. Great shops and food. Market open from Halloween to January 2

The Bryant Park Restroom is an architectural gem that combines beauty and functionality. Its design and cleanliness make it an elegant and welcoming place.

Even in the winter this place is popular - the food concessions are good but the queue for the ice skating was way too long

We visited the Bryant Park this afternoon to enjoy the beautiful weather. We enjoyed our outdoor seating and relaxed for a while we enjoyed some lunch. This is a very relaxing Park near the downtown area of Manhattan. It's also a very popular place for the locals and their is plenty of outdoor seating. This afternoon it wasn't very busy, but I'm sure it gets crowded probably during the weekend.

Just 10 mins from our hotel, this small park is so lovely, clean and well looked after, plenty of chairs and tables and booths selling coffee and snacks , spent a quiet hour early evening and returned breakfast the next day

We were at Bryant Park during the Christmas period. It did disappoint. Sure, the skate area was there, along with the incredible expensive shops with food and drinks. The atmosphere however was not the same as in other years. Dull and flat. Not many lights really, al least not very special ones. And far too busy to be comfortble.

Lovely Park, needs more info as to what its about.. and trash picked up... I can say I love that its right by the Library and has food options.

Had lunch al fresco style, was so relaxing & loved the facilities available to the public, it was great to sit & people watch too, as we are visiting from the U.K

We visited during the Christmas season and all the little min-shops were a lot of fun. The midtown location directly behind the New York Public Library is amazing.

Located in the heart of New York, right behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is a green oasis nestled between the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan.
The park offers many opportunities for recreation: from open-air cinema to sporting events, from chess and table tennis tournaments to the many bars and kiosks where you can stop to eat or drink. During the winter it turns into a small Christmas village, with an ice skating rink and Christmas markets, which make it even more impressive.
A curiosity: on the official website of the park there is a live webcam, which allows you to observe in real time the life and activities that animate this green corner of New York.
During my visit, unfortunately, work was underway to install the ice rink, so I could not fully enjoy it... but it is just a great reason to return to New York

Always my fav place but the staff is disgusting in the bar area spend my entire evening here ( we did ice skating g etc) lined up at 10:54 (indoor bar area) to use the bathroom like 11 people in from of me. At 11:14 pm the man chased everyone disrespectfully. Mind you he should have cut the line at a certain point when he realized we wouldn’t all make it. But common sense would emphasize a rule such as cut the line at 11:15 pm and no one after that line, average a few people after 11pm so you can close on time. Old people, kids etc as well as myself. Disgusting black security man. Very racist. I was so angry at this time and just needed to use the bathroom. Especially after a family of approximately 9 we spent a lot of money in there and not even allowed the bathroom.

There was one guy he really tried so hard to avoid me 100 times but I annoyed him purposely. He told me go to the Whole Foods or Wendy when he damnsjisoao well know it’s closed at that time. Very inhumane and disgusting staff.

Meanwhile the other black security guy should have directed to another open bathroom if you know you were not going to correctly utilize the closing time. Such a waste of my 20 mins standing there.

VERY INHUMANE AND I HOPE YOU ALL SEE THIS AND KARMA GETS YOU ALL ONE DAY.

Also, the facility should accommodate the people until everything is closed. We waited for other family members who finished skating at 11:50pm.

I walked to a Paris Baguette where I earlier purchased items.

Very disgusting and disappointing. Treated people like crap just to use a bathroom like they won’t need to pee again.

Now I understand why around some corners smell like pee because they prefer going elsewhere rather than honestly dealing with you all and the staff!

PROS
* Very very nice and pleasant green space
*. Spectacular midtown Manhattan refuge of shrubbery and greenery and a city park for rest and relaxation
* Many park benches and round shaped tables for meeting, greeting and eating
* A place for entertainment and performances
* There is a platform place of a real restaurant in the park for you to eat a meal
* There is a place for gates and entertainments for young children, such as merry-go-round and other activities – for a fee
* It is strategically located at the very popular Fifth Avenue and 42nd St., directly opposite and behind the amazing fantastic incredible iconic New York City Public Library
* People watching and photographing them is a good activity
* Good and efficient sanitation and cleaning staff, which seem to always be there quietly and efficiently doing their job
* People call it an “oasis” in midtown, and there is certainly merit to that
* It is reported to have the nicest cleanest, brightest and most pleasant public and free-of-charge restroom facilities in the entire Manhattan.

CONS
It is popular and can be crowded

“I VISITED THIS PLACE”…
…because I had been here and discovered this place in 2022 and loved it then, so for sure it was in my itinerary for my return visit in 2025.

I visited after my second and more detailed thorough visit to the New York City Public Library and the Starving Nachos Library (see my previous reviews of both of those attractions).

I again loved my brief visit to Bryant Park- it is beautiful, delightful, attractive, pleasant, inviting, active, relaxing, green and full of zest and life.

I enjoyed being there very much, observed all the people and activities, photographed 📷 them, and moved on.

WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
For sure- it is free

WOULD “I VISIT THIS PLACE” AGAIN?
Since any and all future visits to Manhattan will surely include midtown and the New York City Public Library, I’ll for sure detour to this lush green oasis in the concrete cement city.

ADVICE from IVTP
When you are in the area, be sure to visit here, regardless of season of the year

This park houses one of the many Christmas Markets scattered across Manhattan. I stopped by here on the way to the Empire State building so the market wasn't going yet. There were quite a few interesting things located between the stalls like statues and information boards. The winter village also had an ice skating ring, which many of the others didn't.
I quite liked the walk through the park within a bustling city.

park in the center not comparable in size and importance to central park, but which still represents a stage during the passage to some stages of the Big Apple (eg next to there is the public library, not far from the chrysler building, times square, etc.); I noticed that at times an outdoor cinema is set up; easily accessible by metro, it can be combined with a visit to the public library whose entrance is on the opposite side from the park

Go early as this outdoor place gets crazy busy during the holiday season. There are a wide variety of vendors and the park is well decorated. This Midtown park is a great reprieve from the iconic sights nearby. It is well maintained for the amount of foot traffic that comes by.

Our hotel was close to this park. This was a lovely spot to sit for a cold drink or to people watch. There was lots of free entertainment.

Bryant Park is lovely, especially around the holidays. The one thing I must write about is the Hot Chocolate station called "No Chewing Allowed"

By far the best hot chocolate I've ever had. During the holiday season, its become a tradition that I walk around all the small shops looking for their stand. It's amazing!

Bryant park is a very nice place to sit and rest. There are food and beverage vendors and a clean public restroom. While there you should go inside the main NYC library. People watching is great.

Made the annual pilgrimage to Truffleist at Bryant Park. Split the $36 Bacon, Egg & Cheese Cheesesteak and the Best Seller regular Cheesesteak. Both very good, as always.

Definitely a must-see stop on your visit to NY, I recommend checking out the activities you have per day before, as you can watch a movie, a play or even a concert. My recommendation is to visit at night, as it looks more so you can buy or bring food and sit back for a while to relax.

We think it's amazing such a lovely and quite big green space and well planted with different plants, flowers or shrubs, and wonderful trees. When we visited it there was a live classical music event with plenty people sitting and listening on the central grassy area or on the chairs near the restaurants. It was amazingly clean, we haven't seen any litter at all. Plenty tables with chairs or like director's chairs with own side table - you can borrow them, I guess free of charge as we saw nobody around a big pile of them. There is carousel, many kiosks, toilets, from the information display we learned about some events. If I would live in NYC this would be one of my favourite outdoor spots.

Tranquil little haven which has activities on throughout the week. 'New Yorkers front garden.' Nice spot for a little breather from the city surrounds.

New York knows how to do parks. Bryant Park is a tree-shaded oasis of calm next to the Public Library, which is also worth a visit. The Bryant Park Cafe and the Bryant Park Grill are excellent places to dine at a reasonable cost (for New York). You'll encounter jugglers showing off, people playing chess and ping pong and a homeless person or two, but mostly couples and families hanging out on blankets on the grass. Everything is clean and well-kept.

Great day with this Special Family enjoying there time in New York City visiting all the Holiday Christmas Lights with Limousine Transportation included. Call us anytime for a Holiday Tour Package at (631)-567-3333

Fun to walk all the small shops in the park but very crowded and a bit disorganized if you are not from the area. Never did find the carousel…probably could have looked longer but did find the skating rink and plenty of vendors. Fun free stop this time of year.

1st night in New York and heard their was a free concept there, such a lovely park and had some pop up food venders for the concert, loved the free blankets to sit on to watch the concert

Unusually high temperatures (60s) in February brought everyone out. Great place to sit in the sun and just relax. Was gorgeous, to bad the flowers and trees were not in bloom.

Really enjoyed the Christmas/winter village. Many unique vendors and artists. A lot of food options. I highly recommend spending time here.

Very christmassy vibes with christmas market, ice rink and food & drink stalls! I tried the Lazy Dog with this combo corn dog which is so amazing! Really festive and love the atmosphere!

This is right next to the New York Public Library, which is also worth visiting. There is an outdoor skating rink here in the winter, which is cool. Lots of little food stands and places to sit and relax.

Nice place to take a break, charming place with beautiful view of the Empire State Building. There are small food and souvenir shops.

It is a beautiful park with lots of tables, chairs to be able to be laid but there are many people.

A little greenery in the center feels good.

Set in Midtown, Bryant Park is one of the most impressive parks in New York City. My wife and I enjoyed the chance to chill and take a short break during our visit to the Big Apple.

Bryant park is a nice spot to hang out and chill close to the public library. Grand central, and plenty of shopping. In the winter they have an ice rink, in the summer an outdoor restaurant

As about as perfect as a city park gets. Plenty of benches and tables or relax on the well-manicured lawn if the weather is nice. Surrounded by a beautiful cityscape and adjacent to the New York City Public Library. There is a section of the park where you can play chess, checkers or other games. There is a cafe in the park with outdoor seating and where you can enjoy a bite or a cocktail. There are also numerous food options around the park including a Whole Foods. You can grab some coffee or lunch and enjoy it in the park as you take in the scene.

Open Seating. March 2023 - Currently under construction. No Grass. This is usually a nice park, but right now there is nolawn, but still has tables and chair to sit. The Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. There are a few food kiosks to grab a bite also.

Lies in the heart of NYC, NYC; located in Manhattan adjacent to the New York Public Library and surrounded by many iconic skyscrapers, Bryant Park is like a small oasis in the midst of the concrete jungle.

Bryant park offers free seating (chairs and tables), table tennis and play ground. There are many eateries around it, so you can buy food and go to eat it at Bryant Park. Easily approachable from Grand Central, and even from Penn Station. Google for Bryant Park events and activities schedule: there will be live performances, yoga classes and free movies are being played. Highly recommended.

I have been visiting the Bryant park Christmas village every year for at least 8 years or so. I have never had such a bad experience as I did this year! They had added so many food vendors and merchants that the walkways were narrowed down to nothing. The crowds visiting this year were absolutely insane on the weekend I went, and it made it virtually impossible to walk around the park. We tried 2 separate times hoping the second time the people would die down, but it was even worse later in the day. It was shoulder to shoulder people with no room to walk into a vendor booth or look at the Christmas tree. I think they may need to consider reservations to time slots for this activity because it was absolutely insane this year!! It made me so miserable to start out my day here with the mess of people!

Beautiful park behind the public library about 10 minutes' walk from Times Square. There are shows in the park, stands around cafes. A stunning place, not big.

We visited New York City over Christmas week for four days. Bryant Park is centrally located in the midtown area. I thought that it was overrated and because of Christmas, it was extremely crowded.

There is a nice Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink as well as lots of little pop-up shops.

There was lots of security everywhere which is good . There were signs that said don’t hand your phone to somebody else to have them take your photo. There were other signs that said be aware of pickpockets. It seems like a high crime area.

I think Bryant Park something that you could see but it’s certainly nothing spectacular. It is a one and done type of attraction.

Bryant Park is a nice public park filled with restaurants, carousels, and other family-friendly amusements. A good place for a walk after visiting the adjacent New York Public Library.

such a good time. strolled the street vendors and then stopped at the bar facing the ice rink and did some people watching. Christmas cheer all around

One of my favorite urban parks in America. Beautiful and well maintained with open space and lots of seating. The adjoining Bryant Park Grill is fabulous for a drink or romantic lunch.

Nice park for relaxation. Has its own dog park. Fun to sit and watch the dogs playing around.
Nice relaxation area and great possibilities for toilet visit

One of my favorite parks in New York. You can find an activity every weekend from 7 to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. You can have a great time with the Bank of America's organization. Has a picnic area.

Passed by here but nothing too special about the park I would say. Not a must do. There are some food sellers.

At the moment of my visit a big area of the park is closed due the work for the Christmas village. If you want to relax and eat something is very good

Checked out Bryant Park while waiting for the library to open. Beautiful green space in the middle of midtown. Worth a visit if you’re in the area. Definitely recommended.

We visited the Winter Garden (it's like a Christkindlmarkt experience). The weather was great, so we had the opportunity to take our time and enjoy all the stores and explore the products. It appears the vendors were mostly local, which is nice. There were also several spots to eat and relax. The outdoor rink is also a great place to people-watch. Don't miss the carousel and water fountain. This park is next to the NY Public Library and is the quintessential NY experience.

Bryant Park is a very nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Plenty of unique shops and locals with outstanding talents. Look for John Conn Photography, He's one of the nicest and most interesting NY'er we met but there were others.

In the heart of Midtown, large green space with plenty of cafes to quench your thirst, and children's playground, board games tables. Very busy, very nice. Great neighborhood!

I visited Bryant Park in October 2023 as I wanted to check out New York Public Library. It's really easy to find as it's in Midtown and the New York streets are fairly easy to navigate.

When I arrived I found the whole area covered with stalls that were sadly closed as well as possible locations for bars. It seems they were getting an early start on the Christmas markets and although not yet open infrastructure was being put in place.

There were benches and the stalls were tastefully set up around the trees.

Hope it goes well.

NYC knows how to do things right. The hustle and bustle that exists in the city is almost like the city's air. It wouldn't be the same without the mix of natives and tourists running all over the place. And then right in Manhattan you have this oasis Bryant Park. They have many food stands for varied and quality products. There are gardens and tree lined pathways. There is also a large green patch of land with people sunning and just relaxing. There are a ton of chairs everywhere. I found a quiet chair at a table by the tree lined trees. It was wonderful to be able to breath in deep, enjoy the beauty and people watch. It isn't too large but it also isn't too small. It really is a joy to be had in that part of NYC. Once you get up and leave it you join the crowds again but your step will be a little lighter. I only wish it stayed open later than 11 PM.

The Christmas market at Bryant Park is highly recommended. There are many different stalls where you can shop and also a one-way street.

There's a reason why many TA reviews use the word "oasis" to describe Bryant Park. Smack in the middle of midtown Manhattan, Bryant park is a place where New Yorkers go to take a break from the busyness of NYC and enjoy a book or newspaper in the sunshine. It's a small park, but they pack a lot in there. There are plenty of interesting places to grab a coffee of a quick bite. They also have a "reading room" set up, where you can borrow a book or newspaper for free. During the wintertime, the lawn gets converted into a large ice skating rink, and pop-up shops line the paths selling everything from food to clothes to custom woodworking. During the summer, the park features concerts and movie nights. There are also outdoor ping-pong tables, a free board game booth, chess tables, and a rotating cast of other outdoor activities. But what I really like about the park is the vibe of the people sitting there. Nobody there seems to be in a rush: even during the winter, people sit and enjoy the park like they have all the time in the world. In the middle of such a fast paced city like New York, this really is an oasis.

Used to love this place. Has become a cliché. Self-important 'park officials lauding it over people minding their own business, sitting quietly or playing chess. Lost its soul.

Great time, good food, very busy. We had the hot dogs and the fried cheese corn dogs. So many vendors and the ice scating rink.

Excellent winter village- our 3 teenagers enjoyed the Ice skating and we had an exceptionally good Cuban coffee. Cheese pasta also a big hit

I’ve been here many times; All in the winter, so this was my first time here in the summer. The lawn was unfortunately closed, but there were numerous tables and chairs along the lawn with shade and great views of the buildings and scenery. I loved it and highly recommend bringing food here during the summer. The winter is great too as there is a whole mini “village”, with tons of shops and stands, as well as an ice skating rink. Overall, this small park is great!

Nice wooded and well maintained park. Many tables and benches to make a relaxing stop after a walk in the area. There are kiosks, shops and supermarkets to make a snack or even lunch. Ideal place to rest and make a stop in the center. Metro a few meters.

Tree-lined patch overlooking 6th Avenue, between 42nd Street and 40nd Street, ideal for taking refuge from the frenzy of this corner of Manhattan. Benches, tables and chairs are available to everyone to recharge the strength needed to visit the city.

Nice park in the heart of Manhattan where you can also eat next to the ice rink. There are also small shops for gifts. Ideal for relaxing and enjoying street food.

It's definitely iconic park and it deserves all the compliments. Never skip here you won't be disappointed. You could go early hours or later, it will amaze at every corner.

Saw it in November with the ice skating rink and the christmas fair, and now in summer full of sun and beautiful flowers. Either way, I just love it! Always crowded but big enough to enjoy every corner, relax, take a bite, or take some photos!

Explored the winter village. Lots of vendors, all kinds of food and beverage, crafts, gifts, and more. Ice rink, carousel, music- great vibe. It was an unseasonable mild Saturday, otherwise would’ve felt very festive, but still very nice. Got pretty busy. Be prepared for long line for the public restroom.

This is a classic that continues to please. Whether you go in winter to ice skate and visit the kiosks or do yoga in the warm weather or go to one of the night time movies where you sit on the lawn and watch great flicks, or just grab a drink at the patio bar., you will not be disappointed.

The beauty of Manhattan is the availability of green lungs amidst the buzz and energy of the city. From that point of view, Bryant Park was a good pit-stop as I traipsed around the city.

A sometimes overlooked great park in midtown New York City, often with unique happenings like winter festival...highly recommended.

We really enjoy Bryant Park's Winter Village. The variety of shops allows you to locate unique holiday gifts and sample a variety of foods that are not available during the rest of the year.

Visited the winter Christmas market in Bryant Park and it was fantastic.
Yes the food here can be a bit overpriced but honestly it is really fantastic.
We tried the cheese wheel pasta and it tasted amazing. Also had great warm chestnuts. The hot chocolate there was awesome too.
Fantastic place to visit around the Holidays.

Small, friendly park to take a little break from the hustle and bustle of New York. Greenery, enough to nibble on chairs to relax on. The setting is friendly.

Bryant Park is in a great location and has so much to offer when in NYC for Christmas. You have to experience it for yourself. No words will do it justice!!

We would've given a 5-star rating at the park had our experience not ended with an injury. Being from the Caribbean on a one-week vacation, this was one of the last fun things to do on our trip before heading back home. The park is undoubtedly well kept and the ice is prepped before each skating session. The kids were excited as this was their first skating experience and thoroughly enjoyed their skating session, as did we while watching them! Sadly, the session ended terribly and fearfully when one of my teens while exiting the rink, slipped and fell. An avid skater in that split second skated over my daughter's 4 fingers, slicing her index finger pretty deeply. It was shocking to see that not one member of staff who witnessed the incident came to my daughter's aid. Thankfully my other daughter noticed a first aid office, but then, no one was inside to assist. Running to request assistance from a staff member, the nonchalant response was "oh yeah I saw when that happened." We are grateful that the paramedic who eventually came to render assistance was pleasant and did an ok job of wrapping her wounds. Requiring stitches, we spent the next few hours at the hospital. In summary, while the skating experience is awesome, staff should be better trained to offer assistance to injured patrons and at least show some compassion. We are grateful that my daughter's injuries weren't more severe.

This is the second time we have booked a hotel near Bryant Park. I really enjoy grabbing breakfast at one of the nearby bakeries or cafes and taking it to enjoy in the park. A relaxing morning sipping coffee watching the pigeon and dogs is the perfect way to start my vacation days in the city.

We visited the week before Christmas. It was VERY crowded. We much preferred the market at Union Square.

We visited during Christmas period, the park was full of the little sales and food huts and the ice skating rink was in place.
It was very magical but extremely busy and expensive.
We tried some crispy chicken sticks and smores hot chocolate, very nice.

The space was snow and was too beautiful, and there is a very cool skating track, full of tables and that had hot chocolate to sell, I loved the Christmas experience.

A beautiful park behind The New York Public Library. There are plenty of tables, chairs, and benches to sit and relax. There are vendors selling beverages and food.

Visited the Winter Park in Feb this year.

We tried to visit the Bumper Cars on Ice.

The staff on the gate informed us that they would take on walk-on’s between 12.20 & 1.00pm today.

We waited at the gate as there was only a few minutes until 12.20pm, whilst waiting a staff member was using inappropriate language stating to his colleague words to the effect “ I ain’t showing these M F how to use the controls” which was clearly audible.

At the time indicated we asked how we get on the Bumper cars, the girl at the desk said “ book on line, we don’t take cash”. I duly access the website, the earliest time section is 2.00pm, I asked the girl how do we book on as as walk-on if it was 2.00pm. I reminded her that her colleague had said, what I have mentioned above. 3x times she asked me to repeat myself, with a dismissive look on her face. She was disrespectful, rude, curt, and gave of the vibe that she could not care less.

In the time we have been in NYC, this is the single worst example of customer service. It was all about the attitude, it quite easily could and should have been handled better.

Emailed the contact mail for the park, never received a response.

A small cozy park at the mid of hassled NY. We enjoyed the ice ring skating, the nice Christmas decorations and small shops.

Very nice park, especially at Christmas time. Good Birthday Celebration Lunch at Bryant Park Restaurant

The Winter Village at Bryant Park is a great place to ice skate with a view of the Empire State Building, shop & dine at the numerous market stalls, or even splurge & rent a cozy igloo. Some of the shops are unique and very nice, but many offer only mass produced, lower-end type items. Try the Frangelico hot chocolate at the Rinkside Bar & be sure to stop at the unique, upscale Bryant Park restroom. It’s housed in a small, Beaux-Arts building & has classical music, fresh flowers, & an attendant.

Bright and spacious space, when we went we coincided with Christmas stands and other craft objects. Very busy, though, where you can see signs suggesting to be careful with pockets and bags.

I’ve been to Bryant Park before, but I wanted to take my kids to see. Most of all the shops are now gone. But it is still a beautiful park to visit. They have a few places to eat, drink, rest.

So relaxing in the early morning, great spot to sit and eat breakfast of enjoy a morning coffee. Well maintained and steeped in history.

We checked out the Christmas Market. Beautiful after sunset, but a bit busy. Be watchful and wary of pick pockets. The art is great! Cute little stop. But be ready to wait in line for food. The vibes are vibing, though, if cute cozy Christmas shopping is what you’re after.

Taking away all the X-mas shops now that look like mini green houses. This is a nice park to visit. Currently there is ice skating here too and vendors for food and hot chocolates and more.

This beautiful park behind the NY Public Library is definitely worth a visit. In addition to nature and the different Cafes for Breakfast you can attend a few chess games and more.

We came to NYC a few weeks ago and found out that the Winter Village had just started the day prior. It was exciting, beautiful, different and we found many, many unique gifts there to bring home.

It’s a must if you’re in New York. Peaceful haven to watch the world go by. Have a coffee or something stronger. Just beautiful

Went to pick up my daughter who was doing yoga in the park with 100 other people! It was sight to see. The park is well maintained and had plenty of places to sit

We visited in December, so the park is taken over with a Christmas Market.
Earlier in the day the market was great, and also later at night. Lots of 'local' producers and a real Christmassy feel. Late afternoon it was far too crowded (you could barely get to the stalls to look at anything and were very hemmed in), so I recommend early or late to visit.
There is ice skating also, which looked like great fun, and with a rink much bigger than the one at Rockerfeller. Note that the queue was already long at 8.30am, so again get there early!

Bryant is one of those oases in the middle of skyscrapers that I’m sure New Yorkers treasure. As visitors staying on nearby W38th Street, we did too.

With a bar and eateries at the 6th Avenue end if the Park, the NY Public Library and a really good restaurant at the 5th Avenue end, and lots of chairs and tables all round the lawn, Bryant is a perfect pit stop on a busy day in Midtown.

My wife and I started and ended our NY trip in the park with a drink and a people-watching sit in the sunshine. Perfect.

Bryant park a must lovely little place with Craft and food stalls at this time of year and an ice skating rink

This beautiful park is under construction and messy but there's still seating room and on a beautiful day you can't not stop to eat the food you bought at Wholefoods just across the road. Skip shopping to spend a few hours in this lovely venue.

Bryant Park is a calm oasis off a busy street, there are chairs and tables where you can bring your own food and drink and just chill, or there are some cafes in the park, where you can purchase items. There is usually something always going on in the park, i.e storytelling, games, speakers and in the summer they have open air films in the evening.

Bryant Square is right next to New York Public Library in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

When I visited alot of the park was covered as they were preparing for the Christmas market however there were still plenty of places to sit.

This nice, intimate, cozy park is close to the Empire State building. Can you completely?
Relax in the hustle and bustle

A must visit park when travelling to NYC; located in Manhattan adjacent to the New York Public Library and surrounded by many iconic skyscrapers. Bryant park offers free seating (chairs and tables), table tennis and play ground. There are many bakery and waffles shops on the corner so do not miss that. Also Whole Food Market is on the other side of the street so perhaps you can buy your lunch from the food hall then go to eat it at Bryant Park. Grand Central is nearby Bryant Park. Google for Bryant Park events and activities schedule: live performances and free movies are being played. Highly recommended.

Came here on Black Friday to stroll around the winter/Christmas Village. Wow, was it crowded! There were lines for everything and it was hard to walk around and enjoy it. Shame because it was really cute and I would have loved to try some of the food vendors - some had lines of 15-30 people and there was no where available to sit in eat. I would suggest you come with your patience, pocketbook and not on an empty stomach!

Cute little park in the center of everything. Relaxing atmosphere with seating, rides for kids and many food options around it. We loved the place and vibe.

Bryant Park is a lovely green area in the middle of wild New York. As soon as you step in you feel transported to another, beautiful world. There is a French touch to it and the place is full of visitors enjoying their time. There are many seats to rest in and on the day we visited there was a huge chess competition!. There are cafes and other activities people can do. There is a lot of history in this park as well.

One of my favorite spots in Midtown for a couple of reasons. First, it is a beautiful park that has been lovingly restored, so much so that it is super popular with all who are in the area. But also because it is the home of the huge and hugely important Public Library, a gorgeous classic building with its own free museum inside.

Fantastic little park. Went while the christmas market was on and it was lovely. There was loads of stalls with a various amount being sold. Christmas tree was beautiful.

The park I prefer in NYC 🥰. The atmosphere is family, there is enough to eat or take a break, even play for free. Very well maintained. There is the Bryan Park festival every Monday in June (to be checked on Google the period ) with a free outdoor movie at nightfall. Free evening concerts.

The park was nice to visit. The tree was spectacular. Ice skating in the park was by reservation only and skate rental was over $150.00. The food and shopping kiosks were fun. It was worth working through the crowd.

Outdoor space galore! Lawn was closed when we visited bit plenty of chairs and mini tables around the beautiful park and fountain. Across the street from a major health food retailer with prepared food. So well located to enjoy a fast meal

Each year on our annual Christmas New York City trip, my wife and I visit the holiday village in Bryant Park. The park is decorated for the holidays with a beautiful tree, ice skating rink and many kiosks with holiday gifts, jewelry, clothes, food and many other items. Bryant Park is a beautiful part of NYC that you should visit during the holidays.

Lovely park - a definite oasis not far from the hustle and bustle of Times Square. Surrounded by nice options for dining.

I walked through Bryant Park a couple time during my latest stay in NYC and always saw lots of people enjoying themselves.

People brought towels or blankets and spread them on the expansive lawn. There was enough room for parents to chase their kids around and not bother others. The park had numerous tables and chairs surrounding the lawn and if one picked up coffee and pastries at the on site bakeries then it was a great way to pass some time.

The only annoying part was the smell of weed smoke in some parts of the park.

We walked to Bryant Park after dining at Hard Rock Cafe. It was Christmas Eve so a double decker bus was circling the block while carolers were singing on the upper level. There were lots of lights and decorations. I wasn't that interested in the small shops since so many people seem to sell candles, soaps and jewelry (no matter where I go.) Worth stopping by if you're in the area but not worth making a special trip just to see this.

Really cool vibe Labor Day, sunny Monday afternoon. People out enjoying the sun, having a drink or a bite to eat. Reasonably well kept. Having said this, if you go at a quiet time or when the weather is bad, your experience may be different.

Afternoon noshing while watching skaters was fun, and food options were a treat (ex. Churros, raklett) though pricey. The Park was jampacked midweek, with dozens of well-situated vendors serving up crafts, food and beverages. Get in line for the restrooms when you first feel the urge: a long wait for very limited capacity!

A lush green park in the most central part of Manhattan, between 5th, 6th and 42nd streets, next to Times Square. On the side of the park facing 5th Avenue is the New York Public Library building. The 6th street side, that is, the back side of the library, is an area with features that distinguish it from dozens of other parks. The most important difference is that there is a large stage in the park and concerts, cultural or artistic events are held almost every day here or at any of the other points of the park. You can see this list of events on which day and at what time when you go to the park. In addition, there are dozens or hundreds of tables and chairs in the park placed by the local government. During your trip to Manhattan, sit down to rest and breathe, see the liveliness, dynamism, people around you, watch one of the events if you can find it, see how different life can feel, live the moment, enjoy it.

Small park surrounded by skyscrapers where you can find a few minutes of peace and relaxation in the chaos of New York.
I got into the good habit in the morning of having a coffee and some good food and having breakfast here at one of the many tables available in the well-kept park.
refuge for New Yorkers

Exceptional site. Space for chess players. Restaurants nearby and eat on a table around the gardens

Bryant Park is a great spot in Midtown to slow down and take a break, especially on a busy summer day. It’s lively without feeling overwhelming and offers just enough green space to relax, people-watch, or grab a drink before heading back out into the city.

We stopped here to cool off and recharge between sightseeing, and it was the perfect reset. There’s always something happening, but it doesn't feel chaotic. A great spot, whether you’re visiting NYC for the first time, live in midtown like us, or just passing through the area.

Just arrived in New York and walked through. Christmas Market has just been set up. Lovely experience in the heart of the city. Loads of food stalls, shops and ice rink. Lovely experience

A lovely environment with plenty of space to relax and chat with friends. Lots of open bars and coffee shops with an abundance of seating, well worth a stop over when you are in the city and looking to rest your feet after a full day of shopping and walking.

On our way to the library we stopped at the park. There were attendants monitoring the restrooms and we were completely surprised to find them so luxurious and well maintained. The park was full of people enjoying many different activities.

I always like to visit Byrant Park when were are in NYC. It's nice to just sit, enjoy a coffee and people watch. There is always something going on and several little places from which to buy a snack or lunch or whatever.

Beautiful small park in the midst of the concrete jungle. Restaurants around perimeter. We loved going here first thing in the morning for a coffee and a relax before the hectic day ahead.
No smoking park also.

Very nice park (plus next to our Inn).
Taking pizza and eating it in the park is lovely. We find table and chair easily.
We settle down and it feels good

Great park with a beautiful public restroom that has flowers and music!! There may be a line to get in, but it’s worthy going if you are in that area!!

Nice park adjacent to the New York public library. We used this area a lot during our visit to NYC to take a break, sit in the shade, eat lunch, etc. There is a Whole Foods close by and restaurants where you can get a snack, meal, or drink, and then sit in the park to relax.

This park is lovely for people watching in the Summer and has some great little cafes and restaurants. I would certainly advise a visit and it is so centrally located it is great as a place to plonk yourself whilst others go shopping around NYC

Loved this place and the Christmas markets. So many delicious food stalls to choose from. We had Pretzels and hot apple cider, so good!
Could have eaten something from most of the stalls. Great Christmas atmosphere

Great park to relax and enjoy NYC. Bring your lunch and sit on the grass. Enjoy a free movie in summer. Grab a bite from the restaurant in front of the library.

Although it is called Park, it is nothing more than a square.
But it is very pretty and has some restaurants. When we went there was a free concert and some food trucks to buy food. Right behind the public library.

We made a family to the Bryant Park’s Winter Market which lively and festive stop. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, filled with lots of carnival-style food stalls and artisan shops offering plenty of unique finds. Perfect for browsing or picking up gifts.

We sampled a Belgian S’mores waffles from Wafels & Dinges and an American apple chimney cone from Down the Chimney which were both were tasty indulgences, though arguably overpriced.

The market was crowded, which added to the excitement but made seating a challenge. A helpful tip: if you want to sit down and enjoy your food, head to the free public seating in the next block.

Worth visiting if you’re in the city during the holidays, especially with family.

Do not book the ice skating! The rink was flooded due to heavy rain when we booked (unskatable) but they said the rink was open and refused to provide a refund! Then they tried to charge us $100 to reschedule!

Great time. Bus ride to Bryant Park. Checked out Library, walked 5th Ave. to St. Patrick's Cathedral over to Rockefeller Center and back through Times Square. Great day and beautiful at Christmas time!

We visited Bryant Park in December 2025 for the Christmas markets. The area is clean and beautifully decorated for the holidays, but be prepared for large crowds. The markets are similar to what’s outside Macy’s, though Macy’s was noticeably less crowded. Bryant Park definitely feels like a “tourist trap” at Christmas, thanks in part to TikTok and other trending social media videos—everyone seems to want the perfect holiday snapshot.
We didn’t ice skate, but the rink was busy and looked like fun, and we also noticed the igloos you can rent for an hour, though we didn’t try them. Overall, Bryant Park is charming and festive, especially if you enjoy people-watching and the lively atmosphere, but it’s best to go knowing it will be busy and very much a social media hotspot.

Bryant Park is worth a visit anytime of year, but especially during the holidays. In November and December they put out the Christmas Village, tree, and ice skating rink. There are lots of food options, shopping, and free public restrooms that are staffed and cleaned. The park itself is centrally located and an easy walk to 5th Avenue, Time Square, NY Public Library, and many other touristy spots. It’s very busy on the weekends

Bryant Park invites you to take a breather from all the hustle and bustle of the city. There is plenty of seating here, even in the shade. At numerous booths you can stock up on drinks and snacks.

small park in New York, famous for gym classes, of various kinds, which are carried out.
The view over the skyscrapers is very nice

A lovely green space with restrooms and snack options, and a concert in the park set up. A relaxing place to rest on our NYC trip.

Amazing place right in the heart of the busy city!! It has great spaces for you to eat your lunch or just sit back and relax after a long walk.

Great little park to play chess, have your takeout food or enjoy the day. Always busy, but plenty of seating areas. Super well located as well and plenty of shade.

I have known about the Winter Village for a while and visited the Christmas market and the ice rink several times in the past. That was always - and still is - a cool experience.
However, this year I booked a Cozy Igloo for the 1st time, and… that was the most disappointing experience I ever had in New York!
While I understand that it must cost quite a bit to set these up and have them be all warm and cozy, the ambiance and the food experience could use some major TLC!
- The igloos look nice at first, with a "fake fireplace" and a pretty décor around the overhead light. They feel warm as soon as you get in, but that is the extent of what is sold to you as a "cozy" feeling... because once you sit down and start looking around, it is one of the tackiest experiences you will ever have.
- If you have a party of 8, 4 people will not be cozy because the igloos come with 4 comfortable armchairs and 4 uncomfortable “kitchen” chairs.
- I had to start by removing some really tacky items from the table: a Delta flyer standing upright in a sign holder right in the middle of the table; a motel-style box with plastic forks, paper napkins and condiments presented in little packets like those you get at McDonald’s;
- But the ultimate rip off is definitely the food:
o Igloos are booked as a package for 4 people or more. There were only 2 of us. While we knew the offered were limited and definitely not fancy, we at least expected to still be served food for 4, since that is what I paid for. However, the staff immediately told us that they would not serve food for 4 if only 2 people show!!! Had I known that - and that the food was served in to-go containers! - I would have picked 2 people from the park, offered them to join us for a short while, given them their to-go containers and at least felt like I was getting what I paid for!
o Not allowing 2 people to choose 2 different meals is also insanely tacky and rude. How hard can it be to prepare 3 chicken fingers and a charcuterie plate? Why is it so inconvenient for the kitchen to make guests happy and give them the choice of a mixed selection?
o While in the end having only 3 chicken fingers was enough for me and my niece and our small appetite, I can’t see how my husband would have been satisfied if he had joined us.
o The presentation made it all look like a very cheap and tacky meal.
- Something that cannot be avoided I assume, but if you get one of the lower igloos - like we did - you are right on the path of people visiting the park and really feel like you are “on display”, with many taking pictures of you looking like fools in what first attracts people because it looks fancy from afar, but clearly looks tacky when they come closer and see you all dressed up to eat out of to-go boxes with McDonald’s type food and condiments.

Overall: an experience we hated and would not recommend.

A little more class in the service and the presentation would go a long way.

It's a nice place for short walks with a lot of history and art, great views of developing and constant evolving of modern landscape and fine architecture, great view everywhere that keeps the eyes busy.

It was a pleasant experience with shops, skating and pleasant atmosphere. Good place for snacks and getting a drink. Put people is a great mood.

Bryant Park has so much to offer visitors. The small shops have lots of interesting art, etc. In the winter there is also the skating rink, with the neighboring cafes and bars.

Went to the Christmas Market with excited anticipation of many Christmas related items for sale. This however was not the case--it was more of a general arts and crafts market with jewelry, art, and clothing items for sale, with very few Christmas specific items. Some of the food, such as the hot chocolate booths, were appropriate, and the variety of food was fun. Also fun was the ice skating rink. Overall, though, not what I had expected.

It’s a small oasis in the Times Square area where you can sit and relax for a while taking in the scenery. Is it a must see? Perhaps not if you have seen Central Park. Besides a shaded place to sit it is next to the New York Public Library which is a must see in my opinion-and free.

The park was pretty both during the daytime and at night (some fairy lights lit up a small area). The toilets were excellently maintained and very clean with 2 staff supervising to ensure it was safe and not overcrowded.

Bryant Park is a must see on a stop in New York City. There always seems to be something going on. We went by on Saturday, May 13 after seeing a show on Broadway. They had an arts and craft festival with many food booths as well. We had lunch at an outdoor restaurant and it was great. We could enjoy food and also watch all that was going on around us. So glad we stumbled upon this.

Bryant Park Christmas Village is lovely. Lots of stalls, a huge Christmas tree and of course, the ice rink.
It can get very crowded at the weekend, especially in the evenings.
One thing that completely ruined the experience, and this goes for everywhere in New York, was the constant smell of industrial strength cannabis! Made me feel ill.

One of the most characteristic villages of the Christmas period. With the frozen fountain, the small ice rink and that beautiful atmosphere that surrounds you... This is NYC!

Bryant Park is a nice break from the city in the middle of the city. Lots of benches, tables and chairs to take a rest. There are several restaurants and shops located nearby as well. In the winter you'll find ice skating and ice bumper cars as well.

Relatively small but very beautiful park in the middle of Manhattan surrounded by beautiful buildings and currently with a wonderful Christmas market

This place is magical at Christmas! Was my favorite part of NYC at Christmas! Those churro waffles were to die for. So many markets to shop! Can't wait to go back. Bryant park is my favorite NYC park as well. Nice restrooms!

Great park located adjacent to the New York Public Library. Easy to combine a visit. We have visited this park on several occasions, in all weathers and all seasons. Hosts a great Christmas market with an ice rink in winter and outdoor music events in summer. Not much going on in April but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

I love the street lights here and the green chairs.

Restrooms and refreshment available.

A little respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Surrounded by skyscrapers!

Highly recommended when in the area.

Our favorite small park in New York with a nice atmosphere, good food and drinks and a lot of relaxed friendly people within a quite small area where you could sit down after walking the sometimes hectic streets of NYC.

We loved hanging out here. My son played chess in the park. We had a drink in the evening. Some days there was a live band. its a lovely place to hang without a plan.

What a cool place. Right in the heart of the city but full of Locals and tourists just sat down watching the table tennis or a movie in the park.

Bryant park has seasonal activities, Christmas is beautiful, a lot of souvenirs stores, the ice skating and Christmas decorations perfectly aligned. I enjoy the weekdays more than weekends because it’s less crowded, but it’s always nice.

Smaller and more telling than the phantasmagoric Central Park, 500 meters from Time square , a stone's throw from the empire state building trivi this green corner.
Well maintained , with chairs , premises , public library , pulls of people
Simply fabulous

Well kept, safe ... nice (small) park to enjoy for a pause to relax and chill.

Plenty of stalls where you can buy local "arts&crafts" or a drink/snack.

Our go-to place to pause and enjoy a coffee or more with superb backdrops wherever you sit. Whole Foods, Ole & Steen and Blue Bottle Coffee all right on hand.

Bryant Park is great as there is always something going on. Today it was a fair / market. There is lots to do in the surrounding area.

We've been here at multiple times and seasons. This particular visit was in december and there were countless vendors in mini huts making it the perfect setting for Christmas shopping. Lots of food and beverage options (with cool igloo domes)as well as a beautful ice skating rink. The Christmas tree is a beautiful touch.

A lovely oasis amongst the concrete jungle! Great place to relax, reflect and take in the scenery. Enjoy the peacefulness and have a coffee

Bryant Park is one of the most beautiful parks in NYC. Despite Times Square being just around the corner, it is very quiet. There are numerous restaurants around (albeit very high-priced). Would also be recommended as a hotel location.

Breakfast at Cafe Toscana nearly every morning while we were there! Amazing pastries and breakfast sandwiches! The park is FULL of cool little shops.. no joke, we stopped by every day!

Great place to sit and have a sandwich or coffee and people watch. Can play games if you want free of charge. Beautiful flower beds and lawn. They do a tour about birds. Really clean, always keeping the place clean.

Lovely place to go chill, enjoying little treats from vendors ,right in the middle of New York.Surrounded by different shops and subway entrances ..place to get a bit rest after a sightseeing or shopping in New York. We sat here with ice cream and had a really a nice hot day.

I visited during the winter village. There were dozens of stalls selling food and retail items, and limited places to sit and eat said food. There was also a restaurant with a large seating area next to the library. The park itself seems like it would still be worth visiting when the winter village is gone.

This Midtown Manhattan plaza is the main square in this part of New York City, with seasonal gardens, restaurants, bars, and in winter, the city's only free ice skating rink. It also has a French-style carousel, open all year round, and a well-kept lawn with chairs and tables. The outdoor reading room offers numerous picture books and storytelling sessions in the summer. It offers a place to sit, have a coffee, and browse some local specialty shops.
Plus, every month there are different free activities for everyone, including Latin dance with qualified teachers, Broadway and opera concerts, yoga classes, games for all ages—in short, always something new every month.

Ice skating was fun, and free if you bring your own skates. It makes it worth schlepping skates around the city. I hoped to find a really unique NYC Christmas ornament in the Christmas Market, but they all seemed mass-produced.

This park is truly a winter wonderland. Located behind the New York Public Library, BP's Winter Village is open in January 2023. Ice skating, bumper cars on ice (yes, you can bump, spin and slide with laughter), juggling classes and the carousel are open. Go on line to sign up for the activities. Much fun in the middle of the city.

Great park. Not particularly large, but it is usually set up as a market during the day. Lots of seating available to have breakfast with friends. The vendor tents are arts and crafts.

This Park has something special, and you notice it immediately as soon as you get there due to the atmosphere you perceive and the life that animates and surrounds it. There you will find office workers, athletes, young people, not so young people, all with a smile to enjoy a bit of tranquility in an extremely quiet and safe place, very well guarded by the police force, full of seating and greenery. There are play areas (for board games for example), often shows, numerous places where you can eat or enjoy a dessert, ice cream, etc. Opposite there is also a Whole Food Market, a supermarket where you can find absolutely everything. In the Park there are also fountains where you can fill your water bottles and quench your thirst. The plus is given by the presence of the wonderful New York Public Library which directly overlooks the Park and which, like the park itself, you will all have seen a thousand times in films and TV series.

Heart of NY and a must visit place during summer season. In winters , it’s not a park , and is more like a commercial place :) lots of shops , eateries and of course the winter ski 🎿 area in the center of the park .

I like it in summer . Green and love to take a walk here . Very close to Times Square, NY library and other places in NY . Restrooms available and is generally crowded ! Expensive food and other things around . There is a train station near . Overall a very good place . Paid parkings around .

A lively park with beautifully maintained grounds and a large green space. The games corner has something for everyone, young and old or you can find a quiet spot to read. Plenty of choices for a refreshing beverage or snack or grab lunch. The carousel is a must see. My favorite park in NYC.

We always skate here in the winter but had not been to NYC during the shutdowns. On-line booking was simple and the whole process had been tuned up for the better since our last visit - once through the ticket check everything well organized and the ice in great shape (much easier to do but less iconic than Central Park skate...)
Christmas market at Bryant is also one of the nicest to visit in our experience - but it's a bit crazy at peak times if you are not into that.
Great stop in summer as well to mix in with the visit to the Library (must see interior).

Originally I visited in December and it was so busy it wasn't worth a visit. But I have visited since and it was much nicer.

This was my first visit to Bryant Park. It offers quiet respite from the constant tourist trail and there are places to sit and vendors selling food. If you want to eat a lunchtime picnic it delivers and you can even buy it across the road in Wholefoods.
It does get busy but worth a stop

My wife and I went to Bryant Park on the last evening of our wedding anniversary trip to NYC this past summer. It is an oasis in a bustling city. We enjoyed a dinner at Bryant Park Grill. It culminated an enjoyable visit.

The park is a nice little oasis in the middle of the downtown NYC. The Christmas markets were on when we visited and there was plenty of stalls to see

For a fall day is was quiet and tranquil. The park is extremely clean even though we saw a stray rat running around. But it's NYC and I expect that outdoors with food laying about!

On the way to the NY Public Library, my friends and I planned to cut through Bryant park, only to discover a Holiday Market. It was a happy find and we had a lot of fun wandering around and looking at all the goods for sale. They had even set up an ice skating rink. The park itself has a lot of old world charm with fountains and bronze fixtures. It is a great place to explore, market or not.

Beautiful park for lunch! The street along Bryant Park has so many to go style eateries- so it’s easy to grab a meal & eat at the park. The park was beautiful with lots of benches, tables & seats. We enjoyed our lunch along with many other people enjoying the park on a sunny day.

Not very well known, this “small” park which is a mix between a square, a garden and a park. Shade, shops where you can snack or drink (the prices are obviously high) and a real atmosphere of quiet relaxation. Sometimes concerts. Very clean, ideal for a stopover in the New York furnace...

Well worth visiting during the holiday period for the Christmas Market. Loads of stalls selling all manner of gifts. Food and drink stalls are plentiful as well.

We came to Bryant Park to see the Christmas Market. There were several rows of small shops selling a variety of interesting goods – many hand made or unique/unusual. There were also several stores with imported items, like olive wood or Russian dolls, etc. They also had quite a few food and dessert vendors. Tables/chairs were also available and a trailer with toilets was set up that was actually pretty clean, although there was a long wait in line. The Christmas Market is open from end of October to beginning of January.

Bryant Park began as a potter’s field in the early 1800s, but the bodies were later moved to Wards Island. It later became Reservoir Square beside the Croton Reservoir, and hosted the Crystal Palace exhibition in 1853 before burning down in 1858. It even saw turmoil during the draft riots of 1863. Renamed in 1884 for poet and editor William Cullen Bryant, it was redesigned alongside the New York Public Library in 1911 and has since evolved into one of New York City’s most vibrant public spaces.

In summer, Bryant Park offers free movie nights under the stars. The winter holiday village and ice skating rink is EXTREMELY overpriced and crowded, but they still provide a festive way to spend an evening. If anything, the historic park is worlds better than it was in the 1980s, when it was plagued with crime and neglect.

Simply put one the nicest outdoor spaces in NYC. Great place to relax, people watch and have a coffee or drink

Bryant park is always great in December. All of the shops are open, the vibe is great and there is even an ice skating rink. I love it and highly recommend!

Beautiful park, preferred this part of New York over Times Square etc. quiet and peaceful and such a beautiful setting, was lovely to walk around and see the Statue of Liberty in the distance

So much to do, to see and to relax! This area is gorgeous and safe. Locals come here to be outside and hang out. It’s my favorite area in the city. We stayed close by, Residence Inn TS.

This is a nice park in Manhattan with lots of activities and spaces for people to relax, have lunch, get open air, and enjoy some freedom from apartments. There are food stalls and restaurants and a lovely carousel for families. It has good subway connections and is in a nice area of the city.

Our hotel was just blocks from here, and I completely fell in love with this darling park. We were in town for the Thanksgiving Parade, so the Christmas market was already set up. Do yourself a favor, get the apple cider and especially the apple cider donuts!

Visiting in December, the Christmas markets were in full swing and they prove to be very popular with visitors and New Yorkers. We enjoyed browsing and buying some presents.

Bryant Park has a very lovely scenery and can host a lot of people. You can find a little bit of everything from entertainment, food, picnics, games, ping pong tables, and many others. The people are very nice, and the park is always safe with guards around in the day and night. Come to Bryant Park if you are visiting New York

Excellent location, close to all points of interest, easy access to the Metro, quiet and quiet hotel, extremely clean. Special recognition to FrontDesk Josephine Kinsella, cordial, always willing to cooperate as possible, affective and extremely efficient.

This Midtown park is a great reprieve from the iconic sights nearby. It is well maintained and clean for the amount of foot traffic that comes by.

Bryant Park covers a few square blocks. It is situated between 5th and 6th Avenue and 40th street. It’s really nice and alternates what is in the park over the seasons.

This is your great little park in the center of Manhattan where visiting to rest or meet friends is perfect.

My husband and I did the ice bumper cars at the Bryant Park winter village, and they were great fun! The activity only lasted about 20 minutes, but that was enough time to keep the novelty of it. We laughed the entire time. Our group was made up of adults, but there were other groups with kids too. Given the duration, you should definitely combine it with another activity (we got chocolate from Laderach, ate at Burger and Lobster, and went to see a show afterwards).

Lovely lawn and plenty of chairs to sit and enjoy a coffee/snack from one of the small cafés.

There is also a small gift shop which sells some lovely items.

A fun selection of gift shops,places to eat and bars. There are some great little shops for unique gifts along with a good selection of worldly foodie outlets. It has an ice rink in the middle which is cool so you can have a beer and people watch.

A hidden gem in the middle of the downtown area. Beautiful flowers and green space to drink coffee while watching the people pass. Wonderful photo opportunities too. A true oasis!

Great for relaxing, eating and drinking. The park is well maintained with lots of choices for food, drink, rest, play of just walk. Very elegant and historic.

One of my favorite places to visit in the city. A beautiful space! Restaurants & coffee shops on site. I also love the little book section, game section to be used for free. Such a breath of fresh air! Great spot to sit & enjoy the outside!

Among our personal favorites is Bryant Park, one of the city’s oldest, largest, and most beloved green spaces. Every time, I am in this area (between 33rd & Times Square), I always visit this place and relax for some time. It is a green oasis in the middle of Manhattan’s hustle and bustle that enjoys great popularity among locals and visitors.

Bryant Park was a seedy area known for crime and a hangout for the undesirables until 1989 when the city reclaimed it and turned it into a beautiful urban oasis. Locals have embraced this park, and today, it's a pleasure to walk through
.
The grounds feature monuments and gardens, and "Le Carrousel," a popular carousel. A games area makes available chess boards, checkers, and backgammon boards for a small fee.

In the summer, this park is live, it has a daily lineup of free activities, concerts, especially Movie nights. The outdoor movie series at Bryant Park is a cherished summer-in-NYC tradition. Presented by Paramount +, the schedule always promises a crowd-pleasing mix of films from different eras and genres. Tip: the lawn opens at 5 p.m.) to claim your viewing spot.

Great to look round as there is a Christmas market on with lots of small business taking iart as well as an ice rink. Great tk watch the world go by

Visited on December and it was very crowded but still a beautiful park to see. The Christmas tree was amazing. Lots of things to do in the area

Bryant Park was such a lovely surprise in the middle of Manhattan. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with plenty of seating areas and little kiosks where you could grab a drink or snack. When we passed through, there was a live opera concert happening, which made the whole experience feel really special and unique.

We also noticed how family-friendly it was—there were lots of children around and even a designated kids’ corner, which gave the park a warm, community vibe. It felt safe, well looked after, and buzzing with energy.

A fantastic spot to pause, people-watch, and soak up the New York atmosphere. Very, very nice!

This is an underrated park that many tourists are not aware of, however, it's beautiful and perfect to relax in the city!

Bryant Park is an island of peace and tranquility in the midst of a bustling city. With green space, tables and chairs and dining options, it is a pleasant respite for resident and visitor alike.

Very nice park only with us it was a bit slightly rainy on that day. What made it really fun was the annual Tartan Day in Manhattan. This started partly in Bryant park which was very lucky despite some rain. Later also much to see in the city.

While we were there the Winter Village was in full swing in Bryant Park! The ice rink in the middle of the park was wonderful! The shops were so great! And the food!!! There are so many interesting, unique and delicious looking food options!! How do you choose!! We got some Christmas shopping done, had a lovely drink overlooking the skating rink, and enjoyed some delicious food by the fountain! A wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Super nice park in Midtown to relax for a while!

There are shops on all sides where you can buy a coffee and pastries and then sit down in the park and relax!

Very quiet, although actually in the middle of the city.

Very positive, there are restrooms for men and women at Bryant Park!

The Bryant Park metro station is right on the corner, with all other connections.

we happened to fall upon here looking for something else. it has all market stalls selling various items and food also. you can book igloos but I think this will just be a winter thing. No we didn't do it.

We stopped by the Bryant Park Winter Village in early November and had the chance to see the ice skating rink, Christmas tree, food stalls, and food vendors. Great place to spend an hour in the Midtown Manhattan area. Plenty of places to sit and relax.

One of the places to visit.
Its culture, its baths, and if it is Christmas even the ice rink or bar with curling.
Lots of people and atmosphere.

A quiet and unexpected corner of paradise among the skyscrapers, you can breathe an intimate atmosphere with people playing chess on the tables under the trees and people on the deckchairs sunbathing or attending a concert on the lawn. What I like about NY is that there are these public spaces available to citizens that allow them to have intimacy and relationships.

We walk a lot in New York and Bryant Park is a nice place to take a break. Small, nice but expensive shops and an ice rink! A hot chocolate break to watch the skaters...

This is a wonderful oasis in Manhattan. There was an Artist market on the day we visited.
There are many free activities for people of all ages. Chess tables, newspapers and magazines stands, etc.. It’s a true meeting place for New Yorkers and visitors. It’s also a great place to people watch.

The Bryant Park hotel is a fabulous hotel located close to 5th avenue. The staff are incredibly friendly and nothing is too much trouble. On my last two visits I have been given an early check in and been upgraded rooms. I would particularly like to pick out Jo Kinsella in guest services for her outstanding service.

Very nice, not too crowded New York park. Definitely perfect for a quick morning walk around the neighbourhood. Less popular than touristic central park. Excellent view on the empire state building, especially in the evening.

We visited Bryant Park while the ice rink was still there and it was lovely to see on a cold crisp sunny day.
We sat outside watching the skating as there was plenty of places to sit. It was fun to see and had music piped across the park but not too loud that you couldn't have a conversation
Lots of stalls there selling food & drinks there as well which appeared popular.
Nice place to people watch & take a little time off

Cool and funky little park for a coffee break! Spent 30 mins there getting a Expresso in the middle of the Mexican parade!

What a fun park, at least in the winter during their Winter Park. Free ice skating, but only if you have your own skates (otherwise you need to rent skates at $20 a pop or so, depending on time and day); but you need to book a time slot in advance.

Lots of craft stands, some eats and treats. Great atmosphere.

We drove by this park just about every time that we went somewhere. It was always busy but always looked clean and safe. Next trip to NYC this will be on my to-do list as a nice place to relax between tours/activities.

Beautiful park with lots of stalls for the Memorial weekend. Had a rest from sightseeing in the shade and enjoyed the views.

We visited here during our New Year's vacation. The park has ice skating. A lots of vendors around nearby. And also lots of food carts near the area. It is right next to a Subway entrance and exit. And it's sort of a central location for downtown activities.

Great green park in the middle of New York with free seating. We were there in a weekend and there was still plenty of spca to eat. There was a band playing when we visited as well.

We visited NYC for 5 days and went to all the iconic places ( Broadway, Times Square, 9/11 Memorial, Central Park and several others). I had watched a YouTube video of things to do in NYC which is how I heard of this wonderful place. We were running out of time and didn't think we would be able to squeeze it in but happily we did. We couldn't sit on the lawn as they had recently laid the new grass but we were able to sit the little restaurant and have a drink. We played Jenga - so many free games to play. Every city should have this. We also rode on the gorgeous carousel. I would come back to New York just to be able to visit here again.

Bryant Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. Its gardens, cultural activities and relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal place to unwind.

Somehow despite the hubbub of the one of the world’s great cities, one can climb the steps into a sanctuary, literally in mid town Manhattan.

This was created on purpose by its planners and brilliantly conceived. There is ample seating for relaxing or dining, fountains and statuary, welcomed wildlife and cleanliness.

At Christmas there is a skating rink, amazing, huge and live tree, interesting vendors and food, and friendly smiling fellow strollers.

Do not miss this very welcoming respite of this busy city!

There's a lot to see, do, and eat at Bryant Park, especially during the holidays.

As a local, I usually avoid crowded tourist spots, especially during the holiday season, but I haven't been to Bryant Park for a few years and the festive season adds an exciting vibe to the area that draws me in.

I popped by around mid-morning, and it was drizzly, but that didn’t stop the crowds.

The aisles were packed with people browsing the many stalls and vendors. And eating.

Lots more eating than shopping going on.

The Winter Village has many more vendors than Union Square, offering a better mix of diverse food and unique gifts.

You can see ice skaters gracefully twirling on the rink or grab a ticket to join in the fun— don't give up on your Olympic dreams!

Yes, the food is overpriced, but if you're on vacation, splurge!

You’ll definitely find something that hits the spot, no matter what you’re craving.

There are lots of seasonal treats and savory snacks to indulge in, catering to all tastes.

I wandered around the stalls for half an hour, trying my best to avoid the puddles forming from the rain.

Whether you want to eat your way among the various food stalls or look for gifts for next year, stop by and experience the crowds and festive energy for yourself, but I wouldn't spend too much time here.

One of the best things about NYC; there's always something else to do and see right around the corner, especially in this neighborhood.

A really beautiful place!

We ended up in this park by chance and found the rows of small stalls very appealing and snacked our way through. On Saturday, Bryant Park turned into a gigantomanic street market. There was even more food to eat there.

Lovely little park. Sat at the cafe to have drink in the sunshine.
Nice little stop gap before shopping on 5th Avenue.
Worth a visit, was featured in Just like that recently.

Bryant park has lots to see. It gets very crowded. The line for the hot chocolate and s'more was always crazy long. Go early in the morning if you want those!

The Christmas market was really great, I went both in the evening, and when things were beginning to open around 11 am/noon. I actually enjoyed the daytime experience much more, the crowds were not as insane---and the apple cider donuts were fresh! The Hudson Valley apple cider and apple cider donut stand was the best thing about the market! AMAZING.

We went for the tree lighting in Rockefeller center and were walking when we saw Bryant Park. So fun! Vendors, ice skating and music. Spent a few hours wandering and enjoying.

Well-kept park is served,
We have been to both
Morning as an aperitif and the atmosphere is always magical.
Very close to Times Square and the Summit, near Grand Central Station, a relaxing and green corner not to be missed!!!!

Great for relaxing for a moment, clean and well managed public toilets. There are tables for reading, eating, playing chess and table tennis courts

I love Bryant park during the holidays!! They have a lot of great vendors and the ice rink! So fun! It was a beautiful day to just people watch!

We came over in July from Northern Ireland and had a great time.
A lovely lawn, lots of seating and a lovely location. There are also restrooms here

We found several unique buys from the vendors such as jewerly, artwork.
There was a wide variety of food and unique items to purchase. It’s compact and easy to navigate. Several people were skating in the rink which was nice.. We would recommend it.

The market seems to get better every time we visit the park, the food on offer is great & there is a real Christmassy feel to the atmosphere.

Was so excited to visit during the Christmas holiday but boy was I mistaken. It was so packed it wasn’t fun. My daughter and I were squished trying to walk down the path. I couldn’t even think of getting near an actual store or food vendor. Perhaps visiting during the week, during the day?? Avoid during peak times.

Bryant Park adjoins the New York Public Library. It's one of NYC's hidden gems. A businessman was working via his cell phone, and hearing I was an Australian, bought me a drink. We chatted for quite a while, until he decided he had best go go back to the office and do some work. Don't let anyone tell you that New Yorkers aren't friendly!

This is the second year I’ve been able to experience the iconic holiday market held outside in Bryant Park. What a treat!! Ice skating, hot chocolate, lots of vendors and and easy walk.

Bryant Park is a beautiful place ,but it really comes alive during its Christmas Market. Lots of vendors, refreshments and a wonderful skating rink.

Always love visiting Bryant Park at Christmas time. All the pop up shops, food, ice rink, outdoor bar, public bathrooms. Weekend are always busier with people than week days.

We visited in November after Vet Day before Thanksgiving. Holiday shops were great. Very unique gift options from many of the vendors as well as lots of indulgent snacks! Great during the week when less crowded, weekend was very crowded and many places with lines.

Perfect place to release the stress of the big city and make a stop to rest, have a drink or eat.

There are chairs and tables and grass.

There are office people who bring their food and it is their place to eat and relax.

It's a small bubble in the big city

Sorry, we thought this was over-hyped. We stopped at Bryant Park on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and it was hopping. The winter market was open and absolutely full of people. We took a stroll through. The park and surrounding area are gorgeous. The winter market had forgettable stalls and food. There is really no warm place to sit and eat other than the restaurant whose wait was long. It was so full of people it was somewhat unpleasant. I’m not saying skip it, but just know the millions of Instagram videos over sell this experience quite a bit.

We went on one of the coldest days!! So not much to do as so much was frozen. However nice experience to just visit and it’s a relatively short walk from the Empire State Building.

This park is one of my favorites in New York. There are a lot of people but it has options for ice skating, eating and shops for some very nice shopping.

A nice spot of beauty located in the heart of Manhattan, Bryant Park is a good pitstop. Nice views all around. Good for people watching too.

We had this on our list of things to do in NYC at Christmas time. The videos we saw online about the shops and places to eat and cool Christmas atmosphere looked amazing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes there were many cool shops with lots of neat crazy overpriced items. You expect prices to be higher but $50 for a nice handprinted Christmas ornament - come on! Things got bad when we arrived and put an order in a Wafelsanddinges which was one of many recommended stops to get a snack. Paid $15 for a tiny waffle worth $3 which would have been ok had we gotten it in 10 minutes or so. Even 20 with the crowd would have been ok. After placing an order on the kiosk you had to listen in the busy crowd for your name to be called by workers who you could not understand well or hear. We waited over 45 min for the thing and that set the tone for the rest of the experience in the park that morning. The biggest issue was the park is so jammed packed full of people you could really not walk but just be shoved through the crowed. It was terrible. We took a few pics and high tailed it to something much better than this nonsense. I have heard there are other less crowded Christmas Markets. Maybe. This one was next level awful.

Beautiful time of year to go enjoy the Lights, the people and the holiday season. Great food, friendly vendors. Grateful for all ages.
Hello sunshine 🌞

Beautiful park with a great view of the skyscrapers.
The Christmas market is also amazing. Great ice skating rink and great shops.