The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, serves as the main branch of the New York Public Library. Known for the iconic marble lions, Patience and Fortitude, guarding its steps, this midtown landmark offers an incredible free outing for families.

This free permanent exhibition showcases around 250 extraordinary items spanning 4,000 years of history.

• Rare Judaica: Drawing from the library’s Dorot Jewish Division, the exhibition often displays stunning historical Jewish artifacts. You can view an exquisite 18th-century Ketubah (Jewish wedding contract) from Reggio Emilia, Italy, dated 1756, which is beautifully adorned with floral motifs and cherubs. The collection also features an incredibly ornate 17th-century Megillah (Scroll of Esther) containing intricate, hand-drawn illustrations of the story’s main characters and Persian cityscapes framing the text columns. Additionally, the exhibition features a superb 14th-century Machzor. This large-format, illuminated vellum prayer book—used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur was created in Central Europe. It features intricate medieval book design elements, including a hunting scene and creatures illuminating the initial word of the Kol Nidre prayer.
• Historical Documents: View Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and a rare Gutenberg Bible printed in 1455.
• Winnie-the-Pooh: Kids will love seeing the original stuffed animals that belonged to the real-life Christopher Robin Milne and inspired the classic stories.
• Tours & Access: You can explore at your own pace, or join a free 45-minute guided tour of the exhibition offered Monday through Saturday at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The last entry to the exhibition is 30 minutes before the building closes.

Free one-hour tours of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building begin at 11 AM and 2 PM Monday through Saturday. Book tickets online to join one of our building tours. Tickets are released every Sunday for the week ahead. Meet your docent in the Visitor Center at the appointed time for this one-hour guided tour highlighting the history, architecture, and collections of this magnificent Beaux-Arts building—including the historic Rose Main Reading Room.

This 60-minute tour is free and limited to the first 20 people who reserve tickets online.

Because the reading rooms are strictly reserved for quiet study and research, general visitors cannot freely walk in at all times. However, the library provides specific ways for tourists to see this magnificent space:

Monday–Saturday | 11:20 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3 PM

Don’t have time for the full tour? Join your official NYPL tour guide in the McGraw Rotunda on the third floor for an overview of the magnificent Rose Main Reading Room, then proceed inside for a viewing.

This 15-minute tour is free and limited to the first 25 people who sign up. Registration will be available in McGraw Rotunda, where the tour begins, 30 minutes prior.

Rose Main Reading Room Visiting Hour

The Rose Main Reading Room is also open for a visiting hour from 10 to 11 AM, Monday through Saturday. Please note that the last visitor entry is at 10:50 AM.

• Astor Hall: The library’s stunning white marble lobby features grand staircases and provides access to the building’s exhibits and reading rooms.
• The McGraw Rotunda: Located on the third floor, this spacious hall features elaborately painted murals on its walls and ceiling, providing entry directly to the Rose Main Reading Room.
• Bloomberg Connects app: Use the app for a self-guided experience that explores the building’s history, architecture, and collections.
• Bryant Park: The library is located inside of Bryant Park, a midtown green haven for those looking to rest and relax.