Bryant Park - Midtown Living Room in New York City

The entire city block bounded by 5th to 6th Avenues, from 40th to 42nd Street, in New York City, offers food for the mind, body, and soul. On Fifth Avenue, the mighty guardian lion sculptures herald the main location of the New York Public Library.

Behind the library edifice stretches Bryant Park, a multi-level, outdoor stopping place for any and all who pass by, whatever their mood or needs of the moment. Tucked against the back wall of the library is the Bryant Park Grill and Cafe, featuring outdoor cafe style eating.

On the terrace beyond -- and everywhere all over the park -- are lots of lightweight green enamel cafe chairs and tables, free for anyone to arrange for sharing, for resting tired feet, for reading, gazing, laptop-using, people-watching, eating takeout lunches, socializing, or just enjoying the tranquility of solitude-among-the-multitude.

Stand at the stone railing before heading down the next flight of steps, and you see a vast lawn, a sort of midtown beach. Spread a blanket, pull up a chair, throw a frisbee. There's even a small carousel on the south end of the lawn.





On Monday evenings during the warm months is the free HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. A large superstructure with tall swiveling panels stands near the fountain at the 6th Avenue side of the park. During the day the panels are open to allow sun and views. On movie night, they swing closed to serve as the movie screen. The event is free to anyone who wants to enjoy a summer evening outside.

At various locations around the park are charming vendor kiosks with food and flowers.
There's a little stone building at the northeast corner of the park with rest rooms, so you can hang out as long as you want. Nearby is an area called The Reading Room, outfitted with special umbrellas and rolling carts of books for the borrowing.

In keeping with New York City's reputation as an epicenter of knowledge, culture, and self-improvement, you can also try classes like like Tai Chi Classes at Bryant Park.
There are many seasonal events that transform Bryant Park, from holiday gift fairs to winter skating to the iconic New York Fashion Week under big tents that take over the entire lawn. But nothing beats walking, sitting, reading, or lazing around the beautiful flower beds and sunny skies of summer in New York City right here in the middle of it all.

Rockefeller Center and Central Park on a Sunny Summer Day

On a glorious summer day in New York City, it seems like the whole world is walking up Fifth Avenue and all around Central Park. Kids climbing on Atlas at Rockefeller Center, and tourists resting their tired feet along a "tropical" promenade.At the 59th Street entrance to Central Park, the street theater is in full production, as local gymnasts compete with each other for the coolest spins and flips.


And, ooh, look at that tall, gangly public art thing loop-de-looping into the air while tour buses filled with oglers pass by.




The horse-drawn hansom cabs and pedicabs line up to take people on lovely, slow ambles through the park.
So much to see and smile at. Too much for one post. Stay tuned for more!

About Walking in New York City

If your image of New York City is zillions of cars, buses, and trucks surging through the streets, angling for advantage, you should know that's only one slice of the Manhattan experience. Once your feet are on the ground, and you join the human throng on the sidewalk, you'll find that New York City provides you with a sort of cozy, intimate personal world that you can amble through with ease.

Walking in New York City is easy if you just go with the flow. And every few steps brings you another shopfront to ogle, street scene smile at, fashion statement to ponder, so that the blocks add up, one after another, until you've arrived at your destination and wonder at how quickly you got there.

It's a city of small neighborhoods, and each one has its own special character (and characters!). The best thing about getting around in Manhattan is that one district turns into the next, one after the other. So you can shop in Soho, eat lunch in Little Italy, and explore Chinatown, all in one day.

Make sure to wear comfortable footwear, of course, when you're walking in New York City!