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The Morgan Library & Museum
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The Morgan Library & Museum

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See all things to do
The Morgan Library & Museum
4.5
2,087
#33 of 1,403 things to do in New York City
Speciality Museums • Libraries
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10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Just a short walk from Grand Central and Penn Station, the Morgan is a major exhibition venue for fine art, literature, and music, one of New York's great historic sites, and a wonderful place to dine, shop, and attend a concert or film.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Murray Hill
How to get there
  • 33rd St • 4 min walk
  • Grand Central – 42nd St • 7 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,087 reviews
Excellent
1,500
Very good
500
Average
67
Poor
16
Terrible
4
John S
New York City, NY2 contributions
Too Often Overlooked Midtown Gem
Aug 2022 • Business
Attended a tour of the library in August 2022 with my colleagues 10 years after my first visit alone. I highly recommend that you take the group tour as it really provides necessary context that you can miss on a solo visit.
Our most excellent tour guide Missy provided us a great overview of Mr. Morgan’s intentions, the outstanding work of his original librarian Belle da Costa Greene, as well as the details behind the design and objects of the library itself. The ceiling work, reliefs and frescos are very impressive, and although there are only a few paintings, they are places appropriately and in context. In terms of items on display, I was most impressed with an actual Gutenberg bible, ie one of the first books printed with moveable type. Thanks to Missy and all others who do a great job with this most underrated of public museums in NY - well worth your time.
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI711 contributions
Impressive Library with interesting and beautiful books in a stunning building not to be missed!
Oct 2021
Knowing that we didn't have the 2-3 hours needed to adequately see the magnificent J.P. Morgan Library, we took advantage of the Free Friday Afternoon admission offer (reserve your tickets in advance). Very happy that we did!! Entering the museum complex via the Renzo Piano addition (2002), we found a jazz trio playing in the atrium lobby, so we grabbed a couple of chairs and sat and listened and relaxed for a few minutes. Then we headed into the original early 1900s library building designed by Charles McKim (of Mead, McKim and White), first seeing Mr. Morgan's Study, then the Rotunda, and finally the Library. So impressive! The portraits! The ceiling of the Rotunda!! The interesting and beautiful books!! We also took in two very interesting exhibits: Imperial Splendor: The Art of the Book in the Holy Roman Empire, ca. 800–1500 and Bound for Versailles: The Jayne Wrightsman Bookbindings Collection. Truly we could have spent another hour there.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BlueBottleGirl
Paris, TN66 contributions
A Must See
May 2022 • Solo
I went to see the Holbein Exhibit and ended up spending the entire day. The art and architecture drew me back for a second and sometimes third look. In every room, always look up. The artisans were kept busy detailing the interiors, the trim and moulding. The grand finale was obviously Mr Morgan’s actual library that is jaw dropping. I don’t recommend eating at the Bistro. The food was very expensive for what you got and bland in flavor. There are plenty of nice restaurants in the area. The gift shop is full of fun items and books and is located in Mr Morgan’s actual house.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
moretravelplease
Boston, MA18 contributions
Spend your time at better NYC museums
Apr 2021 • Solo
Tickets must be purchased in advance and online. The museum imposes an additional fee for this requirement. I was really interested to see the literary and historical manuscripts. Upon arrival I was told most of that collection is in archives. I feel I paid admission to see things that the website implied were available, which were not available. For a library, there is mostly art works and archeological artifacts.
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
floraz625
San Francisco, United States10 contributions
Book lovers’ paradise
Oct 2022 • Solo
It is a small museum but is really a place for book lovers to escape to a quite place where fast reading is not appreciated, but actual reading of a physical book is the real thing.

There are three main rooms full of books to explore. In addition to ancient books, art is part of the museum exhibit.

The thing amazed me the most is to figure out how to access to books on the second floor and the third floor without stairs. Actually, the access is behind the book shelves. I wish I could had the behind the scene view of it.

The second thing amazed me is the ancient books have a lot of illustrations and they are in large print. For sure the books are easier to read/understand. But the con side is the books are much thinker, even bigger than today’s Oxford Dictionary. Imaging to carry a book in the old time is really a challenge.

I visited the library on a Friday night where a 3-person band performed nice and relaxing music. I am not sure if this is a thing for NYC. I bumped into an on-site concert in another museum the other night.

One surprise I found is one drawing in display in fact is the blue print of an actual drawing on the ceiling. Don’t miss it.

Last but not the least, the admission on Friday night is free, making a visit more enjoyable.
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jodie Gould
New York City72 contributions
The Morgan Library--New York City's Hidden Gem
Oct 2021
"Tourist in My Own City"
Jodie Gould

With the holidays approaching, tourists are making a pilgrimage to the Met, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City. But if you’re looking for a cultural experience that is both festive and quintessentially New York, I recommend the Morgan Library & Museum. It was built in 1906 to house the private collection of tycoon J.P. Morgan. After his death in 1924, it was opened to the public as a museum.

One of its current exhibits on loan from Germany is Van Eyck to Mondrian: 300 Years of Collecting in Dresden, which features Jan van Eyck’s Portrait of an Elderly Man (ca. 1435–40), an exceptionally rare drawing by the great Renaissance painter, never before seen in the U.S. Equally notable are works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Mondrian, and others. For your holy fix, see the stunning illuminated sacred manuscripts from the Middle Ages.

Rarely seen on screen, the Morgan Library remains one of the city’s most beloved camera-shy gems. Before you go, stream Netflix’s teen romance Dash & Lily, which is set in New York City at Christmastime. In one of its most memorable scenes, young Dash, who is smitten with Lily but has only corresponded with her through a red notebook placed at various city landmarks, meets his secret admirer at the Morgan Library. There, they spend Christmas Eve night together on an antique sofa. The Morgan does not allow walk-ins, so you need to plan your visit ahead of time. #morganlibrary
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Conny Wylie
Ottawa, Canada497 contributions
Potpourri of Inspirational Culture.
Jan 2023
The Morgan is a melange of library/landmark/museum/historic site and music venue. Upon entry, I went past 2 stone lionesses and admired the beauty of a floor to ceiling rotunda with a semicircular Aspe depicting Roman mythology. I felt like I was stepping back in time to the Italian Renaissance.

The East Room of the Morgan is one of the great library spaces of the world. I relished the masterpieces like the early Gutenberg Bible and other celebratory pieces. Other prized works are kept in the West Room's solid steel vault. The light wood embedded in a darker wood of the architected bookcases are as precious as the books they are commissioned to store.

In addition to the ton of books and exquisite architecture, the Morgan also hosts valuable paintings and sculptures such as Rossellini's bust of the Christ Child. My favourite painting was The Little Prince Taking flight. There is a marvellous store with a multiplicity of books reflecting the exhibits as well as other museum keepsakes.
Written January 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
wes p
Boston, MA85 contributions
Beautifully preserved turn of the century mansion.
Nov 2022
Always wanted to see this amazing NYC landmark and I'm glad I did. Fridays after 5 they offer free admission, via advanced reservations on the web site. Also, they had a jazz band playing, that you could here as you visited the various rooms of the mansion and the new special exhibit areas.
Written November 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JJ F
Fuquay-Varina, NC204 contributions
Nice Excursion into History
Jan 2020
Since we are seniors, we utilized one of the times there is free admission into a select area of the Library/Museum. Otherwise admission is $22 or $14 for Seniors, $13 for Students. The section available during the "free" time is the Study through Library which captures the working area of JP Morgan. An Audio tour is provided to attendees with very good descriptions. The exhibits available are very good. I would assume you could pass an hour or two looking at and learning the history behind these areas. There is an open area Cafe that offers reasonable priced items. We would recommend visiting during a visit to The City and feel taking advantage of the Free times would be a good introduction.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James F
Cranbury, NJ172 contributions
A Gem
Aug 2022
We keep coming back to The Morgan for special exhibits (this time it was the "100 Years of Joyce's Ulysses") and it never disappoints. The museum itself is small and the exhibits are usually not large either, but they are always perfectly prepared. The staff are courteous and the snack/lunch bar has good food and reasonable prices (in the context of a NYC museum). Exploring all the exhibits shouldn't take more than an afternoon. Admission prices for The Morgan are quite reasonable, too. The Met sure could learn a thing or two from little gem.
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The Morgan Library & Museum (New York City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about The Morgan Library & Museum
The Morgan Library & Museum is open:
  • Tue - Thu 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Fri - Fri 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking The Morgan Library & Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 6 The Morgan Library & Museum tours on Tripadvisor
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