Paley Park
Paley Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit - spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's paradise where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
- 5th Ave / 53rd St • 1 min walk
- 51st St • 6 min walk
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Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,880 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
76 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
25
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT2,781 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
With a plain, solid wall of water, it is very calming. Recommend visiting in the evening when the water cascade is lit from behind. A great reprieve from the city.
P.S. Three avenues away is Greenacres Park which I reviewed earlier (East 51st Street). Another gem of a park.
P.S. Three avenues away is Greenacres Park which I reviewed earlier (East 51st Street). Another gem of a park.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sila B
New York City, NY48 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
When Samuel Paley (1875-1963) and his partners bought a network of 16 struggling stations known as Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System, he intended to use CBS to promote his La Palina cigars. Needless to say, the acquisition was a success. So was his currently less known but back then rapidly growing cigar company.
In his honor opened in 1967, the Paley Park is now a hidden attraction to some who know and others who do not know that, being a private park, this is the only park in New York City where smoking is allowed. It welcomes neighboring New Yorkers for their lunch breaks, several tourists and, of course, those who wish to smoke a cigar in the fresh air.
It is basically an empty lot between two buildings on 53rd Street, off Fifth Avenue. About a dozen equidistant honey locust trees provide some visual and acoustic protection. And then there is the wonderful, also visual and acoustic principal attraction - a wall-to-wall water cascade. A group of uniformed friendly gentlemen maintain and protect this property with joy and pride from opening until closing, every day of the week.
In a city full of noise, and constantly generating speed, plus its many efforts to reduce the places in which cigar smokers may spend their time, the Paley Park is an oasis in many ways.
In his honor opened in 1967, the Paley Park is now a hidden attraction to some who know and others who do not know that, being a private park, this is the only park in New York City where smoking is allowed. It welcomes neighboring New Yorkers for their lunch breaks, several tourists and, of course, those who wish to smoke a cigar in the fresh air.
It is basically an empty lot between two buildings on 53rd Street, off Fifth Avenue. About a dozen equidistant honey locust trees provide some visual and acoustic protection. And then there is the wonderful, also visual and acoustic principal attraction - a wall-to-wall water cascade. A group of uniformed friendly gentlemen maintain and protect this property with joy and pride from opening until closing, every day of the week.
In a city full of noise, and constantly generating speed, plus its many efforts to reduce the places in which cigar smokers may spend their time, the Paley Park is an oasis in many ways.
Written October 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Melbourne, Australia1,162 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Tiny it may be but Paley Park packs a punch out of proportion to its size. The water wall at the northern end creates sufficient sound to drown much of the city traffic. Locust trees offer shade and there is seating and a small kiosk for sandwiches and coffee. All together it is a delight though the smokers are a scourge.
Written October 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizzieandIzzy
New York City, NY20,844 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Coworkers and I used to lunch frequently in Samuel Paley Park ... until the cigar and cigarette smokers discovered it. Because it is a private park run by the Board of Directors of the Paley Center for Media, it does not have to abide by NYC laws regarding smoking in public places. If you ask one of the guards to bring to the attention of your fellow park-goer that their smoke is bothering you, they cannot (and will not) do it. Sandwich taste good with the stench of stogie lacing it?
It is now impossible to dine there without being forced to endure second-hand smoke the entire time.
It's such a shame, because it was for years a beautiful and reinvigorating respite from the boss who was having a bad morning, or the copy job people who single-sided a double-sided job. The waterfall cleansed your spirit and washed all that aggravation away. Now the Park is a haven for those inviting lung cancer into their (and others') lives, and the cascading water can't do anything about it.
It is now impossible to dine there without being forced to endure second-hand smoke the entire time.
It's such a shame, because it was for years a beautiful and reinvigorating respite from the boss who was having a bad morning, or the copy job people who single-sided a double-sided job. The waterfall cleansed your spirit and washed all that aggravation away. Now the Park is a haven for those inviting lung cancer into their (and others') lives, and the cascading water can't do anything about it.
Written September 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerard P
New York City, NY4 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Please note that Paley Park was established by the Paley Family in honor of Bill Paley, who founded CBS and was a big cigar smoker (The Paley family also owns La Palina Fine Cigars). Since it's a private park, the Paley Foundation sets the rules - smoking being one of them.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303807404577434592256330010
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303807404577434592256330010
Written May 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoffrey B
Canterbury, UK92 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
A very tranquil area in the middle of madness, seating area and a very small cafe with a lovely menu, The Lunch Box. If you want peace with your Coffee , then this is the place to visit
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie_ab99
30 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Found this beautiful cafe when walking down a side street off 5th Avenue-felt like an oasis of calm amongst the bustle of the streets. Really good value and delicious fresh food-highly recommend the chicken club sandwich and also the coffee/bagel deal for $3. We visited twice and it was buzzy on both occasions, with the waterfall an especially nice touch at blocking out the traffic noise! Definitely worth a visit if you want to feel like you're 'out' of the city for a bit.
Written April 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don B
Sydney, Australia4,814 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Paley Park was an innovation when it opened in 1968. A vest pocket park, an oasis of calm in the middle of a bustling, hustling city. The waterfall at its northern end masks the relentless sounds of traffic and automobile horns outside. Plantings create a "tree room". A small cafe serves coffee and snacks during opening hours.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonWamberal
Sydney, Australia12,067 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Agree it is a lovely oasis although it shouldn't be seen as a smokers oasis - it is a relief from the hustle and bustle of the city and a great spot for a coffee with the backdrop of the waterfall/
Written November 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TomBocaRaton
Boca Raton, FL59 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
Little pocket park with tables/chairs, coffee and food offerings. The large waterfall fountain refreshes one from the street scene.
Written March 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buenas a todos!
¿Alguien que haya visitado recientemente Paley Park me puede concretar si continua en el la parte del muro de Berlín que hubo en otro tiempo?? Me encantaría poder ver una parte del muro con tanta historia en N.York.
Gracias!!!
Written May 19, 2016
GregDelaney
Buffalo, New York
What time do they close the gate in the evening (what are the hours of the park)?
Written April 18, 2015
According to the website visit5thavenue . com, the park is always open!
Written September 10, 2015
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