The Morgan Library: New York City

in response to Frances

I’m taking my 12 year-old daughter to New York in June to see Romeo and Juliet at the Delacorte Theatre. We’ll only be in the city briefly, and we need one other fabulous thing to do while we visit. She loves anything book related. I’d also love any recommendations for a nice hotel in walking distance of the theater, so upper east or west side. THX!

New York, NY

Visit

One of my favorite NYC places: the one-time private library of J.P. Morgan, tycoon + obsessive collector (I think of him every time I read Edith Wharton's THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY; you can have a pretty mind-blowing time wandering through the cultural treasures in various NYC museums and noting just how many he donated). It reflects the work and vision of Belle da Costa Greene, librarian extraordinaire, who was the director for decades. Usually has fascinating exhibits, Constable clouds, rare manuscripts, and the interior is a book-lover's dream.

points of interest

6 months ago

Comments

even*cleveland

@evenclevelandApr 19, 2026

More bookish fun: The Grolier Club (free book-themed exhibits from the oldest society of bibliophiles in the U.S., and close to the famous Argosy bookshop) and visiting the main branch of the NYPL to check out the exhibits and reading room (and taking a stroll to see the quotes on Library Walk).

Frances

@frambergApr 19, 2026

Amazing recommendations! Thank you!

Very Carrie

@verycarrieApr 25, 2026

In my younger days living in nyc I was lucky enough to assist on their short film about their Jane Austen collection. It was surreal to see her handwritten pages in person. And I got to help interview Fran Liebowitz, Colm Toibin, and Cornel West (which was lost on me at the time because I was young and wasn’t yet aware of their cultural relevance 🤦‍♀️

Across Rec League

The Morgan Library & Museum

David Coggins

“A lovely museum you can visit in less than an hour. Terrific small exhibitions and the lovely library never lets you down. Sometimes exactly what you need.”