According to a new ranking from Time Out, the most stunning library in the United States sits right in Midtown Manhattan. The New York Public Library’s iconic main branch—officially the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building—has earned the top spot, and it’s easy to see why.

Its impressive Fifth Avenue façade, carved from brilliant white marble, makes an immediate impression. The famous stone lions, Patience and Fortitude, stand guard at the entrance, welcoming visitors into a space that feels more like a grand cultural monument than a public library. Step inside, and the majesty continues: intricate details, soaring ceilings, and elegant finishes turn every hallway into a celebration of art and learning.

Although the NYPL system dates back to 1895, this flagship location opened in 1911 after nearly 10 years of planning. Designed by Carrère and Hastings in the Beaux-Arts style, the project cost $9 million—a massive investment at the time, but one that clearly paid off. The building’s showstopper, the Rose Main Reading Room, features dazzling murals and chandeliers that still leave visitors speechless.

Today, the library is one of the city’s great cultural hubs. Its collection spans more than 56 million items, ranging from timeless works of literature to rare archival documents and modern digital media. Students, writers, history buffs, and curious travelers all find something to love here.

Photo: unsplash.com/@diane_soko

The NYPL isn’t the only standout on Time Out’s list. Just a short walk away sits the second-place winner, The Morgan Library & Museum. Originally the private collection of financier J.P. Morgan, it opened to the public in 1924 and remains one of New York’s most atmospheric literary spaces.

Third place goes to Boston’s historic Boston Athenaeum, among the country’s longest-running independent libraries. Its refined interiors—think red leather chairs, marble sculptures, and views of the Boston Common—make it a peaceful haven for readers.

Together, these libraries show that books deserve environments as inspiring as the stories they hold.

The 11 Most Beautiful Libraries in America, According to Time Out

1. New York Public Library — New York, NY
2. The Morgan Library & Museum — New York, NY
3. Boston Athenaeum — Boston, MA
4. George Peabody Library — Baltimore, MD
5. Iowa Law Library — Des Moines, IA
6. Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library — New Haven, CT
7. A.D. White Library — Ithaca, NY
8. University of Michigan Law Library — Ann Arbor, MI
9. Library of Congress — Washington, D.C.
10. Geisel Library — La Jolla, CA
11. Armstrong Browning Library — Waco, TX