Discovering the Best Hidden Study Nooks in NYC
New York City is crazy and filled with lots of things to do. That’s good, but sometimes it’s hard to find a place to light your beeswax candle and study in peace and quiet because you live in a city, bro. Luckily, there are several spots in New York City that are conducive to breaking free from the maelstrom of the modern metropolis, if you know where to look. So here it is — a guide to some of the best quiet study spots in NYC that can assist you in your efforts to focus, study, and grind. If you’re working on big projects, like writing a thesis, thesis writing services like Academized can help. Academized offers professional writing assistance for students who need support with their academic work, making it easier to balance the demands of city life with academic success.
The New York Public Library's Smaller Branches
If you hear the words ‘New York Public Library’ (or the acronym ‘NYPL’), you’ll probably think of the tremendous Stephen A Schwarzman Building in Midtown, a magnificent jewel box but also a popular tourist destination and a very busy place. Try the NYPL’s smaller branches instead, most of them little-known nooks in the other boroughs.
For those in search of a quiet refuge, few things top an intimate, community-minded neighbourhood branch such as the Yorkville Library on the Upper East Side or the Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village. Such branch locations are less frenetic and more serene than the high-energy main libraries. They provide all the resources a student might need, including comfortable seating and extensive collections, without the frenetic buzz of those larger public spaces.
Housing Works Bookstore Café
Tucked away in Soho, Housing Works Bookstore Café is not only a lovely study spot but also a café with a cause. All profits from the café go towards Housing Works’ advocacy and services for the homeless. On two stories filled with tables, corners and walls of secondhand books, the atmosphere is congenial and the ambiance is welcoming.
That it costs little, provides a quiet spot, and funnels money to a good charity only makes the café that much more of a win for students. Best time to go is either weekday mornings or after 4pm, when the crowds have tapered off. Upstairs is almost always completely free of the café buzz and lends itself perfectly to study.
CUNY Graduate Center Library
Another nice hidden gem, the CUNY Graduate Center Library, situated in Midtown Manhattan, offers some quiet study areas and is off the beaten path for most students who don’t attend CUNY. It is also public-accessible.
Sixty-three per cent of students surveyed said it was quiet enough, and 86 per cent said it was central enough, making it the second-most popular place to study among respondents at the CUNY Graduate Center Library.
You get big tables, private study rooms, and computers, if you need them. And the views of the Empire State Building aren’t too shabby. It’s no NYPL, of course – there are far more resources – but the serenity alone makes it worth it.
Coffee Shops with Quiet Corners
With numerous coffee shops in New York City, it is not difficult to study there. Nevertheless, many of these cafés are not suitable for work. Some are too noisy and crowded. There are few, however, that are less well-known, which provide a good work environment with a nice atmosphere and quiet.
Here’s a comparison of some great options:
These spots are secrets for those in the know. Birch Coffee has hidden back rooms like mini libraries. The caffeine and the peace makes for an ideal place to sit for hours.
Parks Off the Beaten Path
Granted, if you absolutely need a change of scenery, Central Park is Number One, but it’s often too busy to think about looking for study time outdoors. Try some of NYC’s smaller, out-of-the-way parks. Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan is one of the city’s quieter green spaces – and one of its best-kept secrets. From its vantage point overlooking the Hudson River, it’s peaceful and soothing, with benches booked in the branches of old trees, offering solace for the overworked student.
Another secret is the Elevated Acre in the Financial District, a park that sits above street-level with lush greenery and a nice, quiet tranquil vibe – plenty of seats, great for studying al fresco without the bustle of the city nearby. Since it’s off the beaten path for tourists, it can be a good place to escape noise. If you’re working on long academic papers, the best dissertation writing services can help take some of the pressure off so you can focus on what matters most.
The Center for Fiction
In Brooklyn, The Center for Fiction is a haven for writers and book lovers. Although many come here to write-and-work, it’s also a great place to study. There are quiet reading rooms and a cosy café where you can spend hours reading and working. Being surrounded by books and other literary people can also help keep you on track.
Membership in the Center for Fiction provides access to a quieter, more secluded second-floor reading room that overlooks the café but houses only a small coffee bar, a few comfortable chairs, and a large table and chairs where I liked to sit and write. A physical connection between authors, readers, and the making of books wasn’t something I found anywhere else, nor a creative atmosphere.
Coworking Spaces with Student Discounts
Photo courtesy of The YardAs coworking spaces increase in popularity in New York, it’s true that many students might not think of them as a place to take study sessions. However, there are a number of coworking spaces that offer discounted rates for students, or that are in areas that might be better suited as a study session spot (not as hectic, with places for groups to get together easily and comfortably). Locations such as The Farm Soho and The Yard both accommodate the busy mind of a student looking for a quiet desk and solid Wi-Fi connection.
And while they tend to be a bit more expensive than a public library or a local coffee shop, they include extras such as free beverages, lounge seating, and the added bonus of a like-minded community of fellow workers. If working in a coffee shop or library feels too unstructured, a coworking space might be the perfect solution for you.
Conclusion
The Big Apple’s study nooks are plentiful, though, so you can frequently find a convenient place to flex your poetic muscles – or simply capture some study notes while away from the noise. Small public libraries are pretty common in New York City, so hunt around for a quiet study nook there. You might also find a public park with a comforting study nook and benches, especially if it’s off the beaten trail for tourists. The fresh air and noise of your fellow green space users could actually provide a focus boost. Or perhaps you appreciate the old world charm of a café inside a bookstore or library. Still, some of us struggle to study with the noise of other people around, and that’s okay. Head to a coworking space in New York City.
