As you take a walk 5th Avenue and come to junction with 60th Street at the corner of Central Park, you will encounter the Strand Central Park Kiosk.
Along this stretch of sidewalk, not far from the Central Park Zoo, you will find books neatly displayed, enticing passers-by to pause and browse.
Strand Central Park Kiosk: Books along 5th Avenue
The Strand Central Park Kiosk is actually an offshoot of the large Strand Bookstore near Union Square in Lower Manhattan. Located opposite the Pierre Hotel, the outdoor bookstore is made up of tables filled with tomes that cover a wide variety of genres.
Why is there an outdoor bookstore here by Central Park, you may wonder?
Well, there is an unusual connection between the Strand Central Park Kiosk in New York and another mega city – Paris.
Sometime back in the 1960s, Fred Bass, owner of the iconic Strand Book Store, was approached with an idea. What would it be like if Central Park had book stalls similar to those found along the banks of the Seine River in Paris, France?
This eventually led him to established the book kiosk along 5th Avenue and 60th Street.
While visiting the Strand Central Park Kiosk, you will be impressed by the range of books that they have managed to fit onto a handful of tables at this satellite book store.
There are literary classics, bestsellers, children’s books, academic books, non-fiction books, art books, memoirs, and books covering biographies, philosophy, poetry and more.
Besides the books, they have also managed to fit in other merchandise that may appeal to the out of town visitor who may be passing by. These include bags, magnets, postcards and various other New York City brick-a-brac. With it convenient location, it is more than tempting for the book lover or even occasional book lover to pause and have a browse through the collection.
The outdoor atmosphere also gives it a relaxed feel under the shade of the trees to browse.
So the next time you are in the southeast corner of Central Park, instead of simply being enticed by the food trucks, feed the mind too. Pick up a book and head into Central Park to find a little corner to call your own and have a New York moment.
