Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
5
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
555 within 3 miles
Attractions
136 within 6 miles
Contribute
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
5.0
280 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
40
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Lourdes M
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This place is amazing. Worth visiting if your in to history and books. My son and I took our time going around and reading the book cases. The light was low to protect all the aging books. If your a Yale student and needing to research your allowed to see them in person and touch them.
Written August 11, 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.
Jennifer H
Columbus, OH530 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We were really impressed with the building. It’s interesting and so different from all the other buildings. The sunlight coming through the stone is beautiful. My eight year old thought the old books on display were cool. I wish you could see more of the inside of some of the books. Unless we missed it, you really can’t at all. Digital versions on screens would be helpful.
Written October 28, 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.
Mark
21 contributions
Aug 2019
When I first saw the Beinecke, like many others I thought it looked unfortunately modern and out of place surrounded by the breathtaking traditional architecture of Yale. Then, I went inside...
The walls are made of thin stone which allows light to penetrate into the interior on sunny days which gives a visitor the impression of standing in a stained glass cube--it's aesthetically stunning; uniquely beautiful. The books themselves are in a central 'stack' within the greater structure--a room within a room--and are visible from a walkway around the interior of the structure that hosts a exhibits ranging from civil rights and slavery to jazz and comic books. Like many great locations in New Haven, it's always free to the public and the ideal location to spent an hour on a hot day both to get into the icy air conditioning and to experience the interior on a sunny day. Never crowded, with staff that is always accommodating and pleasant, it's in the heart of the Old Campus and just one of numerous interesting locations within easy walking distance of one another. I'm not a Yale graduate, nor an employee--just a 'townie'--but one who fully benefits from the art, and aesthetics of being in close proximity to one of the oldest Universities in the country. There's plenty to see in New Haven and on Yale campus--but the Beinecke is, in my BOOK (lol) at the top of the list.
The walls are made of thin stone which allows light to penetrate into the interior on sunny days which gives a visitor the impression of standing in a stained glass cube--it's aesthetically stunning; uniquely beautiful. The books themselves are in a central 'stack' within the greater structure--a room within a room--and are visible from a walkway around the interior of the structure that hosts a exhibits ranging from civil rights and slavery to jazz and comic books. Like many great locations in New Haven, it's always free to the public and the ideal location to spent an hour on a hot day both to get into the icy air conditioning and to experience the interior on a sunny day. Never crowded, with staff that is always accommodating and pleasant, it's in the heart of the Old Campus and just one of numerous interesting locations within easy walking distance of one another. I'm not a Yale graduate, nor an employee--just a 'townie'--but one who fully benefits from the art, and aesthetics of being in close proximity to one of the oldest Universities in the country. There's plenty to see in New Haven and on Yale campus--but the Beinecke is, in my BOOK (lol) at the top of the list.
Written August 13, 2019
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.
Hendrik W
Chicago108 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
An architecturally-awesome (and free) institution devoted to the containment and preservation of rare books, manuscripts, and documents. Two highlights for me were the Gutenberg Bible and John James Audubon’s “Birds of America".
Even if you don't feel like browsing for anything specific, you have to appreciate the brilliance of the museum's design. The windowless exterior tricks one into believing the museum must rely on artificial light, but in actuality, the white panes of marble are thinly sliced, creating a translucence that allows light to shine in without damaging the books and manuscripts.
Visit for 10 minutes or get lost for over an hour- you'll enjoy it either way.
Even if you don't feel like browsing for anything specific, you have to appreciate the brilliance of the museum's design. The windowless exterior tricks one into believing the museum must rely on artificial light, but in actuality, the white panes of marble are thinly sliced, creating a translucence that allows light to shine in without damaging the books and manuscripts.
Visit for 10 minutes or get lost for over an hour- you'll enjoy it either way.
Written August 6, 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.
ARose
Charlotte, NC926 contributions
Nov 2019
If you are in the area, it is absolutely worth stopping by. Free to the public and there are several things worth seeing - Gutenberg bible and James Audubon collection are top of the list. You can visit on a walking tour or go by yourself - you can hit the highlights in 10 minutes if you are pressed for time. No public bathrooms.
Written December 16, 2019
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.
Tina H
Cambridge, UK78 contributions
Sep 2019
Visited this Library as part of a university tour and it was well worth it, the building inside is amazing with its marble walls and all the rare books behind glass.
Written October 7, 2019
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.
erinb3673
Munroe Falls, OH51 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
The library itself is beautiful with interesting exhibits. However, if you are in town on a Saturday, I highly recommend taking the tour for a bit of extra information on the library. It's free and was well worth our time.
Written August 24, 2019
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.
Cathy S
Farmersville, TX233 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We came to see the Gutenberg Bible. One of only 21 known complete originals and one of 5 in the US. Historic and beautiful! The library is also architecturally interesting and definitely with a visit if at Yale! Public is admitted free and you don’t have to be in an official tour.
Written June 16, 2019
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.
geniejava
Cupertino, CA83 contributions
May 2015
This is a very unique library in the sense that it does not have any windows. The "windows" are actually 1-1/4" thick marble slabs that are naturally semi-translucent to let just the "right" amount of light in so that the UV rays do not damage the rare books. Definitely worth checking out if you are at Yale on a weekday.
Written August 20, 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.
Paul F
Brooktondale, NY420 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Not really a tourist destination as much as it is a working research institution (and, occasionally, a concert hall—my wife's performed there before as part of a choral group), the Beinecke nevertheless has a rotating set of book-themed museum exhibits for people to check out.
When we went there most recently (May 2014), they had an exhibition on "end papers"—that is, those little pieces of paper they paste to the inside covers of books to keep them protected from wear and tear. It was possibly the nerdiest thing we've ever visited, and I mean that in a good way. Besides that be sure to notice the architecture; the building uses unique papered wall paneling to protect its (very, very old) books from getting too much sun exposure, and they cast beautiful shadows all over the walls. Visit on a sunny day if you can.
No gift shop (I mean, what are they gonna sell?), but it's free to visit and won't take up too much of your time. And hey—when else are you going to get a chance to take a selfie with a Gutenberg Bible?
When we went there most recently (May 2014), they had an exhibition on "end papers"—that is, those little pieces of paper they paste to the inside covers of books to keep them protected from wear and tear. It was possibly the nerdiest thing we've ever visited, and I mean that in a good way. Besides that be sure to notice the architecture; the building uses unique papered wall paneling to protect its (very, very old) books from getting too much sun exposure, and they cast beautiful shadows all over the walls. Visit on a sunny day if you can.
No gift shop (I mean, what are they gonna sell?), but it's free to visit and won't take up too much of your time. And hey—when else are you going to get a chance to take a selfie with a Gutenberg Bible?
Written June 10, 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.
Anthony R
Melville, NY
I'm in Long Island I'm here for a duration on a job looking for a nice place to go fishing like to think about going on a charter but I am all by myself weekends I am open
annelement
Bangkok, Thailand132 contributions
Is the tour for the inside of the library only available on Saturday? Or is it available on other days as well? Do we go to the visitor center for the tour or is the tour given separately by the library?
Timothy P
hamden, United States19 contributions
If you want to visit there is call 203-432-2300, that is the Yale visitor information center. They can provide you the best information to visiting the library. The group tour is Saturday at 130 pm, but you can go in and walk around on your own
Christel82D
Sud-Ouest483 contributions
Française avec un niveau d'anglais plutôt limité, je voudrais savoir s'il existe des visites en français de l'université de Yale.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingBeinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- Hotels near Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library:
- (0.34 mi) The Study at Yale
- (0.32 mi) Graduate New Haven
- (0.46 mi) The Blake Hotel
- (0.33 mi) Courtyard New Haven at Yale
- (0.48 mi) New Haven Hotel
- Restaurants near Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library:
- (0.11 mi) Donut Crazy
- (0.11 mi) Yorkside Pizza & Restaurant
- (0.10 mi) Mory's Association
- (0.12 mi) Ashley's Ice Cream Cafe
- (0.13 mi) Junzi Kitchen