Located halfway between Times Square and Grand Central Station, Bryant Park (http://www.bryantpark.org/) is a perfectly situated midtown park. Used year round primarily as a lunch room by executives from the surrounding neighborhood, this park is more than just that. The front of the park hosts the prestigous New York City Public Library building and the sides are full of small promenades, a sandwich shop and the famous Byrant Park Grill and Cafe.

The large lawn in the center of the park is also the host of the 2007 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. Here, a large screen is erected and classic movies are played from 6pm until around 8pm or so (depending on the movie). People are encouraged to bring blankets, food, drinks (non-alcoholic of course) and a desire to see a great movie. With the HBO headquarters right around the block, this festival is perfectly fitting considering the location.

The Byrant Park Grill and Cafe are places I wouldn't generally suggest going to because the prices are just astronomical. The better bet would be to leave the park and go to one of the surrounding restaurants or delis and bring food back to the park. There are plenty of free seats and tables that you can park yourself at to eat or just relax if the day is starting to weigh down on you.

Another drawing aspect of Bryant park is the Good Morning America Concert Series. Each Friday throughout the summer, they host their morning talk show from the park and then finish things off with a free show from some of the top acts around. The park also offers free classes like yoga, knitting, tai-chi, and an assortment of others. Just head to the website and see whats happening, there's always something.

Bryant Park. This is just a nice park located just down the block from the public library. I initially visited the park on my initial night in the city. They had many stalls up and running with different vendors. The vendors had everything from local photographers/artists to ceramics to make-up. I was lucky enough to purhase some lovely photography by a local artist (the name escapes me at the moment-will update once I remember).

However, on my last day in the city, I decided to go back for one last look around. I am glad I did. One thing I didn't notice at night is that they had an ice skating rink set up. I am not an ice skater but it was nice to sit there with my nice, hot cup of coffee and watch the kids skate. That will be a memory that will last forever.

Bryant Park is a great 'lil meeting spot to stop and catch your breath at while sipping on a cup of coffee or your favorite Starbucks icy frap (Starbucks is located right across the street from the park). With a beautiful fountain to sit by and people watch, this wonderful out of the way spot also sets up tables and chairs to sit at to enjoy a well deserved lunch after power shopping off 5th Avenue.

This park offers an airy and somewhat luxurious respite from the hectic activity and concrete surroundings of midtown manhattan any day of the week. You can follow the self-guided tour signs to learn more about the park's history, or you can just pick a spot at any of the european-style cafe tables and write, draw, or look around and take it all in.

Several kiosks offer overpriced food and drink, including chains like Ben and Jerry's and Starbucks. You can't find a small bottle of water for less than 2.25 in the bounds of the park, but if you walk up one block to the SW corner of 43rd and 6th (Queen Bee Deli) you can get a quart of Poland Spring for 1.65. Similarly with the food: it's generally overpriced. The outdoor cafe on the east side of the garden offers a lunch menu which includes a bowl of gazpacho for $5.50 and a plate of brie and fruit for $9.50. A fancier restaurant is next to the cafe-- it looks expensive.

The best thing about this park, besides free movie nights and the scenery, is it's location-- right in the middle of everything and directly behind the New York Public Library (the famous one in the movies with the lions in front).

The Bryant Park movie series has become an institution in Manhattan. The movies, sponsored by HBO, kick off at dusk or 9pm but you'd best get there by 6 because the massive lawn gets covered with bodies with nary an inch to spare. However, if you are lucky enough to get prime lawn space, you and your friends can open up your picnic dinner, or slice of pizza from Ray's and enjoy the lovely night. Now, before the film begins there are many rituals to the Monday night movies. 1)Bugs Bunny. That's right, every Monday you are treated to Merry Melodies in all its cartoon glory. 2) The HBO dance. The theme music that we all associate with HBO as a child, where the camera scans a model of homes has become a dance. When the music begins you crouch down and as it builds you start to jump in the air until the crescendo when you let it all hang out and dance around like a lunatic. It is one of the funniest and most fun things you'll ever see/do. Then you settle in and watch a movie, absorbing the laughter of the largest movie theater you will ever attend.

Suggestion - arrive early and leave early. If you or someone in your group can not get there by 6, make plans for another week. Try to leave right when the movie ends, especially if you plan to take the subway or a cab because thousands of people have the same idea and it will take you a year and a day to get home. Try not to drink anything if you have a small bladder, women especially, as the bathroom lines are long and the conditions what you would expect from a public park's facilties. If it has rained at all in the past few days bring large plastic sheets, available at any hardware store or garbage bags to line under your blanket. Otherwise you will have wet bums. It is not fun to be wet for 5 hours - trust me.