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 - 5:00 PM
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5.0
285 reviews
Excellent
239
Very good
40
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Hugh
South Ozone Park, NY1,400 contributions
Feb 2023
The building itself is a work of art, housing one of the largest collections of rare books. The collection occupies the e center of the structure behind walls of glass. The are varied exhibition in the public outer area, including a Guttenberg Bible. You'll be wowed by the translucent panels surrounding the building.
Written 4 March 2023
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.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI1,086 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
As an architecture enthusiast, I found this Mid-Century Modern building as stunning as I had seen in photos, both inside and out!! The exterior of Vermont marble, granite, bronze, and glass is innovative and has stood the test of time 60 years later. And inside the glass tower of books--the stacks holding the University's rare books and literary manuscripts collection is amazing!! Be sure to go up to the mezzanine and walk all the way around. And don't forget to take in whatever exhibition is on display on the ground and mezzanine levels. There is always something on exhibit that will pique your interest!
Written 14 June 2023
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.
lcdemar
Ashburn, VA235 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This was a highlight of our time in new haven. Absolutely worth a trek across campus to find. The building is truly a marvel. The translucent marble is a special thing to see. My favorite exhibit was the Audubon illustrations. Even the Gutenberg Bible was much more colorful than I had expected.
Written 12 February 2020
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.
Lourdes M
12 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 11 August 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.
therese l
Cobleskill, NY840 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
What I really want to do is get into that enclosed box with all the rare books! Failing that, browsing the displays ranging from the historic maps of New Haven on the outside windows to the rotating exhibits (when I went there was a very complete Frederick Douglass exhibit) to the traditional displays (Gutenberg bible, Audubon books, Declaration of Independence broadsheet).
One thing I loved was their take on "exit through the gift shop." There was a table with various items ... and it was free! Take a copy of the Declaration of Independence, take a pamphlet about Frederick Douglass, take a pin. Really expresses the concept of freedom of information in a library!
One thing I loved was their take on "exit through the gift shop." There was a table with various items ... and it was free! Take a copy of the Declaration of Independence, take a pamphlet about Frederick Douglass, take a pin. Really expresses the concept of freedom of information in a library!
Written 30 June 2024
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, OH641 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 28 October 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.
Theresa P
31 contributions
May 2024 • Family
What a pleasant, peaceful place to celebrate books. The security staff at the desk were really helpful and welcoming. The exhibits (beyond the Gutenberg bible!) were so well done - re Fredrick Douglas when we were there. Would recommend!
Written 20 May 2024
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 13 August 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
Chicago102 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 6 August 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, NC882 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 16 December 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.
Anthony R
Melville, New York
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
Written 6 June 2020
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?
Written 2 January 2018
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
Written 2 January 2018
Française avec un niveau d'anglais plutôt limité, je voudrais savoir s'il existe des visites en français de l'université de Yale.
Written 18 July 2017
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