Finding free Wi-Fi in this city can be as exciting as delving into a new restaurant or a quaint boutique. Whether you use hotspots to study or to browse Tumblr, here are five places that will connect you to the web without cost.We rated each of these locations on a 1-to-5 scale, with “1” being the worst and “5” being the best.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side
Speed (5): A fast and smooth experience. While Wi-Fi is available throughout the museum, the best connection is in the Grand Hall.
Ambiance (3): This museum, while beautiful, does not let you forget that it is a public space. It is loud and filled with tourists.
Seating (2): Wi-Fi is not extended to the museum’s steps, which seems to be a great spot to browse, especially when spring arrives.
Location (1): Although you can take the 4/5/6 train to 86th Street, you must walk to 82nd Street, then from Lexington Avenue to Fifth Avenue. I don’t recommend lugging lots of supplies and books.
Convenience (3): There is no limit to indoor Wi-Fi, just an extra step in the beginning. If you bring your laptop, you must go to the security desk and get a yellow paper pass. Most people in the Grand Hall do not have laptops.
TOTAL: 14/25
New York-Pennsylvania Station (Waiting Room)
8th Avenue (between 31st and 33rd Streets), Midtown Manhattan
Speed (5): Quick, especially for downloads. The bandwidth is among the city’s best.
Ambiance (1): The place serves its purpose. But otherwise, it is dingy. Wi-Fi is only provided in the station’s waiting area.
Seating (2): There are quite a few seats but also lots of people. Unlike parks, rain or shine, this place is pretty much always filled with people.
Location (4): The station is easily accessible via subway. The nearby 34th Street station can connect passengers to either the 1, 2, 3, A, C or E trains.
Convenience (4): Users can easily find outlets. Sessions are not timed. Bathrooms and food are close by. And on cold days, seats in the waiting area are heated.
TOTAL: 16/25
Jefferson Market NY Public Library
425 Avenue of the Americas, Greenwich Village
Speed (5): Quite speedy, as with most New York Public Library locations.
Ambiance (3): Typical library setting, but you may be surrounded by many homeless people. The Wi-Fi is from the basement. There are many people around. If you want to study in a trendy place with a great view, this may not be the spot.
Seating (3): Seats are usually available, but they don’t have any frills — just your everyday plastic library chairs.
Location (5): The library is quite close to most New School buildings, particularly Arnhold Hall and Lang’s 65 W. 11th St./66 W. 12th St. building.
Convenience (2): There is a 15-minute time limit on Internet usage. A code number is needed for access. And there are no bathrooms available.
TOTAL: 18/25
The Bowery Hotel
335 Bowery, Lower East Side
Speed (4): Connection is quick and durable.
Ambiance (5): This hotel’s upscale look makes web surfing classy.
Seating (4): If you’re not in the market for reserving a room, the lobby’s sofas are the hotel’s comfiest spots for techies.
Location (4): The hotel is near the B/D and F/M lines. And for anyone who likes to reminisce about New York’s music scenes, the former CBGB club is within walking distance.
Convenience (2): Easy to connect, but outlets are not easily accessible.
TOTAL: 19/25
Union Square
Borders 4th Avenue, Park Avenue South to the east, University Place to the west, 14th Street to the south and 17th Street to the north
Speed (5): Hundreds of park visitors on gorgeous spring days hardly hinder Union Square’s Wi-Fi connection. Internet here is quick.
Ambiance (4): This is a public space and long sittings are perfectly fine. The view is great from the park, but it is a bit noisy at times. There are many students here on their phones and iPads, but few laptops are seen.
Seating (3): In the winter, seating is not a problem, as Union Square features many benches. But in the summer, heavy crowds can easily turn off the city’s more introverted web surfers.
Location (5): Union Square is another short stop from many New School buildings and dorms.
Convenience (3): It is very easy to get connected, no password necessary. The network name is called Union Square. Sadly, there is no power source and the weather plays a big factor in determining the park’s accessibility. No time limit.
TOTAL: 20/25
Additional reporting by Chrissy Smaczylo
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