Poets House

Poetry buffs, this is your happy place.

Founded in 1985 by two-time poet laureate of the United States Stanley Kunitz and arts administrator Elizabeth Kray, Poets House is a free public library open to anyone who reads or writes poetry -- or has ever wistfully thought of doing so. With over 50,000 volumes, including an array of digital media and audio tapes for the modern-minded, Poets House boasts one of the most comprehensive and varied collections in the U.S.

As if that weren't enough, Poets House seeks to get the creative juices of aspiring writers pumping with an annual offering of 200 public programs, which range from lectures to poetry readings to writing workshops to inspirational walking tours of New York City.

Poets House was a SoHo staple for 14 years before soaring rents forced the library to make the jump to Battery Park City in 2009. We're betting it didn't hurt that the Battery Park City Authority offered Poets House a rent-free home in the eco-friendly 10 River Terrace building. Poetic indeed.

By Tom