While I was in New York, I took time outside the bright city lights of Manhattan to explore the beautiful boroughs surrounding the island. Although so much of what makes New York City so appealing to the world is the hustle and bustle, it can be intimidating to find all the sightseeing spots seamlessly without getting lost. With the NY subway being the main transport of everyone in the city, you would have to schedule your time around it. As I explored the city alone, I stumbled upon this exact situation while trying to navigate the subway.No matter how many times I have researched ways to maneuver around the NY subway, I wished there was a travel guide that showed me the nearest stations from the popular tourist spots around New York City. So, whether you’re a first timer or a local, I decided to create a comprehensive subway guide to NYC that showcases all the tourist spots from the main subway lines. I’ve categorized them with color based on the Official MTA map, but the trains are listed in each line. Although I am highlighting locations in certain spots, please keep in mind there are always multiple ways to get to one location. Some routes may share the same locations as well, but allow this guide to be a tracker to help you familiarize yourself around the city.
PURPLE LINE (Manhattan to Queens)
1. Bryant Park: Bryant Park New York, NY 10018 (B,D,F or M train) at 42nd St- Bryant Pk
2. Brooks Atkinson Theater: 256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 (A,C, or E train) at 42nd St Port Authority
3. Madame Tussauds New York: 34 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 (B,D,F or M train) at 42nd St- Bryant Pk
4. Duffy Square: 7th Ave & W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 (N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
5. American Airlines Theatre: 227 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 (B,D,F or M train) at 42nd St- Bryant Pk
6. Headquarters of the United Nations: United Nations Headquarters New York, NY 10017 (S,4,5,6 or 7 train) at Grand Central Station
7. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
8. High Line: High Line New York, NY 10011 (7 train) at 34 St Hudson Yards
2. Brooks Atkinson Theater: 256 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 (A,C, or E train) at 42nd St Port Authority
3. Madame Tussauds New York: 34 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036 (B,D,F or M train) at 42nd St- Bryant Pk
4. Duffy Square: 7th Ave & W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 (N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
5. American Airlines Theatre: 227 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 (B,D,F or M train) at 42nd St- Bryant Pk
6. Headquarters of the United Nations: United Nations Headquarters New York, NY 10017 (S,4,5,6 or 7 train) at Grand Central Station
7. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
8. High Line: High Line New York, NY 10011 (7 train) at 34 St Hudson Yards
BLUE LINE (Manhattan to Brooklyn)
1. Brooklyn Bridge: Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038 (A or C train) at High St
2. DUMBO: Washington St Brooklyn, NY 11201 (A or C train) at High St
3. Rockefeller Center: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
4. Bethesda Terrace and Fountain: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021 (B or C train) at 72nd St
5. National September 11 Memorial & Museum: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007 (E train) at World Trade Center Path Station
6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
7. American Museum of Natural History: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024 (B or C train) at 81 St
8. The Plaza Hotel: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
9. The Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
10. World Trade Center/The Oculus: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007 (E train) at World Trade Center
2. DUMBO: Washington St Brooklyn, NY 11201 (A or C train) at High St
3. Rockefeller Center: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
4. Bethesda Terrace and Fountain: 72 Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10021 (B or C train) at 72nd St
5. National September 11 Memorial & Museum: 180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007 (E train) at World Trade Center Path Station
6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
7. American Museum of Natural History: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024 (B or C train) at 81 St
8. The Plaza Hotel: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
9. The Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019 (E or M train) at 5 Av/53rd St
10. World Trade Center/The Oculus: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007 (E train) at World Trade Center
GREEN LINE (Brookyn to Bronx)
1. Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028 (6 train) at 77th St
2. Little Italy: Little Italy, New York, NY 10013 (6 train) at Spring St
3. Chinatown: Chinatown, New York, NY 10013 (J,N,Q,R,W,Z, or 6 train) at Canal St
4. Empire State Building: 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118 (6 train) at 33rd St
5. Chrysler Building: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174 (S,4,5,6, or 7 train) at Grand Central-42nd St
6. Grand Central Terminal: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (S,4,5,6, or 7 train) at Grand Central-42nd St
7. New York City Hall: City Hall Park, New York, NY 10007 (R or W train) at City Hall
8. Yankee Stadium: 1 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 (B,D, or 4 train) at 161 St Yankee Stadium
9. Belvedere Castle: 79th St, New York, NY 10021 (6 train) at 77th St
10. Shakespeare Garden: 79th St Transverse, New York, NY 10024 (6 train) at 77th St
2. Little Italy: Little Italy, New York, NY 10013 (6 train) at Spring St
3. Chinatown: Chinatown, New York, NY 10013 (J,N,Q,R,W,Z, or 6 train) at Canal St
4. Empire State Building: 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118 (6 train) at 33rd St
5. Chrysler Building: 405 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10174 (S,4,5,6, or 7 train) at Grand Central-42nd St
6. Grand Central Terminal: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (S,4,5,6, or 7 train) at Grand Central-42nd St
7. New York City Hall: City Hall Park, New York, NY 10007 (R or W train) at City Hall
8. Yankee Stadium: 1 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 (B,D, or 4 train) at 161 St Yankee Stadium
9. Belvedere Castle: 79th St, New York, NY 10021 (6 train) at 77th St
10. Shakespeare Garden: 79th St Transverse, New York, NY 10024 (6 train) at 77th St
ORANGE LINE (Queens to Bronx)
1. Williamsburg Bridge: Williamsburg Bridge New York, NY 11249 ( F, J, M, or Z train) at
2. Radio City Music Hall: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020 (B,D,F or M train) at 47-50 St Rockefeller Center
3. Gantry State Plaza Park: 4-09 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 10007 (E or M train) at Court Sq- 23rd St
4. Apollo Theater: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027 (A,B,C, or D train) at 125th St
5. New York Botanical Garden: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458 (B or D train) at Bedford Park Blvd Station
6. August Wilson Theatre: 245 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 (B,D,F or M train) at 47-50 St Rockefeller Center
7. Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment: 64 Perry St, New York, NY 10014 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
8. Jefferson Market Garden: 70 A Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
9. Washington State Park: Washington State Park New York, NY 10012 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
2. Radio City Music Hall: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020 (B,D,F or M train) at 47-50 St Rockefeller Center
3. Gantry State Plaza Park: 4-09 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 10007 (E or M train) at Court Sq- 23rd St
4. Apollo Theater: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027 (A,B,C, or D train) at 125th St
5. New York Botanical Garden: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458 (B or D train) at Bedford Park Blvd Station
6. August Wilson Theatre: 245 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 (B,D,F or M train) at 47-50 St Rockefeller Center
7. Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment: 64 Perry St, New York, NY 10014 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
8. Jefferson Market Garden: 70 A Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
9. Washington State Park: Washington State Park New York, NY 10012 (A, B, C, D, E, F, M train) W 4 St Wash Sq
RED LINE (Brooklyn to Bronx)
1. Statue of Liberty: Statue of Liberty New York, NY 10004 (1 train) at South Ferry (proceed to take the ferry)
2. Chelsea Market: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (1,2, or 3 train) at 14th St
3. Top of the Rock: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 (1 train) at 50th St
4. Colombia University: 116th St & Broadway, New York, NY 10027 (1 train) at W 116 St
5. One World Observatory: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10006 (1,2, or 3 train) at Chambers St
6. Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 (2 or 5 train) at Pelham Prkwy
7. Pier 45 at Hudson River Park: Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10014 (1 train) at Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
8. Lincoln Center Theater: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 (1 train) at 66th St-Lincoln Center
9. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
2. Chelsea Market: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (1,2, or 3 train) at 14th St
3. Top of the Rock: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 (1 train) at 50th St
4. Colombia University: 116th St & Broadway, New York, NY 10027 (1 train) at W 116 St
5. One World Observatory: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10006 (1,2, or 3 train) at Chambers St
6. Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460 (2 or 5 train) at Pelham Prkwy
7. Pier 45 at Hudson River Park: Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10014 (1 train) at Christopher St-Sheridan Sq
8. Lincoln Center Theater: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 (1 train) at 66th St-Lincoln Center
9. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
YELLOW LINE ( Brooklyn to Queens)
1. Washington State Park: Washington State Park New York, NY 10012 ( R or W train) at 8th St NYU
2. Flatiron Building: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 (R or W train) at 23rd St
3. Madison Square Park: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010 (R or W train) at 23rd St
4. Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019 (N,Q,R, or W train) at 57th St-7th Av
5. New York University: NYU New York, NY 10003 (R or W train) at 8th St
6. Gapstow Bridge: Gapstow Bridge, New York, NY 10019 (N,R, or W train) at 5 Av/59 St
7. Charging Bull Sculpture: Broadway & Morris St, New York, NY 10004 (R or W train) at Rector St
8. The Shops at Columbus Circle: 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10023 (N,Q,R, or W train) at 57th St
9. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
2. Flatiron Building: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 (R or W train) at 23rd St
3. Madison Square Park: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010 (R or W train) at 23rd St
4. Carnegie Hall: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019 (N,Q,R, or W train) at 57th St-7th Av
5. New York University: NYU New York, NY 10003 (R or W train) at 8th St
6. Gapstow Bridge: Gapstow Bridge, New York, NY 10019 (N,R, or W train) at 5 Av/59 St
7. Charging Bull Sculpture: Broadway & Morris St, New York, NY 10004 (R or W train) at Rector St
8. The Shops at Columbus Circle: 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10023 (N,Q,R, or W train) at 57th St
9. Times Square: Times Square Manhattan, NY 10036 ( N,Q,R,S,W,1,2,3, or 7 train) at Times Square-42nd St
Helpful? Please share this with friends and family who are planning a trip to New York. If there’s any popular sightseeing spots I’ve missed, please share in the comments below! See more of my NYC adventures on my Instagram here.
This post is so informative! This must’ve taken forever! Thank you so much for making what could be so foreign & scary totally do-able!
I hear ya. I was just in NYC and didn’t know what I was doing. Wish I had seen this before!
This is great! I can not wait to visit there! Your pictures are amazing.
I love this! NYC has always been on my bucket list but I do get nervous when I think about navigating the transportation systems! This is so practical!
1. You are brave. The idea of navigating the subway system along frightens me. 2. I LOVE your photos. That coat is GORGEOUS. 3. Thank you for sharing such great info. I might be too chicken to ride the subway alone, but I would definitely do so with a friend.
This is great for anyone that is planing to go to NY. The subway system can be tough to navigate.