Shopping and Dining

Penn Station has a variety of shops and restaurants to choose from. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a souvenir you’ll be able to find something. Here are a few options to consider:

Penn Station Market:

Located on the lower level of the station, the Penn Station Market offers a variety of grab-and-go options. including sandwiches, salads, and snacks. You’ll also find a variety of drinks, including coffee, tea, and soda.

Cinnabon:

If you’re in need of a sweet treat, Cinnabon is the place to go. Located on the upper level of the station, this chain bakery serves up delicious cinnamon rolls and other baked goods.

Newsstand:

For last-minute souvenirs or travel essentials, the newsstand on the upper level of the station has you covered. You can grab magazines, snacks, and other items to help you pass the time while you wait for your train.

Things to Do Near Penn Station

While Penn Station itself is a hub of activity, there are also plenty of things to do in the surrounding neighborhood. Here are a few attractions to get your sightseeing started:

Madison Square Garden

Located just a few blocks from Penn Station, Madison Square Garden is home to the New York Knicks and Rangers. If you’re in town for a game or show, this is definitely worth checking out. If you’re not into seeing an event, avoid this area if you can on game days.

Empire State Building

Another iconic New York City landmark, the Empire State Building is just a short walk from Penn Station. Head up to the observatory for stunning views of the city.

Bryant Park

Just a few blocks from Penn Station, Bryant Park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. In the warmer months, you’ll find lawn games, food vendors, and other outdoor activities. In the winter, the park is home to a popular ice skating rink. If you’re planning to be cooped up in a train for the next few hours, a visit to this local park is a good way to stretch your legs.


History and Future of Penn Station

The original Penn Station — heralded as a "pink marble architectural masterpiece" — was built in 1905, opened to the public in 1910 and designed by the legendary McKim, Meade, and White in the Beaux Arts style. For more than 50 years, New York's Penn Station was one of the country's busiest passenger train hubs, but train travel declined dramatically with the advent of the jet engine.

As a result, the under-utilized Penn Station was demolished in the 1960s to make way for Madison Square Garden and the new, smaller Penn Station. The destruction of this New York architectural landmark caused outrage and is said to be the main catalyst for many of New York's current landmark preservation statutes.

In 2018, construction began on a brand-new train station in the magnificent Farley Post Office Building (a landmark also designed by McKim, Meade, and White). According to current plans, the state-of-the-art train station — to be dubbed Moynihan Station after long-time New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan — will move into the post office's enormous old mail-sorting room once restoration is complete in 2021.

Getting There

The main entrance to Penn Station is located on 7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets, but there are also entrances via subway stations on 34th Street and 7th Avenue and on 34th Street and 8th Avenue. Penn Station is always open.

Penn Station is easily accessible by subway. The 1, 2 and 3 trains will take you directly to the station on the 34th Street stop. The N, Q, R, B, D, F and M trains drop passengers off one avenue east on 34th Street and 6th Avenue, right next to the Macy's. The A, C, and E trains will drop you off one avenue west on 34th street and 8th avenue, with underground access to Penn Station. The 7 train stops at 34th Street in Hudson Yards, which requires a bit of a walk to get to Penn Station. The M34 Bus Service is the only MTA city bus that connects directly to Penn Station.

All taxis and car ride services know how to get to Penn Station. Make sure to tell your driver exactly which service you are using (ex. Amtrak) so they can drop you off at the closest entrance. The station is big, and this will save you a lot of time. New York City also has an Accessible Dispatch Program which is designed to make hailing accessible taxis easier for people with disabilities. You can book online, through their app (available on iTunes and Google Play), or call the dispatch center at (646) 599-9999. There is no additional charge for using the Accessible Dispatch Program. You will only pay the cost of the metered fare.

On the upper concourse level, travelers can find the New Jersey Transit and Amtrak tracks, ticket booths, and a few shops.

The lower concourse level houses the Long Island Rail Road tracks and ticket stations as well as the 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E subway lines.

Fast food restaurants, delis, and concession stands line the central corridor of the lower level if you’re looking to snag your morning bagel or cup of coffee. See more detailed information on each concourse below.


Tips for Navigating Penn Station

Here are a few excellent tips for navigating Penn Station for a seamless, smooth process!

1. Get There Early

We recommend getting to Penn Station at least an hour before your train departs so you have time to navigate the station signs, find the right location, get your tickets ready, and have time to use the restrooms if necessary. This is especially important if you’re a first time visitor as this allows you time to find your way to the correct location.

2. Buy Your Ticket in Advance

It can also be a good idea to book your ticket in advance. Instead of standing in line to use one of the self service kiosks, booking your ticket in advance and having it available when you enter the station is one of the best ways to look like a pro while getting around.

3. Use Luggage Storage

So, you’ve finally made it to Penn Station and you’re ready to explore your destination, but what do you do with your luggage? You can’t walk around with it weighing you down, but you don’t want to leave your bags unattended. Store your bags in a facility for luggage storage in Penn Station! This will keep your bags safe, sound, secure, and let you explore your destination hands-free and worry-free so you can get the most out of your trip.


How to Get There

Penn Station is easily accessible by subway via the 1, 2, and 3 trains to 34th Street and 7th Avenue, which take you directly to the station, or the N, Q, and R or B, D, F, and M trains to 6th Avenue and 34th Street, near Macy’s and Herald Square. Additionally, the A, C, and E trains connect you to nearby 34th Street and 8th Ave with underground access to Penn Station, and there is also the 7 stop at 34th Street at the nearby Hudson Yards. Furthermore, the M34 bus is the only MTA city bus connecting directly to Penn Station.

Train Operators

Three train operators base their arrivals and departures into and out of New York City in Pennsylvania Station: Amtrak, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR).

Amtrak offers short and long-distance transit to destinations in the United States and Canada, including Montreal, Boston, Albany, and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Transit trains run from Penn Station to various destinations across New Jersey, including Newark Airport. The Long Island Rail Road operates over 700 trains daily, carrying over 300,000 travelers to and from all points along Long Island.

The LIRR from Penn Station also connects you to Jamaica Station, which offers access to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) via the AirTrain, as do the A and C subway lines. Penn Station has no direct access to LaGuardia Airport (LGA).


Guide to New York Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall / Home

Contents: Moynihan Upper Level | Street Level & Moynihan Concourse | Upper Level & Subway Platforms | Lower Level | Tracks & Platforms | Longitudinal Section | Accessibility & Elevators | Taxis | Red Cap Service | Luggage Storage | Bicycles | Parking | Shops & Restaurants | How To Get To...

Download This Guide as a PDF (revised 15 June, 2022)

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