If you’re traveling New York City, you’re probably going to come across Penn Station. We’re going to talk about the 6 things that you may not know about this iconic train station (that shouldn’t be confused with the old Penn Station that existed from 1910 to 1963). You may take a train to New York and arrive here at this very place knowing a few fun facts. New York is a big city that you can easily get around by the subway system. Your subway train will actually go through here if you are traveling to other places in Manhattan or if you’re headed for places like the Bronx. If you want to learn more about the iconic Penn Station, keep reading.
It’s Your Gateway To Cross Country Travel By Train
Penn Station is one of the many stations where Amtrak trains will come and go. If you ever thought about traveling from New York to almost any part of the country, you can take an Amtrak train on one of their many lines such as the Northeastern Line. The station serves as a hub for train travelers.
Quick Access To Madison Square Garden
Ah yes. The iconic Madison Square Garden. Home to many sporting events, concerts, and so many world famous events. You can easily access it because Penn Station is just right below it. This means you don’t have to step outside of the station in order to access it. If you are taking the subway from anywhere in the city to Penn Station, this will be a huge plus for you. Especially if you are planning on getting in early to beat the lines. All you need to do is use the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E trains that will take you to Penn Station. From there, use the signs that will take you to Madison Square Garden. Before you know it, with a ticket in hand, you’ll be able to enjoy the big event atmosphere. Whether it’s a Knicks game or a concert with your favorite musician, you won’t be disappointed.
More People Pass Through Here Than The Airports
In Queens, you have LaGuardia to the north and JFK to the south. Across the river, you have Newark Airport. However, more people are passing through Penn Station compared to all three NYC-area airports combined. If that isn’t a stunning revelation, we don’t know what is. The good news is that from Penn Station, you can be able to access any of the three airports by train, as well as find luggage storage in Penn Station. So if you are planning to fly domestically out of LaGuardia or internationally via JFK or Newark, why not take a train to get there? You can say that of all the travel terminals in the city, Penn Station may as well be the busiest. You might see people the world over pass through here. And some of them may have just come from JFK or Newark Airport after landing there a couple hours earlier.
Some Parts Of Penn Station Still Remain
If you are wondering if there are any parts of the old Penn Station still around, there is. Even though it’s been over 50 years since it’s demolition, you’ll see statues and small tiles from the old station still in place. If you don’t know where they are, not to worry. There are guided tours of Penn Station that you can take part in so you can learn the history about the station including a discovery of the relics that are among the surviving pieces of the original Penn Station.
It’s Home To Many Restaurants
You might be thinking about grabbing a bite to eat upon arrival. Or you might have a long wait for your departure. Either way, there are plenty of eateries in the station. If you’re in the mood for taco, salads, pizzas, and maybe sushi you can find the right vendors that serve it. If you just want a sandwich, Pre A Manger is the best place to go. You can find it near the LIRR concourse.
Accessibility to the entire city and the region
Penn Station is not only a hub for Amtrak, but also a hub for many of the city-wide and regional wide trains. You can travel from New York City to Long Island via the LIRR. You can travel to New Jersey via the MTA trains (non-subway). Penn Station is a place where it will be easy for commuters to use. Especially if they live in places outside of New York City, but work there. It sure beats trying to beat the traffic on the Holland Tunnel, New Jersey Turnpike, or Long Island Expressway. Even as a tourist, you will be amazed by how accessible the city is via Penn Station.
