I pass through Penn Station whenever I take the LIRR. The LIRR Concourse in Penn Station looks…read morelike the terminal building of an airport because of the numerous digital departure boards, fast food restaurants and specialty shops, but unlike an airport, the Concourse has a limited number of open public seating and moving walkways. Penn Station was renovated to look like a luxury mall. I was impressed to see a boutique liquor store. It is called Penn Cellars, and they sell my favorite sparkling rosé--Hampton Water (by Jon Bon Jovi and Son)--refrigerated and at room temperature. The Concourse also has a boutique nail spa, a bagel cafe, a speciality chocolate shop and more. All that is nice, but there needs to be better operational integration. There ought to be moving walkways to transport passengers from the LIRR to the subway, buses, AMTRAK, and NJ Transit. I get out of breath sometimes, walking to where I need to go. Also, it would be nice to have staff guide and assist passengers to their connections, especially individuals with disabilities and heavy luggage. Penn Station will be undergoing a multibillion dollar renovation starting in 2027. I hope that the architects design a station that is more functional and efficient. Until that is done, Penn Station is basically a mediocre station for commuters.

Celebrating its 115th birthday this year, Penn Station is decidedly not new--pan to the sections…read morethat look straight outta the late 60s--but to look on the brighter side at least part of the station looks better as of 2021! A welcome update if you ask most New Yorkers. Most recently renovated in 2020 to expand into the Farley Post Office building, this extensive transportation hub is situated between 7th and 9th Avenues, between 31st and 33rd Streets. To understand a little more on how this landmark fell from the general public's graces I delved into Penn's history: - built in 1910 to support the ambitious project led by Alexander Cassatt of the Pennsylvania Railroad company to connect Manhattan via under river tunnel to the vast railway network along the East Coast and Midwest. - designed by architect Charles McKim, the original structure was an immense Greco-Roman masterpiece modeled after St Peter's Basilica in Rome, with Doric columns wrapping around two city blocks, vaulted ceilings, a soaring glass dome, shopping arcade, mezzanines and massive waiting rooms with murals, friezes and sculptures. - peaked in 1945 at over 100 million annual passengers but but declined in volume and revenue through 1963 due to increases in automobile, airline and other public transit options, leading to the 1954 selling of air rights to sections above ground to Madison Square Garden. - demolished in 1963-66 with only the underground remnants and some sculptural elements saved, the station layout maintained separate concourses for Amtrak, NJ Transit (which operates the former PRR commuter lines from NJ), and the LIRR. The outdated design and crammed layout received much vitriolic denunciation and caused much traveler aggravation over the past several decades. - credited to senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, plans were hatched in the 1990s to build a newer version of a train hall, with two phases of construction that was finally completed by January 2021. This newer section, located between 8th and 9th Avenues, services Amtrak trains and includes a food hall, retail stores, and a glass roofed waiting lobby inspired by the past station's architecture. Don't forget to checkout the famous escalator with mural map of the surrounding NY metro area. Sooooo (yes with 5 Os) much nicer than the basement maze that is the section between 7th and 8th Avenues. Interesting fact: the only transit organization in business under the same name at Penn Station from inception to now is the MTA Long Island Railroad (LIRR). For much more extensive info: https://www.nytransitmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Penn-Station-Train-Talk-at-Plaza-33.pdf https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/the-rise-and-fall-of-penn-station-penn-station-today/

We always come in and out of Moynihan Train Hall when visiting NYC. It's celebrating its 10 year…read moreanniversary as well. This is such a welcomed sight from coming into the older, darker Penn Station across the way. This new train station also has a food hall with a variety of food vendors, stores (including a Walgreens/Duane Reade), and a bar as well. There is a dedicated Amtrak lounge for first class ticket guests, and one for regular ticketed guests. All in all, this is my go to train depot when coming in and out of NYC by train.

This is one of the main train transit hubs in Manhattan, part deux of two sections of Penn Station,…read morenew-ish-ly renovated as of 2020-21. A lot on the history of Penn Station is covered in my separate review of the station, so I'll just add some logistical notes here: - Moynihan Hall is where Amtrak trains arrive and depart, LIRR and NJ transit trains still depart from the depths of the un-renovated hel% oh I mean half under Madison Square Garden. - there's a walkway that connects Moynihan with the MSG basement thru underground tunnel beneath 8th Avenue. You have to look for the signs that direct you to the right escalators downstairs, otherwise some signs will point you outside to walk across the street, which is a perfectly available way to connect, though less convenient in inclement weather. - food options are fancier in Moynihan since it's newer though some may feel pricier too. Personally I'm think most food options in the station (both sides) are over-priced, though Moynihan probably has the better tasting choices, and newer, more pleasant looking stores and stands. - for subway transfers, Moynihan is close to the A/C/E blue lines that run along 8th Ave and MSG section is between A/C/E and 1/2/3 red lines that run along 7th Ave. The MSG exit is closer to B/D/F/M orange and N/Q/R yellow lines at Herald Square too. - While Moynihan is shinier and newer, the older section does win out in that it's slightly more centrally located for those arriving or departing the city. I found this website helpful in discussing the differences between the two different sections of Penn Station, and how to traverse between them, so sharing here! https://www.remitly.com/blog/travel/new-york-penn-station/

Major transportation hub, connecting with trains coming and going to and from the city. Metro…read moreNorth, LIRR, Amtrak all have stops here. Subways as well. Some of it is underground and it covers blocks and blocks. Plenty of shopping and food options and the architecture is something to admire while you're there. It can get very crowded here during rush hour and busy travel days

The moment you walk in, you can recall scenes from the movies! The architecture is something to see…read morein all its wonders! Nothing like it! The hustle and bustle of New York City. Going through to catch a train. It's fast convenient and very clean!

The Subway is a great way to get around if you know what you're doing. It can be crowded and…read moreconfusing for the first timer. The subway is well used by locals and visitors. Agents can help you figure things out.

Lots of trains and lots of music. Obviously not the cleanest station. Expect long walk to…read moretransfer for some lines. I think there are some nice mosaic art pieces to see. But it's most interesting to always see a crowd gathering for the varied musicians. A mix of tourists and NYC commuters pause for a smile.

The subway was really cool. Three Dollars for a ride, and we…read moresaved $50 From catching an Uber. There are some stairs going to the train and coming up from the train. My first time taking the train and I loved it! We took the 'E' train!

Not the cleanest station, and pretty deep underground, but E/F trains stop here (stacked, though,…read morenot on the same rails), and you can get up and down but the escalators are slower and people clog up the space as they wait on a long ride up / down. Convenient to 5th Ave shopping and closer to 57th Street if you need to catch the cross-town bus or walk up to the park.

Would highly recommend anyone that's Interested in traveling…read more Would recommend you get a room on the Train They come to around dinner time and inquire if You would like to dine with another Couple they also have times you can eat I really enjoyed doing this We did this many years ago ! Don't have nothing bad to say ! We got on as strangers & got off We knew everyone on the train ! Very enjoyable !!

Since you've heard my transit rants already I'll go off-topic. My 10000th photo is coming up. Any…read moresuggestions? About Amtrak: I appreciate the way it can be an alternative to the work aspects of driving and flying, and the Connecticut scenery, but it's falling short of its potential. They're now doing the NJ Transit thing of closing some cars (and then reminding everyone of how full it is). Buyers of $150 tickets deserve better.

Modern looking train station at Hudson Yards and glad that the 7 train extended all the way here as…read moreit is very convenient given there are no other trains stop over there and it is a very long walk from the next closest train station or waiting for the bus. It has 5 escalators at the main entrance and it is steep walk up /down if they don't work or being repaired. Elevator available for those with accessibility needs. Staff available at the station if any questions or if one needs help with refilling or purchasing at the machines. Crews clean the trains as they pull in. Watch your step while boarding and in the station as it does get slippery when wet esp during rain and snow.

You know I never been to this station in my life. Its actually really beautiful and my photos show…read moreit no justice. I didn't realize how steep that escalator was jesus. Theres also some cute artwork on the ceilings and such. I should have taken my camera out for that but that ride going up made me very dizzy. I really wish this train stop was around when I was a teen. I cant imagine having to walk up steps thought. You're seriously so underground. I'm not sure if I saw any elevators here, I hope for ADA reasons.

Newest part of Grand Central Terminal. It's right above Madison Ave so hence the name…read more Plenty of entrances to get here and it's deep below street level. There are escalators and elevators to get you down and there are some vendors on the concourse level as well. Bathrooms too and it does connect with the "main" part of Grand Central. GC Madison mainly serves the LIRR.

There are tons of escalators, so if you need to the catch the 2:17 train, you'll have to be in the…read morearea long before 2:17. And it's not the liveliest of train stations. But I have to award five stars for the clean bathroom. Due to basic geography, the ride itself is faster than Penn, so maybe if they were starting in 1908 they would have built Penn Station here, but consider all the terminated or "maybe someday in theory" rail links it's nice that this thing actually got built.

One of the main train hubs in NYC that connects to the LIRR, Madison Square Garden, Penn…read moreStation/Moynihan Train Hall for the Amtrak. Convenient to stay underground to walk during rain or inclement weather to save a few blocks if one knows the short cuts. Take the A/C/E trains to your destination or transfer to other trains. The boards are updated with incoming train times. With Metrocard retired, tap and go with your credit card or OMNY card. OMNY machines are available to reload. Though stations do need a cleaning...

The Amtrak dropped us off at Penn Station. What a busy place! You can find all sorts of…read moretransportation here. We wanted to ride the subway and had to purchase the new OMNY tickets. Once we found the subway ticket machine. An agent asked how she could help. She directed us asking if we were seniors. We both qualified for the senior rate. We were asked to see the person in the booth. Both agents were extremely helpful and made it easy to our purchase our tickets. Helpful hints were given and we were on our way.

This 50th St. Subway Station, serviced by Eighth Ave. Local Lines (C,E trains), are incredibly…read moreawkward to use at this station. First, while C Train platforms in both directions are "basically," (i.e., they do require a step down,) E trains to both WTC and East Side/Queens require descent one more flight. Second, only the Downtown side is ADA compliant. That said, after going some distance from either street entrance to the fare control turnstiles, you must also go and an additional distance to reach the C platform. Unfortunately, MTA has no immediate plans for making the C Uptown / E East Side & Queens Platforms ADA compliant in the near future. Additionally, platform walls only have the blacked out ad space, making it just feel dismal to me. Outside the Downtown entry, behind the Customer Service booth, MTA installed in 1989 untitled artwork by American artist Matt Mullican, who often uses representative imagery within his pieces. This 68' long sandblasted, 68' long black granite wall creates a form of timeline for this location. After the period when only wildlife roamed, it leads to when a cabin and also reminds viewers that the third Madison Square Garden was located here for over 40 years until 1968. Unsure myself how to interpret all the icons employed in the final left block on the timeline. While there's a bullseye, don't believe it has anything to do with Target, which didn't appear in Manhattan until this century! Please message me on Yelp if you can figure what that panel is trying to say!

I was at this station in midtown several times during a recent trip to NYC. It's conveniently…read morelocated in Hell's Kitchen at 50th & 8th. I'll be back!