33rd Street: A Key Station on the Lexington Avenue Line

The 33rd Street station is a fundamental stop on the New York City subway, located on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line in Manhattan. Situated at the intersection of Park Avenue South and 33rd Street, it serves the Kips Bay and Murray Hill neighborhoods, offering local access to a dynamic area of the city.

Connections and Services

The 33rd Street station offers local services on one of the most important lines in the city’s subway system:

33rd Street (Lexington Avenue Line)

• This station is a local stop on the Lexington Avenue Line of the New York City subway.
• It is served by trains from the following services:
  • 4 (green) – Night and weekend service
  • 6 (green) – All times service
• Main entrance address: Park Avenue South and East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016

Station Details

• The station has two side platforms and four tracks.
• The two center tracks are used by express trains (services 4 and 5), which do not stop at this station.
• Local trains (service 6 and service 4 night/weekend) use the outer tracks and stop at the side platforms.
• Entrances and exits are located at street level at the corners of Park Avenue South and 33rd Street.

As a local station on the Lexington Avenue trunk line, it allows passengers to access local services and connect to express services at other nearby stations such as Grand Central–42nd Street.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Park Avenue South and East 33rd Street, on the border of the Kips Bay and Murray Hill neighborhoods in Midtown Manhattan.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Kips Bay / Murray Hill

    • A mix of residential areas, office buildings, and medical centers.
    • Proximity to NYU Langone Health.
    • Numerous restaurants and bars along Second and Third Avenues.
    • Historic buildings and pre-war architecture.

  • Midtown South / Nomad

    • Proximity to the Empire State Building.
    • Hotel district with numerous accommodations.
    • Access to the Koreatown area on 32nd Street.
    • Shops and restaurants in the Madison Square Park area.

  • Additional Nearby Attractions

    • Madison Square Park: A green oasis with public art and views of the Flatiron Building.
    • The Morgan Library & Museum: An important library and museum with historical collections.
    • Empire State Building: One of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers.

History and Evolution

• The 33rd Street station was inaugurated on October 27, 1904, as part of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s (IRT) first underground subway line.
• It retains many original architectural elements from the early IRT stations, although it has been modified over the years.
• It is an integral part of the historic Lexington Avenue Line, one of the main arteries of the subway system.

Interesting Facts

• The station is an important stop for residents and workers in Kips Bay and Murray Hill.
• Its location on Park Avenue South places it in a busy area with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• It is one of the original stations of New York’s first subway, notable for its classic IRT-era design, although it is not accessible for people with reduced mobility (no elevators or ramps).