34th Street–Herald Square: A Vital Hub in the Heart of Midtown Manhattan

The 34th Street–Herald Square station is a large subway complex located in the vibrant heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York. It serves as a crucial transfer point between numerous subway lines, positioning it as one of the busiest stations in the system. Its prime location in Herald Square makes it a fundamental access point to one of Manhattan’s most important commercial, tourist, and entertainment areas.

Connections and Services

The 34th Street–Herald Square station is a complex that integrates platforms from two distinct main lines, which are internally connected:

IND Sixth Avenue Line

• This part of the complex serves the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is used by trains of the following services:
  • B (orange)
  • D (orange)
  • F (orange)
  • M (orange)
• The main entrances are located around Herald Square, at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue.

BMT Broadway Line

• This part of the complex serves the Broadway Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is used by trains of the following services:
  • N (yellow)
  • Q (yellow)
  • R (yellow)
  • W (yellow)
• Entrances to this section are also located around Herald Square, at 34th Street and Broadway.

The interconnection within the complex allows passengers to make convenient transfers between the Sixth Avenue and Broadway lines.

Importance and Location

• The station is located beneath Herald Square, at the intersection of 34th Street, Broadway, and Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to iconic destinations such as:

  • Herald Square and Shopping District

    • Home to Macy’s Herald Square, the world-famous flagship department store.
    • Intense shopping area along 34th Street with numerous stores and brands.
    • Manhattan Mall (adjacent shopping center).

  • Nearby Points of Interest

    • Empire State Building (a few blocks to the east).
    • Madison Square Garden and Penn Station (very close to the west, with an indirect pedestrian connection to other subway lines and commuter/long-distance trains).
    • Koreatown (nearby district to the east with numerous Korean restaurants and businesses).

  • Access to Midtown

    • Central point for accessing offices, hotels, and attractions in Midtown Manhattan.
    • Proximity to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library (a few blocks to the north).

History and Evolution

• The BMT Broadway Line platforms originally opened in 1918 as part of the Dual Contracts expansion.
• The IND Sixth Avenue Line platforms opened to the public in December 1940.
• The complex has undergone several major renovations over the decades to modernize facilities, improve passenger flow, and accessibility, including the installation of elevators and escalators.
• The connection between the different lines and levels has been optimized to facilitate transfers.

Interesting Facts

• It is consistently one of the most used subway stations in all of New York City and the United States.
• Its proximity to Macy’s makes it especially crowded during events like Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Christmas shopping season.
• It acts as a main gateway for tens of thousands of shoppers, tourists, and workers heading to Midtown Manhattan every day.