City Stops With Style
Most travelers rush through New York’s subway, focused on reaching the next stop, unaware they’re passing through masterpieces. Beneath the city’s constant motion lies a world of breathtaking mosaics, grand arches, and unexpected elegance. Some stations feel like time capsules, others like art museums hidden in plain sight. Once you notice them, it’s impossible to look away. Here are 20 scenic NYC subway stations worth visiting.
1. 34th Street – Hudson Yards (7 Line)
After decades without expansion, the 2015 Hudson Yards station marked a new chapter for NYC’s subway. Its deep design uses slanted elevators for easy rides underground, and sunlight filters through a glass canopy above. Inside, Xenobia Bailey’s bold mosaic bursts with energy and color.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York on Wikimedia
2. Grand Central – 42nd Street (4/5/6, 7, S)
Few subway stops can stop you in your tracks like Grand Central–42nd Street. Look up, and you’ll see constellations glowing across the ceiling and chandeliers shining with old-world charm. It’s a Beaux-Arts masterpiece that connects commuters with pure architectural magic.
3. Court Square – 23rd Street (E/G/M/R/7)
This proves that art belongs everywhere. Elizabeth Murray’s colorful glass mosaics splash the walls with movement and imagination. Set near MoMA PS1, this major Long Island City hub connects five lines and invites travelers into Queens’ creative heart.
4. Fulton Street (2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z)
Light pours through the massive glass oculus at Fulton Center, instantly lifting the space. This downtown showpiece mixes modern architecture with creative public art, connecting travelers to nearby landmarks like the World Trade Center.
5. 28th Street (6 Line)
Floral mosaics by Nancy Blum fill the 28th Street station with color and depth. Inspired by native New York plants, the walls feel bright and alive. Even short rides here feel calm and have an artistic atmosphere.
6. 34th Street – Penn Station (1/2/3)
A mix of old-school charm and modern function defines this busy Midtown stop. The vintage tiles and terra cotta details honor its history, while colorful mosaics by Josh Scharf keep it fresh. Direct links to Madison Square Garden make it unmissable.
7. Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center (2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R)
Brooklyn’s energy pulses through this massive transit hub. The sleek corridors lead travelers to concerts and LIRR trains. A bold sculpture by George Trakas adds an industrial touch that celebrates Brooklyn’s creative grit.
8. Times Square – 42nd Street (1/2/3/7/N/Q/R/S/W)
Art explodes underground here. Roy Lichtenstein’s comic-style mural and Jacob Lawrence’s mosaics fill the walls with color and movement. It’s a fitting tribute to the city’s energy—an artistic gateway where the 7 line begins its journey west toward Hudson Yards.
9. Union Square – 14th Street (4/5/6/L/N/Q/R/W)
History meets humor at Union Square–14th Street. Opened in 1904, it’s one of NYC’s oldest stations. Tom Otterness’s quirky bronze sculptures bring smiles to commuters, while vintage mosaics remind everyone where the city’s transit story began.
Tom Otterness, Life Underground (2001) by Whitney Museum of American Art
10. Eastern Parkway – Brooklyn Museum (2/3/4/5)
Culture spills right into the station at Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum. Classic Beaux-Arts style meets modern mosaics inspired by the museum next door. Commuters step into an artistic threshold that also connects them to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s peaceful paths.
11. Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street (F/Q)
Bold orange tiles create a warm welcome at Lexington Avenue–63rd Street. The style recalls the futuristic optimism of mid-century design. Long escalators descend to the deep platforms below, revealing one of the most spacious and impressive stations on the East Side.
12. 72nd Street (Q)
This station gleams with light and modern design. Bright white walls reflect the glow from overhead, and Vik Muniz’s mosaic portraits bring faces of New Yorkers to life. It’s a space that turns daily travel into art appreciation.
13. 42nd Street – Bryant Park (B/D/F/M)
The walls of this Midtown stop double as a gallery. Artist Samm Kunce covered them with mosaics that explore themes of growth and motion. Located beside the New York Public Library, the station captures the city’s endless pursuit of knowledge and art.
14. 59th Street – Columbus Circle (1/A/B/C/D)
Five subway lines meet beneath the energy of Columbus Circle. Sol LeWitt’s bold geometric mosaics mirror the flow of people and traffic above. From here, travelers head toward Central Park or the gleaming Time Warner Center within moments.
karlnorling from Brooklyn, USA on Wikimedia
15. 21st Street – Queensbridge (F)
The first stop in Queens after crossing the East River stands above the streets like a quiet lookout. The station overlooks the nearby Queensbridge Houses and the skyline beyond. It offers a rare mix of perspective and simplicity.
16. 81st Street–Museum Of Natural History (B/C)
This Upper West Side stop feels alive with discovery. Mosaics of dinosaurs and fossils cover the walls, which extend the museum experience before you even reach the exhibits. Every glance reminds passengers of New York’s connection to science and imagination.
17. 96th Street (Q)
The 96th Street stop feels more like a gallery than a transit space. Massive glass panels invite sunlight into the station, while Sarah Sze’s blue-and-white mosaics stretch across the walls. It results in some calm among the chaos.
Charley Lhasa from New York City on Wikimedia
18. 135th Street (2/3)
Art and memory shape the 135th Street station. Willie Birch’s “Harlem Timeline” mosaic honors Harlem legends through vivid portraits that span the walls. The imagery celebrates culture, resilience, and pride, turning the commute into a journey through neighborhood history.
19. High Street – Brooklyn Bridge (A/C)
High Street–Brooklyn Bridge feels timeless. The 1930s design features tall arched ceilings and elegant tiled walls that recall the subway’s early grandeur. From the platforms, echoes of the city’s bustle and historic depth surround the underground space.
20. 2nd Avenue Station (F Line)
Jean Shin’s mosaic installation blends fragments of New York’s past with bold modern style. The design connects memory with motion, creating a space that feels dynamic yet reflective. The 2nd Avenue station stands as a modern artistic landmark.
The Art of the Second Avenue Subway by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
