About 103rd Street-Corona Plaza
103rd Street-Corona Plaza sits in the heart of Corona, one of the most vibrantly Latin American neighbourhoods in Queens. Step out of the station and Corona Plaza itself spreads out below the elevated tracks - a pedestrian square filled with food carts selling tamales, arepas and freshly cut fruit, live music on weekends, and a steady flow of families and market stalls. It is a genuine slice of immigrant New York rather than a tourist set piece.
The station is an elevated stop on the 7 line, the route that links Flushing in eastern Queens to Times Square in Manhattan. For anyone heading to Citi Field for a Mets game or to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, this is one of the handiest stations to know, and the plaza below is worth lingering in for a bite before you move on.
Station Overview
103rd Street-Corona Plaza opened in 1917 and is served solely by the 7 train. It sits above street level on a steel viaduct, a design common along the outer stretch of the 7 in Queens. As with the rest of the network, fares are paid with a contactless OMNY tap or a MetroCard, both charged at the same flat rate no matter how far you ride.
Lines and Connectivity
The 7 train is the only line here. Heading west it runs through Jackson Heights and Long Island City before crossing under the East River into Manhattan, calling at Grand Central and terminating at Hudson Yards on the Far West Side. Heading east it continues a few stops to Willets Point, for Citi Field and the USTA tennis centre, and on to the terminus at Flushing-Main Street. The 7 runs both local and express during peak hours, so check the front of the train, as express services skip this stop in the peak direction.
Station Layout and Structure
This is an elevated station with side platforms serving the two directions of travel. Stairs lead up from the mezzanine at street level, and the platforms give an open view over Roosevelt Avenue and the plaza below. Because the tracks are outdoors, expect wind and weather on the platform in winter, so wait under the shelters at the centre.
Accessibility
103rd Street-Corona Plaza is step-free. Elevators connect the street, the mezzanine and both platforms, so travellers using wheelchairs, those with pushchairs and anyone with heavy luggage can move through the station without stairs. As always, check the MTA website or app before you travel in case an elevator is out of service.
Travel Tips
- Corona Plaza directly below the station is one of the best casual street-food spots in Queens - come hungry, especially at weekends when the market is busiest.
- During peak hours confirm whether your 7 train is local or express, as express trains do not stop here in the busy direction.
- For Mets games or the US Open, stay on the 7 heading east a few more stops to Mets-Willets Point rather than getting off here.
- The station is outdoors, so dress for the weather when you are waiting on the platform.
Nearby Attractions
Corona Plaza - directly beneath the station. A lively pedestrian square with food vendors, weekend markets and live music that reflects the neighbourhood's Latin American character.
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park - about 15 minutes on foot southeast. Home to the Unisphere, the Queens Museum, the New York Hall of Science and wide open lawns and lakes.
Louis Armstrong House Museum - roughly 10 minutes on foot. The preserved home of the legendary jazz trumpeter, kept much as it was when he lived here in Corona.
Roosevelt Avenue - at street level. A long commercial strip packed with Latin American bakeries, taquerias and shops running the length of the neighbourhood.
Timings and Best Time to Travel
The 7 train runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which sets the New York subway apart from most metros worldwide. Overnight service is less frequent, so allow extra waiting time between midnight and 5am. The busiest periods are weekday mornings and evenings when commuters pack the Manhattan-bound trains. Midday and early afternoon are the calmest times to travel through, and also the best moment to explore the plaza below.
Nearest Metro to Corona Plaza
If you are heading to Corona Plaza, 103rd Street-Corona Plaza is your closest metro stop on the 7 Train. It also gives easy access to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and Louis Armstrong House Museum. Use the fare calculator to plan your journey cost before you travel.
Stations on This Line
Traveller Tips
- 1Corona Plaza below the station has excellent Latin American street food, busiest on weekends
- 2During rush hour check whether your 7 train is local or express - express skips this stop
- 3For Mets games or the US Open, ride the 7 east to Mets-Willets Point instead
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train serves 103rd Street-Corona Plaza?
Only the 7 train serves this station. It runs between Flushing-Main Street in Queens and Hudson Yards in Manhattan, calling at Grand Central and Times Square along the way.
Which neighbourhood is 103rd Street-Corona Plaza in?
It is in Corona, a predominantly Latin American neighbourhood in the borough of Queens. The station stands above Corona Plaza, a busy pedestrian square known for its street food.
Is 103rd Street-Corona Plaza wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The station is step-free, with elevators connecting the street, mezzanine and both platforms. It is worth checking the MTA app before travelling in case of elevator outages.
How do I get to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park from the station?
It is about a 15-minute walk southeast to the park, home to the Unisphere and the Queens Museum. Alternatively, ride the 7 one stop east to Mets-Willets Point for the northern edge of the park.
Does the 7 train here run all night?
Yes. The 7 runs 24 hours a day, though trains are less frequent overnight between roughly midnight and 5am, so plan for longer waits at those hours.
Do express 7 trains stop at 103rd Street-Corona Plaza?
During peak hours the 7 runs both local and express, and express trains skip this stop in the busy direction. Check the sign on the front of the train and use a local service to board here.