23rd Street

This 23rd Street station sits under Park Avenue South in Gramercy, right at the doorstep of one of Manhattan's most residential Midtown pockets. Only the 6 train stops here, which keeps the platform quieter than the big interchange stations nearby, and that suits the neighbourhood's low-key, tree-lined character.

Above ground, Park Avenue South runs past prewar apartment buildings and small businesses on its way toward Union Square, while a short walk west brings you to the Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park. Locals lean on this stop for a fast, all-local ride up to the Upper East Side or down toward City Hall and Brooklyn Bridge.

Station Overview

The 23rd Street station on the Lexington Avenue Line opened in 1904 as part of the city's original IRT subway and is served by the 6 train. It sits in nominal Zone 1, though New York fares are flat regardless of distance, so a single OMNY tap or MetroCard swipe covers the ride. Trains run 24 hours a day, with longer gaps overnight.

Lines and Connectivity

The 6 is a local train that calls at every stop along Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Heading downtown, it reaches Union Square, Astor Place, and continues to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall at the southern end of the line. Heading uptown, it serves Grand Central, the Upper East Side museum corridor around 68th and 77th Streets, and terminates at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx. For express 4 or 5 trains, change at Union Square or Grand Central.

Station Layout and Structure

This is a narrow underground station with side platforms flanking the local tracks, a typical layout for the older IRT stops along Lexington Avenue. Stairways lead up to street corners on Park Avenue South at 23rd Street. Fare control sits just below street level, with OMNY readers and MetroCard machines at each entrance.

Accessibility

This station has step-free access. Elevators link the street to the platform, giving wheelchair users and anyone travelling with luggage or a stroller a route that bypasses the stairs. Because elevator outages happen occasionally across the system, it is worth checking the MYmta app before you travel.

Travel Tips

• Tap in with OMNY on a phone or contactless card, or use a MetroCard - the flat fare applies wherever you are headed.
• The 6 is local here, so for a faster ride further uptown or downtown, change to the express 4 or 5 at Union Square or Grand Central.
• The Flatiron Building and Madison Square Park are an easy walk west from the station.
• Trains still run overnight, but expect noticeably longer waits after midnight.

Nearby Attractions

Madison Square Park - about 6 minutes on foot west. A relaxed green square with public art, a dog run and the original Shake Shack stand.

Flatiron Building - roughly 7 minutes west. The wedge-shaped 1902 landmark sits where Fifth Avenue meets Broadway at 23rd Street.

Gramercy Park - about 8 minutes east. New York's only private gated park, visible through the railings even though entry is reserved for keyholders.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The 6 train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though overnight service is noticeably less frequent. Weekday rush hours, roughly 8 to 9:30am and 5 to 7pm, bring the busiest crowds along the Lexington Avenue corridor. Midday on weekdays and most weekend mornings are the calmest times to travel through.