42nd Street-Bryant Park

42nd Street-Bryant Park sits directly beneath one of Manhattan's most beloved green spaces, the small formal park behind the New York Public Library's main branch. The station connects to the 42nd Street shuttle and the 7 train at Times Square via a long underground passage, making it a useful, less chaotic alternative to surfacing at Times Square itself when the B, D, F or M train is your fastest route.

Above ground, Bryant Park is a genuine oasis in Midtown, with a lawn, reading room, carousel and, in winter, an ice rink and holiday market. The library's grand Fifth Avenue building, guarded by its famous stone lions, sits right alongside, making this one of the more culturally rich stops in the whole system.

Station Overview

42nd Street-Bryant Park opened in 1940 and sits in Zone 1, in the Bryant Park section of Midtown Manhattan. It is served by the B, D, F and M trains. The station is accessible, with facilities including toilets and passenger information.

Lines and Connectivity

The B, D, F and M trains at 42nd Street-Bryant Park run along Sixth Avenue, connecting south to Rockefeller Center, Herald Square and beyond, and north toward Central Park and the Upper West Side. A long underground passage links to the Times Square-42nd Street complex for the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S trains.

Station Layout and Structure

This is an underground station with island platforms beneath Sixth Avenue, connected by passageways to the wider Times Square complex a block away. Entrances open directly onto Bryant Park and the library steps.

Accessibility

42nd Street-Bryant Park is an accessible station, with elevators linking street level to the platforms. Tactile paving and clear signage are in place throughout.

Travel Tips

• Use the underground passage to Times Square if you need the shuttle, 7 or numbered trains without surfacing.
• Bryant Park hosts free outdoor movies in summer and an ice rink and holiday market in winter.
• The Public Library's main branch, with its famous lion statues, is right beside the park.

Nearby Attractions

Bryant Park - directly above the station, a landscaped park with a lawn, carousel and seasonal events.

New York Public Library - beside the park, the landmark main branch with its iconic stone lions and grand reading room.

Times Square - a short walk or connected underground, the neon heart of Midtown.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Trains at 42nd Street-Bryant Park run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with less frequent overnight service. Weekday lunch hours bring office workers into the park, while weekday rush hours are the busiest for the subway itself. Weekend mornings are a calm time to enjoy the park.