Lexington Ave-59th Street

Lexington Ave-59th Street is best known to New Yorkers as the subway stop beneath Bloomingdale's, the department store whose brown-bag shopping totes became a Manhattan status symbol decades ago. The N, Q, R and W trains stop here on the Broadway line, putting shoppers, Central Park visitors and Upper East Side residents within a short walk of the park's southeast corner and the shopping stretch along 59th Street.

This is a genuinely busy crossroads. Above ground, the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 59th Street sits at the boundary of the Upper East Side and Midtown, with the Bloomingdale's flagship taking up most of a city block. A pedestrian passage inside the station also connects to the separate 4/5/6 platforms one level away, making this one of the easier transfer points on the east side of Manhattan even though the two station complexes were built independently.

Station Overview

Lexington Ave-59th Street opened in 1919 and is served by the N, Q, R and W trains. The station is in Zone 1 on the Upper East Side/Midtown boundary and is accessible, with toilets and an information booth among its facilities.

Lines and Connectivity

The N, Q, R and W trains run south to Times Square, Herald Square and beyond, and north or east depending on the specific line toward Queens or the Upper West Side via the Broadway corridor. An underground passage connects to the separate 59th Street station serving the 4, 5 and 6 trains, giving access to the Lexington Avenue line without leaving the fare-paid area.

Station Layout and Structure

The station is underground, with platforms beneath Lexington Avenue. Entrances open directly into the lower level of Bloomingdale's on the 59th Street side, along with street stairs at several corners of the intersection. Follow signage carefully if you are transferring to the 4/5/6 platforms, since the connecting passage adds a few minutes of walking.

Accessibility

Lexington Ave-59th Street is an accessible station, with step-free routes between the street and the platforms. As always, check the MTA's live elevator status before travelling, since equipment at busy transfer stations can occasionally be out of service.

Travel Tips

• You can enter Bloomingdale's directly from inside the station, useful in bad weather.
• Central Park's southeast entrance near Grand Army Plaza is about a five-minute walk north.
• If you need the 4, 5 or 6 train, follow signs for the connecting passage rather than going back up to the street.
• Weekday rush hours and Saturday shopping afternoons are the busiest times on this platform.

Nearby Attractions

Bloomingdale's - direct access from the station. The flagship department store occupies most of the block above the platform, with entrances leading straight down to the turnstiles.

Central Park (Grand Army Plaza entrance) - 5 minutes on foot. One of the park's grandest entrances, near the Pulitzer Fountain and the Plaza Hotel.

Fifth Avenue shopping corridor - 8 minutes on foot. Luxury flagship stores line Fifth Avenue between 57th and 60th Streets.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The N, Q, R and W trains run 24 hours a day at Lexington Ave-59th Street, though overnight frequency is reduced. Weekday rush hours and Saturday afternoons around Bloomingdale's are the most crowded times. Weekday mornings before 10am tend to be quieter for anyone wanting a more relaxed transfer or shopping trip.