Cathedral Parkway–110th Street

Cathedral Parkway–110th Street is a B and C line station at the northern tip of Central Park and the southern edge of Morningside Heights. The station opened in 1906 and sits at a point where Manhattan's geography shifts: below is the formal English landscape of Central Park; above is one of the most academically and architecturally dense urban neighbourhoods in America, home to Columbia University, the Cathedral of St John the Divine and Union Theological Seminary.

The Cathedral of St John the Divine, one block north of the station, is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world by floor area. It has been under continuous construction since 1892 and is still not considered complete. Despite that, it operates as an active Episcopal cathedral and is open to visitors free of charge. The surrounding streets of Morningside Heights have a pronounced academic character: bookshops, coffee shops, university buildings and a quiet residential atmosphere that feels far removed from the tourist centres of Midtown.

Station Overview

Cathedral Parkway–110th Street is a Zone 1 station on the B and C lines, opened in 1906. It is not wheelchair accessible. There are no on-site facilities. The station sits at the intersection of Central Park West and 110th Street, at the northwest corner of Central Park.

Lines and Connectivity

The B and C trains run on the 8th Avenue local line. Southbound, they travel through the Upper West Side, Columbus Circle, Midtown and into Lower Manhattan. Northbound, the C train continues to 168th Street in Washington Heights; the B train diverges and runs through Harlem to Bedford Park Boulevard in the Bronx. Journey time to Columbus Circle is about 5 minutes; to 34th Street-Penn Station, around 15 minutes. Note that the B train does not run overnight or on Sundays.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station is underground with a single island platform. It has no step-free access and no on-site facilities. The exits open onto Cathedral Parkway (110th Street) at Central Park West. The nearest accessible B or C train station is 96th Street to the south or 116th Street to the north.

Travel Tips

• The Cathedral of St John the Divine is one block north on Amsterdam Avenue. Entry is free; guided tours and vertical tours of the towers are available for a fee and must be booked in advance.
• Central Park's northern end (the Harlem Meer and North Woods) is directly south of the station. This section of the park is far less visited than the southern end and is worth exploring at any time of year.
• Columbia University's main Morningside campus is a 10-minute walk north and west on Broadway. The campus is open to visitors, with the Low Library rotunda and central lawn being the main focal points.
• Riverside Church, on Riverside Drive, is 15 minutes on foot west. Its carillon tower offers one of the finest views in upper Manhattan (open for tours on some Sundays).
• The B train does not run overnight or on Sundays. Use the C train for late-night and Sunday travel on this line.

Nearby Attractions

Cathedral of St John the Divine - 1 block north on Amsterdam Avenue. The largest Gothic cathedral in the world by floor area, begun in 1892 and still not complete. Home to concerts, art installations and an active congregation. Free general admission; fee for tower tours.

Central Park North - immediately south. The northern section of Central Park includes the Harlem Meer (a lake with a boathouse and fishing pier), the North Woods ravine and the Conservatory Garden. Much less crowded than the south end of the park.

Columbia University - 10 minutes northwest on Broadway. One of the world's leading research universities and an Ivy League institution. The main campus on Morningside Heights is Collegiate Gothic in style and open to visitors. The Butler Library is particularly impressive.

Riverside Church - 15 minutes on foot west. A towering Riverside Drive landmark with a 392-foot Gothic tower. The bell carillon is the largest in the world. Views from the observation deck are open on occasional Sundays.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The subway runs 24 hours, but the B train does not operate overnight or on Sundays. Use the C train for those times. The neighbourhood is quietest on weekend mornings, which makes them ideal for visiting the cathedral before the tour groups arrive. Central Park's north end is best in autumn when the leaves change, and the area around Morningside Heights is pleasant for a walk at any time of year.