Hunters Point Avenue

Hunters Point Avenue is one of the quieter 7 train stops in Long Island City, tucked into an industrial pocket of Queens just east of the East River. It does not get the tourist traffic of nearby Court Square or Vernon Boulevard, but it is a genuine neighbourhood station for the warehouses-turned-lofts and residential blocks that have filled in around it over the past two decades.

The elevated station sits above Skillman Avenue, with the sound of 7 trains rattling overhead a constant backdrop for the block. It is an easy, uncrowded way to reach the Hunters Point waterfront and Gantry Plaza State Park, both a walk away toward the river.

Station Overview

Hunters Point Avenue opened in 1916 as part of the original Flushing Line and sits in Zone 1. The 7 train is the only service here, running between Manhattan's 34th Street-Hudson Yards and Flushing-Main Street in Queens. The station is elevated, with a single staircase-and-elevator entrance at street level.

Lines and Connectivity

The 7 train heads west into Manhattan, calling at Grand Central, Times Square and on to Hudson Yards, and east through Queens toward Jackson Heights, Corona and Flushing. There is no direct transfer here, but Long Island City's Court Square stop, one stop away, connects to the E, M and G trains for onward journeys.

Station Layout and Structure

The station is elevated above Skillman Avenue with a single side platform. Stairs and an elevator connect down to street level at 21st Street. It is a modest, functional structure without the mezzanine space or retail found at bigger interchange stations along the line.

Accessibility

Hunters Point Avenue has step-free access via an elevator between the street and the platform. Tactile warning strips run along the platform edge. As always, check the MTA's elevator status tool before travelling in case of maintenance closures.

Travel Tips

• Walk toward the river for Gantry Plaza State Park and its views across to Midtown Manhattan.
• Court Square, one stop away, is a better transfer point if you need the E, M or G trains.
• The area is largely residential and industrial, so it is quieter than other Long Island City stops during the day.
• The 7 train runs express during weekday rush hours in this direction, so double check whether your train stops here before boarding.

Nearby Attractions

Gantry Plaza State Park - about a 15-minute walk. A riverside park with the old gantry cranes preserved as landmarks and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.

Hunters Point South Park - close to Gantry Plaza, a newer waterfront park with a playground and open lawns along the East River.

MoMA PS1 - about a 15-minute walk. A contemporary art branch of the Museum of Modern Art housed in a former public school building.

Long Island City waterfront dining - a cluster of restaurants and bars has grown up near Vernon Boulevard, a short walk from the station.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The 7 train runs 24 hours a day, with reduced frequency late at night. This stop is fairly calm outside of the morning and evening commute, since it serves a mostly residential and industrial area rather than a major destination. Weekday rush hours bring the most riders heading toward Manhattan.