Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street

Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street is the northern terminus of the 1 train, sitting at the very top of Manhattan's numbered grid transposed into the Bronx, where Broadway finally runs out of city blocks and meets green space instead. Step off here and you are at the edge of Van Cortlandt Park, one of the largest parks in New York City, with hiking trails, a golf course and the old Van Cortlandt House Museum tucked inside it.

Because it is a terminus, the station has a different rhythm than most subway stops. Trains lay over here before heading back downtown, so there is usually a train waiting when you arrive, and the platform feels less rushed than stations further south. It is the jumping-off point for Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Park and the northwest Bronx more generally.

Station Overview

Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street opened in 1908 as the original northern terminal of the IRT's West Side line. The 1 train is the only service here, and it is the last stop heading north, making it a useful reset point if you have boarded the wrong direction train elsewhere on the line. The station sits at street level, at the corner of Broadway and 242nd Street.

Lines and Connectivity

The 1 train runs the full length of Manhattan's West Side from here, calling at 96th Street, 72nd Street, Times Square, Penn Station and continuing down to South Ferry at the southern tip of Manhattan. Because this is the terminus, you are guaranteed a seat more often than not, which is a small mercy on a long ride into the city.

Station Layout and Structure

The station is elevated above street level, with a single island platform under a canopy roof typical of the older IRT stations. Stairs lead down to the fare control area and out onto Broadway. There is no cross-platform transfer needed since only one line serves the station, which keeps the layout simple compared with busier interchange stops further downtown.

Accessibility

Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street is a step-free station, with elevator access between the street and the platform. Tactile warning strips run along the platform edge and signage is posted at the fare control area. If you are travelling with a wheelchair or a stroller, this is one of the more straightforward stations on the 1 line to navigate.

Travel Tips

• This is the end of the line heading north, so if you fall asleep on the 1 train you will simply wake up here rather than somewhere unfamiliar.
• Van Cortlandt Park's entrance is right across Broadway from the station exit, making this an easy stop for a run, a round of golf or a walk through the woods.
• The ride from here to Times Square takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes on the 1, so plan accordingly if you are heading into Midtown for an evening show.
• Check the MYmta app before late-night travel, since the 1 sometimes runs with reduced frequency at this end of the line overnight.

Nearby Attractions

Van Cortlandt Park - directly across Broadway. The third-largest park in New York City has hiking trails, sports fields, a public golf course and a small lake, all a few steps from the station exit.

Van Cortlandt House Museum - a short walk into the park. The oldest building in the Bronx, this restored 18th-century fieldstone house gives a glimpse of colonial-era life in New York.

Riverdale - accessible by bus from the station. This leafy Bronx neighbourhood of quiet streets and historic homes sits just west, along the Hudson River.

Broadway shopping strip - along 238th to 242nd Streets. A stretch of local shops, bakeries and diners serving the surrounding neighbourhood.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The 1 train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though overnight service at this terminus is less frequent than during the day. Weekday mornings see commuters heading south into Manhattan, while weekends bring a mix of local residents and visitors headed for the park. Midday on weekdays tends to be the quietest time to catch a train here.