NYC Penn Station travel guide – Where to eat, stay and visit
New York Pennsylvania Station, widely known as NYC Penn Station or Penn Station, is the prime intercity railroad station in New York City. It is the busiest rail hub in North America; half a million passengers journey through it each day. It assists three passenger railroad lines: Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Railroad. There is a link between the station to the NYC subway system, Penn Plaza, and Madison Square Garden, and is just a short stroll from Herald Square in midtown Manhattan. Also, there are various food options in the station, and almost all are takeaways!
Before exploring the nearby places, find out a spot near NYC Penn Station to be luggage free, as there are many places just to put your luggage aside and explore the city without pins and needles!
How to reach the NYC Penn Station and what to visit?
The significant and prime approach to Penn Station is located on 7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets. Still, there are also gateways via subway stations on 34th Street and 7th Avenue and 34th Street and 8th Avenue. Penn Station is always open.
Amtrak
Among all New York’s Penn Station, Amtrak is the busiest one. Over 10 million customers board from this location to Amtrak every year. The well-liked and popular destinations people like to travel from there include Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Boston.
Long Island Railroad
The Long Island Railroad (known as LIRR by citizens) is a commuter rail system that moves via the southwestern part of New York State. It goes from Manhattan to the eastern end of Suffolk County on Long Island. Many people operate through it to get to the Hamptons as well as Jamaica Station, as from there you can approach John F. Kennedy Airport along the AirTrain.
Here at LIRR, there is no intimation for the platforms in advance. Hence, there can be a hustle to board a train as soon as the platform is announced. Yet I would suggest staying calm and relaxed and knowing that there are sufficient seats for everyone. So enjoy!
New Jersey Transit
NJ Transit is a public transportation route that carries out from the state of New Jersey, and also in addition to the parts of New York State and Pennsylvania. It does make some local shops, and many New Yorkers make use of it to travel to Newark Liberty Airport or Philadelphia.
Madison Square Garden Access
It is one of NYC’s leading concerts and events venues. You can catch sight of everything from famous musicians to live hockey there. It is located right above Penn Station, and you can get to the garden without even going outside.
Where to eat and drink?
When it comes to culinary, it would be straight enough, as Penn Station is not exactly famous for being an inviting wonderland, but if you have time to kill and need a quick meal, it does have some choices to get rid of your hunger needs. Alike Vornado Realty Trust, the building’s landlord, targets too many of the options in the LIRR corridor to make routes for a new gateway that’s slated to open by the end of 2020. Some of the fun choices are mentioned below for further aid:
- One of Penn Station’s excellent and best additions is The Pennsy NYC, a high-quality food hall located on top of it. Here, vendors serve craft tacos, pizzas, salads, sliders, even sushi. There are a luscious cocktail and wine bar to make your travel day even more pleasant and exciting.
- If you enjoy and love to eat burgers, you will have the best and the delicious burgers in the city, not other options than at Shake Shack. It is located at the lower hall at Penn Station. There is also an option to order online if you are hungry or in a hurry and want to save time! You need to download the Shake Shack app. Also, I would suggest adding a Milkshake and fries; they are real yum!
- If you are in the mood for sushi, there’s also an option; Wasabi Sushi & Bento prepares high-quality snacks to go. It is located at the plaza entrance level. It is open from 7:00 a.m. till 1:00 a.m. Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. till 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, and from 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. Sushi lover, anyone? Personally, as I am plantbased, I’d recommend you to try avocado or cucumber rolls without dead fish. Tey are super tasty, as well.
- For a fresh sandwich, head towards Pret A Manger. It is located adjacent to the LIRR entrance. It has salads and snack bowls along with sandwiches.
I am sure you’d find healthy vegan snacks there, too.
Where to stay?
For a long while, the only hotels near Penn Station were limited to a chain. But now it is not a big deal to search for Hotels near the station. A new selection of boutique hotels have turned up in the area in these late years; here are some of the best alternatives:
Even Hotel Times Square South: It is a couple of blocks away from Penn Station. It is a wellness intended hotel. Thus it comes with all the exercise equipment in the rooms.
Moxy Times Square: It was opened in September, and will be the answer to all your expectations, i.e., from a brand that calls itself a ’boutique-hotel notion for the modern traveler.’ It is just a couple of blocks away from Penn Station, at 36th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Arlo Nomad: Here, each room is less than 300 square feet, and hence this hotel is called a micro-hotel. Yet, they don’t scrimp on design and elegance. This hotel also has a lot of amenities, like a 24-hour “bodega” serving snacks and coffee, along with a lovely rooftop bar!
TIP: Here’s what you can do while in New York City. The city has a lot to offer.
Enjoy the NYC Penn Station travel, and have a pleasant and fun stay in the Big Apple!
