42nd Street New York City

The Basics

No trip to New York City is complete without exploring 42nd Street, which is divided into two sections: East 42nd, with its stately office and residential blocks, and West 42nd, where gigantic digital billboards, flashing theater marquees, and honking yellow cabs rule both day and night.

The street is a popular stop on all the city’s hop-on hop-off bus tours—letting you admire the sights from your seat or jump out to catch a show or do a little shopping. Alternatively, opt for a tour that features 42nd Street alongside other architecturally interesting areas of Manhattan, or one that focuses on Times Square’s Prohibition-era history.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The street is a must for sightseers, shoppers, theater lovers, and first-time visitors to New York City.

• The street is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though be ready to negotiate crowded sidewalks.

How to Get There

Extending for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from end to end, 42nd Street cuts through the center of Midtown Manhattan. Key subway stations are 42nd Street–Times Square, 42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue, and Grand Central–42nd Street. Buses 199, M42, M55, QM2, and QM24 stop near Times Square.

When to Get There

The intersection of 42nd Street, Broadway, and Times Square is always busy, so expect to weave through crowds almost anytime you go. For a slightly less congested experience, visit right after the morning rush hour—before many tourists arrive. After dark, the lights of the billboards and theaters make a memorable sight.

East 42nd Street

Once you’ve experienced the lights, shops, and perhaps a show on West 42nd Street, check out East 42nd Street. This elegant thoroughfare begins at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bryant Park, and boasts NYC signatures such as Grand Central Terminal, the art deco Chrysler Building, and the towering United Nations Headquarters, overlooking the East River.

Ways to explore

No trip to New York City is complete without exploring 42nd Street, and the street is a popular stop on the city’s hop-on hop-off bus tours—letting you admire the sights from your seat or jump out to catch a show or do a little shopping. Alternatively, opt for a walking, cycling, or pedicab tour that features 42nd Street alongside other architecturally interesting areas of Manhattan, or one that focuses on Times Square’s Prohibition-era history. Tours of New York City’s historic theaters, ideal for Broadway buffs, also generally feature this entertainment hot spot.

Accessibility

The length of 42nd Street is accessible to wheelchairs, but be ready to negotiate crowded sidewalks.

Age limits

Once slightly seedy, 42nd Street has cleaned up in recent decades and is now a top destination for visitors of all ages.

What to pack

Camera, hat, sunscreen

What to wear

Comfortable clothes and shoes if on a walking tour, smart casual dress if attending a show

Not allowed

New Yorkers walk at a fast pace, so avoid blocking foot traffic as you admire the sights along 42nd Street.

Amenities

Public restrooms (Bryant Park, New York Public Library, Grand Central Station), parks, shops, eateries

Address

Extending for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from end to end, 42nd Street cuts through the center of Midtown Manhattan. You can easily walk from many of New York City’s top attractions, or take the subway or bus.

Driving

Snarled traffic and limited parking along 42nd Street make driving along this main urban artery a hassle. Avoid the hassle and get there via public transportation.

Public transportation

Key subway stations are 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal, Times Square-42nd Street, 42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue, and Grand Central–42nd Street. Buses 199, M42, M55, QM2, and QM24 stop near Times Square.

Best times to visit

Busy with shoppers by day and theatergoers by night, 42nd Street is the heart of the “City That Never Sleeps.” Explore from late morning through late afternoon to visit the museums and attractions, or after sunset to snap photos of the giant billboards in Times Square.

Best days to visit

Visit on weekday mornings to avoid the worst of the crowds, or revel in the throngs that bring the heart of Midtown to life on Friday and Saturday nights.

Best months to visit

Spring and fall are the most temperate seasons for outdoor exploring along 42nd Street, so visit between April and June or September and November.

Special events

Bryant Park and Times Square, both located on 42nd Street, are among the most popular venues in the city for public events, from outdoor cinema to the New Year’s Eve countdown.