Court Square–23rd Street

Court Square–23rd Street is one of the most strategically useful interchange stations in Queens. Four subway lines converge here: the 7 from Flushing, the E and M from Midtown and Forest Hills, and the G from downtown Brooklyn. The station sits at the centre of Long Island City, a neighbourhood that has reinvented itself from an industrial zone into one of the more interesting arts and dining destinations in the outer boroughs.

Long Island City is the closest neighbourhood to Midtown Manhattan outside of Manhattan itself. The skyline views from the East River waterfront here are exceptional and largely uncrowded compared to spots across in Manhattan. The area has excellent coffee shops, restaurants and one of New York's best contemporary art institutions just a short walk from the station. ATMs are available in the station, which was opened in 1936 and is fully step-free.

Station Overview

Court Square–23rd Street is a Zone 2 station in Long Island City, Queens, opened in 1936. The 7, E, M and G trains all stop here, making it the primary interchange hub for western Queens. The station is wheelchair accessible and has ATMs available on the concourse.

Lines and Connectivity

The 7 train runs west to Hudson Yards, Times Square and Grand Central before continuing east to Flushing-Main Street. It is the most direct route from this station into Midtown Manhattan, taking around 10 minutes to Times Square. The E train runs through Midtown to Penn Station and onward to Jamaica in Queens. The M train provides local service through Midtown and down to the Financial District via the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. The G train connects south through Brooklyn to Church Avenue without entering Manhattan.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station has multiple platform levels for the different lines. Step-free lifts connect all levels. ATMs are on the main concourse. The E and M trains share a platform; the 7 and G have separate platforms. Signage is generally clear, though the multi-level layout can take a moment to navigate on a first visit. Street-level exits place you on Jackson Avenue and 23rd Street in Long Island City.

Travel Tips

• MoMA PS1 is a 5-minute walk on Jackson Avenue. It is one of the world's leading contemporary art spaces and admission is free for New York City residents and students.
• Gantry Plaza State Park on the East River, a 10-minute walk east, has some of the best unobstructed Manhattan skyline views available anywhere.
• The 7 train to Times Square from here takes about 10 minutes. It is significantly faster than travelling via the E through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.
• Long Island City has a growing restaurant and coffee scene at prices considerably lower than Midtown Manhattan.
• The G train from here allows connections to Brooklyn destinations without passing through Manhattan.

Nearby Attractions

MoMA PS1 - 5 minutes on foot. A satellite of the Museum of Modern Art, PS1 occupies a converted 19th-century public school and focuses on experimental and contemporary art. The summer Warm Up outdoor music series runs on Saturdays from July through September.

Gantry Plaza State Park - 10 minutes on foot east. A waterfront park with restored 1920s gantry cranes, picnic areas and extraordinary views of the Midtown Manhattan skyline. Free to visit any time.

Hunter's Point South Park - adjacent to Gantry Plaza. A newer landscaped park along the East River waterfront with a playground, lawns and continued skyline views.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The subway runs 24 hours. The 7 train runs frequently during rush hours but drops to every 20 minutes or more late at night. The E and M provide good service through the day. The neighbourhood around the station is busiest on weekday mornings with commuters. Weekends are quieter and better for a leisurely visit to MoMA PS1 or the waterfront parks. Saturday afternoons in summer are ideal for the MoMA PS1 Warm Up series.