Forest Hills–71st Avenue

Forest Hills–71st Avenue is the terminal station for the M and R trains and a major intermediate stop for the E and F lines, sitting in one of Queens' most distinctive and attractive residential neighbourhoods. Forest Hills has an unusual quality for New York: it feels genuinely suburban without being disconnected from the city. The station opened in 1936 and has served this largely residential community ever since.

The real draw for visitors is Forest Hills Gardens, a planned residential estate developed from 1909 and modelled on English Garden City principles. The winding streets, half-timbered houses, community gardens and cobblestone paths of the estate look unlike anywhere else in New York City. It is entirely free to walk through. Austin Street, the main commercial strip above the station, has good independent cafes, restaurants and shops that serve the local community rather than tourist trade.

Station Overview

Forest Hills–71st Avenue is a Zone 3 station on the E, F, M and R lines. It opened in 1936 and is the southern terminus for the M and R trains. The station is wheelchair accessible. ATMs and shops are available near the station exits on Austin Street.

Lines and Connectivity

The E and F trains are express services that reach Midtown Manhattan in about 25 minutes. The E continues to Penn Station, the World Trade Center area, and Jamaica. The F runs through Midtown, Greenwich Village and Brooklyn, continuing to Coney Island. The M is a local train running through Midtown to Brooklyn, terminating here. The R is a local service running to Bay Ridge in Brooklyn via Lower Manhattan and Midtown. As terminus stations, the M and R always have space for passengers boarding here.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station is underground with separate platforms for the E/F express tracks and the M/R local tracks. Step-free lifts connect street level to all platforms. ATMs are on the mezzanine. Shops are at street level on Austin Street above the station. The main exits open onto Austin Street and 71st Avenue in Forest Hills.

Travel Tips

• Forest Hills Gardens is a 10-minute walk south. Enter via Station Square, the Tudor-style plaza just south of Austin Street, and explore the winding residential streets of the estate. Free to visit at any time.
• Take the E or F train for the fastest journey to Midtown Manhattan. The M and R local trains are slower but more frequent to some Brooklyn destinations.
• Austin Street has a good selection of cafes and restaurants, including long-established Jewish delis and more recent Persian and Middle Eastern options.
• The West Side Tennis Club, with historic grass courts, is in Forest Hills and has hosted Davis Cup matches and historic tournaments.
• For the USTA National Tennis Center (US Open), take the 7 train from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue, which is a few stops north on the F or R.

Nearby Attractions

Forest Hills Gardens - 10 minutes on foot south. A private planned residential estate designed by Grosvenor Atterbury and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., completed from 1909. The Tudor-style Station Square gateway leads into winding streets of half-timbered houses, private gardens and a community atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the five boroughs. Free to walk through.

Austin Street - at street level. The main commercial strip in Forest Hills, with a mix of independent cafes, restaurants, bookshops and local retailers. Less touristy and more genuinely neighbourhood-oriented than commercial streets in Manhattan.

West Side Tennis Club - 15 minutes on foot. A historic private tennis club with grass and clay courts, formerly home to international tournaments. The grounds are impressive even from the street.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The subway runs 24 hours. The E and F trains are frequent during rush hours. The M and R are less frequent and do not always run overnight. As the terminus for M and R, trains are available here when they originate. The neighbourhood is quiet on weekday mornings and livelier on weekends when residents and visitors use Austin Street. Forest Hills Gardens is best explored on a clear morning or early afternoon.