Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues

Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues sits at the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Clinton Hill, two Brooklyn neighbourhoods known for their rows of brownstones, historic churches and a growing mix of long-time residents and newer arrivals. The G train is the only line to reach this station directly, which makes it a quieter, more local stop than many of Brooklyn's busier interchanges.

Because the G is the only subway line in the city that never enters Manhattan, this station has a particular identity among locals - it is entirely a Brooklyn-to-Queens connector. For residents of Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, it is simply the fastest way to reach Williamsburg, Greenpoint or Long Island City without doubling back through Manhattan.

Station Overview

Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues opened in 1937 and sits in Zone 1 on the G train, one of the shortest and least crowded lines in the subway system. The station has step-free accessibility and basic facilities, including toilets and an information point.

Lines and Connectivity

The G train runs from Church Avenue in Brooklyn north through Bed-Stuy, Williamsburg and Greenpoint before crossing into Long Island City, Queens, where it terminates at Court Square. From Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues, riders heading south reach Fort Greene and Park Slope, while those heading north can transfer to multiple lines at the Broadway or Metropolitan Avenue stops in Williamsburg.

Station Layout and Structure

This is an underground station with two side platforms, one for each direction, connected by a street-level entrance rather than an internal passageway. Riders switching direction typically need to exit and re-enter, or use the crossover at the northern end where available. Signage clearly marks the direction of travel for each platform.

Accessibility

Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues is step-free, with elevators serving both platforms for wheelchair users, strollers and travellers with luggage. Tactile edge strips run the length of each platform. As always, it is worth checking the MYmta app ahead of your trip for any elevator outages.

Travel Tips

• The G train runs shorter trains than most other lines, so stand near the marked doors on the platform to board efficiently.
• Service on the G can be less frequent than other lines, especially late at night, so build in extra waiting time.
• If you need to reach Manhattan, plan to transfer at a hub station like Hoyt-Schermerhorn or Broadway, since the G does not cross the river.
• The surrounding blocks are mostly residential, so plan your visit around daylight hours if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Nearby Attractions

Pratt Institute - about 10 minutes on foot. The respected art and design college anchors much of Clinton Hill's creative character, with a public sculpture garden on campus.

Fort Greene Park - roughly a 15 minute walk. One of Brooklyn's oldest parks, designed in part by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, with sweeping views from the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument.

Herbert Von King Park - a short walk into Bed-Stuy, a community hub with sports courts, a bandshell and frequent local events.

Restoration Plaza - a Bed-Stuy landmark housing shops, offices and cultural programming tied to the neighbourhood's community development history.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The G train runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though it is one of the less frequent lines, particularly late at night and on weekends. Weekday mornings and evenings see the most local commuter traffic. Midday and early afternoon tend to be the calmest times to travel through this station.