When visiting New York City, there’s a good chance you’re going to go through Penn Station at some point. Penn Station, also known as Pennsylvania Station, is one of the most traversed railway stations in New York. In fact, it’s actually the busiest train station in the Western Hemisphere, and services over 600,000 travelers a day. That’s more than the population of a number of the United States’ largest cities! A good chunk of those daily travelers are tourists, utilizing Penn Station to explore all that New York City has to offer.
If you’re visiting New York and going through Penn Station, take some time to explore the area. Whether you’ve got a week to enjoy in Manhattan, or just a few hours before your next train, we’ve got tips and tricks on how to make the most of your time in New York. From where to find luggage storage at Penn Station to the sights nearby that you’ve simply got to have on your travel bucket list, read on for all the best things to do in the Big Apple.
Store Your Luggage Near the Station and Explore
After you hop off your train at Penn Station, you’re going to want to find a place to store your bags. Luckily, luggage storage at Penn Station is actually incredibly easy to find. In fact, there are many retail shops, convenience stores, and even cafes that provide luggage storage for Penn Station guests. The best way to ensure that you’ll have luggage storage at Penn Station waiting for you is by making a reservation at one of the many luggage drop locations in and around the station. Reservations are also typically on the cheaper side, about five dollars per bag per day. If you require storage for additional days, you’ll be charged an extra fee for the extra time. Once you’ve made a reservation, you can drop your luggage off with ease, and head out into midtown Manhattan to explore the many attractions the city has to offer.
Things to Do Near Penn Station
Penn Station is centered in the prime location of midtown Manhattan, making it a quick walk from destinations like Times Square and many Broadway theaters. If you’re looking for fun things to do when visiting New York via Penn Station, here are some of the best landmarks and entertaining experiences to check out.
Take in the Bright Lights of Times Square
Is there a more iconic New York City destination than Times Square? Located just a ten minute walk away from Penn Station, it’s easy to get to Times Square to see its many lit up billboards, eccentric street performers, and novelty shops. Don’t want to walk there? No problem, Times Square is also easily accessible via Penn Station by subway, thanks to New York’s extensive metro system.
See a Broadway Show
Penn Station is also incredibly close to many of the theaters on Broadway. If you’ve got more than a few hours to spare in New York, seeing a play or musical on Broadway is an experience like no other. You’ll get to watch some of the greatest theatrical artists of our time perform live, and any show you see will be one that you won’t soon forget.
Visit the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of New York’s most notable landmarks, and is just under a ten minute walk from Penn Station. Standing an impressive 102 stories high, the Empire State Building is a magnificent sight to see if you’ve got a bit of time to spare before hopping on your next train. Head up to the building’s observation deck on the 86th floor to get a view of the Manhattan skyline like no other.
Rock Out at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is one of New York’s prime concert venues and just so happens to be located directly above Penn Station! With a seating capacity of 20,000 people, Madison Square Garden has been home to some of the biggest names in music including Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Billy Joel. In addition to concerts, the venue is used for a variety of other large events, including sports and political conventions.
Take a Trip to Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is located just a fifteen minute subway ride or thirty minute walk away from Penn Station. It’s an epicenter of New York culture, being the home of the Today Show and Saturday Night Live. If you’re visiting in the winter months, be sure to stop by to see the incredibly tall Rockefeller Center tree lit up and go ice skating in the rink adjacent to the Center.
It’s Time for Your New York Minute!
When visiting New York, there are so many exciting things to experience in and around Penn Station. Plus, with so many options for luggage storage at Penn Station, it’s easy to store your belongings so you can be free to explore the city as you want to. What New York sights are you most excited to see on your next visit?