Enjoy the elevated subway lines in New York!

What to Know About New York City’s Elevated Subway Lines

• To explore beyond the usual tourist routes in New York, follow the New York City subway‘s elevated lines. The NYC subway has a distinctive feature: many lines run above ground, letting you discover different neighborhoods and see New York from fresh angles.
• These elevated lines offer a major advantage for visitors: they’re raised above street level, giving you unique views across the city.
• One thing to remember: you won’t find elevated lines in Manhattan. That’s a good reason to venture outside Manhattan!

Where Are the Elevated Subway Lines in New York?

Since you can’t ride the entire NYC subway system, here are the most rewarding elevated lines:

• Line 7, starting from Hunters Point
  This is one of my favorite subway viewpoints. You’ll enjoy great views of the Midtown skyline, including the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Summit. Line 7 also takes you through Queens, passing Flushing Meadows park. The line continues to Queens’ Chinatown, the largest Chinese neighborhood in New York.
• Lines B, D, N, and Q crossing the Manhattan Bridge
  If you can’t walk across the Manhattan Bridge, at least ride it by subway. I recommend going from Brooklyn to Manhattan in the morning for a nice view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Financial District. I’m sure, like me, you’ll want to come back and walk the Manhattan Bridge later.
• Line 4, starting from 161 Street
  For a quick look at the Bronx, take Line 4 heading north. Around 161 Street, the subway emerges above ground and you’ll see Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees baseball team. Continue further and you’ll get interesting views of the Bronx, a neighborhood worth exploring.

• Lines F and G, at Smith-9 Streets
  Here’s a good reason to detour through Brooklyn: positioned just before a curve, Smith-9 Streets station is a real viewpoint over southern Manhattan’s tip. You’ll get a unique view of One World Trade Center and the Financial District towers. I recommend getting off at the station because the view is brief if you stay on the train: after the curve, the subway dives back into its tunnel toward Carroll Street station.
• Line Q, all the way to Coney Island
  If you have time to reach Coney Island, you can ride across Brooklyn from north to south. And good news: much of the journey runs above ground. The subway emerges at Prospect Park station and stays elevated all the way to the end. The closer you get to Coney Island, the better the views.
• Lines M, J, and Z, crossing the Williamsburg Bridge
  Like the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge also has a subway level. Lines M, J, and Z let you see the East River and the Midtown buildings, including the UN‘s New York headquarters. The line continues through Brooklyn, staying above ground.