Most people think of the New York subway as a way to get somewhere, I happen to think of it as one of the greatest art museums in the world — and it only costs $3 to get in. As long as you don’t go through the turnstiles, you can go from station to station all day long marveling at the wall art.

So let’s head underground (and sometimes above it) to photograph historic mosaics, modern masterpieces, skyline views, vintage trains, and one of the most beautiful abandoned stations in America.

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📍 Stop 1: 72nd Street (Q Line) – Modern Mosaic Masterpiece

This station is part of the Second Avenue line and features bold, contemporary mosaic work by artist Vik Muniz — whose work also hangs in major museums like MoMA and the Guggenheim.

📍 Stop 2: 86th Street – Chuck Close Portraits

At 86th Street (and 2nd Avenue), look up.

Nine-foot mosaic portraits by Chuck Close dominate the station — including a striking portrait of the late musician Lou Reed.

📍 Stop 3: 81st Street – Natural History Museum Station

Right outside the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West, the station walls celebrate animals — including the famous alligator tile (a nod to the urban legend of gators in the sewers).

📍 Stop 4: 14th Street – Life Underground

Look closely — tiny bronze figures are everywhere at this station on 14th and 8th Avenue, served by the A, C, E, and L lines.

Artist Tom Otterness installed whimsical sculptures throughout the station. You’ll spot miniature characters climbing beams and even another alligator emerging from the depths.

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📍 Stop 5: Brooklyn Transit Museum

Ever heard of a museum that’s underground?

Make Brooklyn’s New York Transit Museum a must stop.

It’s housed in an old subway station and features:

• Vintage subway cars
• 1940s–60s advertising
• Historic artifacts
• The original story of the 1904 line from City Hall to 145th Street

📍 Stop 6: Queensboro Plaza – Elevated Skyline Views

Take the 7 train to Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City.

Here you get arguably your best subway station view, with the open sky, steel tracks and that dynamic Manhattan skyline behind the train. Especially good just after sunset.

📍 Stop 7: Smith–Ninth Streets – The Highest Subway Station in the World

This is the tallest subway station in the world — nearly 90 feet above ground.

Built in 1933 to avoid tunneling under a canal, it accidentally created another one of the best skyline views in New York.

On a clear day:

• Manhattan skyline pops
• Brooklyn rooftops stretch out below

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🎥 The Secret Station: Old City Hall

Closed since the 1940s, Old City Hall is widely considered the most beautiful station ever built — with skylights, curved tile ceilings, and ornate detail. Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in there.

The bad news: you generally can’t get in to see it.

That is, unless you book an official tour through the Transit Museum, which accepts people via lottery and only goes a few times a year.

• Your other option is to stay on the downtown 6 train past the final stop and glimpse it through the right-side window

It goes by fast — but it’s worth trying.

Have fun exploring—I know I sure did!

Jeff

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