The New York City subway system is known around the world for being extensive and efficient at transporting over 5 million daily commuters and visitors across the city. What most don’t realize is that hidden beneath the bustling transportation network lies an unexpected world of luxury, history and art.
From the gorgeous early 20th century designs that still grace some subway cars today, to a growing number of modern art installations, gourmet restaurants and chic underground bars, NYC’s labyrinth of trains and tunnels offers unexpected oases for those looking to explore. Add to the mix recreated vintage train cars, exclusive private tour experiences, and the increasing technology and comforts being built into new stations and subway cars, and you have the ingredients for a truly luxurious underground adventure.
Historical Elegance
The Inception of Luxury in Transit
When the first underground subway stations were constructed in early 20th century New York, they were envisioned as much more than simple concrete platforms to usher workers from point A to B. Influenced by the elegant architecture and design of the era, subway stations featured vaulted tiled ceilings, chandeliers, decorative tilework and columns.
Early subway cars carried on the luxurious elements with comfortably upholstered seats, screens to block out the tunnels’ dust and grime, and beautiful incandescent lighting fixtures that gave off a warm, inviting glow.
Preserved Vintage Cars
The extraordinary craftsmanship and splendor of these early subway cars has been beautifully preserved at the New York Transit Museum. Visitors can tour authentic trains from the early 20th century, marveling at details like wicker seats, ceiling fans, rich wood trim and art deco adornments.
Particularly iconic is the museum’s collection of “Redbird” cars, named for their vibrant red exteriors and orange interiors. These cars were introduced in 1959 promising increased reliability along with mid-century design flourishes like cushioned seats, fluorescent lighting and mellow green paint schemes said to have a calming effect on riders.
Artistic Masterpieces Underground
Permanent Art Installations
In recent decades, New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has championed partnerships with contemporary artists to bring more beauty and artistic interest to the transit experience. Today over 300 major art installations grace New York subway and rail stations from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx all the way south to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
Among the best known sites are Alex Katz’s stylized tile portraits spilling across the Queens platform of the new subway line extension to the city’s eastern neighborhoods. Brooklyn’s transit hub at Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center Station similarly showcases 15 vibrant mosaic murals by renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
Station-Specific Artworks
Beyond system-wide permanent collections, various stations have developed their own artistic identities thanks to site-specific installations. The Broadway-Lafayette station in Lower Manhattan is particularly iconic for its installations like “Peace Fountain” – a glass mosaic water sculpture – and whimsical wall murals playfully designed around everyday objects.
At Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station, look for vibrant mosaic station names and metallic architectural detailing along low platforms that create an intimate, gallery-like atmosphere. The newer Fulton Center in the financial district even incorporates a 53-foot-tall sky ceiling fresco featuring a specially commissioned painting of a blue autumn sky.
Modern Luxuries in New Stations
34th Street–Hudson Yards Station
The west side’s booming Hudson Yards development called for a new, ultra-modern subway station scaled to the 21st century. Opened in 2015 as an extension of the 7 line, the 34th Street station delivers commuters to Hudson Yards via a spacious, well-lit environment lined in gleaming white marble.
With permanent art installations, advanced ventilation systems, glass-backed elevators, platform screen doors and plenty of nods to modern luxury, the station offers a comfortable point of entry to the ever evolving far west side.
Introduction of R211 Subway Cars
Joining the many 21st century enhancements to existing lines and stations will be a fleet of new R211 subway cars anticipated to debut in the coming years. The R211s promise a number of upgrades focused squarely on the rider experience, including wider doors, cell service and USB ports to keep devices charged on the go. Echoing early 20th century car design, riders can expect warm lighting schemes along with digital screens displaying real-time maps and station information – bringing together historical luxury with contemporary technology.
Most unique are plans for the R211s to introduce New York’s first “open gangway” model allowing riders to move freely between cars. Already popular in train systems overseas, open gangways provide more standing room and ease traffic flow during rush hours.
Exclusive Underground Experiences
Hidden Bars and Fine Dining
Most riders hurry through New York’s sprawling subway on set commuting routes or to reach popular tourist destinations around town. What many don’t realize is that scattered beneath the bustling sidewalks exists a network of exclusive establishments catering to more leisurely underground experiences.
Case in point is Nōksu – an upscale Japanese restaurant tucked away along the uptown A-C-E line at 42nd Street. Chef Eiji Ichimura previously led the kitchen at Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Umi before opening his 8-seat omakase venue adjacent to commuter rail traffic.
Guided Luxury Tours
Private Underground Tours
Eager to experience the subway’s hidden nooks and artistic treasures without navigating the sprawling system solo? In recent years a surprising array of tour companies have begun catering to luxury underground adventures across New York.
Groups like Untapped Cities offer private guides to uncover secrets beneath commuters’ feet across century-old stations and little-visited underground spaces. Their Behind-the-Scenes Underground Tour provides backstage passes into areas typically off limits like station control rooms, ventilation systems, abandoned platforms and crew-only breakrooms.
For history buffs, private tour outfit Viator provides an Underground New York Subway History Tour tracing tunnels used today all the way back to early 20th century origins.
Art-Focused Subway Tours
Given the sheer volume of artwork installed across so many stations, art aficionados have an embarrassment underground of riches to explore. Local arts group Free Tours by Foot offers pay-what-you-wish NYC tours zeroing in the subway’s vibrant murals, dynamic sculpture and stunning architectural integration.
Likewise, Viator provides docent-led tours catering specifically to art lovers wishing to view permanent collections across subway stations and adjacent rail infrastructure. Visitors repeatedly comment how such art tours provide stunning behind-the-scenes looks into one of the world’s most decorated underground gallery spaces.
Conclusion
While most associate New York’s subway with the hustle and chaos of funneling riders where they need to go, a luxurious alternate realm exists for travelers wishing to slow down and appreciate the system’s hidden depths. When straphangers bypass efficient routes to stations in favor of forgotten spaces rich with history, artistry and uncommon delights, they tap into NYC’s dual underground identities. They peel back the hardworking commuter arteries to find jewels encrusted by talented designers, artists and artisans across decades.