Are you visiting New York City and wondering what are the best things to do near Penn Station? We are here to help!
Penn Station is located in the heart of Manhattan which makes it a prime location for exploring Midtown, Times Square area as well as Hudson Yards.
It’s a popular stop for people commuting, coming from the airports or simply catching a train or bus.
Whether you are around for 30 minutes or a few hours, you will be glad to know that there are plenty of things to do around Penn Station.
In this guide, you will find all our recommendations for activities near Penn Station including places to eat, drink, and sightsee.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Go to the Empire State Building
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 8 min – 0.4 miles
The world-famous Empire State Building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City.
It’s located just a few blocks away from Penn Station (less than 10 minutes on foot), making it an easy place to visit if you’re waiting for a train or have some time to kill.
The Empire State Building is the most famous skyscraper in New York City. It was built in 1930-1931 and was at the time the tallest building in the world.
There are 102 stories and it’s 381 m high! It’s also one of the best examples of art deco architecture in the United States.
You can see the Empire State Building as soon as you get out of the station or subway but if you fancy discovering amazing views of Manhattan, you will be in for a treat.
There is an observation deck on the 86th floor which offers stunning 360-degree views of New York City.
If you want to visit, you can easily and head to the entrance. It’s recommended to have at least 1 to 2 hours ahead of you to truly enjoy the experience.
Click here to book your ticket.
Grab a bite in Koreatown
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 6 min – 0.3 miles
Koreatown is a great place to eat if you’re looking for something tasty and affordable near Penn Station.
It’s located just 5 minutes walk from the station. Take the W 32nd Street and you’ll be there.
It’s pretty easy to recognise thanks to all the Korean restaurants, cafes, spas, and shops.
Not only is the food amazing in this area but it’s also pretty cheap, especially at lunchtime.
We particularly recommend Kushi Kushi Yaki. They serve amazing bibimbaps and the staff is lovely.
If you are looking for something fun to do, you can also head to the Korean karaoke next to it.
Visit the Vessel
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 11 min – 0.5 miles
The Vessel is a new and very popular tourist attraction in New York City.
It’s located at Hudson Yards, which is about 10 minutes walk from Penn Station and consists of 154 flights of stairs.
Altogether, there are about 2,500 steps and 80 landings. This interactive sculpture is also one of the best photo spots in NYC!
You can access the ground floor for free from 10AM to 9PM, making it a great spot for a quick stop in Penn Station.
You will also find a lot of street food carts nearby as well as a park with benches where you can enjoy your food and coffee.
If you have 2 to 3 hours to kill, you should also consider joining the High Line & Hudson Yards walking tour. It’s a great way to make the best of your time, discover iconic landmarks and learn more about the Vessel.
Join a walking tour about the secrets of NY Penn Station
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 0 min – 0 miles
Penn Station may not be as famous as Grand Central Terminal amongst tourists but it is the busiest train station in the United States and there are a lot of things to know about it.
The structure you see now is not the original one. It was reconstructed however, there are still parts of the original station that can be seen.
If you are interested in learning more about Penn Station as well as Grand Central Terminal, you can join the local walking tour.
Get a true New York Style pizza from NY Pizza Suprema
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 1 min – 177 ft
If you’re looking for an authentic New York pizza near Penn Station, look no further than NY Pizza Suprema.
This place is located just a minute away from the station and it’s the best place in New York City to get a slice of pizza.
They do all sorts of pizzas and you will be spoilt for choice. More importantly, they are delicious!
This is one of the best places to ear near Penn Station NYC, especially if you are only here for a short amount of time.
Check out the New York Public Library
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 16 min – 0.7 miles
Looking for the best tourist attractions near Penn Station? Then look no further!
The New York Public Library is the 4th largest public library in the world and is conveniently located about 15 minutes away from the station.
So if you have 1 hour to kill, this could be the perfect place to check especially since it’s free to enter!
You can explore the beautiful building, take a look at the exhibits, or simply enjoy the stunning architecture.
There are about 53 million items inside which is pretty impressive.
If you want to visit, we recommend heading there in the morning as it can get pretty crowded later on in the day.
If you’re a fan of books, this is definitely the place for you.
Check out the Flatiron Building
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 15 min – 0.7 miles
If you want to discover another iconic landmark in New York City near Penn Station, head to the Flatiron Building.
Unlike the ESB or the Rockefeller Center, the Flatiron Building is not a skyscraper known for its height but for its shape.
It’s a triangular 22-story building featuring incredible Renaissance architecture.
It was also the first building to use a steel skeleton which has since become the norm.
You can get great views from Madison Square Park and take beautiful photos.
Enjoy a drink and the views from Refinery Rooftop
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 10 min – 0.4 miles
If you are looking for the best bars near Penn Station and would love to discover amazing views of Manhattan, you can hit two birds with one stone here.
The Refinery Rooftop is located on a roof at 63 W 38th St and it offers stunning views of the city.
You can come here to enjoy a drink, some food, or just take in the breathtaking views.
The best time to come is during sunset when you can see the skyline turn into a beautiful orange hue but it’s also a great place to check out during the day.
It’s open from 11:30 AM to 12 PM. You will need a good hour to be able to visit without rushing too much.
Discover Times Square
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 10 min – 0.5 miles
You can’t visit New York City without checking out Times Square and luckily for you, it’s very close to Penn Station.
Times Square is a world-famous square in the heart of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It’s located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and is named after the Times Building, which was once located there.
Times Square is best known for its bright lights, billboards, and crowded pedestrian areas.
You can also find all the Broadway theatres around Times Square so it’s a great place to check out.
It’s particularly impressive at night since you get to see all the bright lights but visiting during the day is better to avoid the crowds.
You can also see the ball that dropped on New Years’ Eve and the year on the One Times Square building.
Enjoy the views from the Edge
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 12 min – 0.5 miles
If you want to discover one of the best observatories in New York City, then head straight to the Edge.
The Edge is a glass observation deck on the 100th floor of the Hudson Yards building.
It offers incredible 360-degree views of the city. It’s particularly unique since it’s outdoor and you will be no less than 1,200 ft above the ground.
The Edge is one of the newest observation decks in NYC and while not as famous as the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center, it’s a great experience that awaits you.
From there, you will get to enjoy the fantastic views but more importantly, you’ll get to see the ESB and the Rock!
If you want to visit, make sure to book your ticket here.
Try Escape Virtuality
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 5 min – 0.2 miles
Escape Virtuality is a great place to visit if you are looking for fun things to do near Penn Station.
Here you will get to experience something different and unique.
It’s a virtual reality arcade where you can play all sorts of fun and exciting games.
They have various immersive escape rooms as well as loads of VR games.
There are over 20 different games to choose from so there’s something for everyone.
Best of all? You can also play solo!
The VR Escape Games are suitable for 1 to 6 players and the escape rooms are for 2 up to 16.
This means that whether you are solo, as a couple or with friends, you can enjoy your time there.
Please note that Escape Virtuality is available on Groupon so you can get some good deals here.
Go to Citrovia
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 5 min – 0.2 miles
If you are looking for something unique to do near Penn Station, head to Citrovia.
This is a magical art installation that consists of an interactive citrus garden.
Here you will find hundreds of giant lemons, trees and leaves.
Everything was hand-painted and looks absolutely stunning!
If you wanted to get some unique photos, this will be an excellent spot.
It’s free to visit and open from 6 AM to 1 AM which means that no matter when your break at Penn Station is, you will surely be able to go there.
Also, it doesn’t take that much time so it can be done in 30 minutes if you are in a rush.
See a show at Madison Square Garden
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 1 min – 45ft
Madison Square Garden is one of the most iconic arenas in the world.
It’s located in Midtown Manhattan, right at the exit of Penn Station and it’s home to the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, and many other sports teams.
MSG is also a popular concert venue and has hosted some of the biggest names in the music industry including the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Billy Joel, Harry Styles and Led Zeppelin.
Whether you are a sports fan or not, attending a game or concert at MSG is definitely one of the best things to do near Penn Station.
If you are looking for something to do in the evening, this is a great option.
That having been said, you will need to make sure you have enough time ahead of you since you will need a few hours to enjoy the show.
Take a walk in Madison Square Park
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 12 min – 0.6 miles
Madison Square Park is a beautiful green space located right by the Flatiron Building.
This is one of the best places to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of the city.
The park is not that big but it’s very cute and there are plenty of benches where you can sit and relax or read a book.
PRO TIP: If you are visiting NYC in winter, Madison Square Park is a great place to check out since it’s home to a beautiful Christmas tree.
Shopping on Fifth Avenue
5th Avenue is a great place to visit if you want to do some shopping near Penn Station.
This is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world and it’s home to many high-end stores such as Tiffany & Co. (who was the first jeweller in the city) and Apple.
If you are looking for more affordable options, there are also plenty of chain stores such as H&M, Uniqlo, Victoria’s Secret and Forever 21.
Even if you are not looking to buy anything, the street is still worth checking out since it’s one of the most iconic and popular shopping streets in NYC.
Take a break in Bryant Park
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 12 min – 0.6 miles
Bryant Park is a beautiful green space in the city and it’s located just behind the New York Public Library, meaning that you can visit both at the same time.
This is an excellent spot to take a break and enjoy a picnic, especially in the summer or spring.
There are often free events happening such as movie screenings, concerts, and markets.
Bryant Park is also home to the famous Winter Village, a festive market that pops up in December and sells everything from Christmas decorations to food and drink.
See a show on Broadway
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 10 min – 0.5 miles
If you have a few hours to kill and want to see a show near Penn Station, then you should check out the musicals on Broadway.
Located about 10-minute walk from the station, Broadway is home to many famous theatres.
Most shows perform a matinee (in the afternoon) and in the evening, meaning that if you have 3 or 4 hours to kill in the afternoon or evening, this will be ideal.
NYC is the theatre capital of the world so all the shows available are absolutely amazing. You can’t get it wrong, but here are some recommendations anyway:
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Aladdin
- The Lion King
- Hamilton
- Wicked
- Phantom of the Opera
- Moulin Rouge
Visit Madame Tussauds Museum
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 10 min – 0.5 miles
Located on 42nd Street, Madame Tussauds Museum is one of the best museums near Penn Station.
It is home to over 200 life-sized wax figures of celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, and even Donald Trump.
The museum is spread out over 3 floors and there are interactive exhibits where you can take photos with the wax figures.
This is a great activity to do if you have kids or if you’re a fan of celebrities.
The museum opens every day at 10 AM and tickets can be booked here.
Walk along the High Line
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 9 min – 0.4 miles
Located near the Vessel, the High Line is a unique elevated park that was built on an old railway line.
It’s located 10 minutes walk from Penn Station and it’s the perfect place to take a break from all the concrete in the city.
The High Line is 1.45 mile long and it’s a great place to walk, run, or even just sit.
It’s such a relaxing place. It’s much quieter than any other place in the city and you will get to see the beautiful flowers, the trees as well as the skyline.
The park is open all year round and it’s free to enter.
Go to Little Island
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 16 min – 1.2 miles
Little Island is a new park located on the Hudson River, at the end of the High Line.
If you want to go for a nice walk, head to the Vessel and then take the High Line until you reach Little Island.
It will be a good 1h30 to 2 hours walk.
It’s a great place to take a break and enjoy the views of the river and the city skyline.
The island is very unique since it was built on dozens of concrete tulips.
You will find some cafes, some games and many benches where you can stop and rest.
The park is open all year round and it’s free to enter.
Grab some food at Chelsea Market
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 18 min – 0.9 miles
If you’re looking for a place to eat near Penn Station, then Chelsea Market is the perfect spot.
It’s located about 20 minutes walk from the station and it’s a foodie paradise.
It opened in 1997 and has since become a favourite amongst locals and tourists.
There are over 35 vendors selling everything from fresh produce to prepared food.
It’s a great place for a quick lunch since you will find pizzas, tacos, sushis, cupcakes and many more!
The market is open every day from 7 AM to 2 AM.
There are two ways you can reach Chelsea Market. The first one is via 9th avenue. It’s a bit quicker but not the nicest of walks.
If you have a couple of hours ahead, I particularly recommend going to the High Line and walking until you reach the market. There is an exit that takes you directly to Chelsea Market. It’s very practical and much prettier.
READ MORE: 5 Best Chelsea Market Food Tours in New York City to Book in 2023
Check out the Harry Potter Store
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 16 min – 0.8 miles
Calling all Muggles for this one!
If you are a Harry Potter fan, then you will be more than happy to know that the largest Harry Potter store in the world is right here, in NYC!
From wands to robes, you’ll find everything you need to make your Harry Potter dreams come true.
Even if you’re not a fan, it’s still worth going in to take a look since there are many photo opportunities and it’s such a cool place.
It’s also worth noting that it includes a Butter Beer bar where you can get a real butter beer!
The store is open every day from 9 AM to 9 PM and is located at 935 Broadway.
READ MORE: 9 Magical Harry Potter Things to do in NYC
Visit the Museum of Sex
- Walking distance from Penn Station: 11 min – 0.6 miles
Located on 5th avenue, The Sex Museum is another great option if you are looking for museums around Penn Station that are a bit different.
It’s a smaller museum, particularly popular for bachelorette parties, and is perfect for a bit of fun.
They also have exhibitions on as well.
Tickets can be purchased online.
We hope this article helped you figure out what to do near Penn Station. As you can see, you will be spoilt for choice! Have fun!
You may also be interested in:
