If you’ve ever found yourself sprinting through a long, glass-walled tunnel while sweating in a winter coat, you’ve probably been at Court Square 23 St. It’s a mouthful of a name. It’s also a bit of a logistical nightmare for the uninitiated. Long Island City has transformed from an industrial wasteland into a forest of glass skyscrapers, and this station is the beating, slightly confused heart of that change.
Most people just call it Court Square. But the "23 St" part matters because it anchors the E and M lines to the rest of the complex. It’s not just a stop; it’s a sprawling underground labyrinth that connects the G, 7, E, and M trains. Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to the signs, you will end up in the wrong borough. It happens to the best of us.
The Long Walk and the Citigroup Legacy
The station isn't one building. It’s a Frankenstein’s monster of three different stations that were eventually stitched together. Back in the day, you had to go above ground and use a paper transfer to get from the G to the 7. That changed in the 90s, largely thanks to the massive green glass tower that looms over everything: One Court Square (the old Citigroup building).
Citigroup basically paid for the connection. They wanted their workers to have a seamless commute, so they funded the moving walkway that connects the 23rd St-Ely Av station (E/M) to the rest of the hub.
That moving walkway? It’s legendary. And frequently broken.
When it works, you feel like you’re in a low-budget sci-fi movie. When it’s off, it’s a grueling uphill trek that feels way longer than it actually is. The "23 St" portion of the station sits relatively deep, and the walk to the G train is famous for being one of the longest transfers in the entire New York City Transit system. You’ll see people wearing suits, people carrying surfboards heading to the Rockaways, and plenty of confused tourists wondering why they've been walking for five minutes without seeing a track.
The Skyline Has Changed, but the Grime Stays
Looking out from the elevated 7 train platform at Court Square gives you one of the best views in the city. Period. You see the Manhattan skyline framed by the hyper-modern towers of LIC. It’s pretty. It’s also a stark contrast to the platform itself, which—let’s be real—has seen better days.
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The salt air from the nearby East River and the sheer volume of commuters take a toll.
There’s a specific vibe here. It’s the sound of the 7 train screeching on the curves mixed with the distant hum of the E train rumbling underneath. 121,000. That’s roughly how many people were using this complex daily before the world shifted in 2020. The numbers are creeping back up because LIC is currently the fastest-growing neighborhood in the country. If you’re standing on the 23 St platform today, you’re standing in the center of a massive real estate experiment.
Deciphering the Court Square 23 St Entrances
Navigation is the biggest hurdle. You can enter on 23rd Street and 44th Drive, but if you want the 7 train, you’re better off walking to Jackson Avenue.
Why? Because the underground path is a maze.
- The 44th Drive Entrance: This puts you right at the tail end of the E/M platform. Great for Manhattan-bound commutes.
- The Jackson Avenue Entrance: This is the "old" Court Square. It’s closer to the G and the elevated 7.
- The One Court Square Entrance: Tucked inside the base of the skyscraper. It feels fancy, has a bit of AC in the summer, and is the most direct way to the E/M if you’re coming from the north side of the neighborhood.
If you’re trying to meet someone at "Court Square," specify the train line. Seriously. If one person is at the 23 St E/M mezzanine and the other is at the G train stairs, you are a ten-minute walk away from each other.
The signage has improved over the years, but the MTA’s "Wayfinding" system still struggles with the sheer complexity of this layout. You have to look for the color-coded floor strips. Follow the green for the G, the purple for the 7, and the blue/orange for the E/M. It’s like a game of Twister, but with higher stakes and more rats.
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Accessibility: The Good and the Bad
For a long time, this station was a nightmare for anyone with a stroller or a wheelchair. It’s better now, but still not perfect. The 23 St (E/M) section has elevator access, but because the station is so spread out, "accessible" often means "you have to go a quarter-mile out of your way to find the one working lift."
The elevators are located at 44th Drive and 21st Street.
If you’re coming from the G train, you’re in for a rough time. The transfer to the 7 is technically accessible via a series of elevators, but if one goes out—which happens more than the MTA likes to admit—you’re basically stranded. Always check the MYmta app before you head out if you rely on those lifts.
What’s Actually Near the Station?
Most people just pass through, but if you actually exit at Court Square 23 St, you’re in one of the most interesting culinary pockets of Queens. You aren't just limited to the Dunkin' inside the station.
Just a block away, you’ve got M. Wells. It’s located in an old garage and serves some of the most adventurous French-Canadian inspired food in the city. Think bone marrow and oysters. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s an experience. Then there’s Beast Engine, which is a local favorite for coffee.
And don’t forget MoMA PS1.
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It’s a five-minute walk from the station. It’s housed in an old public school building and focuses on contemporary art that’s usually way more "out there" than what you’ll find at the main MoMA in Manhattan. During the summer, their "Warm Up" parties are legendary. You can hear the bass from the 7 train platform.
Survival Tips for the 23 St Transfer
- Walk on the left, stand on the right. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s the law of the jungle. Commuters here are in a rush. If you block the moving walkway, you will hear about it.
- The G Train Shuffle. The G train is shorter than the platform. Don’t stand at the very end of the 21st St side, or you’ll be sprinting when the two-car train pulls in at the center.
- Temperature Control. The E/M platforms at 23 St are notoriously stifling in July. The 7 train platform is elevated, so you get a breeze, but you’re also baking in the direct sun. Plan your layers accordingly.
- The Secret Exit. If you’re heading to the northern part of LIC, use the 44th Road exit from the E/M. It’s usually much quieter than the main hub.
Why the "23 St" Name is Confusing
Let’s clear this up. New York has a lot of 23rd Streets. You’ve got the 23rd St on the F/M in Manhattan, the 23rd St on the R/W, the 23rd St on the 6, and the 23rd St on the C/E.
Court Square-23 St is in Queens. The name refers to 23rd Street in Long Island City, which runs perpendicular to 44th Drive. If you tell a cab driver "23rd Street," they will almost certainly take you to Chelsea in Manhattan. Always specify "Court Square" or "23rd and 44th Drive in LIC."
The station actually used to be two separate entities: "Court Square" (for the 7 and G) and "23rd St-Ely Av" (for the E and M). They merged the names in 2011 to reduce confusion, but honestly, it just made the signs longer.
The Future of the Hub
With the "Amazon HQ2" drama long in the past, the area hasn't slowed down. New residential towers are popping up every single month. This means the 23 St station is under more pressure than ever. There have been talks about platform widenings and better ventilation, but in the world of the MTA, "talks" can take a decade to turn into "construction."
The 7 train is already at capacity during rush hour. If you're trying to get on at Court Square heading into Manhattan at 8:45 AM, good luck. You might have to watch two or three trains go by before you can squeeze into a car. The E and M are slightly better, but they suffer from frequent weekend track work.
Despite the crowds and the long walks, Court Square 23 St remains the most vital link between North Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. It’s a place of transition. It’s where the hipster heading to Greenpoint meets the banker heading to Midtown.
Actionable Insights for Commuters and Visitors:
- Check the "Last Train" Times: If you’re transferring from the 7 to the G late at night, be aware that the G runs infrequently. Use an app like Transit or Citymapper to see if the connection is actually feasible before you descend into the tunnel.
- Avoid the Crowd: If you are traveling between Manhattan and LIC, the E and M are often less crowded than the 7, especially during baseball season when Mets fans pack the purple line.
- Explore Jackson Ave: Instead of staying in the station, exit at Jackson Ave for better food options and a shorter walk to the G train entrance if you’re already above ground.
- Look Up: The architecture of the surrounding towers like the Skyline Tower and the JACX is stunning from the street level near the 23 St exits. It’s worth a look if you aren't in a massive hurry.
- Use the OMNY Readers: All entrances at the Court Square complex are fully equipped with OMNY. Don't waste time at the vending machines for a MetroCard unless you absolutely need a reduced-fare physical card.