Walk out of the 175th Street subway station and the first thing you’ll notice isn't the smell of roasted nuts or the typical Manhattan rush. It’s the sheer scale of the United Palace across the street. Most people using this stop are either locals heading home to Washington Heights or travelers trekking toward the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. It’s a workhorse of a station. It isn't flashy.
The station sits on the IND Eighth Avenue Line, served primarily by the A train. If you’re a New Yorker, you know the A is legendary for its long hauls. This specific stop at 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue has been around since 1932. That's a lot of footsteps. Honestly, it feels like it sometimes. The tiles have that aged, off-white patina that screams "pre-war infrastructure," but there’s a functional beauty to it if you look closely enough.
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Navigating the 175th Street Subway Station Layout
Finding your way around here is mostly about knowing which exit leads to the bus terminal and which leads to the street. The station is deep. Like, really deep.
Because Washington Heights is essentially a massive ridge of schist rock, the engineers had to dig. Hard. You’ll find two side platforms and two tracks. Simple. But the mezzanine is where people get turned around. There is a long-standing tunnel—a literal underground passageway—that connects the 175th Street subway station directly to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
It’s convenient. Sorta.
During the day, it's a lifesaver when it's raining. You don't have to surface. You just walk through the tunnel and pop up where the buses to New Jersey depart. However, late at night, that tunnel can feel like a scene from a noir film. It’s long. It’s echoes. If you’re not a fan of subterranean corridors, just walk outside and cross 177th Street. It takes about the same amount of time.
Accessibility and the ADA Upgrades
For years, this station was a nightmare for anyone with a stroller or a wheelchair. That changed. Sort of. While the station is technically ADA accessible now, the elevators have a reputation for being... temperamental.
The elevator entrance is located at the southwest corner of 175th Street and Fort Washington Avenue. If you’re relying on it, check the MTA’s MYmta app before you arrive. There is nothing worse than getting to a deep station like the 175th Street subway station and finding out the lift is out of service. You’d be looking at a lot of stairs. A lot.
Why This Stop Is More Than Just a Commute
Most tourists stay below 96th Street. Their loss.
If you get off at 175th Street, you are steps away from some of the most underrated architecture in New York City. The United Palace is the big one. Originally one of the Loew’s Wonder Theatres, it’s this wild mashup of Byzantine, Romanesque, and Indochinese styles. It looks like a movie palace from a dream. They host concerts there now, and the acoustics are incredible.
Then there’s J. Hood Wright Park.
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Just a short walk from the 175th Street subway station, this park offers one of the best views of the George Washington Bridge you can find. It’s a local spot. You’ll see people playing basketball, kids on the playground, and older folks just watching the traffic move across the Hudson. It feels like a real neighborhood here. It’s not sterilized or "Disney-fied" like Midtown.
The George Washington Bridge Connection
We have to talk about the GWB.
The 175th Street subway station is the primary "transfer" point for people heading to the Port Authority’s GWB Bus Station. This terminal serves commuters going to Bergen County, Rockland County, and beyond. It was designed by Pier Luigi Nervi, and the concrete "butterfly" roof is a modernist masterpiece.
Wait.
Before you get excited, the terminal inside feels a bit like a mall that’s trying its best. There’s a Marshalls and a Gap. It’s practical. But the real value is the bridge itself. You can actually walk across the George Washington Bridge from here. You take the stairs up from the street level near the station, and suddenly you’re walking over the Hudson River. The wind is fierce. The height is dizzying.
Survival Tips for the A Train at 175th Street
The A train is an express most of the time. This is key.
If you are coming from Downtown or Midtown, the A will skip a dozen stops and get you to the 175th Street subway station much faster than the C train. But be careful. Late at night or during weekend construction, the A often runs local. That twenty-minute ride can suddenly turn into forty-five minutes.
- Check the signs. The overhead countdown clocks are usually accurate, but the "A" and "C" can swap tracks depending on track work.
- The "North" End. If you want to be closest to the GWB terminal tunnel, stay toward the front of the train if you’re heading uptown.
- Safety. Like any major city transit hub, keep your wits about you. It's a busy station, but the mezzanine is sprawling. Stay in the populated areas.
The neighborhood around the station is fantastic for food. You’ve got Dominican spots that serve the best mofongo you’ll ever eat. You’ve got small coffee shops. It’s a mix of old-school NYC and the creeping tide of gentrification, but for now, the old-school vibe is winning.
Realities of the Infrastructure
Let’s be honest: the MTA struggles with maintenance.
You might see some peeling paint. You might see a bucket catching a leak near the 177th Street exit. It’s part of the charm, or the frustration, depending on how much of a hurry you're in. The 175th Street subway station isn't one of those "shiny" new Second Avenue Subway stops with contemporary art and glass walls. It’s a blue-collar station. It’s built of heavy steel and thick concrete.
Actually, the "blue" theme is everywhere here. The tile bands are a specific shade of indigo-blue that was part of the original IND color-coding system. Each express stop had a color so passengers could tell where they were without even reading the signs. Blue meant you were on the Eighth Avenue line. Simple, right?
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Moving Forward: Your 175th Street Strategy
If you're planning a trip to the 175th Street subway station, don't just treat it as a transit point. Use it as a gateway.
First, check the elevator status on the MTA website if mobility is an issue. Second, if you're headed to the bus terminal, use the underground tunnel to stay out of the elements, but stick to the street level if you want to grab a quick coffee or see the United Palace.
Third, take ten minutes to walk over to J. Hood Wright Park. The view of the bridge at sunset is worth the swipe of your OMNY card alone. The station serves as a vital artery for the Heights, and while it might not be the prettiest stop on the map, it’s one of the most essential.
Pack a light jacket—the wind off the Hudson hits different once you climb those stairs to the street.