How do I get to Columbia University from Penn Station?

Question

I've never been to NYC before and will be visiting the school with my family.

Also, can anyone recommend some interesting things to do near the school?

Wow, could the first respondant be a little more b*tchy and less helpful? I mean by subway.

How do you get to Columbia by subway?

The first answer was deleted, so ignore that last edit.

Answer 1

You have to take the 1, 2 or 3 UPTOWN to 116th street. These are all located right in Penn Station. If you are downstairs by the LIRR, look for the MacDonalds tucked way at the far end of the station by the stairs up to the new NJ Transit waiting area- the subway entrance is right next to it. The 1 is a local, it will stop at all stops on its way up to 116th. The 2 and 3 are expresses, they stop at 42nd, 72nd and 96th. If you take one of these trains you need to get off at 96th and transfer to the 1. Once you get out of the subway, go up the stairs on the right and you'll be at the main gates.

For the traditional Columbia experience, stop in at Labyrinth books, the Hungarian Pastry Shop, and Koronet Pizzeria.

Answer 2

By subway take the number 1 train to 116 street.

Penn station has the number 1 2 3 A Ce trains.

you want the 1

Answer 3

i recommend just taking the uptown 1 train all the way to the 116th st stop, rather than having to switch at 96th. (btw, a lot of long-time new yorkers still refer to the local 7th ave line as 1/9 -- there is no 9 train anymore.. just the 1. 2 and 3 are express.)

slight correction to rachel's directions above - the 1/2/3 line is near mc donald's but NOT near the stairs to NJ Transit (that would be the A/C/E line -- the 1/2/3 is at the opposite end).

as for sights around columbia... not much to see or do, really. probably have a picture taken in front of tom's restaurant (aka that restaurant from seinfeld; also where suzanne vega wrote her song "tom's diner") -- it's a few blocks south along broadway (at 112th st)

you can also check out st john the divine (amsterdam ave near 111 st), which when finished will be the world's largest gothic cathedral, and 2nd biggest church (after st peter's at the vatican).

Answer 4

You can also take the 1/9 (red line) at 34th St/Penn Station uptown to 116th St. This will drop you off right in front of the main entrance of the campus. For a quicker ride, take the 2/3 express to 96th st., and transfer to the local 1/9.

Answer 5

you can either take the 1 train on 110th street downtown to 34th street (its a local train) or you can take the 1 train on 110th street downtown to 96th street and transfer to the 2 or 3 train to 34th street (right across the platform. the 2 and 3 are express trains).

Central park is nearby the school

Answer 6

From Penn Station, take the A/C/E (BLUE LINE) downtown to CHAMBERS ST. (take a look at: http://mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm). You will come out of the subway at CHAMBERS ST & CHURCH ST.

From there, walk two blocks north, and 1 block west. That should get you to Columbia. See: http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Qlg&q=columbia+university&near=10170&cid=0,0,11745908267914953217&ll=40.716347,-74.008569&spn=0,.02&sa=X&oi=local&ct=image

To find anything interesting to do in the area, newyork.citysearch.com is an excellent place to start.


HAHA...i just read your...nevermind...it's funny....HAHA