What Is 34th St

Overview

34th Street is a prominent crosstown street in Manhattan, running from the Hudson River in the west to the East River in the east. It serves as a vital commercial and transportation corridor, connecting major neighborhoods, transit hubs, and tourist destinations.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, 34th Street intersects with major avenues like Sixth (Avenue of the Americas) and Seventh, making it one of the busiest pedestrian and vehicular zones in New York City. Its central location supports a dense mix of retail, office, and cultural spaces.

• Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street and Broadway is the world’s largest department store, covering 2.5 million square feet across nine floors.
• The street spans approximately 2.5 miles, starting at 12th Avenue on the West Side and ending at FDR Drive near the East River.
• 34th Street is served by the 34th Street–Herald Square subway station, a major transfer point for the B, D, F, M, N, Q, and R lines.
• Annual foot traffic near Herald Square exceeds 40 million visitors, driven by retail, tourism, and transit use.
• The Penn Station complex lies directly beneath 34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, serving Amtrak, LIRR, and NJ Transit.

How It Works

34th Street functions as a multi-modal transportation and economic artery, integrating subways, buses, pedestrian flows, and commercial activity. Its infrastructure supports high-density movement and urban commerce.

• Select Bus Service (SBS): The M34 and M34A routes use dedicated lanes and off-board fare payment to speed up travel across 34th Street, improving commute times by up to 20%.
• Subway connections: The 34th Street–Herald Square station has four levels and handles over 50 million riders per year, making it one of the busiest in the system.
• Pedestrian infrastructure: Wide sidewalks, signalized crossings, and high foot traffic support retail density, especially near Herald Square and Madison Square Garden.
• Utility corridors: Beneath 34th Street run critical utility lines, including power, water, and fiber-optic cables serving Midtown buildings.
• Historic zoning: Much of 34th Street is zoned for mixed-use, allowing commercial on lower floors and office or residential above.
• Seasonal events: The street hosts the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade annually, closing the route to vehicles and drawing millions of spectators.

Comparison at a Glance

34th Street compared to other major crosstown routes in Manhattan:

While 42nd Street sees higher foot traffic due to Times Square, 34th Street ranks among the most economically active corridors, combining retail, transit, and tourism. Its integration with Penn Station and Madison Square Garden gives it unique urban significance.

Why It Matters

34th Street is a microcosm of New York City’s urban energy, combining transportation, commerce, and culture in one densely packed corridor. Its role extends beyond geography to economic and social impact.

• Major retail hub: Macy’s alone generates over $1 billion annually in sales, anchoring retail activity along the corridor.
• Transit efficiency: The M34 SBS carries over 40,000 daily riders, reducing congestion and emissions.
• Tourism draw: The Empire State Building, just north of 34th, attracts 4 million visitors per year, many arriving via 34th Street transit.
• Urban planning model: The 34th Street Transit Corridor is studied for its pedestrian-first redesigns and bus rapid transit implementation.
• Historical significance: The street has been a commercial center since the early 1900s, evolving with NYC’s growth.
• Resilience infrastructure: Post-Hurricane Sandy upgrades improved stormwater drainage and utility redundancy beneath the street.

As New York City continues to grow, 34th Street remains a vital artery, balancing historic legacy with modern urban demands. Its success reflects broader trends in sustainable, transit-oriented development.