The G Train
The G Brooklyn-Queens crosstown local train is the only New York City subway line that does not go into Manhattan. There are 21 stops, 19 of which are in Brooklyn. Court Square in Long Island City is the northernmost stop. From the Long Island City, the G train runs underground through Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Boerum Hill. It goes above ground through Gowanus and Park Slope before terminating at Church Avenue.
Not only are there excellent restaurants all along the G train, but there are also five museums that cover NYC history from the Revolutionary War all the way up to the 21st century. The three museums in Brooklyn are for history buffs, while the two museums in Queens reflect the art-centric community of Long Island City.
SculptureCenter
New York Transit Museum
Old Stone House
City Reliquary
MoMA PS1
OLD STONE HOUSE (4 AV)
Old Stone House gives visitors an idea of what it was like to live in Brooklyn during the Revolutionary War. The building is a 1933 reconstruction of the original Vechte-Cortelyou House from 1699. Some of the original stones were recovered for use in the reconstruction. The building (which is located inside Washington Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Battle of Brooklyn was the first military engagement after the Declaration of Independence. Significant battles took place in areas like Fort Greene, Green-Wood Cemetery and Prospect Park. In late August of 1776, American General William Alexander led a regiment of 400 Maryland soldiers to battle against 2,000 British soldiers under the command of British General Cornwalis at Old Stone House. Nearly two-thirds of the Maryland regiment were killed, wounded or went missing. Their exact burial places were never discovered. The British occupied Brooklyn and Manhattan until the end of the war.
Old Stone House was also the clubhouse for the team that eventually became the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Brooklyn Superbas played at Washington Baseball Park (1883-1891), which is now home to JJ Byrne Playground, Washington Park and William Alexander Middle School.
NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM (Hoyt-Schemerhorn)
Since 1976, the New York Transit Museum has been telling the story of how mass transit transformed New York City into what it is today. Perhaps it’s fitting that the city that never sleeps has a subway that never stops. The museum is located in a 1936 subway station in Downtown Brooklyn. Even the museum entrance is identical to that of a subway station. In addition to the elevated and subway cars, there are also vintage turnstiles, city buses and changing exhibits. The rotating selection of vintage train cars on display dates back to the early 20th century.
While it’s hard to imagine (like the Pearl Jam song) cigarette ads in subway cars in the 21st century, they were once as prevalent as smartphone ads are now. Anyone longing for the days when Viceroy was a prevalent cigarette brand can take a trip down memory lane at the transit museum.
The Subway Fare Media exhibit goes back to the first paper tickets that were issued in 1904. After more than 30 years of real coins, the system was switched to tokens in 1953. Tokens lasted for another 50 years until being completed phased out by the MetroCards, which are still in use today.
While Boston may have had the first subway, no other public transit system in the United States can rival New York’s 469 stations, over 650 miles of mainline track and 24-hour service. The system moves more than 4.5 million passengers per day. To put that into perspective, that’s more people than live in the second largest American city (Los Angeles at around 4 million).
The City Reliquary (Metropolitan Ave)
The City Reliquary has the feel of an antique shop that you stumbled upon while strolling through a quaint little town that you previously didn’t know existed. Some of the most unique relics of the city’s past can be found in this tiny community museum along Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg. Hardly a square foot of wall space is wasted! Old seltzer bottles sit beneath a Jackie Robinson shrine. There’s eclectic mix of string instruments along with paper money from around the world (sorry, you can’t touch). Perhaps the most eccentric part of the museum is the restroom, which will bring back memories of your grandfather’s house or whoever was the elder pack rat in your family.
In addition to the G train, you can also take the L to Lorimer St.
MoMA PS1 (21 St)
MoMA PS1 is part of the Manhattan-based Museum of Modern Art, which is one of the largest non-profit contemporary art institutions in the United States. Both museums are dedicated to displaying the most experimental art in the world. The Long Island City location alone attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually. In addition to temporary exhibitions, there are long term displays by artists such as the late Richard Artschwager and Bronx native Lawrence Weiner.
The museum is easily accessible from the E, G, M and 7 trains.
SculptureCenter (Court Sq)
The SculptureCenter commissions new works and presents exhibitions by artists both emerging and established. Both local and international artists are featured in the Long Island City museum, which is housed in a former trolley repair shop surrounded by the largest skyscrapers in Queens. Â It is easily accessible from the E, G, M, N, R, W and 7 trains.
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That is pretty awesome! How long do you think you would need to visit all those museums? two days? Thanks for sharing!
One day for the Brooklyn museums and another for the Queens ones.
That sure sounds interesting. We haven’t been thinking about visiting New York yet. But will keep these in mind in case we end up in the city. Thank you. 🙂
I’ve not been to New York for ages, and missed out on the museums when I was there. These look great, especially the Old Stone House; I’m keen on history, and would love to find out more about the American War of Independence. Thanks for sharing!
Wow you really into your museums and your descriptions are astounding. I haven’t been to New York but it is always great to hear the amzing things you can see and do in the Big Apple.
Love the bathroom photo from The City Reliquary! The “elder pack rat” in my family is definitely my mom; her entire house pretty much looks like this. We’ve never been to New York and aren’t fond of cities, but these museums look interesting. I especially like the entrance of the New York Transit Musuem that looks like a real subway station. Neat idea.
I like the sound of the experimental art museum, that sounds like an exciting place to check out!
These are really good suggestions! I have been to a few of them but missed others sadly by the looks of it! I am going to have to remember this next time I go back!
I didn’t know there are such wonderful museums on this rail route. I love the antique style looks that they have got to offer. And thanks for putting in the other train details as well, for reaching these museums.
Art always fascinates me and inspires me to do something. I wish I had the chance to visit these wonderful museums, New York has a lot to offer.
Oh the G train… I knew you well. What a seriously cool idea for a post though! I had no idea about any of these museums, I’ll need to check them out next time I’m in Brooklyn.
Seems like there’s plenty of cool museums in Brooklyn and Queens. I’d like seeing the old subway station and subway cars. I didn’t know that NYC subways ran 24/7, I guess that makes a lot of sense though. London just started having night trains.
MoMaPS7 looks very interesting! when visiting New York it’s usually staying in Manhattan at least most of the time but it would be worth visiting outside as well. Thanks for sharing these tips!
oh wow there are so many – I am in the UK but would certainly look to visit some if ever in the states – they look amazing
I’ve been in NYC for a long time and it’s true what they say that the nearer the attractions are, the less likely you’ll go there. I think it would be awesome to visit these museums, they’re amazing! And they will really allow you to experience what it’s like in the past.
I love how your post maps out stuff to do along one train line. It makes it so easy for a day excision. Learning about history indeed is cool.
The New York Transit Museum sounds like one I would love! I have been wanting to go to NYC for years… Hopefully soon!
I’ve been to NYC but never seen these. Or even heard of the G train. Oh well… guess I need another trip there 🙂
I always finds your posts interesting and informative. But this one hit home. I love visiting museums and studying history. Thanks for the information.
This post is so awesome mate. Do any of these Museums have an entry ticket? Where should I eat if I plan a venture to a few of these?
Thank you! SculptureCenter and Old Stone House have “suggested donation” and the others have admission fees. As far as food goes, the L train connects with the G train https://imayroam.com/2016/09/17/neapolitan-syle-nyc-pizzerias-along-l-train/
Love the page design, good work!
Really cool post! I hope to visit NY next year, so I’ll keep it in mind 🙂 Thanks for an inspiration!
These aee really nice places for the art itself, wish ome like this in my countrt, love scape too.
I haven’t made it to this part of the world yet unfortunately but I do love a good museum which will teach you more about the history, culture and most importantly to me, introduce you to new types of art. I like the look of the Sculpture Center very much!
This is such an interesting topic. I’ve never been to NYC or the US but from your article I can imagine how culturally rich this city must be! Which of these museums is your most favorite?
Since I write about train travel, the NY Transit Museum is my favorite.
That’s a nice list. I somehow find it so difficult to enter a museum but trust me once I am inside, I lose track of time and can spend hours in a museum. The City Reliquary appeals the most to me. It has an old world feel to it. Nice blog.
I thought I’d been to many museums in New York. Seems like I missed a few. They sound really cool. I’ve only been to one of the museums you mentioned.
That’s a very nice layout of the transit system in NYC. I agree. I think it has the best system though not the cleanest. In DC where I live the system is losing so much efficiency and safety which remains a mystery to us.
I’ve used the DC Metro before. It’s my 3rd fav city. I’m running a food tour there on January 8. Hope you can join me https://www.eventbrite.com/e/washington-dc-southeast-asian-food-history-tour-tickets-30199855581
Thanks for this. I usually only think of Manhattan museums. Next visit to NYC, I’m going to check out a few of these.
This is a really great post! We visited NY around 3 weeks ago and wish we knew this before, would have loved to of visited these museums! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ahh the Sculpture Center looks really interesting! I’ve been to NYC 10+ times but never been to any of these. I feel like there is so much to see still! Great post, it will come in handy in the future!
I have been to New York a few years ago but haven’t seen any of these museums! Now I really want to go back and visit them all. Great guide! Thanks for sharing x
Would love to check them out, moma ps1 specially. I’ve been to NYC once but I didn’t see a lot of Brooklyn though. I hope I do next time I visit
This is some good info. I recently visited NYC but didn’t had enough time to visit Musuems apart from 9/11 memorial
This is superb! It gave me a completely different outlook on NYC. I’ll be sure and check some of these stops out my next visit!
Thank you Candace!
Great suggestions. I would love to visit The City Reliquary and the New York Transit Museum most I think. I’ve pinned this for future reference thank you.
these look like great tourist destinations. If I ever do go, will be sure to check them out!
Such unusual museums. The best part of such museums is that they encourage different kinds of skills. And we get to see the most unexpected thought forms.
Nice post about museums. We have not been to that part of the world yet but definitely use your guide as reference.
Nicce post. I generally don’t prefer to visit museums but these Museums looks like must visit places 🙂
Oh I have never heard of these museums but they look awesome!! Thanks for sharing, would love to visit!
Every time I visit Manhattan, MET is my must stop! I didn’t know that Brooklyn and Queens also have such wonderful museums. I’ll definitely check the SculptureCenter on my next visit to NYC.
I lived in NYC for over 15 years and rode the G train so many times. I did not know there were museums close to the line. Thank you for the info.
I really love to discover new places, in particular if these places are museums. I’ve never been to New York, but I’m planning to visit this amazing city at the end of 2017, so I take a note about this museum 🙂 . BTW the Toilet room is very cool,
Stefano
Planning to visit NYC next year and my husband loved museums. Definitely a very helpful post 🙂
Great ideaof covering museums on a certain route. These are actually lesser known museums, at least to me. This is what makes it a valuable post.
I have been in NYC long time ago and didn’t know anything about G train or those museums. Interesting guide to keep in mind for future travels. Thanks for sharing!
I have been to NY several times as I live in MD but sadly never got to check out any of the museums unlike my visit to DC. These are actually cool places to visit. I will keep these in mind on my next NY trip.
Thanks for your comment, Del. Are you interested in this tour https://www.eventbrite.com/e/washington-dc-southeast-asian-food-history-tour-tickets-30199855581
I will have to keep this on tap when I visit NYC again!
I’m loving your tour review posts! My husband and I travel to NYC at least once a year and he’s a huge museum guy. In fact .. the last time we visited MoMA PS1 .. so it was fun to see your photos. Hopefully we’ll be able to make it back in time to experience a few of their upcoming exhibits like the Young Architect’s Program.
Hi Alison. Hope you get to visit the transit museum as well!