The Knicks are deep into playoff season and Madison Square Garden is running at full noise. Before you step off the train at 34th Street, here is everything you need to know about getting in, getting around, and getting out — without the stress.

Venue Address & Entrances

Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001
Located between 7th and 8th Avenues, 31st and 33rd Streets, Midtown Manhattan.

Main entrances in use:

• 8th Avenue Entrances B & C — Primary entry points with CLEAR expedited security screening available. Lines move fastest here for CLEAR members.
• 7th Avenue Entrance — Accessible from the Herald Square subway exit side; generally less crowded than 8th Ave on heavy nights.
• Penn Station Concourse — Direct underground access from Penn Station for commuters arriving via LIRR, NJ Transit, or Amtrak. No outdoor walking required.

Gates open approximately 90 minutes before tipoff on playoff nights. Arrive early — security lines grow quickly after the 90-minute mark.

Cheapest Legal Parking

Driving into Midtown for a playoff game is the expensive option, but if you must, here are your best legal choices:

• Dock Parking Penn 1 Garage — 272 W. 34th St. Closest to MSG at roughly 3 minutes on foot. Pre-booked rates start around $20–$25 through SpotHero (MSG’s official parking partner). Walk-up event-night rates climb to $50+.
• New Garden Garage — 355 W. 34th St. Official MSG garage, directly across the street; 2-minute walk. Self-park attended, 1,500 spaces. Event rates typically $35–$45.
• Icon Parking — 161 W. 36th St. About a 5-minute walk. Pre-booked rates around $30–$35 on SpotHero. Good fallback if Penn-side lots fill early.

Book through SpotHero at least 24 hours in advance — spot prices spike by game time. NYC does not honor out-of-state disabled parking permits on nearby streets.

Best Transit Option

Subway is the right answer. MSG sits on top of Penn Station — you can walk from the platform to your seat in under 10 minutes.

• 1, 2, or 3 train → 34th St-Penn Station — Best option. Exit to 8th Avenue and 33rd Street: you are at the MSG entrance. 2-minute walk.
• B, D, F, M, N, Q, or R train → 34th St-Herald Square — Exit to 34th Street and 6th Avenue, then walk one block west. 5-minute walk.
• A or C train → 34th St-Penn Station (8th Avenue) — Same Penn Station hub, direct. 3-minute walk.
• PATH train (from New Jersey) → 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas — Walk east on 33rd Street to 8th Avenue. 6-minute walk.
• NJ Transit/Amtrak into Penn Station — Use the underground concourse to reach MSG without going outside. Under 5 minutes.
• Metro-North from Grand Central — Take the 7 train from Grand Central to Times Square, transfer to any downtown 1/2/3. Total transit: approximately 15–20 minutes.

Restrooms

Inside MSG: Restrooms are located on every level of the arena, accessible from each concourse. Accessible restrooms available on all floors. During halftime and timeouts, lines spike — plan to go during game action.

Nearby outside the venue:

• Penn Station main hall (public facilities, multiple locations)
• Moynihan Train Hall (33rd St and 8th Ave) — clean, modern facilities open to the public

Accessibility Entrance

Guests with mobility needs should use the Penn Station West End Concourse route: take the Track 17 elevator to the 33rd Street and 8th Avenue exits, which connect directly to MSG’s accessible entry.

MSG offers wheelchair seating, designated aisle transfer seats, companion seating, and assisted listening devices. Contact MSG Accessibility Services at 888-609-7599 in advance to arrange accommodations.

Food: 5 Spots Open Before & After the Game

All five are within a short walk of MSG and open before tipoff and after the buzzer:

1. The Landing (PENN Tower, adjacent to MSG) — Full-service bar and restaurant directly next to the arena. Casual American menu, entrées $25–$35. Fast pre-game option.
2. Bourbon & Branch (near 34th St) — Tacos, flatbreads, and cocktails. Casual and quick. Entrées $18–$25. Popular with the post-game crowd.
3. Alessa (Midtown West) — Housemade pizza, Italian small plates, Aperitivo hour. Good for groups. Avg $20–$30.
4. Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse (9 Penn Plaza) — Upscale chophouse steps from MSG. Reservations recommended on game nights. Entrées $45–$65.
5. Keens Steakhouse (72 W. 36th St, est. 1885) — Classic NYC chophouse. Arrive early on game nights — it fills fast. Entrées $45–$65.

Bag Policy & Clear-Bag Rules

Madison Square Garden does not require clear bags.

• Maximum bag size: 22″ x 14″ x 9″
• All bags screened via X-ray at entry
• No bag check available — bags that do not fit under your seat will not be admitted
• No outside food or beverages permitted
• Laptops and tablets allowed within the size limit

Prohibited items include: weapons of any kind, laser pointers, aerosol cans, signs or banners, noisemakers (airhorns, cowbells), professional cameras with telephoto lenses, selfie sticks and monopods, and audio/video recording devices beyond your phone.

Re-Entry Rules

Madison Square Garden operates a no re-entry policy as a general rule. Once you exit the secure perimeter, you will not be readmitted. Event-specific exceptions can vary — confirm current policy at msg.com/faqs before game day.

Last Train & Bus Times After the Game

The good news: the NYC subway never stops.

• NYC Subway (1/2/3, A/C/E, B/D/F/M, N/Q/R): All lines run 24 hours. No last train — service continues through the night after any game.
• LIRR from Penn Station: Last eastbound trains depart around midnight depending on your branch. Check mta.info for your line’s specific schedule before you leave home.
• NJ Transit from Penn Station: Most lines run until midnight–1 AM. Some outer branches cut off earlier. Check njtransit.com and build in buffer time for overtime games.
• Metro-North from Grand Central: Last trains by line generally run 1–2 AM. Take the 1/2/3 uptown to 42nd St–Grand Central and check the board. Schedules at mta.info.
• PATH (to New Jersey): Runs 24 hours on weekdays and weekends. No last train concern.

Playoff overtime happens. If you’re on LIRR or NJ Transit, know your last train before you sit down, not after the buzzer.

Quick Reference Card

Need	Answer	Detail
Address	4 Pennsylvania Plaza	Between 7th–8th Ave, 31st–33rd St
Best subway	1/2/3 → 34th St-Penn Station	2-min walk to entrance
Cheapest parking (pre-book)	Dock Parking 272 W. 34th St	From ~$20 via SpotHero
Bag limit	22″ x 14″ x 9″	No clear bag required
Re-entry	No re-entry	Confirm at msg.com/faqs
Last subway home	24 hours — any time	1/2/3, A/C/E never stop
Accessibility line	888-609-7599	MSG Accessibility Services

Sources: msg.com/faqs | msg.com/directions | mta.info | njtransit.com