Madison Square Garden Guide
Entry, transit, rideshare, parking, and game-day logistics for New York.
Last updated: 3/4/2026
Key logistics
| Bag policy | Bags do not have to be clear, but they must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags larger than 22” x 14” x 9” are prohibited. Madison Square Garden does not provide an area to check bags, coats, or any other personal belongings. |
|---|---|
| Doors open | Doors generally open 60 to 90 minutes prior to the event start time. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. |
| Cashless? | Madison Square Garden is a cashless venue and only accepts credit/debit cards or mobile payment, including Google Pay and Apple Pay. Reverse ATMs are available throughout the venue to convert cash into a debit card. |
| Rideshare zone | While there isn't an officially designated rideshare zone directly at Madison Square Garden, guests using services like Lyft (the Official Rideshare Partner) and Uber can be dropped off and picked up conveniently along 7th Avenue or 8th Avenue between 31st and 34th Streets. |
| Re-entry | All exits are final, and guests are not permitted to leave and then re-enter the venue. |
| Transit | Madison Square Garden is situated directly above Penn Station, making it easily accessible by subway (1, 2, 3, A, C, E lines to 34th Street-Penn Station; B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W lines to 34th Street-Herald Square). Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit), and Amtrak trains also stop directly at Penn Station. Additionally, several MTA bus lines, including M4, M10, M16, M34, Q32, M5, M7, M11, M20, M34A-SBS, and M55, stop nearby. |
Parking
Street parking near Madison Square Garden is extremely limited. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and utilize nearby parking garages and valet lots rather than relying on street parking. Parking closer to the venue may be more expensive.
Family & accessibility
- Strollers: Strollers are permitted at Madison Square Garden, provided they are collapsible and can fit comfortably under a seat.
- Family perks: Madison Square Garden is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity. All restrooms are equipped with baby changing stations, and nursing parents can use any public location where they are comfortable or a family/all-gender restroom for more discretion. Breast pumps and breastmilk are permitted.
Culture layer
- Signature food: Madison Square Garden offers a variety of food options, including traditional arena snacks like popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, and candy. More substantial offerings include Prime Rib from Pat LaFrieda, Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, SeoulBird Korean BBQ, daily burgers, Carnegie Deli items, Paulie Gee's Pizza, and 7th Street Burger.
- Local tradition: New York Knicks and New York Rangers fans contribute to an 'electric atmosphere' at Madison Square Garden. Local bars like The Flying Puck are known as a 'hockey lover's haven' for Rangers fans, while places like Tara Mor Irish Bar offer a dedicated pre-game, in-game, and post-game experience for Knicks fans.
Verified places nearby
- Mustang Harry's352 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001 · Midtown ManhattanWhat to order: American favorites, Irish cuisine, handcrafted game-day bites, artisanal cocktails, craft beers, curated wines, fine spirits (over 200 varieties of whiskeys and tequilas), pub fare like wings, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
- The Football Factory at Legends6 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001 · Midtown ManhattanWhat to order: Simple but good food, draft beers.
- Stout NYC Bryant Park109 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018 · Midtown ManhattanWhat to order: Wide range of draft brews, classic pub grub, complimentary appetizers, and premium open bar options for events.
- American Whiskey Midtown247 West 30th St, New York, NY 10001 · Midtown ManhattanWhat to order: Elevated cocktails, house-smoked wings, a large whiskey selection (over 375 globally-sourced bottles), and lite fare.
- Smithfield Hall NYC138 W 25th St, New York, NY 10001 · ChelseaWhat to order: American fare such as Jameson wings, bratwurst, pulled pork sliders, beer-battered fish & chips, and Bavarian pretzels, alongside an extensive beer selection and brunch options.