Or, simply known as just “Union Turnpike” sometimes. Kew Gardens is an express stop served by the E and F in the namesake neighborhood of Kew Gardens, Queens. There’s also a few bus connections, but no LIRR connection (as it’s too far away to count). As with the likes of Forest Hills and 74th, it’s your standard IND station, complete with overbuilt mezzanine. Let’s look at it.
The mezzanine is overbuilt, but has an OMNY machine, a station agent, faregates, elevator access, and the usual stuff. The platforms are also the same story, with benches and countdown clocks. At street level is Queens Boulevard, with the intersection at Kew Gardens Rd. and Union Turnpike being the main crossroads. As for street-level buses, you have the Q10 and Q80 to JFK, the Q60 to Jamaica and Midtown, and a few other local and express buses. As for the local neighborhood, it’s pretty wealthy. Yeah, it’s just a standard IND express station with not a lot to talk about.
The good: It exists, serves the local neighborhood, and has plenty of local and express bus connections (ok but why would you use an express bus when the subway works as well???). It’s also accessible!
The bad: The area becomes rather suburban quickly once you go any deeper than the main roads around here. But, also, why is Queens Boulevard so bleepin’ wide?
Nearby points of interest: There’s a few shops and restaurants! There’s also a college nearby (Plaza College), along with the city clerk’s office and the borough’s criminal court. Also, weirdly, Jamaica Yard is closer to here than to Jamaica proper (or to Forest Hills), as it’s due north of the station.
Transit connections:
MTA subway (Lines E, F)
MTA bus (Q10, Q37, Q37B, Q45, Q46, Q48, Q60, Q80, QM18, QM21, QM63, QM64, QM65, QM68)
Overall, it works. There’s not really much of note here. Next!
Rating: 6.5/10
