Atlantic Terminal is one of the four terminals of the LIRR within NYC city limits (Far Rockaway notwithstanding). Located in Downtown Brooklyn, the station lies underneath both the namesake Atlantic Terminal Mall, and also the Barclays Center- which, notably, is home of the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA, as well as the New York Liberty of the WNBA (remember the women). With that in mind, and with this being the heart of Brooklyn, let’s dig into this station.
The LIRR section of the station isn’t too crazy, with a handful of platforms. For most times, the station is served by a shuttle train running between here and Jamaica Station in Queens. However, you can also catch an odd West Hempstead train, or at rush hours a train heading all the way towards Babylon or Far Rockaway. The platforms themselves aren’t that crazy. However, the concourse is also relatively small – even if it’s (surprisingly, and if memory serves) staffed. There is, however, a physical connection to the Atlantic Terminal Mall here, as well as the IRT lines! Neat!
Some of the subway entrances retain their original designs (which actually looks cool!), with one such entrance being found on Hanson Place near Flatbush Avenue. Going down this one will bring you to the platforms for the B/Q, and the 2/3/4/5. Notably missing was the DNR platform – which was HELL to find. The platforms themselves look as you’d expect: tiling, usual amenities, but nothing too crazy. I really did hate finding the DNR platforms though. I mean, eventually I did. And, after finding the DNR and photographing it as needed for this blog entry, I made my way back to the BQ platform, and after witnessing someone careening down the stairs on a bicycle (ouch!), I hopped on the Q and proceeded to the BMT shuttle. Overall, nothing insane.
The good: It gives Downtown Brooklyn a direct connection to the LIRR network. Furthermore, it’s one stop short of the heart of the BMT (DeKalb), even though arguably this is more important as more BMT lines serve here. It’s also got direct access to both a mall and a sports arena. Neat!
The bad: Trying to find the right passage from the BQ to the DNR can be very tricky.
Nearby points of interest: You may see signs that say “BAM!” on them. That’s actually just the Brooklyn Academy of Music. There’s also the Atlantic Terminal Mall and the Barclays Center, a state DMV branch, and an Apple Store.
Transit connections:
LIRR (Brooklyn Shuttle, West Hempstead, Far Rockaway, Babylon, Hempstead)
7th Ave. IRT (Lines 2, 3)
Lexington Ave. IRT (Lines 4, 5)
Broadway BMT (Lines N, Q, R)
6th Ave. IND (Lines B, D)
MTA bus (B41, B45, B63, B65, B67, B103)
Overall, it’s not too awful a station, but it’s one that’s REALLY annoying to navigate. Yuck. I’d argue this is even worse than Penn Station on that front.
Rating: 6.5/10
