Public Restrooms in New York City
Finding a bathroom in NYC is famously difficult. We mapped 2,364 public restrooms across all five boroughs so you do not have to suffer.
Interactive Restroom Map
All 2,364 public restrooms across New York City
Click a cluster to zoom in. Click an individual pin to see restroom details and get directions. Blue pins indicate wheelchair accessible facilities.
Restrooms by Borough
Each borough has its own personality when it comes to finding a bathroom. Here is what you need to know.
Manhattan
The most densely packed and restroom-scarce borough. Midtown is the worst — millions of people, almost no public restrooms. Your best allies are the NYPL branches, hotel lobbies, and the holy trinity of Whole Foods, Target, and department stores. Downtown improves near the Oculus and Brookfield Place.
Best restroom stops in Manhattan:
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is easier than Manhattan. Prospect Park has multiple restrooms (seasonal), and the neighborhoods are dotted with cafes that don't mind you using the bathroom if you buy a coffee. DUMBO has improved dramatically with Brooklyn Bridge Park's facilities, and Williamsburg has no shortage of options along Bedford Avenue.
Best restroom stops in Brooklyn:
Queens
Queens has the most restrooms of any borough — largely thanks to its parks. Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (home of the Unisphere) has several, and the neighborhoods along the 7 train corridor are full of restaurants where buying a $3 samosa or dumpling gets you reliable bathroom access.
Best restroom stops in Queens:
The Bronx
The Bronx is underrated for restroom access. The Bronx Zoo alone has 8+ restroom locations spread across the park. Van Cortlandt Park and Pelham Bay Park both have facilities, and the area around Yankee Stadium has plenty of restaurant options on game days and beyond.
Best restroom stops in The Bronx:
Staten Island
Staten Island is the easiest borough for restroom access simply because it's less dense. The Staten Island Ferry terminal at St. George has restrooms on both ends — and the ferry itself is free. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the Staten Island Mall are both reliable options with well-maintained facilities.
Best restroom stops in Staten Island:
Tourist Guide
Where to Go When You Gotta Go
Where to Find a Restroom at NYC's Top Tourist Spots
Real talk about finding a bathroom at the places visitors actually go. No sugarcoating.
Times Square & Theater District
BrutalTimes Square is the single hardest place in NYC to find a restroom. The Marriott Marquis lobby on Broadway between 45th and 46th is your best bet — walk in like you own the place, take the escalator up, restrooms are on the 8th floor. The Times Square public restroom on Broadway near 42nd often has a line, but it exists.
Your best options:
- Marriott Marquis lobby (8th floor)
- McDonald's on 42nd St (buy something first)
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (41st & 8th Ave)
- Whole Foods Columbus Circle (short walk north)
Central Park
ModerateCentral Park has over 20 restrooms, but they're seasonal and easy to miss. The best ones are near the major entrances. The restrooms by the Delacorte Theater and the ones at the North Meadow Recreation Center are almost always empty. Avoid the ones near Bethesda Fountain on weekends — the lines are absurd.
Your best options:
- Heckscher Playground (south end, near 62nd St)
- Belvedere Castle (mid-park, 79th St)
- North Meadow Recreation Center (97th St)
- Tavern on the Green area (67th St west side)
Grand Central Terminal
EasyGrand Central's restrooms were recently renovated and are genuinely excellent. The main ones are on the lower dining concourse level — take the ramp down past the Oyster Bar. These are some of the cleanest public restrooms in Manhattan, and they're free. There's also a family restroom near the food court.
Your best options:
- Lower dining concourse (main restrooms)
- Family restroom near food court
- NYPL branch on 42nd (3-minute walk east)
Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO
HardIf you're walking the Brooklyn Bridge, go before you start. There are no restrooms on the bridge itself. On the Brooklyn side, the Jane's Carousel pavilion in Brooklyn Bridge Park has restrooms nearby. On the Manhattan side, City Hall Park has a public restroom, or duck into the Whole Foods at the Fulton Center.
Your best options:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park (near Jane's Carousel)
- City Hall Park (Manhattan side)
- Fulton Center / Whole Foods (Manhattan side)
- Empire Stores DUMBO
High Line & Chelsea Market
EasyChelsea Market (75 9th Ave between 15th and 16th) has excellent restrooms and is arguably the most reliable bathroom stop in West Chelsea. The High Line itself has restrooms at the 16th Street access point and at the Gansevoort Street end. The Whitney Museum at the south end has restrooms too, but you need museum admission.
Your best options:
- Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave, ground floor)
- High Line at 16th Street access point
- High Line at Gansevoort Street (south end)
- Whitney Museum (admission required)
Museum Mile (Upper East Side)
Easy (with admission)Every museum on Museum Mile has restrooms, but most require admission. The Met has a suggested admission policy — you can technically pay what you wish if you're a NY resident. The Neue Galerie's Cafe Sabarsky has restrooms accessible to diners. The NYPL branch on 96th and Lexington is free and open to all.
Your best options:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (suggested admission)
- Guggenheim Museum (admission)
- Cooper Hewitt (admission)
- NYPL 96th St branch (free)
Wall Street & Financial District
ModerateThe Oculus (Westfield World Trade Center) is the best restroom stop downtown — modern, clean, well-maintained, and open to the public. Brookfield Place across the street is equally good. Battery Park at the south tip has public restrooms near Castle Clinton, which is where you'll need them before the Statue of Liberty ferry.
Your best options:
- Oculus / Westfield WTC (Church St)
- Brookfield Place (across from WTC)
- Battery Park (near Castle Clinton)
- Federal Hall (26 Wall St, free museum)
Coney Island & Brighton Beach
SeasonalConey Island boardwalk has public restrooms, but they're seasonal (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day). During summer, the restrooms near the aquarium entrance and the ones midway along the boardwalk near Stillwell Avenue are the most reliable. Off-season, MCU Park and the few open restaurants along Surf Avenue are your only options.
Your best options:
- Boardwalk restrooms (seasonal, May–Sep)
- Near NY Aquarium entrance
- MCU Park area (year-round)
- Brighton Beach restaurants along boardwalk
Penn Station & MSG
ModeratePenn Station's restrooms have improved significantly in recent years but are still not great during rush hour. The Amtrak waiting area restrooms are better than the NJ Transit side. For a much better option, walk one block east to Macy's Herald Square (34th & Broadway) — their restrooms are on the lower levels and are well-maintained.
Your best options:
- Penn Station Amtrak level
- Macy's Herald Square (1 block east)
- NYPL Mid-Manhattan branch (40th & 5th, 6-minute walk)
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Plan aheadThere are no restrooms on the ferry itself. Use the ones in the Battery Park ferry terminal before boarding. Liberty Island has restrooms near the gift shop, and Ellis Island has them in the main building. If you're doing the crown climb, there are no restrooms inside the statue — go before you start the ascent.
Your best options:
- Battery Park ferry terminal (before boarding)
- Liberty Island (near gift shop)
- Ellis Island main building
- Castle Clinton (Battery Park)
NYC Restroom Survival Guide
Hard-earned knowledge from people who actually live here. These tips will save you.
The New York Public Library is your best friend
All 92 NYPL branches across the city have clean, free, public restrooms. No library card needed. No purchase required. They're open 6-7 days a week, they're air-conditioned in summer, and the staff won't bat an eye. The main branch on 42nd and 5th has some of the most beautiful restrooms you'll ever use in a public building.
Bryant Park has America's best public restroom
The restroom at Bryant Park (42nd between 5th and 6th) has been voted one of the best public restrooms in America. Marble countertops, fresh flowers, an attendant, and classical music. It's free, it's spotless, and it's open year-round. If you're in Midtown and need to go, walk here — it's worth the detour.
The hotel lobby strategy actually works
In Midtown, walk into any large hotel lobby with confidence and head for the restrooms. The Marriott Marquis (Broadway & 46th), the Hilton Midtown (6th Ave & 53rd), and the New York Hilton all have lobby-level restrooms. Dress reasonably, walk purposefully, and nobody will stop you. This is the local survival strategy.
NYC's Open Restrooms law is on your side
New York City law requires any restaurant, bar, or coffee shop with seating for 4 or more to allow customers to use their restroom. If you buy a coffee for $2, you have a legal right to use their bathroom. Know this and don't feel awkward about asking.
Starbucks is no longer a guaranteed option
Starbucks changed their open-restroom policy in 2022. Many NYC locations now have locked restrooms requiring a code from a purchase receipt. Don't count on Starbucks as a backup. Instead, look for Whole Foods, Target, or Trader Joe's — their restrooms are still accessible to shoppers and they have locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Most subway stations do NOT have restrooms
Only a handful of NYC subway stations have restrooms, and many of them are locked or out of service. The ones that do exist: Grand Central-42nd St, Times Square-42nd St (in the passageway), Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, Coney Island-Stillwell Ave, and a few others. Don't rely on the subway for bathroom access — plan around above-ground options.
Department stores are reliable in Manhattan
Macy's Herald Square, Nordstrom on 57th, Bloomingdale's on 59th, and Century 21 downtown all have clean, accessible restrooms across multiple floors. These are especially useful in Midtown where public options are scarce. The ones on higher floors tend to be less busy.
Know the borough restroom personalities
Manhattan is hardest — dense crowds, few public restrooms. Brooklyn is easier — more parks, more casual cafes. Queens has excellent options at Flushing Meadows and along the 7 train corridor. The Bronx is underrated — Bronx Zoo and Van Cortlandt Park both have good facilities. Staten Island is the easiest — lower density, more suburban amenities.
Getting Around NYC
Restrooms at NYC Transit Hubs
Getting around NYC and need to go? Here is what you will actually find at each transit option.
Subway Stations
Most stations do not have restrooms. The MTA has been slowly adding them back, but availability is inconsistent. These stations are confirmed to have working restrooms:
- ■Grand Central-42nd St (4/5/6/7/S)
- ■Times Square-42nd St (in passageway, N/Q/R/W/S)
- ■Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center (2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R)
- ■Coney Island-Stillwell Ave (D/F/N/Q)
- ■14th St-Union Square (partial availability)
- ■Fulton St (A/C/J/Z/2/3/4/5)
Availability can change without notice. Always have a backup plan.
Bus Terminals
Major bus terminals all have restrooms, though quality varies significantly.
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (41st & 8th Ave) — Multiple restrooms across floors. The ones on the upper levels are cleaner. Open 24/7.
- George Washington Bridge Bus Station (178th & Broadway) — Clean, less crowded than Port Authority.
Ferry Terminals
NYC Ferry and the Staten Island Ferry terminals have restrooms. Go before boarding — there are no facilities on most ferry routes.
- Whitehall Terminal (Staten Island Ferry, Manhattan side) — restrooms before security
- St. George Terminal (Staten Island side) — restrooms in waiting area
- NYC Ferry stops — most larger terminals (DUMBO, Astoria, Hunters Point) have restrooms
Driving & Parking
If you are driving into NYC, plan your restroom stops before parking. Most parking garages do not have public restrooms.
- Gas stations are rare in Manhattan. Those that exist (mostly on the West Side Highway) have restrooms but expect a code or purchase requirement.
- Rest areas on the approaches: last rest stop on I-95 before the city is in Connecticut. On the NJ Turnpike, Vince Lombardi Service Area is the last stop before the GWB.
- Street parking tip: If you park near a park, use the park restrooms. If you park near a commercial area, use a cafe or store.
Accessible Restrooms in NYC
A note on our accessibility data
Our NYC restroom database currently has limited accessibility information. Of 2,364 mapped locations, wheelchair accessibility data has not yet been verified for most facilities. We are actively working to improve this. If you need guaranteed accessible facilities, we recommend the verified options listed below and the resources at the end of this section.
Verified Accessible Restrooms
Bryant Park
Manhattan
42nd St between 5th & 6th Ave. Fully wheelchair accessible, attendant on duty.
Grand Central Terminal
Manhattan
Lower dining concourse. ADA compliant, recently renovated.
Oculus / Westfield WTC
Manhattan
Modern facilities, fully accessible, family restroom available.
Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 1)
Brooklyn
Accessible path from entrance, accessible restroom.
Prospect Park Lakeside
Brooklyn
Modern facility with accessible stalls and pathway.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens
Near Unisphere, accessible facilities available.
Tips for Wheelchair Users in NYC
Subway accessibility is limited. Only about 25% of NYC subway stations are ADA accessible. Plan your route using the MTA's accessible station map. Stations with elevators usually also have accessible restrooms.
Large chain stores are often the most reliable. Target, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's locations are required to have ADA-compliant restrooms and tend to maintain them well.
Hotels are generally accessible. Any hotel built or renovated after 1990 is required to have ADA-accessible public areas. The lobby restroom strategy works well for wheelchair users — larger hotels are better equipped.
Use the map filter. Tap the wheelchair filter button on our map to highlight known accessible restrooms. We are adding more verified locations regularly.
Resources
Restrooms at NYC Venues
Detailed restroom guides for major NYC stadiums and attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the cleanest public restrooms in NYC?
Bryant Park on 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue is widely regarded as the best — marble countertops, fresh flowers, and an attendant. Grand Central Terminal's lower concourse and the Oculus at WTC are also excellent.
Are there public restrooms in Central Park?
Yes, over 20 locations, though many are seasonal (April through November). The most reliable year-round options are near Heckscher Playground, Belvedere Castle, and the North Meadow Recreation Center.
Do NYC subway stations have restrooms?
Very few. Grand Central-42nd St, Times Square-42nd St, Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center, and Coney Island-Stillwell Ave are confirmed. Most stations do not have facilities.
Can I use restaurant restrooms without buying anything?
NYC law requires food establishments with 4+ seats to provide restroom access to customers. Buying a small coffee is usually enough. The law is on your side.
Where can I find wheelchair accessible restrooms?
Verified accessible locations include Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Oculus, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and most large retail stores. Use our map's wheelchair filter to find them.
Where is the nearest restroom to Times Square?
The Marriott Marquis lobby (Broadway between 45th and 46th, 8th floor), McDonald's on 42nd Street, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 41st and 8th Avenue are your best options.
Are there baby changing facilities in NYC?
NYC law requires baby changing stations in all new and renovated public restrooms. Large retailers, museums, and transit hubs typically have them. Use our baby change filter on the map.
What is the best restroom app for NYC?
Dunny Dash maps 2,364 restrooms across all 5 NYC boroughs with filters for accessibility and baby change. It is free, works on any device, and includes walking directions.
Nearby Cities & NY State
Find public restrooms in cities near New York City and across New York State.
About This Page
New York City is home to 8.3 million residents, welcomes over 60 million tourists annually, and has a famously dire public restroom situation. The city has been working to improve access — from the Open Restrooms law requiring businesses to share facilities, to the Parks Department's ongoing restroom renovation program — but finding a clean, accessible bathroom in Manhattan remains one of NYC's great daily challenges.
Dunny Dash has mapped 2,364 public restroom locations across all five boroughs using government open data from NYC Parks, the MTA, and OpenStreetMap contributors. Every location includes coordinates and address information. We are actively expanding our accessibility and amenity data through community contributions and partnerships.
This page was written and verified by the Dunny Dash team. If you know of a restroom that is missing, has moved, or has changed its accessibility status, please let us know and we will update it within 24 hours.
Help Keep NYC Restroom Data Accurate
Know of a restroom that is missing, closed, or has incorrect information? Your reports help thousands of New Yorkers and visitors.
Report a Restroom