Madison Square Garden – Home of The New York Knicks & New York Rangers

Even though we haven’t seen the Knicks win a championship since 1973, they definitely have one of the busiest and most beautiful arenas in the entire league; there is no question about it!

In addition to the Knicks, the arena is also the home arena of the NHL’s New York Rangers. Because it is so large and hosts plenty of sporting events, the Madison Square Garden seating chart is quite complicated. When tourists visit the arena, they sometimes feel overwhelmed. 

In our article, we will discuss the arena the Knicks and Rangers call home and dive deeper into its history. We will also discuss the most popular destinations around it and give you the best ways to get to the stadium. Our goal here is to help you navigate inside and outside Madison Square Garden so you can finally visit New York and scratch it from your bucket list.

Madison Square Garden: Key Facts 

The last time the New York Knicks were in the championship finals was 1999, and since then, they have had a tough time getting back on their feet. Nevertheless, they still have some of the most devoted fans in the NBA, and Madison Square Garden is one of the most popular arenas in the entire world. 

The Garden is filled with many unforgettable moments, from concerts to ice shows to beauty contests and an array of sporting events, the Garden schedules more than 300 events per year. With that in mind, here are the most important facts about the stadium. 

Opening year	February 11, 1968 – current location
Seating capacity	Basketball – 19,812Hockey – 18,006Pro wrestling – 18,500Concerts – 20,000Boxing – 20,789Hulu theater – 5,600
Field size	820,000 square feet
Home teams	New York Knicks (NBA) New York Rangers (NHL)St. John’s Red Storm (NCAA)
Construction cost	Before renovation $123 millionAfter renovations $1,1 billion
Renovation years	1989-19912011-2013
Location	Madison Square Garden
Website	https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden

Unknown and fun facts about the Garden 

Since the doors of the Garden opened back in 1968, all the fans in New York and across the world were glad that the Knicks would call it their home for many years to come. From food and drinks to watching the game from the level suites, the Garden offers an unforgettable experience. 

There have been a lot of concerts over the years as well, from Eric Clapton and Elton John to Led Zeppelin and Lady Gaga.

Whether you are a Knicks fan or a Rangers fan, here are some unknown and fun facts about Madison Square Garden. 

The Beatles performance 

All four Beatles members have individually performed at Madison Square Garden but never together. Also, John Lennon’s last show in 1974 was actually at the Garden. He was joined on stage by Sir Elton John for an incredible rendition of “What Gets You Thru The Night.” 

The locker rooms of the Knicks and Rangers 

If you haven’t played professional hockey or basketball, then you probably don’t know about this one. The locker rooms of the teams are round-shaped so that every player gets to look their teammates in the eyes. They all sit in a circle and follow the coach’s passion, who sits in the middle, sharing his tactics. 

Additionally, the oval-shaped locker rooms give the team a sense of brotherhood and remind them that they are all together. Nobody gets a time-out or five minutes in the corner. The idea originated from the Rangers captain Mark Messier, a Hall of Famer. 

The ice underneath the floor 

When the Rangers bring out their hockey sticks and start skating in their home field, what do you think happens to the hardwood floor that the Knicks were playing on just a couple of hours ago?

Well, get ready to be dazzled. The ice is hidden beneath the floor, allowing a quick transition, especially during the winter when the operation has to go smoother than ever. The staff does the transition from floor to ice and vice versa. 

If the Knicks are playing, there is ice underneath the wood. When the Rangers play, a hardwood floor is beneath the ice. When there is a basketball game in the Garden, the staff covers the ice with an insulated top, preventing any melting. 

The employees also hand-paint the blue zone lines and red circles on the ice. The transition in surfaces only takes two hours. 

Charity work 

The people behind Madison Square Garden like to give back to the community. In fact, over the years, they have raised some serious funds for charity. The Garden has managed to raise millions of dollars for people in need. They helped the people in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy. Even in the 70s, they managed to collect money for The Concert For Bangladesh together with George Harrison and helped the refugees from East Pakistan.

The ceiling 

There are plenty of reasons why the Garden is one of the most popular arenas in the world. The unique ceiling is definitely one of them. Madison Square Garden is the only arena with a concave ceiling in the world. When Charles Luckman designed the arena, he used a reverse dome ceiling made of sound-absorbent acoustic installation and perforated metal.

After the renovations, the ceiling was luckily preserved. The roof is supported by 48 bridge-like steel cables connecting to the tension ring in the center of the field. This allows each one of the 20,000 fans to have a great seat in the house and follow the game. 

Where Is Madison Square Garden Located? 

The MSG of today that we all know and love is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Midtown Manhattan on 31st to 33rd street between Seventh and Eighth avenue. This is just above the Pennsylvania Station. Here is an exact location –Madison Square Garden. 

The arena hosts several sporting events like boxing, wrestling, hockey, basketball, and more. 

The present arena is actually the fourth Madison Square Garden. Before this stadium, two different gardens in 1879 and 1890 were on East 26th street on Madison Square. The first one was just a railroad station that was converted. In 1891, the Garden was renovated and turned into a boxing gym when Stanford White decided to buy the place. The Garden was on 50th street at Eighth Avenue. 

The Best Way to Get to Madison Square Garden? 

There are three ways to get to the Garden with public transportation:

• Via subway
• Long Island Rail Road
• By a bus

If you are not in a hurry, all the suggestions should be valuable options. You can also use your vehicle and drive there. Later in our article, we will also discuss the nearest parking spots. 

Via subway 

Because the Garden is just above the Penn Station, you can take a route that will directly lead to the arena. The E trains go exactly to 34th street and Penn Station, as well as the 1 2 3 AC trains. 

Long Island Rail Road LIRR

The Long Island Rail Road also stops at Penn Station. Make sure to buy your tickets beforehand and check the schedule before going to the station. 

By a bus

M4, M10, M16, M34, and Q32 buses will lead directly to 7th Avenue, which is where the Penn Station is located. 

Fare comparison 

Transportation	Fare
Subway	$2.75
Long Island Rail Road	$5 – $28
Bus	$2.75

For more information about the venue and directions, you can visit the official website of the MSG. 

Parking Near Madison Square Garden 

Because the Garden is one of the most famous arenas and one of the most attractive locations for tourists, finding parking can be difficult. It’s always busy around the arena, whether for a sporting event or another occasion. 

Even though Madison Square Garden is New York’s landmark and one of the most visited arenas in history, unfortunately, there are no onsite parking spaces. 

If you decide not to take public transportation and use your vehicle, we have you covered. To save you the trouble and help you go to a game without getting frustrated about a parking spot, here are the nearest and cheapest parking places to the Garden. 

Address	Price	Distance from the Garden	Location
220 W 26th St- Valet	$19	0.4 miles	220 W 26th St
106 W 30th St	$25	0.4 miles	106 W 30th St
300 W 31st St- Valet	$30	0.2 miles	LAZ Parking Lot
116 W 32nd St- Valet	$40	0.3 miles	116 W 32nd St

As you can see, parking near the Garden is not that expensive. Something that is worth mentioning is that the parking on 220 W 36th Street is only available during the weekend. 

Parking tips 

Since this is New York City that we are talking about, the concrete jungle where dreams are made, you should always pre-book the parking spot in advance before going out. Most parking spots have websites or applications where you can make a quick reservation and, with just a few seconds and clicks, spare yourself from hours of frustration. 

The parking lots and garage near the Garden offer cheaper rates than one might expect. However, never leave your prized possessions in the car. There is always a chance that someone will try and snatch them. 

If you have a habit of leaving your gadgets like phones and laptops on the seat, you must break the cycle now and take them with you. Car-jackers in New York consider parking lots an easy target, and they can get in even in the most secure garages and lots. 

Also, keep an eye on traffic signs, and don’t randomly park wherever you feel like it. You should leave your car only in a spot that is specifically designed for parking. Lastly, don’t gamble with the parking meter. Try to move the car before the timer runs out. 

The Best Restaurants Near Madison Square Garden 

It doesn’t matter if you are a tourist or a proud New York citizen; walking through the middle of Midtown can make everyone hungry. There are plenty of restaurants, and the smell coming from all the places is just delicious. So, with too many restaurants, it can be tough to choose a dining spot. 

Also, as there are so many restaurants near Madison Square Garden that it can be quite an overwhelming feeling just to choose one place. That’s why we are here. We have compiled a list of the best restaurants near the garden to help you find a place to dine regardless of your preferences.

Name	Street	District	Location	Website	Specialty dish
Elmo	156 7th Ave	Chelsea	Elmo	Elmo – NYC	Burgers, seafood, and sandwiches
Kobeyaki	110 W 40th St	Garmen	Kobeyaki – Bryant Park	Kobeyaki	Sushi rolls, noodle bowls, and Asian-style burgers
The Landing	1 Penn Plaza	Garmen	The Landing	The Landing New York	Shrimp cocktail, pan-roasted salmon
Capizzi Pizza	547 9th Avenue	Hell’s Kitchen	Capizzi	Capizzi – NYC	Pizza and homemade desserts
Jajaja Mexicana	450 W 33rd Street	Hudson Yards	Jajaja Mexicana	Jajaja Mexicana	Chorizo Burrito

Or, if you’re wanting to eat at the arena, check out our guide to the food options available at Madison Square Garden.

The Best Bars Near Madison Square Garden 

Do you want to have a couple of drinks near the Garden before seeing Sam Smith in concert? 

The area around the MSG is just not focused on attracting tourists. In fact, there are plenty of welcoming places that you can visit every day for drinks.  

From pizza and whiskey to burgers and tequila shots, here are the best bars near the Garden. 

Name	Street	Location	Website	Specialty drink
Gallow Green	542 W 27th ST	Gallow Green	McKittrick Hotel	Cocktails
Haymaker Bar	252 W 29th St	Haymaker Bar and Kitchen	Haymaker Bar and Kitchen	Bees knees
Grace Street Coffee	17 W 32nd St	Grace Street Coffee & Desserts	Grace Street	Large tea selection
Pocha 32	15 W 32nd St	Pocha 32	Pocha 32	Watermelon soju
The Ginger Man	11 E 36th St	The Ginger Man	The Ginger Man	More than 150 beers to choose from

The Best Hotels Near Madison Square Garden 

If you want to prolong your stay and try many different foods and drinks around the Garden, you can stay in a nice hotel and enjoy all the great amenities. Here are the best hotels near the MSG.

Name	Street	Location	Website	Distance from MSG
Pendry Manhattan West	438 W 33rd St	Pendry Manhattan West	Midtown NYC	0.6 miles
Crowne Plaza HY36	320 W 36th ST	Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan	Crowne Plaza HY36	1.3 miles
Moxy NYC Time Square	485 7th Ave	Moxy NYC Times Square	Moxy NYC Time Square	0.7 miles
Fairfield Inn	325 W 33rd	Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station	Fairfield Inn	0.4 miles
Homewood Suites	312 W 37th St	Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square-South, NY	Homewood Suites	0.6 miles

The History of Madison Square Garden 

Madison Square Garden has been a celebrated center since it first opened its doors. The Garden has many names, but across the US, it is known as the “Coolest Arena”. With the help of the Rolling Stones, Billboard magazine has added another nickname to the mix – “The Venue of the Decade”. The stadium is designed for many purposes and brings all types of entertainment to people around the world. 

The greatest artists and athletes have all performed at the Garden at the pinnacle of their careers. The arena is now the home of the New York Knicks and Rangers but also hosts college basketball, special events, wrestling matches, concerts, and boxing matches. In 1971, at the Garden, Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in one of the greatest boxing matches of all time. 

At the Garden, Marilyn Monroe serenaded President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Also, Frank Sinatra’s most popular concert, named the “Main Event”, was also at the garden. When it first opened, Madison Square Garden was an engineering marvel way ahead of its time. 

Where to Get Tickets for Madison Square Garden? 

Sports fans buy tickets for any upcoming events at the MSG online. You should purchase the tickets before you travel because they run out quickly. To find the best seats in the arena for the best price, you must book them early before the season even starts. The demand for the Knicks and the Rangers is pretty high, so you have to decide fast or plan as soon as possible if you want to go. 

When it comes to tickets, there is another option. You can purchase the tickets at the stadium box office. Remember, the stadium tickets are more expensive, and you have to wait in line to get them. 

Does Madison Square Garden Offer Tours? 

The Madison Square Garden All Access Tour takes you around and inside the arena. To take the tour, you must have tickets. One ticket for an adult costs $35. You can reserve a ticket online and take the tour whenever you like. The All Access Tour allows you to 

• See the hallways filled with memorabilia
• Enter the lounges and suites
• Check out the locker rooms of the Kicks and Rangers
• See the arena from the press boxes 
• A very cool VR experience
• 10% discount on items from the shop

Summary

If you are planning a trip to New York, you should definitely visit Madison Square Garden. The arena is part of the Big Apple’s history and every sports fan’s dream. 

In our article, we discussed the Garden and the nearby restaurants, bars, and hotels. To get the full experience, you can get tickets for the All Access Tour and get a sneak peek at the locker rooms and halls filled with trophies.