Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most people ride the New York City subway to get somewhere.
We’re riding it to see the art.
On this episode of PhotowalksTV, I take you underground to explore what may be the most overlooked art museum in the world — the New York City subway system. From massive mosaic portraits to historic tile work dating back to 1904, this is a photo walk through Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens that will completely change the way you see the subway.
We explore:
• 72nd Street (Q Line modern mosaics)
• 86th Street’s Chuck Close portraits
• 81st Street at the Natural History Museum
• Columbus Circle, Times Square & 14th Street
• The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn
• Queensboro Plaza skyline views
• Smith & 9th Street — the tallest subway station in the world
• A rare glimpse of Old City Hall station
Plus — some classic Brooklyn pizza to finish the walk. 🍕
As always, this entire episode was filmed on a smartphone — the same kind you already have in your pocket.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 Welcome to the Secret Subway Art Museum
0:37 Why the NYC Subway Is an Art Treasure
1:49 72nd Street & The Modern Mosaic Masterpiece
4:09 86th Street: Chuck Close Portraits
5:42 81st Street & Classic NYC Tile Art
6:34 The Brooklyn Transit Museum
9:24 Sneaking a Glimpse of Old City Hall
11:32 Elevated Stations & Skyline Views
14:19 Smith & 9th Street: The Tallest Subway Station
17:53 Photo Tips: Motion Blur & Telephoto Tricks
21:23 Wrap-Up & Where Next?
🔔 Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
Thank yous:
Best Western Premier Empire State Hotel: bestwestern.com/en_US/book/new-york/hotel-rooms/best-western-premier-empire-state-hotel/propertyCode.33183.html
New York Transit Museum: nytransitmuseum.org
New York Historical Tours: newyorkhistoricaltours.com
Table 87 in Brooklyn: table87.com
Jez Graham and Victor Bisetti for the great music!
jezgraham.com
🔗 Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
👉Facebook: facebook.com/PhotowalksTV
👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
✅ For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
=============================
=================================
#NYCSubway
#NewYorkCity
#StreetPhotography
#iPhonePhotography
#MobilePhotography
#TravelPhotography
#HiddenNYC
#NYCArt
#SubwayArt
#Photowalks
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
Most people ride the New York City subway to get somewhere.
We’re riding it to see the art.
On this episode of PhotowalksTV, I take you underground to explore what may be the most overlooked art museum in the world — the New York City subway system. From massive mosaic portraits to historic tile work dating back to 1904, this is a photo walk through Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens that will completely change the way you see the subway.
We explore:
• 72nd Street (Q Line modern mosaics)
• 86th Street’s Chuck Close portraits
• 81st Street at the Natural History Museum
• Columbus Circle, Times Square & 14th Street
• The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn
• Queensboro Plaza skyline views
• Smith & 9th Street — the tallest subway station in the world
• A rare glimpse of Old City Hall station
Plus — some classic Brooklyn pizza to finish the walk. 🍕
As always, this entire episode was filmed on a smartphone — the same kind you already have in your pocket.
⏱ Chapters
0:00 Welcome to the Secret Subway Art Museum
0:37 Why the NYC Subway Is an Art Treasure
1:49 72nd Street & The Modern Mosaic Masterpiece
4:09 86th Street: Chuck Close Portraits
5:42 81st Street & Classic NYC Tile Art
6:34 The Brooklyn Transit Museum
9:24 Sneaking a Glimpse of Old City Hall
11:32 Elevated Stations & Skyline Views
14:19 Smith & 9th Street: The Tallest Subway Station
17:53 Photo Tips: Motion Blur & Telephoto Tricks
21:23 Wrap-Up & Where Next?
🔔 Explore the world through our lens on PhotoWalksTV! Subscribe now for breathtaking journeys and photography tips.: youtube.com/@PhotowalksTV/?sub_confirmation=1
Thank yous:
Best Western Premier Empire State Hotel: bestwestern.com/en_US/book/new-york/hotel-rooms/best-western-premier-empire-state-hotel/propertyCode.33183.html
New York Transit Museum: nytransitmuseum.org
New York Historical Tours: newyorkhistoricaltours.com
Table 87 in Brooklyn: table87.com
Jez Graham and Victor Bisetti for the great music!
jezgraham.com
🔗 Stay Connected With PhotowalksTV.
👉PhotowalksTV newsletter: photowalksTV.com
👉Website: jeffersongraham.com
👉Facebook: facebook.com/PhotowalksTV
👉Instagram: instagram.com/photowalkstv
✅ For Business Inquiries: photowalkstv@gmail.com
=============================
=================================
#NYCSubway
#NewYorkCity
#StreetPhotography
#iPhonePhotography
#MobilePhotography
#TravelPhotography
#HiddenNYC
#NYCArt
#SubwayArt
#Photowalks
⚠️DISCLAIMER: I do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of watching any of my publications. You acknowledge that you use the information I provide at your own risk. Do your own research.
Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of PhotowalksTV. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to our YouTube channel is provided.
© PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
