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New York, New York: Wooden Escalators

Ascend and descend on the same conveyance used by Macy's shoppers over a century ago. Huzzah!

Address:
151 W. 34th St., New York, NY
Directions:
W. 34th St. and Broadway.
Hours:
Daily 10 am - 9:30 pm. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Free
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Visitor Tips and News About Wooden Escalators

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Wooden Escalators

Still in great shape! The best part is the noise they make. Classic!

[JaybeeYell, 12/13/2023]
Wooden Escalators

They are working and looking great. I asked an employee where they were located and found them easily. They looked very well kept and were being used. Between them at the bottom is one of those big pianos you can walk on!

[Casaflamingo, 05/20/2017]

Wooden escalators.

Wooden Escalators

As of December 2015 they are still very much in use! I was really quite excited about this. They're very cool looking and go all the way up all eight floors of this ginormous store.

[Stephanie Hill, 12/23/2015]

October 2016: Photo added.

Wooden escalator.

Wooden Escalator

Inside Macy's department store. Said to be the first modern day escalator in the world. I personally have never seen a wooden one before, so it was quite interesting. Supposedly it has been in operation since 1902.

[David, 03/08/2012]

There seems to be a few earlier claimants to "first," but Macy's are among only a few surviving from that era. The wooden escalators are beloved, but occasionally threatened with retirement after some turn-of-the-century mishap.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Misleading Movie PlaqueMisleading Movie Plaque, New York, NY - < 1 mi.
Famous Pipes - Keens SteakhouseFamous Pipes - Keens Steakhouse, New York, NY - < 1 mi.
Empire State Building MuseumEmpire State Building Museum, New York, NY - < 1 mi.
In the region:
High Bridge, New York, NY - 7 mi.

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