The Armory: A Visitor's Guide

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

New Balance Nationals Indoor will light up the world's busiest indoor track this weekend and bring people to The Armory for the first time.  

As the meet marches through its three-day schedule, the building will throb with an energetic blur of motion and music. In the middle of it all will be a highly organized meet that has become a launch pad for some of the brightest stars of American track and field. 

For the first-time visitor, it can be disorienting. 

Here is a primer for accessing what is officially The New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory with some additional tips for getting around the neighborhood, which is Washington Heights.  

First, a little bit of history 

Track and field has taken place inside the drill shed of the 168th Street Armory in upper Manhattan for 103 years.

At the time it was built, the building sat across the street from Hilltop Park, the home of the New York Highlanders of the American League. The Highlanders became the Yankees and moved to the Bronx in 1913.

The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and one of the reasons – among its many neo-classical architectural touches -- is the beautiful vaulted lobby constructed with Guastavino tile.

Throughout its history, The Armory has been a hub of activity in New York City’s indoor track scene. But only in the past 20 years or so has the building been revitalized to become one of the pillars of the sport nationally. There are nearly 100 track meets during the season, from youth meets to adult all-comers meets to college conference championships to the NYRR Millrose Games. On busy weekends, there are sometimes two or three meets in a single day.  On days with no meet, there is usually a practice session going on or some other event. 

Dr.  Norbert Sander rescued the crumbling building in the early 1990s and restored it to its track and field roots. Sander, who is the only New York resident to win the New York City Marathon, ran at The Armory in high school for Fordham Prep, when the wooden, splintered track was 11 laps to the mile. Although the building is owned by the City of New York, Dr. Sander is the President and CEO of the Armory Foundation, which is the non-profit that operates the building.  

Getting Around

Upon entering the lobby, you will be directed to check in. That's located to the left, in the "Millrose Room." Backpack pickup is also on this floor.

Going up the stairs, the second floor has a couple of key features: Two men's bathrooms and one women's bathroom are located along the south side (168th St) hallway. There are two hallways on the second floor that serve as warm-up areas, connected by a passageway in between. New Balance is setting up a temporary photo booth/lounge area on the second floor, in the "Marathon Room."

The track is on the third floor. This is also where two additional women's bathrooms are located. And the Victory Lane Cafe is here as well. At certain times of the weekend, this area will get very crowded. It's also where the DJ sets up and impromptu dance parties happen. 

To find a seat, go to the fourth floor. There are vending machines up there as well as another concession stand. 

Warming Up 

The two hallways on the second floor have a Mondo surface (just like the third floor) and are available to practice block starts and hand-offs, although they can get choked up with traffic. Always pay attention in the hallways because someone is usually trying to sprint in the gray lanes. Many athletes choose to go outside and run around the block, especially the distance runners. It's a long block, about half a mile around, and it's convenient. It can get congested, however. 

A better place to run is the block to the north of the Armory. The sidewalk on 170th is wider and has fewer hazards. 

For longer runs, go up Fort Washington to 181st. Or jog past the Columbia-Presbyterian hospital to 165th and go down to Riverside Drive.  

Connecting with History 

Take a moment to soak in the history of the sport. The staircases are lined with records that have been set at The Armory and New Balance Nationals is one of the meets that always seems to produce new records. Two display cases on the third floor show off some of the USATF Hall of Fame artifacts in The Armory's collection. These items include an Oregon jersey worn by the late Steve Prefontaine, a Tigerbelles top worm by Wilma Rudolph and Rafer Johnson’s 1960 Olympic Games warmup jacket. The Armory records board is typically a popular spot to take photos.  

Getting To The Armory 

If you are staying in the heart of New York City, the subway stop at 168th street is as convenient as it gets. The 1 train is the "local" and makes more stops than the A train, which is "express," from Midtown. The good news is that they both stop at 168th and the entrance to The Armory is only a block away, to the west.

Many people stay across the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey and use buses, vans or cars to go back and forth. Parking can be a challenge so plan ahead if you expect to drive.

Eating Out 

Outside food is not allowed in the building, mostly because it creates a lot of trash. The concession stands are a primary option at the meet. If you want to go out and eat somewhere else, there are lots of choices within a couple of blocks of The Armory. 

Food carts out on the sidewalk for things like coffee, bagels, muffins, hot dogs, or halal (aka 'street meat'). 

There is a Subway on the corner of 169th and Fort Washington. But the best sandwiches in the neighborhood are at Tasty Deli over on Broadway at 169th. There are dozens of options and they are all amazing. 

A newcomer this year is Burger Heights, a block further east, on 169th and Audubon. It's good stuff, comparable in some respects to Shake Shack. 

If you want pizza, there are several options. Koronet between 172nd and 173rd on Broadway has slices that are as big as your head for $3. It's probably the best food value in the entire city. Como's pizza is regarded as the best in the neighborhood. It's tucked in between 169th and 170th. Across Broadway is La Famigilia, which is good for carbo loading. 

If you want a post-meet sit-down place, Coogan's on Broadway is something every track fan should see. It's a landmark and it's a track and field shrine and it's the go-to spot for a post-meet hang out. And at night on the weekends, there is karaoke. 

There is a Chipotle next to Coogan's that is almost always busy.

The Thai place on 169th, Tung Thong, is very good but it's small and there aren't many tables. Jade Garden, the Chinese place around the corner, has also upgraded since last year and is very reliable. Here's a verified lunch tip: At 170th is a Domincan-Chinese place called La Dinastia. Get the boneless chicken. Washington Heights is a Dominican neighborhood. There are many businesses in the neighborhood where Spanish is spoken first and foremost. 

For barbecue, head down Broadway two blocks to Dallas BBQ (east side of the street). 

New this year is a combination Barnes&Noble/Columbia University Bookstore one block west of The Armory. Health food snacks are available between 170th and 171st at Cherry Tree and you can find top of the line salad and smoothie options there. 

Taking In The Sights

If you are looking to do a little bit of sightseeing during your stay in Washington Heights, check out The Cloisters, which is part of the Metropolitan Muesum of Art. The museum houses a collection of art, architecture and artifacts from medieval Europe. It is located in Fort Tryon Park a few bus stops north of The Armory. 

Also, the X Cafe near 165th and Broadway nearly marks the exact spot where civil rights icon Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965. The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center is next door. 

ATM Machines

If you need to access your bank, there are a couple of nearby ATM machines. There is a Citi Bank ATM inside the hospital doors on 168th street near the intersection with Fort Washington Ave. And there is an BoA ATM machine at the entrance to Starbucks at 168th/Broadway.