grand central station walking tour

The Official Grand Central Terminal Tour

845 reviews

Why take this tour?

• Join the only official tour of Grand Central Terminal thanks to our exclusive relationship.
• Visit lesser-known areas of this famous building—from an old movie theater to the former office of a 1920s railroad tycoon—with an expert official guide.
• Hear the stories of historical characters like Cornelius Vanderbilt or Paul "Tick Tock" Kugler, who made Grand Central what it is today.
• Take an intimate look at the daily routine of one of the world’s biggest and busiest travel hubs.
• See all the major sites, including the Grand Central Market, Transit Museum, Grand Central Clock, Vanderbilt Hall, the Whispering Gallery, and the Main Concourse.
• Sites Visited
• Vanderbilt Hall
• Onassis Foyer and Commemorative Plaque
• Pershing Square and Tiffany Clock
• Campbell Apartment
• Dining Hall and waiting areas
• Police station
• Movie Theatre
• Lexington Avenue and Chrysler Building
• Grand Central Market
• The Celestial Ceiling
• Grand Central’s Famed Clock
• The New York Transit Museum Annex and Store
• Tour Includes
• Local English-speaking guide
• Official Grand Central Terminal walking tour

Discover a side of Grand Central Terminal that even the most frequent commuters never get to experience on an unforgettable tour.

Total customer reviews: 845, latest reviews.

Meeting Point

We will meet at the Tour Information Booth in the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal. If you are standing at the clock in the middle of the concourse, the Tour Information Booth is located just to right of the Harlem and Hudson Line Departures. 

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.   

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What to See and Do in Grand Central Terminal

This post is a guide to Grand Central Terminal, what you can see here, tours, dining, shopping, and secret locations. ( Guia en español )

All aboard!

• How to Get Here
• What to See
• Shopping and Dining
• Secrets of Grand Central
• Grand Central Station (or Terminal)?

WHERE IS GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL?

Grand Central Station is located at 42 nd Street and Park Avenue ( map ).   

It can be also accessed from Lexington Avenue on the East, Vanderbilt Avenue on the West and 46th Street on the North.

Getting there:

As one of the busiest subway and train hubs in the world, multiple subway lines serve the station. 

• 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains to station stop  Grand Central-42nd Street
• S shuttle train that runs between Times Square and Grand Central

If you are new to the NYC Subway, then be sure to read the following guides.

• How to Use the  Subway  
• Tips for Choosing the Best MetroCard

By bus: M42, M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, M4, and Q32 

TIP: Hop-on-hop-off buses all have stops very near Grand Central, so why not consider a tour bus as a fun means of transportation around the city, and hop-off to check out Grand Central along the way!

The subway 5:00 am - 2:00 am (the subways run to this stop 24 hours a day, but the terminal building itself closes for a few hours each morning.)

Practical Tips: 

If you need to store your luggage before departure or after arrival, check out these  options for luggage storage near the terminal as there are no longer lockers available.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its Midtown location, the terminal is located near several popular attractions, including:

• Empire State Building
• Times Square
• Bryant Park
• New York Public Library
• Rockefeller Center
• St. Patrick's Cathedral
• United Nations

WHAT TO SEE AT GRAND CENTRAL

Grand Central is one of the most beautiful structures in New York City. It is one of the very best locations for iconic New York City photograph y , so have your camera ready to go as you visit the sights below!

Start on the outside of the Terminal. Look all the way up to the top of the building where you will see a cluster of sculptures. 

This collection was designed by Jules Felix-Coutan and depicts Minerva, Mercury, and Hercules. 

This represents Wisdom, Speed, and Strength, according to Roman mythology.

When it was unveiled it was the largest sculpture grouping in the world and it was called “The Glory of Commerce.”   

Just beneath Mercury is the exterior clock of Grand Central. It is the largest piece of Tiffany glass in the world, measuring 14 feet in diameter.

This clock is also the only one that is a part of the station is set to the correct time, but more on that later!

Look for the eagles perched on the corner of the building.  These eagles actually adorned the previous Grand Central Station, which opened in 1869. 

These eagles have very lifelike and ferocious expressions on their faces.  This helps to keep pigeons away. 

The statue out in front is The Commodore or Cornelius Vanderbilt. The Commodore was the man that started it all by unifying the railroads at Grand Central Depot. 

The Vanderbilt family also built the current Grand Central Terminal.

Consider using our audio tour to guide you through the terminal.

Main Concourse

The Main Concourse is the center of activity in the terminal, with people rushing through the massive, 275 ft-long space trying to catch their trains. 

It is also one of the most beautiful train terminals in the world.

Plan to spend some time here and admire the splendor, though best to avoid during rush hours (8-9 am and 5-6 pm).

You may recognize the Main Concourse from dozens of films, from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest  to the animated film Madagascar .

Superhero fans will certainly recognize the terminal from the Avengers , Superman , and X-men . Check out our Superhero Tour of New York City .

The Ceiling 

This is probably the best-known part of Grand Central. It depicts the constellations of the zodiac.

Though it is beautiful, the ceiling is not astronomically correct. It is actually backward. 

This was pointed out by an astute commuter in 1913.

This error was explained away with the reason that it was painted to reflect the perspective of God looking down, in keeping with medieval artistic traditions. 

Many think that it was not intentional and that the sketch provided by Columbia astronomer Harold Jacoby for the painting of the ceiling was simply misread and done backward by careless painters.

The four-sided clock is possibly the most iconic feature of Grand Central. The clock has been a long-standing meeting spot for New Yorkers.  

The clock is made of brass and it is said that the clock faces are made out of precious opals and that the value of the clock is well over $10 million! 

Also, if you take a look at the clock and then a quick peek at your phone or watch, you will notice that the time on the Grand Central clock is a minute or so ahead.

This is on purpose and is consistent with every clock inside the station. The clock helps people to not be late for their trains and prevents safety hazards with people running for trains that are about to pull out of the station.

Some fun trivia: In the movie Madagascar , Melman the giraffe breaks the clock while the animals are in the station trying to catch a train to Connecticut.

Ceiling Smudge

look all the way over to Cancer the Crab in the northwest corner of the ceiling. Just past that, where the blue and white meet, there is a small blackish rectangle.  

That is just how filthy the original beautiful sky-blue ceiling had become after decades of accumulated tar and nicotine smoke.

There were a great many smokers among the nearly half-million people who passed through the terminal every day since its opening.

Over time the ceiling became coated with thick grime which was finally removed in 1998 when the terminal underwent a massive restoration spearheaded by Jackie Kenndey and other preservationists.

Workers got up on the scaffolding with buckets of soap and water and paintbrushes and cleaned away the years of build-up. 

The one spot was left as a reminder of how much work was done.

The missile was very big, so in order to not disturb pedestrian traffic flows, a hole was made in the ceiling so that the rocket could be suspended above the floor.

It was left as a testament to all of the different eras of history that Grand Central has seen.

Carvings of acorns and oak leaves 

Keep an eye out all throughout the station for carvings of acorns and oak leaves.  They are everywhere! 

That is because Cornelius Vanderbilt chose them as a family symbol. The family motto was “Great oaks from tiny acorns grow”. 

Vanderbilt was a self-made man and that symbolism resonated with him. There are carvings all over the Terminal; some large, some small. 

The easiest to spot are on the bottoms of the beautiful 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers, which have 110 light bulbs each! 

The Biltmore Room  

The Biltmore Room is also known as "The Kissing Room."  

In the height of train travel for long-distance trips, the famous 20th Century Limited train from the west coast arrived at the tracks next to the Biltmore Room.

Passengers, sometimes including movie stars and politicians, would exit the train and reunite with their loved ones in the Biltmore Room.  

There was much hugging and kissing, hence the nickname "The Kissing Room."  

While you are in here, check out the back wall. On it, you will see a chalkboard, a relic from the early days of Grand Central.  

Before automated boards, it was someone's job to sit there and hand-write the arrivals and departures on the chalkboard.  

This was no easy task because, in the heyday of Grand Central, there were over 550 departures every weekday.  (There are usually 286 today.) That's a lot to keep up with! 

The Whispering Gallery (right outside the Oyster Bar)

One of the most popular spots in the Terminal, the Whispering Gallery is often crowded with people who have their faces pressed into the corner. 

This relatively plain-looking space can do something amazing. 

The gallery transmits sound from corner to corner perfectly, so that you can have a conversation with a friend at the barest whisper and hear each other as though you were standing face to face. 

This architectural anomaly is caused by the precise arch of the ceiling and the tiled surface.  Don’t miss this!  Click here for a 45 second YouTube video demonstration .

For the most in-depth exploration of this building, sign up for one of our free Grand Central Tours ! If you are going to visit on your own, use this post as a guide.

GRAND CENTRAL STATION TOURS

This building is chock-full of amazing history, details, and quirks.  Whether you take a tour or explore on your own, do not miss this gem of NYC.

Free Tours by Foot audio tour with GPS , perfect for any time, day or night. A download is just $1.99. Below is a sample.

Free Tours by Foot also offers a two-hour tour of Grand Central  on Sundays at 10 am and sometimes at 1 pm.

The Grand Central Partnership offers a free (donations accepted) tour every Friday @ 12:30 pm.

The Municipal Arts Society offers daily at 12:30 pm, 75-minute tours of the terminal. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, students, children under 10, members of the military. Space is limited. 

TIP: If you have the New York Pass , the audio tour of Grand Central Terminal is included.

Not sure if a tourist pass is for you?  Then check out our post  Which New York Tourist Pass is Best?

What is the difference between Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Station?

The difference is that the commuter trains that service the suburbs of NYC start and terminate at Grand Central, thus it is a terminus for these trains (hence Grand Central Terminal).

Technically, there is also a station is for subway trains. These trains don't terminate here, they pass through (hence the name Grand Central Station).

Most people call the combined units Grand Central Station even though this is a misnomer.

Part of the confusion stems from the history of train use in this area. 

The first structure built there in 1871 was Grand Central Depot and was a hub for railroad lines that came through Manhattan.

As the use of railroads grew, the depot was demolished in 1899 and a larger structure was built.

It was called Grand Central Station as railroad lines passed through the site and did not necessarily terminate there.

Once railroads ceased servicing New York City, all railroad lines coming into the city terminated at the station, and the name of the structure changed to Grand Central Terminal.

HISTORY OF GRAND CENTRAL

The current Grand Central Terminal was opened on February 2, 1913.

Prior to the opening of this beautiful, Beaux-Arts building, there were two previous stations on this site: Grand Central Depot and Grand Central Station.

The previous buildings served to unite all of the existing rail lines in New York at the time and to bring them all under one roof. 

From 1903 to 1913, Grand Central Station was systematically torn down and the current Grand Central Terminal was built in its place. 

The architectural firms of Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore designed the massive granite building. 

The station was considered revolutionary in many ways. The station was electric, bi-level and the tracks were below ground. 

This novel scheme made for more efficient rail traffic and also opened up Park Avenue north of Grand Central, which had previously been covered by rail tracks. 

Over 150,000 people turned up to celebrate the opening day of Grand Central Terminal, and it had been drawing crowds ever since! 

SHOPPING AND DINING

What shops are at grand central terminal.

Grand Central Terminal (GCT) has a variety of shops that cater to both commuters and tourists.

Many shops sell upscale clothing, accessories, jewelry, and other items that appeal to tourists and also commuters from the wealthy suburbs.

You’ll find stores like Vince Camuto clothing, Jo Malone fragrances, and TUMI Luggage.

Other shops aren’t as fancy and sell practical items, including a pharmacy, several beauty supply shops, a nice wine store, and more.

Top 10 shops we think visitors to NYC will enjoy:

• Apple Store - shop, just recharge your phone and surf the web for free
• Banana Republic - men’s and women’s clothing
• Warby Parker - trendy and affordable eyeglasses
• PIQ  - designer toys, unique NYC items, clever books
• New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store - NYC souvenirs
• Swatch - fun and funky watches
• L’Occitane - France-based chain selling skincare, bath & hair products
• Li-Lac Chocolates handmade chocolates & other confections
• Papyrus - fanciful paper goods, accessories, and gifts
• Kidding Around Toys - independent toy shop with an educational slant

Save some money by taking advantage of the monthly deals and offers at the Grand Central shops and restaurants .

TIP: If you are here during the holiday seasons, visit the Grand Central Station Holiday Market .

Top 10 Places to Get Food

There are dozens of places to get food inside of Grand Central. Most are affordable and perfect for grabbing lunch or a snack.

Many are located in the Dining Concourse on the lower level of the terminal.

Here is a  map of the dining concourse and a directory of food shops .

• Prova Pizzabar
• Grand Central Market
• Doughnut Plant
• Murray’s Cheese
• Shake Shack
• Great Northern Food Hall
• Shiro of Japan
• Dishes At Home
• Magnolia Bakery (of Sex and The City cupcake fame!)

There are also some fine dining, like Cipriani Dolci, where you can dine on the second level balconies of the Grand Hall and watch as people pass through the terminal. 

The Oyster Bar

The famous Oyster Bar is the only business that remains from the very day that Grand Central opened in 1913. 

They offer one of the largest seafood menus in the city, with over 25 kinds of fish and over 30 different kinds of oysters. 

They just underwent a renovation, so stop by and check it out! 

While you are slurping oysters, be sure to look up and check out the beautiful Guastavino tile ceiling. 

The Oyster Bar is shown in the current opening of Saturday Night Live, as a background while they are introducing cast members.

Campbell Apartment Bar

Grand Central’s “hidden” bar can be accessed from the Vanderbilt Avenue side of the station.

Despite the name, it was never actually a residence. The Campbell Apartment was the private office of railroad executive John W. Campbell in the 1920s.

Campbell leased this large, 30ft by 60ft space from the Vanderbilt family. He then paid to have the place transformed into a 13 th century Florentine Palace. 

He had a safe built into a faux-fireplace and ordered a Persian rug that took up the entire floor. The rug alone cost $300,000 in the 1920s (as much as $3.5 million today!) 

Campbell also had a pipe organ installed and bought a grand piano for the office. 

In the evenings he used it as a private reception hall, entertaining up to 60 guests and hiring world-class musicians to come and play private recitals.  T

here was a permanent butler on staff named Stackhouse. 

After Campbell’s death in 1957, the office became a relic of a bygone era and became first a signalman’s office, then a storage space and then finally a small jail for the Transit Police. 

The Campbell Apartment was restored to its former glory in 1999 and opened as a bar. 

Drinks are not cheap, but it is a fantastic experience and truly feels as though you have stepped back in time.

SECRETS OF GRAND CENTRAL

M42   .

M42 is the most closely guarded secret of the station. The room is not shown on any map or blueprint and its existence was not even acknowledged for many years. 

It contains a massive converter that is responsible for all of the electricity in Grand Central, including the rail tracks.

It is such an important room that it was the target of an important German spy mission during World War II. 

Two German spies attempted to debilitate the rotary motors, which would have cut off the power grid. 

Because we moved troops by train in the 1940s, this would have halted troop movement on the Eastern Seaboard and would have been a major setback. 

The men were arrested before they could carry out their plan, and M42 is still a closely guarded secret.

Track 61, a part is Grand Central, is underneath the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. It can be reached by a private elevator car that goes directly from the Presidential Suite down to the platform. 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used it often because he disliked being seen in public in his wheelchair.

Using this platform made it possible for him to travel out of the public eye. 

In later years, the platform was a fashionable (if bizarre) event space. Andy Warhol held a party on the platform and a fashion show has been held there. 

Though it isn’t used regularly anymore it could technically be accessed from the Waldorf Astoria in the event of an emergency if someone needed to get out of New York quickly and discreetly.

Tennis Court 

Yes, you read that right!  There is a tennis court in Grand Central, added in the 1960s.

It is currently owned by Donald Trump and is called The Vanderbilt Tennis Club. 

Superstars such as the Williams sisters have played there. Technically it is open to the public, but most people would have a tough time getting a reservation!

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Grand Central Terminal Tour: Self-Guided Walk

Tour Details

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Welcome to the grand central terminal, nyc.

Did you know almost half of Manhattan’s population passes through Grand Central every day? This comprehensive self-guided walking tour in NYC uncovers the hidden secrets of this historic landmark, including the Sky Ceiling, Whispering Gallery, and iconic Information Booth & Clock.

Our New York city tours let you experience the city’s many wonders at your own pace. Do check our other New York city tours here .

About the Tour

This Grand Central Station walking tour begins just outside the terminal, on 42nd St. From here, you can admire the elegant entryway and learn about the statues that stand guard atop its grand entrance.

You’ll enter the station via Vanderbilt Hall, a beautiful space named for the station’s founders. Get the facts on the unbelievably wealthy Vanderbilt family and enter the Main Concourse, which you’ve seen in plenty of films and TV shows! This concourse is even more impressive in person, full of marble, crystal, and gold.

Next on this Grand Central Station walking tour, visit the famous clock and learn why it might just be worth $20 million! And did you know Grand Central practically invented time as we know it today? You’ll learn all about that while crossing the vast concourse.

Turn your eyes skyward next, toward the remarkable Sky Ceiling. Each constellation painted here carries a special meaning, and you’ll hear all about that as you trace the beautiful paintings from one end of the ceiling. Plus, learn about when NASA damaged the Main Concourse with a rocket!

After that, you’ll unpack the hidden symbolism within the extravagant chandeliers and find out how the station’s employees get from place to place without crossing the busy concourse.

Then, visit the often-overlooked Station Master’s Office and hear about how part of Grand Central was once almost torn down by developers. Finally, head to the lower levels to visit the strange and wonderful Whispering Gallery and the lavish Oyster Bar, where New York’s Roaring ’20s have been beautifully preserved. This New York walking tour concludes here.

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Where To Start?

Starting Point Address: 42 St – Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10017, USA

How Does It Work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Welcome/introduction.

Your tour of Grand Central Terminal begins just outside the terminal itself. This journey will take your through this enormous, historic station and introduce you to history and details most visitors never know about!

42nd Street Sculpture and Clock

Visible from outside the terminal, "The Glory of Commerce" sculpture stands proudly atop the roof of Grand Central Terminal. It depicts three figures from Roman mythology, each with a specific meaning. Directly beneath it is a clock made of Tiffany glass.

Vanderbilt Hall

Vanderbilt Hall is the first area you'll emerge into upon entering the station. It is named for the Vanderbilt family, who were behind the construction of Grand Central Terminal. Today, it's also home to the Great Northern Food Hall, full of all sorts of edible goodies.

Main Concourse Summary

The Main Concourse is simply breathtaking. A positively cavernous space with an impossibly high ceiling, buzzing with activity day and night. All the marble and gold trim harkens back to the Gilded Age, which you'll hear all about as you enter this impressive space.

The Information Booth & Clock

Some of Grand Central Terminal's coolest parts are also the most humble, such as the Information Booth within the Main Concourse. This booth hides a spiral staircase which allows clerks to move between floors, as well as to a secret break room. As for the famous clock, some claim its face is made from real opal!

The Ticket Windows

The ticket windows might not look like much, but if you look carefully you can spot subtle symbols alluding to the wealth and status of the Vanderbilts. Just keep your eyes open for acorns and oak leaves!

The Sky Ceiling

The Sky Ceiling is likely the terminal's most impressive feature. Painted a cerulean blue and decorated with an immense mural of the Zodiac constellations, this vaulted ceiling is unlike any other. As you follow the string of constellations, you'll hear all about the fascinating myths behind each and every one.

The Chandeliers

Weighing in at 2,500 pounds and illuminated by 150 bulbs, the chandeliers in Grand Central Terminal are no laughing matter. They're even more impressive if you consider that in 1913, when the terminal was constructed, electricity in buildings was still quite a new phenomenon!

The Walls of Glass

These staggeringly huge walls of glass aren't just for show. If you watch them closely, you'll see terminal employees walking along catwalks within those walls! These also have some really interesting World War II history which you'll discover.

The West Staircase

Crafted from pink marble and modeled after the staircases of the Paris Opera House, this is no ordinary staircase. In fact, it's more like a work of art that just so happens to also function as stairs!

The Station Master’s Office

Humble and unassuming, the Station Master's Office is the real heart of the terminal. This is where the Station Master and their assistants make sure all the trains run on time and nothing goes haywire.

The New York Transit Museum

This small museum is a lovely glimpse into the history of New York Transit. It features a fleet of old-fashioned train cars, maps of now-abandoned tunnels, and all sorts of fascinating odds and ends. If you're a train enthusiast, this is the perfect place for you.

Whispering Gallery

You might notice people clustered in the corners of the so-called Whispering Gallery. That's because, by a strange fluke of the architecture, words whispered into one corner can be heard clearly from the opposite corner. It's always good for a bit of fun, so don't be afraid to give it a try!

This astonishingly lavish bar dates back to the construction of the terminal. With its opulent, Gilded Age aesthetic, it's the perfect place to lounge in luxury. There's a reason The Oyster Bar has been featured in shows like Mad Men! As you continue toward the end of the tour, you'll also hear about a fire which nearly spelled the end of this historic establishment, as well as how it was saved.

Preview The Tour

  where does the tour start.

The tour typically starts just outside Grand Central Terminal, located on 42nd Street in New York City.

  What is the Grand Central Terminal Self-Guided Walking Tour?

It is a comprehensive tour of New York City’s historic Grand Central Terminal, where you will learn about its hidden secrets and iconic features.

  What are some of the notable attractions covered in this walking tour?

This walking tour covers Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, Main Concourse, $20 million clock, Sky Ceiling with symbolic stars, chandeliers, Station Master’s Office, etc.

  What are some interesting facts about Grand Central Terminal?

Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt family, opulent Main Concourse, Sky Ceiling constellation symbolism, famous clock, and NASA rocket damage are all covered in the tour.

  Where does the Grand Central Terminal walking tour conclude?

The walking tour typically concludes at the lavish Oyster Bar located in the lower levels of Grand Central Terminal.

  Are there other self-guided walking tours available for exploring New York City?

Yes, there are other self-guided walking tours available for exploring different parts of New York City. Visitors can choose from a variety of tours to discover the city’s history, culture, and hidden treasures at their own pace.

  What is the significance of Grand Central Terminal in New York City’s history?

Grand Central Terminal, a New York City transportation hub, is famous for its architecture and culture.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Nearby tours.

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Glorious Grand Central Revealed

Glorious grand central terminal: exploring a new york landmark, see an iconic train station in a whole new light.

Immediately recognizable as a masterpiece of beaux-arts design, Grand Central Terminal is one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. Beyond its stunning beauty, the train station was also the height of innovation when it opened in 1913. On this tour, you will learn about the people who were responsible for its design and creation as well as those who saved it from destruction.

When you take this tour, you’ll discover fascinating secrets, some of which are hidden in plain sight yet unnoticed by the millions that walk by every year. Come see how Grand Central Terminal is much more than just a “pretty face.”

Book the Grand Central tour now!

Tour Highlights

As you explore this stunning landmark, you will…

• Uncover the location where the birth of TV news took place
• Find out the origin of the famed red carpet tradition
• See remnants of an earlier version of the facility
• Experience the surprising whispering gallery
• Learn about the secret facility that powers the trains moving throughout the terminal
• Hear tales of a haunted cocktail lounge

Here is a review from a recent tour:

“Highest marks to tour guide Beth on Bowery Boys “Secrets of Glorious Grand Central” walking tour. Beth’s vast knowledge, extremely pleasant demeanor, and obviously genuine enthusiasm for the subject made for a wonderful and long-to-be-remembered outing.” – TripAdvisor

Check out a review of a recent private tour:

“Our tour was absolutely amazing! Beth was phenomenal and I cannot wait to take another tour and everyone in my group expressed the same sentiments.” -Kristin Frank

Walking Tour: 2 hours (we will send you the meeting place after you book)

Person – Walking Tour: $40.00 (Best suited for ages 12+) 

Book the tour now!

Private Tours available! Book a private walking tour or a live online experience that makes a fun socially distanced event for your family, organization, or group of friends. Click to learn more

Beth Goffe is a longtime Upper West Side resident and NYC licensed tour guide who makes a habit of collecting interesting and entertaining stories about her home neighborhood. 

Study up for our walking tour by listening to the Bowery Boys episode “The Rescue of Grand Central Terminal and read our interview with Beth .

Terry Tours NYC

[email protected]

917-509-0012

Grand Central Station Walking Tours

Our Grand Central Station tours are personalized to your time frame and special interests. One of our most popular tours for first-time visitors, the Grand Central Station walking tour brings you up close and personal with the iconic landmark. Discover hidden secrets and fascinating stories as your guide lets you in on the building’s lesser-known lore. If your time allows, we can also explore nearby attractions, such as the lobby of the famous Chrysler Building, the New York Public Library, and Bryant Park. As with most of our tours, our Grand Central Station walking tour can include lunch for an additional fee.

History of the Grand Central Station

Grand Central Terminal, previously Grand Central Station, is a stunning Beaux-Arts building that has impressed visitors with its dramatic architecture and presence for over 100 years. From the Whispering Gallery to the Campbell Apartment and the Clock and Information Booth, Terry Tours NYC covers virtually everything you can think of. Soak in the breathtaking ceiling mural, four-sided clock, and other architectural feats. We’ll even teach you about the ceiling smudge, the black circle, and so much more.

From 1903 until 1913, Grand Central Station was systematically dismantled and replaced by Grand Central Terminal. Grand Central Terminal opened to the public on February 2, 1913. Made from granite, this building was revolutionary in the fact that it featured electricity, had multiple levels, and underground tracks. Find out why 150,000 people flocked to this landmark when it opened and still continue to do so to this very day.

We price our tours per hour rather than per person.

1 Hour Tour:   $95.00

2 Hour Tour: $175.00

To schedule your Grand Central Station tour, call us at 917-509-0012 or email us at [email protected] . If you’d like to try us out first, take advantage of our sample tours.

Grand Central Station Secrets: Guided Walking Tour

⭐ Grand Central Station Secrets: Guided Walking Tour offers the opportunity to uncover the secrets and hidden features of Grand Central Terminal!

Tickets for   Grand Central Station Secrets: Guided Walking Tour, New York 🎫 Adult (13+) 🎫 Child (4-12)

Highlights 🔎 Explore the roots and past of Grand Central Terminal 🕵️‍♀️ Reveal the secret traits and distinctive plan of the railway hub 👪 Appropriate for all generations, and youngsters under four years can join for zero cost!

General Info 📅 Date and time: various dates and times are available. Choose upon purchase. 📍 Location: Go City: New York passes ⏳ Duration: 90 minutes ♿ Accessibility: this experience is wheelchair accessible ❗ For this event, all sales are final and tickets can’t be refunded, changed, or modified. For more information, please refer to our T&Cs

Description Get ready to uncover the mysteries of Grand Central Terminal with a pro guide! You'll get an inside look into its history and hidden features that will blow your mind! The tour is perfect for anyone with a duration of 1:30:00, and even better, it's wheelchair accessible and free for kids under 4! Meet us at Track 29, ready to explore the main atrium like never before. Don't forget to bring your smartphone ticket for check-in!

Getting there

825 8th Ave, NY

825 8th Ave, between 49th Street and 50th Street, 10019

Select date and session

No booking fees

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The Grand Tour

Quote Text Step out of Midtown's rush and take some time to explore our neighborhood's iconic towers and hidden nooks. Tours

Important Notice

The grand tour is suspended until further notice..

As an alternative, consider taking the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour . 

Suspended until Further Notice

In the atrium at 120 Park Avenue

The Grand Central Partnership offers a  free, weekly, no-reservations-required, award-winning walking tour of the Grand Central neighborhood , that provides a survey of many of the architecturally and historically significant sights – among them the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, itself and Pershing Square – that fall within the  boundaries of our business improvement district .

Come discover the architecture and social history of Midtown East with urban historians  Peter Laskowich  and Madeleine Levi. Participants on this  90-minute guided walking tour  will learn the secrets of the Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal; gaze upon the hubcaps and the roadsters on the side of the Chrysler Building; discover the favorite Midtown Manhattan hangout of Mercury, Hercules, and Minerva; learn why Pershing Square isn’t really square; circle the globe in a matter of seconds like Superman; and visit the original Lincoln Memorial by Daniel Chester French. It’s all right here in the heart of Midtown Manhattan!

Join The Grand Tour and experience familiar Midtown East landmarks like Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the News Building – through new eyes. The AAA Guide to New York rated  The Grand Tour  as New York City’s “Best Walking Tour.”

The Grand Tour meets  each and   EVERY  Friday  throughout the year  at 12:30 pm in the atrium at 120 Park Avenue, located at the southwest corner of East 42nd Street and Park Avenue directly across from Grand Central Terminal.  Again, no reservations are necessary.

If you’d like to take a tour of Grand Central Terminal, exclusively, there are number of options available via the Grand Central Terminal website, including an audio tour and a daily guided tour led by the Municipal Arts Society. For more information on either option, as well as additional group tour options,  click here .

Note:  Tours of the “behind-the-scenes” areas of Grand Central Terminal are not offered by our organization and are only rarely offered/authorized by the MTA.

For any additional information and questions, please contact  [email protected] .

Tour Details

Suspended until further notice

Running Time

Tour length varies according to the different content the tour guides include each week, but tours generally run from 90 minutes to two+ hours.

Meeting Point

Meet in the street-level atrium at 120 Park Avenue, located at the southwest corner of East 42nd St and Park Ave directly across from Grand Central Terminal.

All tours are FREE and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. If you would like to join with a group of six or more, please contact us at [email protected] for assistance.

GCP encourages questions, feedback and suggestions from our local stakeholders and visitors alike. Please don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can assist.

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Main Office

• 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 601
• New York, NY 10168

© 2020 Grand Central Partnership. All rights reserved.

Here's how to get tickets to Michigan Central's grand reopening celebration

The historic Michigan Central Station will reopen to the public on June 6, and Michigan Central organizers announced details for the celebration and how people can get free tickets and tours.

According to Michigan Central, the "Michigan Central OPEN" celebration on June 6 will open with a 90-minute outdoor concert in front of the station headlined by well-known Detroit musical artists. The lineup has not yet been announced.

VIDEO: Watch more details about Michigan Central's celebration below:

It will also show short films, appearances by local leaders and creators from around the state.

Starting June 7-16, Michigan Central will host an OPEN House, giving people a first look inside the station's historic ground floor with a range of exhibits, entertainment, art and more.

Registration for OPEN Live and OPEN House will begin online at michigancentral.com on May 17 for neighbors surrounding Michigan Central Station, and on May 21 for the general public.

VIDEO: Meet the father-daughter duo helping to restore Michigan Central:

After its reopening event, the station will begin a phased-in reactivation of the building over the next several months as they add more restaurant, retail and other building tenants and partners.

According to organizers, the first floor will be open for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through August. Expanded hours will be announced in the fall when the first phase of commercial activations open to the public.

Ford acquired the historic building in 2018 and began a years-long restoration and rehabilitation project.

“I am truly excited to share the historic Michigan Central Station restoration with the entire Detroit community and beyond," said Bill Ford, executive chair of Ford. "This is a milestone we can all celebrate. Michigan Central Station was once a symbol of Detroit’s decline, and now it is going to represent its renewal and bright future. This monumental project has taken more than 1.7 million hours of work and reflects Ford's dedication to the community, Detroit's role in shaping the future of mobility, and the opportunities that our city, state, and region continue to offer.”

The station opened in 1913 and once considered one of the best train depots in the U.S., serving more than 4,000 passengers a day at its peak. It closed in 1988 and remained vacant until Ford purchased the property in 2018.

Officials say over the past six years, more than 3,100 skilled trade workers have worked over 1.7 million combined hours to restore the building.

When it's complete, it will include 640,000 square feet of retail, hospitality, community, and office spaces as part of Ford's innovation hub in Corktown.

“At Michigan Central, we’re harnessing Detroit’s long-standing leadership in mobility and economic innovation to create a thriving, global destination for accelerating bold ideas and new solutions that shape our shared future,” said Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. “At the heart of this is The Station, an iconic building that now serves not just as a reminder of our city’s history, but a powerful catalyst for growth and opportunity.”

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News & Reviews News Wire Concert, 10-day open house to mark Michigan Central Station grand opening

Concert, 10-day open house to mark Michigan Central Station grand opening

Performer to be announced this week for June 6 event

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DETROIT — A 90-minute concert to be livestreamed globally and 10 days of open-house tours are on tap for the grand opening of the renovated Michigan Central Station, officials said in plans outlined for the Detroit City Council last week.

The concert will be held June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Roosevelt Park in front of the station, Michigan Central CEO Josh Sirefman told the council. The Detroit Free Press reports the artist is set to be announced this Tuesday, May 7; advance registration will be required for the 15,000 attendees, with priority given to residents of nearby residents.

Following the opening concert, open-house tours of the building — to become the center of a technology campus — will run through June 16. The Michigan Chronicle reports the open house will welcome up to 60,000 visitors, with additional tours offered Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31 with preregistration.

Renovation of the 13-story building has been underway since Ford Motor Co. purchased the building in 2018 for $90 million; the company said it planned to spend $740 million on restoring the structure and surrounding area.

More information on the facility is available at the Michigan Central website , which will also include additional details on the upcoming events as they become available.

9 thoughts on “ Concert, 10-day open house to mark Michigan Central Station grand opening ”

Recommend that we visit while we can. Not sure this effort will be long lasting.

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. The negative Nancys come out. You were first this time. Well played. But of course Charles Landey had to weigh in with more negativity.

Do any of you have anything good to say about anything?

So, Michael, it’s negative for me to say Ford made a horrible investment (supported of course, by all sorts of corporate welfare from the taxpayers). I guess you think the truth is negative.

It’s also true that the Michigan Central Railroad (New York Central System) never needed the office tower of that size.

I’ll be positive. The rebuilt Michigan Central campus is a wonderful thing for the neighborhood (Corktown and nearby Mexican Town), but not for Ford stockholders. I’ll also be positive and state that Detroit is a great city. Within Detroit, Corktown and Mexican Town are among the most promising neighborhoods, along with such other great neighborhoods such as North Rosedale or Six Mile/ Woodward or Seven Mile/ Livernois.

Detroit beats anything in California’s, Oregon’s and Washington State’s bigger cities, hands down. How’s that for positive? I’ve seen a lot of this nation. The up-and-coming city in this nation is Detroit, Michigan. It’s among the best-governed major cities in America.

“with priority given to residents of nearby residents.” Just a small typo there.

You can love this building, you can celebrate its resurrection, you can jump for joy at the railroad heritage being saved, you can call it a triumph of architectural renewal, and all that stuff. What you can’t do is explain what’s in it for FoMoCo, what the Ford family gets for the investment. For all this money, Ford ends up in three places, the Glass House headquarters on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, this new Michigan Central technology campus on Michigan Avenue in Detroit, and the traditional engineering/ prototype campus in Dearborn/ Allen Park.

If Ford can’t design a reliable car in Dearborn/ Allen Park, it won’t have any better luck at Michigan Central in Detroit.

I’m no fan of the management of GM (“Government Motors”), but even GM is wise enough to reduce its real estate portfolio by walking away from the RenCen on the Detroit riverfront.

Consider this irony: Detroit ends up saving Michigan Central, a too-big, poorly located obsolete megastructure that the New York Central Railroad should have built much smaller, while at the same time the city has no idea what to do with the much newer, better located RenCen megastructure.

Stay positive Charles. You can’t criticize all the public dollars being invested in CalHSR and then turn around and criticize the private dollars going to Michigan Central.

As for “what is in it for FoMoCo?”

I am sure the project and the facility were all set up under an educational non for profit by Ford so they (and other contributors) could maximize their tax writeoffs.

JOHN — I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll see that NOTHING gets built in Detroit without substantial public financing, not even a McDonald’s let alone a billion dollar project.

Michigan Central is the THIRD example of megastructure “edifice complex” in Detroit. The first was Michigan Central’s (New Yok Central System) 1910-1913 train station in Detroit with an office tower that the railroad didn’t need.

The second was the RenCen, built under the leadership of Hank The Duece (Henry Ford II) in the 1970’s. An embarrassing 1970’s architectural bomb, later picked up by GM for its HQ, and now GM is walking away. If anyway rents or buys RenCen space, it will be at a fire sale price.

The third and most recent example of “edifice complex” is FoMoCo rehabilitating Michigan Central at colossal expense, an obsolete train station and office tower, duplicating much newer tech space that Ford is tearing down in Dearborn and Allen Park.

Look where GM is “walking away” too. Hudsons Tower, where they will lease the two top floors and the street level will be a showroom. A development by Rock Ventures founded by Mr. Dominos, Dan Gilbert. More private capital flowing into Detroit. More Class A office space with adjoining hotels. GM’s lease in RenCen had shrunk considerably over the years. Their exit is not as big of a deal as one thinks.

Michigan Central appears to be focused differently. Old building, old neighborhood. Tech centric education. And yes, the City of Detroit probably had to fix the sewers and water system and repave some streets. But now it makes the adjoining properties more desirable for residential and urban living.

If you think the MC is bad private investment, that is your opinion, but if you think its bad public policy, I think you are posting in the wrong website.

Regarding your last paragraph, John. Good public policy for Detroit, terrible investment for Ford.

How many cars does Ford need to sell to build out work space for one engineer or one techie in the new bilding.

No question Detroit is an up-and-coming city. But as I started early this morning, What’s in it for Ford?

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Open house, concert planned for Michigan Central Station reopening: How to get tickets

Corktown neighbors get first dibs on registration.

Ken Haddad , Digital Managing Editor

The historic Michigan Central Station is reopening in June, and a series of community-events are planned to help celebrate.

Ford Motor Company has been restoring the old Detroit train depot for the last six years. Now, with plans to open the building on June 6, 2024, residents will get the chance to mark the reopening with free events.

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The 11-day celebration includes an outdoor concert, open house hours and more. Here’s what’s planned and how to register.

Michigan Central OPEN Celebration

On June 6, Michigan Central will kick off the festivities with Michigan Central OPEN Live , a 90-minute outdoor concert in front of The Station headlined by well-known Detroit musical artists. We aren’t sure who the artists will be.

The show will feature short films, appearances by local leaders, and creators telling stories of innovation and culture from around the city and the region.

From June 7-16, Michigan Central will host its OPEN House , offering a first look inside the Station’s historic ground floor through a range of exhibits, entertainment, art, and more.

Michigan Central’s art program will also bring art installations, including a new iteration of Reddymade’s me + you, a critically acclaimed interactive sculpture specifically for Michigan Central.

After its reopening event in June, The Station will begin a phased reactivation of the building over the next several months and years as restaurant, retail, and other commercial and community-focused partners take up residency. The first floor will be open to the public for tours on Fridays and Saturdays through August. Expanded hours will be announced for fall, when the first phase of commercial activations opens to the public.

Tickets: Registration for OPEN Live and OPEN House will begin online at michigancentral.com on May 17 for neighbors surrounding The Station, and on May 21 for the general public.

Michigan Central Station closed in 1988 and was bought by Ford in 2018.

---> Related: Workers find 108-year-old letter in a bottle while renovating Michigan Central Station

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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Top Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Must-See Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

2. Statue of Lenin

3. Park of Culture and Leisure

4. museum and exhibition center.

5. Museum of Labor Glory

7. Galereya Kino

8. viki cinema, 9. smokygrove.

10. Gandikap

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.

• Statue of Lenin
• Electrostal History and Art Museum
• Park of Culture and Leisure
• Museum and Exhibition Center
• Museum of Labor Glory

Electrostal History and Art Museum - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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