Grand Central Terminal is the world's largest and busiest transportation building, occupying 49 acres and servicing more than 426,000 commuters on a daily basis. The main entrance to the station is located at East 42nd Street at Park Avenue, and is easy to locate. Tours are available for free on Wednesday afternoons (12:30 p.m. in front of the Whitney Museum across the street from the station), but this is really less of an exhibit and more of a utility for New York's many, many commuters - a renowned attraction nonetheless.
The terminal was officially opened in 1913 and, after a massive $300 million renovation its façade, has been restored to above and beyond that of the original. Its dramatic Beaux Arts-style architecture is made even more striking by three 75-foot arched windows, which are separated by colossal fluted columns.
Doors on Vanderbilt Avenue and on 42nd Street lead into the main concourse, an immense amphitheater of sorts, dominated by a ceiling map of the constellations, as well as restaurants situated on the balconies that overlook the main pedestrian promenade. Underground, more than 60 tracks usher trains upstate and to Connecticut through the services of the MetroNorth Commuter Rail.
Grand Central Terminal's modern dining concourse offers more than 24 food vendors, in addition to the aforementioned balcony-level restaurants. Among them is a relatively new Michael Jordan's Steakhouse. A highlight of the underground area is the Grand Central Market, offering a variety of fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, and other such fare in a market-type atmosphere.
If you have a destination in mind, by all means take advantage of one of the most efficient and beautiful terminals in the world.
Savvy
visitors are finding out what native New Yorkers already know: You don’t
have to spend a fortune to enjoy New York. The city is bursting with
hundreds of no-cost and low-cost pleasures that include concerts, plays,
museum exhibitions and tours throughout all five boroughs......more
Fifteen minutes in the car will get you to the Disney, the happiest place on
earth. If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing in Orlando. The
Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel is a good choice due to its proximity to tourist
attractions.
