Secrets of Grand Central Station | New York City

Who does not know the train station in Manhattan? How many people know all the little surprises that hide within it? With this little virtual tour we will reveal how to discover the best. First place since hitting from the outside, you arrive from 5th Ave, 3rd Ave or you travel from Park Ave in length. You will be in awe. Grand Central does not have the features of a classic railway junction but has kept its Beaux-Art. Although in the past there have been proposals for modernization they were promptly blocked. People are sure to protect it and give it the recognition of the historic site. Still holding records and accolades such as being the largest station in the world by number of platforms, with 67 tracks and being at the sixth place among the most visited attractions in the world according to a Travel Blog.

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station

Its architectural structure has revolutionized and inspired the later buildings, starting with the arrival and departure system for passengers, divided on two different levels, then repeating pattern in all airports. It also affects how Park Ave “hugs” Grand Central around it, giving it extra strength and impact. The remarkable group of sculptures that adorns the facade was considered at the time as uncovering the biggest collection of sculptures in the world and the central clock is still the largest example of Tiffany glass.

Grand Central Station Terminal

Grand Central Station Sky

From any port you enter the visual impact is assured even if the greater effect is obtained with the input from the 42nd St which leads to cross Vanderbilt Hall, the oldest waiting area today used for events. The first visit to Grand Central Terminal is a series of surprises. This huge open space is perpetually crowded. Perhaps the only point at which we become truly aware of being in one of the most important railway hubs of the city. You immediately recognize one of the main icons: the clock with four faces of the central information point. Each of the four faces is opal and has been estimated worth between 10 and 20 million dollars. Be sure to turn up your eyes so you can admire the ceiling completely painted by the sky that adorns Main Concourse. Brought to light in 1998 after a restoration in order to remove the black patina that had covered it due to decades of cigarette smoke and pipe. Do not be fooled, this is not an exact reproduction of the sky but offset for both orientations and the distance between the stars.  Before leaving this side, go up the stairs opposite to the entrance and watch the whole thing from above.

Commuting Ramp

Time to go

Going down the stairs to Dining Concourse follow the signs to the Oyster Bar but do not enter. Stop at the small square just before the entry to a corner and ask someone to whisper something against the wall in the opposite corner and listen.It seems as if they’re next to you. You are in the famous Whispering Gallery. The whispering gallery which because of its particular time has exceptional acoustics. Spy inside the room and then admire the architecture. Return to the top level for a visit to the detached portion of the New York Transit Museum.

Union Station

Grand Central is one of the few places that satisfies virtually all directions thanks to the lower level which contains no less than 35 different options for your meals as well as various pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, a market and about 70 different shops.

Grand Central Station photos: Marc Perrella, Len Saltiel, Ivelina Aasen, tet bautista, Stefano Tiberia, Todd Landry, Holger Pohr.