Uncover Hidden Secrets on the Grand Central Terminal Tour

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Tour Details

Tour Type: Walking
Duration: 1 - 2 Hours
Distance:0.1+ Miles
Audio Stories: 25+
Purchase Qty: One Per Person
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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 Terminal 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 Terminal audio 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 Grand Central Terminal tour adventure 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!
Oyster Bar
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

Tour FAQs

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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