New York's Grand Central Terminal: A Great Place to Explore

New York's Grand Central Terminal is much more than just another train station. At Grand Central, which opened in 1913, you can take tours, dine in fine restaurants, and shop in some interesting stores. Don't miss Grand Central if you're planning a trip to the Big Apple.

Visitors to Grand Central can take one of several tours that are offered of the station. If you're lucky, you can catch a free 90-minute walking tour run by the Grand Central Partnership that takes place only on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. You can meet their guides in the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum on East 42nd Street, across from the terminal. Call (212) 883-2420 or visit the Grand Central Partnership website. Another free tour is given by the Municipal Arts Society of New York on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Meet their guides at Grand Central's center information booth on the Main Concourse. There is a suggested donation of $10. For more information, call (212) 935-3960. Finally, you can arrange for a private walking tour of Grand Central through Jones Lang LaSalle, which offers one-hour professionally guided tours seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. These tours are $5 per person for groups of more than 10, or $50 for groups of fewer than 10. Be sure to book this tour two to three weeks in advance, and payment must be made before the tour date. Call Jones Lange LaSalle at (212) 340-2345.

Take the kids over to the "whispering gallery" at the intersection of four walkways on the dining concourse and near the Oyster Bar. Ask at an information desk, if you can't find the location. Station one person against the wall at one side of the intersection and tell him to whisper into the wall. Station yourself at the opposite side, and you'll be able to hear exactly what the whisperer is saying. It's confounding.

You'll find many good restaurants in Grand Central, including the historic Oyster Bar & Restaurant, there since the terminal opened. The Oyster Bar serves a dazzling assortment of oysters from locations around the country, cherrystone clams, trout, cod, grouper, scallops and more. At Cipriani Dolci on the West Balcony, you'll savor delicious pastas and signature Cipriani dishes, and at Charlie Palmer's Metrazur, you'll enjoy progressive American entrees and complimentary wireless service. Michael Jordan's The Steakhouse serves up some of the best steaks in New York and their well-known garlic bread with Gorgonzola fondue. Yum.

You might be surprised to find that Grand Central is home to more than 60 shops, where you can purchase everything from sportswear to fine wines. A must-stop is the Grand Central Market, where you'll find gourmet foods, coffees, cheeses, artisinal breads, meats, produce and chocolates. The Children's General Store offers a variety of toys, games, and crafts for kids. Papyrus carries beautiful stationery and Posman Books has a wide selection of reading materials. The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store is also a great stop, with its exhibitions about train travel and transportation memorabilia.

Don't forget to check the Grand Central Terminal website for lists of special events taking place there, including sales and exhibitions. If you're in the city during the months of November and December, don't miss the 10th annual Grand Central Holiday Fair, where you'll find elegant holiday gifts sold by vendors in Vanderbilt Hall. The fair runs from Nov. 15-Dec. 29.

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