Not For Tourists Illustrated Guide to New York City by Not for Tourists

Author:Not for Tourists
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Not For Tourists
Published: 2015-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

GENERAL INFORMATION

NFT MAP: 13

ADDRESS: 42ND ST & PARK AVE

GENERAL INFORMATION: 212-340-2583

LOST AND FOUND: 212-340-2555

WEBSITE: WWW.GRANDCENTRALTERMINAL.COM

TWITTER: @GRANDCENTRALNYC

METRO-NORTH: MTA.INFO/MNR OR @METRONORTH

MTA SUBWAY STOPS: 4, 5, 6, 7, SHUTTLE TO TIMES SQUARE

MTA BUS LINES: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M101, M102, M103, M42

NEWARK AIRPORT EXPRESS: WWW.NEWARKAIRPORTEXPRESS.COM, 877-8-NEWARK

JGA/JFK AIRPORT BUS SERVICE: WWW.NYCAIRPORTER.COM, 718-777-5111 OR 855-269-2247

OVERVIEW

Grand Central Terminal, designed in the Beaux-Arts style by Warren & Wetmore, is by far the most beautiful of Manhattan’s major terminals, and it is considered one of the most stunning terminals in the world. Its convenient location in the heart of Midtown and its refurbishments only add to its appeal. The only downside is that the station will only get you on a train as far north as Dutchess County or as far east as New Haven via Metro-North–in order to head to the Island or Jersey, you’ll have to hoof it over to GCT’s architecturally ugly stepsister Penn Station.

If you ever find yourself underestimating the importance of the Grand Central renovations (begun in 1996 with continued work and maintenance today), just take a peek at the ceiling toward the Vanderbilt Avenue side–the small patch of black shows how dirty the ceiling was previously (and, believe us, it was really dirty…). In 2013 Grand Central celebrated its 100th anniversary, marked by a comprehensive exhibit in Vanderbilt Hall. The exhibit, worth checking out, survives online at www.gcthistory.com.

Sometime in the next 75 or 100 years, the multi-gazillion-dollar East Side Access project will connect the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central via the new tunnel under 63rd Street, adding an eighttrack terminal and concourse below Grand Central.

AMENITIES & ATTRACTIONS

Diners have any number of choices including Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C. or Cipriani Dolci for nice views overlooking the main concourse or the food court on the lower level (perfect for commuters or those intent on saving a few bucks). As food courts go, the lower level food court isn’t half bad; if you squint, it’s like a curated selection of NYC mainstays: gelato from Ciao Bella, cheesecake from Junior’s, and Shake Shack for burgers (lower concourse open Monday–Saturday 7 am to 9 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm). After hitting the raw stuff at Oyster Bar, go right outside its entrance to hear a strange audio anomaly: If you and a friend stand in opposite corners and whisper, you’ll be able to hear each other clearly.

Alternatively, folks looking to hit the sauce may do so in 1920s grandeur in The Campbell Apartment near the Vanderbilt Avenue entrance, or for a non-edible treat, grab an iPad for your train ride at the shiny Apple Store on the east balcony overlooking the main concourse. One of the more fun spots to shop at in Grand Central is the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store, a satellite branch of the MTA’s excellent Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn. The annex features a gallery with changing exhibits and the gift shop has some great gift ideas.

Grand Central Market, located between

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