Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station

Opening Hours: opens every day from 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Grand Central is a terminal station located at 42nd street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It is the largest train station in the world by the number of platforms. The most striking part of the station is undoubtedly the Vanderbilt Hall, the main waiting room in Grand Central Terminal, provides a spectacular setting for both public and private events. This waiting area of over of 1,100 square meters, draws attention by its neo-classical forms, its sculptures, the transparent dome of the central building, the constellations in the ceiling, columns and marble floor, and the stairs which no one knows where they may take us... The huge figures of Roman gods, Mercury, Minerva and Hercules look down from 42nd Street. This historic NYC landmark is not only a transportation hub—it’s a shopping, dining, and cultural destination with 68 shops, 35 places to eat, and a calendar full of events. This terminal has 67 trains and 5 subway platforms. Around 750 trains arrive and depart daily from the terminal.

Our Advice:

Grand Central station offers their own audio at a fairly affordable rate, or you can download it to your phone with the app: http://goo.gl/UB6KCi

Grand Central Terminal offers a guided tour available seven days a week (closed only on Thanksgiving day and Christmas day). Hours are from 9 am to 6 pm. These hours my be extended during holidays. The 75-minute tour, departs daily at 12:30 p.m. from the Terminal’s Main Concourse. Prices are fairly reasonable, and you can actually save money on tickets through a variety of methods.

In the middle of the great lobby there is an information booth, that attends more than 1000 questions every hour, and you can use it if you need orientation. The four faced clock on top of the information booth is one of the most recognizable icon of Grand Central. It is worth 20 million dollars.

Holiday Train Show Grand Central

Holiday Train Show / Grand Central

Date:         November 13 to mid-February 2020

Time:         Monday through Friday: 8am to 8pm

                   Saturdays - Sundays: 10am to 6pm

Central Station, during the Christmas season, besides the Christmas market, in its interior also has the Christmas Show train and has become one of the most popular attractions in New York. If you like the railway world you will enjoy a model, which is a replica of the central station itself in O scale. The rolling stock of the model corresponds to old trains belonging to the collection of the museum of transport in the city. 

Also, you can see an interesting collection of railway posters published between 1920 - 1940, miniature cars, taxis, police cars, buses, gas station, King Kong on the Empire State Building, miniature boats, a barber shop , Hard Rock Cafe and replicas of buildings among others.

Our advice:

  • It is a free event, the entrance is on 42nd Street and Park Ave., therefore, there is no reason to miss it on your next trip to New York.
  • Closed Christmas Day and New Year's.

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

Bryant Park:                     November 28th to January 2nd

Columbus Circle:              November 28th to December 24th

Union Square:                  November 19th to December 24th

Grand Central:                  November 14th to December 24th 

Bryant Park: lt has more than 100 kiosks full of ornaments, gifts and decorative items with Christmas motifs, striking balls and Christmas trees are great works of art. Next to the kiosks you can find small stalls with all type of food. Link https://goo.gl/EmY2PA.

Columbus Circle Holiday: Is known internationally as one of the most elegant and beautiful places for holiday shopping. Located at the entrance of Central Park on 59th Street and Central Park West, visitors get lost in gleaming halls of art, jewelry, household items and delicious meals from local craftsmen and designers, link https://goo.gl/N0h2GO.

Union Square: its a Christmas market, one of the favorites in New York, attracts over 1 million visitors, located in the Union Square. This place is usual acquire natural Christmas trees to decorate home, plus crafts, candles, hats, scarves, food, among many other items. Link: https://goo.gl/U1wOmI.

Station Grand Central Christmas Market: located inside the legendary Grand Central Station train, so it's a perfect plan for a snow day or intense cold, you can find over 70 stalls where you can buy all kinds of Christmas souvenirs, link: https://goo.gl/XteQLJ.

Our advice:

  • When you are visiting the market, you can also remember Bryant Park ice skating is free, you only have to rent skates, do not forget to bring padlock so you can use it as a locker and save money by renting one.
  • In the market of Columbus Circle be sure to try a glass of apple cider or hot chocolate and after buying, visit the Central Park, you can find it next to the Colombus Circle.
Grand Central Station
Holiday Train Show Grand Central
Christmas Markets