Things to do FOR FREE in NYC! Part Three: Grand Central Terminal

A walk through Grand Central Terminal feels like taking a step back in time.

When I’m there, I feel connected to present-day humanity because of the sheer number of people scurrying about but I also feel connected to the generations before me; the history in the building is palpable. It’s a quintessential New York experience that should be near the top of your list when visiting the city.

This world-famous landmark opened to the public in 1913, and it is one of the busiest train stations in the world, serving 750,000 visitors EVERY DAY. And though it has been updated over the years, it has been carefully preserved, leaving it to feel largely unchanged from its inception.

What most new visitors to New York City do not know is that Grand Central Terminal is much more than a transportation hub. I read somewhere that “it’s not a pit stop, it’s a destination” and I couldn’t agree more. Grand Central Terminal contains over 60 shops and 35 places to eat, from Shake Shack and Magnolia Bakery in the dining concourse to the renowned Oyster Bar and Restaurant. It even has an expansive gourmet marketplace, Grand Central Market, where you can grab a snack or the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.

If you follow me on social media, I’m often encouraging you to look up, to observe the beauty all around you when you are in New York. In Grand Central Terminal this is especially true. The enchanting celestial ceiling in the main concourse features approximately 2,500 glowing lights and the illuminated chandeliers are breathtaking.

Grand Central Terminal, located at 89 E. 42nd Street is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Hours for shops and restaurants vary so be sure to check the website for all the information you will need to plan your visit to this special place