New York’s Grand Central station is not the busiest in the city. That honor goes to Penn Station, which is both the busiest station in New York and in the entire United States. However, it’s a testament to the sheer scale of public transit in New York that Grand Central Station, more properly known as Grand Central Terminal, is the second busiest station in the country. With over 67 million passengers per year passing through the station, there’s a good chance you’ll be one of them on your next trip to New York.
Ordinarily, you wouldn’t consider a rail station as a major tourist attraction. However, Grand Central Station is listed as a National Historical Landmark. It is one of the top tourist attractions in New York, thanks to its importance in the city’s history and its unique architecture.
If you find yourself with some time to kill between trains or buses, you’re in luck. Not only is Grand Central an attraction in its own right, but it’s also close to some of the best locations in New York. Drop off your bags at a Grand Central Station luggage storage, and you’ll be ready to explore everything the Big Apple has to offer.
The Whispering Gallery
For this unusual attraction, you don’t even need to leave the station itself.
If you stand in the corner of the Grand Central Station and whisper, your voice will carry across to the person standing in the opposite corner. It’s a bit of an acoustical trick that has to do with the station’s shape, and it’s something that both kids and adults enjoy.
You’ll find the Whispering Gallery close to the Oyster Bar restaurant, which is another great place to kill some time in Grand Central if you’re hungry. The Whispering Gallery won’t take up a lot of your time, but it is a great place to explore if you just have a few minutes to kill in the station itself, and it remains one of the less well-known corners of this incredibly busy city.
Top of the Rock
For incredible views of the city, you can’t go wrong with a trip to the Top of the Rock. This observation deck is located on top of Rockefeller Center, and it offers some of the best views in New York.
On a clear day, you’ll be able to see all the way to Central Park, and you’ll get a great sense of just how vast and sprawling New York City really is.
The Top of the Rock is a bit out of the way if you’re coming from Grand Central Station, but it’s still worth the effort to make your way over. Rockefeller Center is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New York, so even if you don’t want to go up to the observation deck, it’s worth checking out the area around it.
MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art is one of the most popular museums in New York, and it’s just a short walk from Grand Central Station.
If you’re a fan of modern art, or even if you’re just looking for a place to cool down and escape the heat of the summer, MOMA is definitely worth a visit. With over 150,000 works of art on display, there’s something for everyone at this world-famous museum.
Even if art isn’t really your thing, MOMA is still worth checking out for its architecture alone. The building itself is considered one of the masterpieces of 20th-century architecture, and it’s definitely worth a look even if you don’t have time to explore the entire museum.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is another of the most popular tourist destinations in New York, and it’s also easily reachable on foot from Grand Central Station.
This Gothic cathedral is one of the largest in the world, and it’s an impressive sight both inside and out. Even if you’re not religious, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is worth a visit for its architecture and history.
The cathedral is open to visitors every day, so even if you only have a few minutes to spare, you can still step inside and take a look around. Just be sure to dress appropriately – this is still a functioning church, after all.
Times Square
No trip to New York is complete without a visit to Times Square. This world-famous intersection is home to some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment in the city.
If you’re looking for a place to people-watch, there’s no better spot than Times Square. You’ll find plenty of things to do here, from checking out the famous billboards to visiting the waxworks at Madame Tussauds.
Times Square can be a bit overwhelming, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Just be sure to watch your belongings – pickpockets are known to operate in this busy area.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings in New York, and it’s a fabulous activity to do near Grand Central Station.
This Art Deco skyscraper has been featured in countless movies and TV shows, and it offers stunning views of the city from its observation deck. If you’re looking for a place to get a bird’s eye view of New York, this is definitely the spot.
The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, so even if you’re only in town for a short time, you can still make your way up to the top. The wind can be a little chilly at the top, so don’t forget a sweater, even in the summer.
Things to Do around Grand Central Station
In many ways, Grand Central Station is a relic of old New York. That’s part of what makes it so popular with visitors. But thanks to its central location, it’s also within a stone’s throw of some of the top attractions in the city, as well as some lesser-known sites that are so well worth exploring.
Next time you find yourself with time on your hands and the station, don’t miss this opportunity to see more of New York.