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Grand Central TerminalActivities

Our most recommended Grand Central Terminal Activities

New York City: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

1. New York City: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the perfect introduction to New York with a Hop on Hop off Big Bus tour. Relax on an open-top double decker sightseeing bus while listening to insightful and engaging digital commentary. The bus route takes you on a captivating journey through New York's rich history and vibrant modern life, as well as its many memorials and museums. You'll have the opportunity to hop off and explore the city's most iconic historical sites, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Broadway, and the One World Trade Center with its 360-degree view of the stunning skyline. Pay tribute to the memory of those lost in the tragic event at the 9/11 Memorial just steps away. The Downtown Loop is a 90 minute circuit, while the Uptown Loop is 75 minutes. Many guests choose to ride a full loop to see the city before deciding where to hop off on the next loop around. Buses arrive every 10-15 minutes on the Downtown Loop and every 30 minutes on the Uptown Loop throughout the day. Explore Lower Manhattan on the Downtown tour, including popular neighborhoods such as the Flatiron District, World Trade Center, Battery Park, SoHo & NoHo, Greenwich Village & East Village, Chelsea, and the Financial District. Wander around Wall St. to see the famous Stock Exchange and Charging Bull. Eat your way through Little Italy and Chinatown, shop at the high-end boutiques in SoHo, or see the open-air observation deck at The Edge in Hudson Yards. Then make your way to the Upper East Side, home to some of New York’s most popular museums. Explore the Frick Collection and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). The Uptown Loop takes you through Midtown, passing by Grand Central Terminal and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Add a relaxing and scenic cruise around Liberty Island to complete your trip. Enjoy spectacular views of Lady Liberty and many more New York landmarks from a prime position on the Hudson River. Cruises last 1 hour and feature an onboard cafe and full bar, restrooms, outdoor deck space, air conditioning and indoor seating with large windows. Journey through New York on two wheels with an included offer at Unlimited Biking, NYC's premiere bike rental company. Purchase a 1-hour (minimum) bike rental and receive an extra hour free! Or, enjoy $5 OFF per person for any bike tour or Segway tour.

NYC: The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

2. NYC: The Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

On this exciting small-group walking tour, you will uncover the treasures hidden within this historic transportation hub: see the world’s largest Tiffany clock, peek into the off-limits glass walkways, discover the massive design flaw in the main atrium, locate a multi-million dollar jewel hidden in plain sight, and so much more. Learn about the history of the station during the booming age of the railroad, as a rundown embarrassment, and finally experience it as a renovated wonder at the center of the city. Whether you pass through it every day on your morning commute or stroll through the Beaux-Arts beauty for the first time, you are sure to leave having learned, seen, or experienced something new and extraordinary on this behind-the-scenes walking tour.

NYC: Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour with Special Access

3. NYC: Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour with Special Access

Meet in Grand Central Terminal’s modern-day heart: the lively main concourse. Marvel at the famous clock perched atop the information booth – and learn the eye-watering amount it’s rumored to be worth — as your guide regales you with the story of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the mastermind behind the Grand Central Depot (as it was originally called). Head into Vanderbilt Hall, a living testament to Grand Central’s rags-to-riches transformation in the 1980s, then pop outside to see the largest Tiffany clock in the world. Time travel back to the Roaring 20s in a speakeasy-style bar that, a century ago, was the private office of one of New York’s most prominent railroad tycoons. In the Whispering Gallery, learn how secrets travel across the busy interchange to be perfectly heard on the other side and get a peek at one of the largest lost-and-found departments in the world. Peruse handcrafted jewelry in the Graybar Passage before stepping into a former movie theater, where travel-weary youngsters could enjoy some entertainment back in Grand Central’s heyday. Last but not least, weave through the colorful Grand Central Market, boasting over 160 seafood varieties and 400 types of cheeses, before making your way back to the main concourse.

From Manhattan: Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn Half-Day Tour

4. From Manhattan: Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn Half-Day Tour

Take an alternative tour of New York and head to the boroughs of the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn to discover the secret delights of New York City. This half-day tour is an excellent opportunity for a unique insight into these lesser-known neighborhoods. Mini-bus transportation makes it easy and efficient to get around the city’s busy streets. Aboard the bus you will cross Grand Central’s bridge, with a view of Grand Central Station, continue to the Upper East Side, one of the most affluent and elegant neighborhoods in the city before going to Spanish Harlem on the way to the Bronx. See Yankee Stadium, the home ballpark of the New York Yankees baseball team, the Grand Concourse, and pass in front of the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Stop at Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, where you'll have an authentic Italian-American experience. Visit Italian restaurants, delis, bakeries, cafes and shops. Next, pass by Randall’s Island and through Queens. Finally reach Brooklyn, where you'll visit Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Lastly, return to Manhattan through the legendary Brooklyn Bridge.

NYC: Big Apple Helicopter Tour

5. NYC: Big Apple Helicopter Tour

New York City isn’t called the 'Big Apple' for nothing! This very popular tour provides awe-inspiring views of the Big Apple’s most iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Departing from Pier 6, you will soar above the famous Hudson River, and fly right by the magnificent Statue of Liberty, gateway to the city. From your premium vantage point, look out for Governors and Ellis Islands and see Manhattan’s Financial District before cruising past the glinting angles of the NYC skyline. On this portion of the flight you'll see the Chrysler, Woolworth, Hudson Yards, Grand Central Terminal as well as the USS Intrepid, to mention just a few. You will even catch a glimpse of the George Washington Bridge and the world-renowned Central Park. Choose the 20 minute or 30 minute option to extend your flight and soar past Central Park and up to Yankee Stadium, and see St. John the Divine Cathedral, Columbia University, and even the Palisades of New Jersey. This all-encompassing tour really is the best way to see all of New York from the sky!

From Manhattan: Full-Day NYC Boroughs and Coney Island Tour

6. From Manhattan: Full-Day NYC Boroughs and Coney Island Tour

Travel by a comfortable motor coach and learn about the development of the diverse neighborhoods like Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Coney Island from a licensed NYC tour guide. See historic sites, such as the world-renowned Apollo Theater, the debut venue for many performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, and many others. Next, you will travel north, to the borough of the Bronx, where you will see the home of one of the most famous baseball teams in the world: The New York Yankees! You’ll also learn about the birth of hip hop and view original street art while walking along the streets.  The tour continues across the East River into the borough of Queens, one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the US, whose residents speak over 100 languages. You will pass through the exclusive Malba neighborhood, and see its many beautiful homes. Visit Flushing Meadows Park, home of the US Open (one of the oldest tennis championships in the world), as well as the New York Mets baseball team and the Unisphere (leftover from the 1964 World’s Fair). Enjoy the impressive DUMBO from where you can see the famous Brooklyn Bridge. You will then proceed to visit the borough of Brooklyn, viewing the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Crown Heights, home to one of the largest Hasidic Jewish communities outside of Israel, alongside a younger, gentrifying non-Jewish population. If you choose the tour without Coney Island, your day ends in Dumbo. Otherwise, continue to Coney Island, a fun and relaxing destination for New Yorkers for generations. Weather permitting, explore the boardwalk and get time for lunch at the legendary Nathan’s restaurant (cost not included). Finally, you’ll head back over the East River, passing by the historic Brooklyn Bridge, on your return to Manhattan. Please note that the day’s itinerary is subject to traffic conditions and may be modified due to time constraints.

NYC: 3-Hour Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour (On Location Tours)

7. NYC: 3-Hour Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour (On Location Tours)

Led by a local actress, experience a day in the life of Manhattan's elite on this tour of the Gossip Girl sites led by a local actress. Written by Cecily Von Ziegesar, the hit TV show is America’s most popular teen drama, starring young actors like Blake Lively and Chace Crawford. “Hello, Upper East Siders!” is Gossip Girl’s opening line to every episode, and on this tour, you will feel like Gossip Girl is talking directly to you. More than 40 Manhattan locations have been used in filming the show, and the dedicated “Gossip Girl” tour will let you explore them. Check out the spots where the gossipy characters take on the roles of socialite teenagers in New York City. Take a look at the Upper East Side elite society of sex, drugs, jealousy, and the pressures of the prestigious academic institutions they attend. Pass the Vera Wang boutique where Blair tried on her wedding gown, visit The Empire Hotel, site of Chuck Bass' newest home and business, and pass the candy store where Dan helped Vanessa shop.

Grand Central Terminal: Self-Guided Walking Tour

8. Grand Central Terminal: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Note: This 0.1+mile-tour covers the essentials of Grand Central Terminal in 1-2 hours Get to know Grand Central Terminal on this self-guided walking tour that takes you through the whole terminal, points out the most significant spots, and reveals the little-known history behind it all. Enjoy the flexibility of a tour taken via an app that functions as your personal guide, narrator, and map. Arrive outside the terminal to start your tour. From here, you can admire the elegant entryway and learn about the statues that stand guard at its entrance. Enter the station via Vanderbilt Hall, a beautiful space named after the station’s founders. Learn the facts on the unbelievably rich Vanderbilt family and a multimillion-dollar drama of rivalry between the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers. Continue to the Main Concourse, which you’ve likely seen in plenty of films and TV shows. This concourse is even more impressive in person, full of marble, crystal, and gold. Next, visit the terminal’s famous clock and learn why it might just be worth $20 million. Learn how Grand Central practically invented time as we know it while crossing the vast concourse. Turn your eyes skyward next, toward the sky ceiling. Learn the special meaning behind each constellation painted here. Plus, learn about the time NASA damaged the Main Concourse with a rocket. Afterwards, unpack the hidden symbolism within the extravagant chandeliers and find out how the station’s employees get from place to place without having to cross the busy concourse. Then, visit the often-overlooked Station Master’s Office and hear about how part of Grand Central was almost torn down by developers once. Finally, finish off your tour by heading to the lower levels to visit the strange and wonderful Whispering Gallery and the lavish Oyster Bar where New York’s Roaring ’20s have been beautifully preserved.

New York City: The Sightseeing Flex Pass

9. New York City: The Sightseeing Flex Pass

Take a bite out of the Big Apple! Pull up your Sightseeing Flex Pass on your phone and enjoy cash-free access to over 100 experiences, destinations, museums, and tours, including some of the city’s most popular attractions like the Top of the Rock Observatory, Madame Tussauds, MoMA, the New York Aquarium, and more. Simplify and save, as you can tailor your trip to New York City to fit your ideal itinerary with the easy-to-use Sightseeing Flex Pass. With the option to select 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, or 12 attractions, you can enjoy full admission to the attractions that interest you most, saving up to 65% and with no fixed start date. This pass is recommended for visitors with limited time for sightseeing and want to visit only a few most popular attractions. Get out and explore to get an authentic taste of New York City from the streets on one of the many walking or biking tours. See the internationally renowned skyline up close with access to five bus tours or take it all in from the harbor on a ferry tour. Sightseeing Flex Pass holders also have access to the Hop-On, Hop-Off Uptown and Downtown Bus Loops for 1 day. New York Top Destinations: • One World Observatory • Central Park Zoo  • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) • Top of the Rock Observatory  • Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours by Big Bus • Whitney Museum of American Art • Empire State Building Experiences: • Artechouse NY • Ground Zero Museum Workshop: 100 Images & Artifacts Tour  • Luna Park Coney Island • Harlem Gospel Series • Harlem Jazz Series Attractions: • Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine • The Edge • Escape Game New York • Escape Virtuality • Madame Tussauds NYC • New York Aquarium • New York Botanical Garden • Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden • SPYSCAPE Museums: • American Museum of Natural History • El Museo Del Barrio  • Museum of Broadway • Fotografiska NY • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum • MoMA PS1 • Museum at Eldridge Street • Museum of Jewish Heritage • Museum of the City of New York • National Lighthouse Museum • New York Historical Society Museum and Library • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum  • Staten Island Museum and Children’s Museum • Brooklyn Children's Museum • South Street Seaport Museum Bus Tours: • Big Bus NY Discover Downtown • Escorted 5-hour Manhattan Experience Tour • On Location Tours - Central Park TV and Movie Sites  • Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Bus (with discount booklet) • The Ride • Go Airlink Airport Shuttle (outbound) Cruises:  • Circle Line Landmarks Cruise • Circle Line Liberty Express tour Walking and Bike Tours:  • Brooklyn Unplugged Tours  • Food on Foot  • Hush Tours  • Inside Out Tours  • Central Park Bike Rental • The St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour • Manhattan and Beyond Central Park Walking Tour • Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour • 2-hour Central Park Bike Tour

New York City: The Ride Interactive Bus Tour

10. New York City: The Ride Interactive Bus Tour

When New York entrepreneurs and creative types join forces, ultramodern entertainment in the form of a 45-foot long bus with stadium seats, surround sound, and street performances ensues. Take this interactive 65-75 minute bus ride and see New York from an entirely unique perspective. It turns the streets of New York into a stage, bringing entertainment and tourism together to create a city experience that everyone, from tourists to native New Yorkers, can enjoy. The RIDE drives through New York and features performances in front of sights, such as Grand Central, 42nd Street, Bryant Park, and more. It’s Broadway without the limitations of a stationary theater, and a bus tour with a theatrical twist. Each of the mobile theaters hold 3 rows of stadium seats, plus the most modern audio and visual technology, including speakers that bring inside sounds out onto the street, enabling RIDErs to go “On Air” and interact with the city.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Grand Central Terminal

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What people are saying about Grand Central Terminal

Our tour guide Sam was just THE BEST! I had so much fun! For lunch he took us for dumplings in Chinatown which were delicious and the dessert in Little Italy was phenomenal! You'll need to pay cash so be prepared ($15-20 should be enogh). We walked a lot but I didn't really notice it, we took a subway twice (no need to buy metro card though, you can pay by card or phone). We learned some fun facts about the city but he also told us some very touching stories especially from 9/11. I forgot my gloves and he was kind enough to took us to stalls where I could buy a pair (and other visitors as well since it was a really cold December day). I am happy I booked this tour and I remommend it to everyone.

A fantastic tour, the pace is not too slow not too fast, you see all the boroughs adequately with multiple photo breaks and toilet breaks. Jorge provides continuous commentary with stories and fun/movie facts for each neighbourhood. He tells you what the real deal is and background of the neighbourhoods. Its like listening to a story. Short tour 8:30 to 1:30 so you have most of the day still to do other things. Charging points available in bus. Very polite driver. I couldn’t recommend it enough, you’d not be able to cover all boroughs in so much depth without such expert guidance. So if you have half a day - do it, the price is really really reasonable too.

A lovely all round tour, giving insights into New York City life across the boroughs. Local tour guide was very funny and friendly. Very unforgettable experience.

This tour was fantastic! Would recommend to anyone visiting NYC for a short trip!

Always a great trip and sitting on top able to get a great view.