grand central station audio tour

Official Grand Central Terminal Guided and Audio Tours

Guided in-person.

The Walks tours take place everyday in small groups for 1 ½ hours in length, making them easy to fit into almost any itinerary.

• Discover Grand Central Terminal’s 150+ years of history.
• Step into a 1920s railroad tycoon’s onetime office.
• See a surprising former movie theater-turned-wine store.
• Tell secrets in the one-of-a-kind Whispering Gallery.
• Book it online or at the Info booth
• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance
• Meet at the Info Booth in the Main Concourse

Self-guided (Audio)

On this self guided audio tour of Grand Central Terminal, you will learn its secrets from some long term Grand Central Insiders.​

• A self-guided audio tour of New York City’s storied Grand Central Terminal.
• Admire the stars on the vaulted ceiling and the famous Tiffany-glass clock.
• An engaging narration of the terminal architecture, history, and legends.
• Visit the landmark train terminal at your own pace.

How to purchase the self-guided audio tour

Instructions for web-only (no app download required).

• Access the tour from your mobile device HERE .
• Purchase the audio tour ( $US7.99 per person). (Note: One tour can be purchased per device).
• You’re ready to go!

Instructions for iOS and Android users

• Download the City Experiences app to your phone or tablet from your store.
• Click HERE to bring you directly to the audio tour on the app.
• Pick up a map at the tour information booth in the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal.
• You're ready to go!

Our team are located at Tour Information Booth in the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal. If you are standing at the clock in the middle of the concourse, the Tour Information Booth is located just to right of the Harlem and Hudson Line Departures. Come visit us between the hours of 9am – 5pm Alternatively call our team at +1-888-683-8670 (toll-free) or email us at [email protected] .

Don't just take our word for it

The best way to see GCT is with Take Walks by City Experiences, the new operator of the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour. The VIP tours provide guests with an official tour of this historic landmark, offering a unique perspective of one of the most recognizable train terminals in the world.

“The best way to see GCT is with Take Walks by City Experiences, the new operator of the Official Grand Central Terminal Tour. The VIP tours provide guests with an official tour of this historic landmark, offering a unique perspective of one of the most recognizable train terminals in the world.”

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Inclusions and Exclusions

• The Location
• Important Information

Know before you book

Know before you go, grand central terminal: always moving.

€  7,40 per person

This historic world-famous landmark in Midtown Manhattan is not simply a transportation hub — it’s also a shopping, dining, and cultural destination all under one magnificent roof. Opened to the public in February 1913, Grand Central Terminal is a story of great engineering, survival, and rebirth.

Waltz in the Grand Central Terminal with a self-guided audio tour on your phone designed by an accredited expert. Listen to fascinating stories, based on an award-winning storytelling concept, and gain great insights into one of the most well known and popular locations of New York City. Start your tour from the Information Booth to get a glimpse of the Grand Central Terminal and then continue to explore its grandiose interior. This is an unmissable opportunity to experience at your own pace the Grand Central Terminal with a captivating audio tour on your phone.

Grand Central Terminal

• Self-guided audio tour on your smartphone (Android & iOS)
• An activation link to access your audio tour
• Offline content (text, audio narration and maps) to avoid roaming charges
• Smartphone or headphones
• Food and drinks
• Transportation
• App not compatible with Windows phones
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Mandatory items

• Charged smartphone

The location

• Information Booth,
• Train Travel Heyday,
• Main Concourse,
• North Side,
• Pershing Square,
• Tiffany Clock,
• Glory of Commerce,
• Vanderbilt Statu,
• Onassis Foyer,
• Vanderbilt Hall,
• Ball Clock,
• Oyster Bar,

Important information

Opening hours.

• Daily 5:15 AM – 2:00 AM 
• Grand Central Market: Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 5pm 
• Onassis Foyer 9:00am – 5:00pm 

Recommended visiting hours

It is recommended to have the tour during the opening hours of the Grand Central Market, of the Transit Museum and of the shops.

• Please consider that admission fees for special events in the Grand Central Terminal are not included. 
• This is a downloadable self-guided audio tour for your smartphone, accessible through our app. No live guide will accompany you. No VR / AR is included
• No live guide or meeting point provided.
• The course of the visit may be modified and special restrictions may be imposed. The visitors must always adhere to the guidelines of the site.
• After booking, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to access and download your audio tour. Check your spam folder as well
• Book per device to be used, not per participant
• You will need storage space on your phone (100-150 MB)
• Grand Central Terminal is wheelchair accessible
• The Grand Central Terminal does not provide wheelchair rentals
• Mobile signal may be weak at the site. Download your audio tour on your smartphone prior to your visit to fully enjoy it.
• After booking, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to access and download your audio tour. Please check your email spam folder as well
• Ensure that your smartphone is fully charged & that you bring your earphones
• There is no luggage storage space in the Grand Central Terminal
• Pets are allowed as long as they are in a cage or container or on a leash

Download the app

To take this self-guided tour, you will need to download the Clio Muse Tours app on your iOS or Android device. Enjoy your tour!

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Privacy Overview

Grand Central Official Audio Tour

• Entry/Admission - Grand Central Terminal
• Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA In the main concourse at the booth window
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at Grand Central Terminal 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA In the main concourse at the booth window See address & details
• 1 Grand Central Terminal Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included The tour focuses on the architectural highlights of the Terminal but provides a real story about the little known secrets, anecdotes, archival material and the history of the Terminal. Grand Central with the same eyes after taking the tour. Listeners can take the "local" or "express" tour. And if they are interested in more information, there are options for additional material at the push of a button. The self-guided tour can last 30 minutes to just over an hour. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• 171simonb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Short Break. Great way to spend an hour exploring this fantastic building. Very informative tour and easy to use. Cheerful and helpful staff, especially Felipe. Read more Written March 10, 2020
• conorr750 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Audio Tour Quick & informative, definitely recommend as a must in NYC! East to find, Felipe nice guy to deal with! Read more Written March 6, 2020
• arranlee 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Informative tour Pleasant welcome from staff in the office. Easy to follow tour which provides 2 different options - express and full tour. Audio commentary is succinct and relevant and doesn’t drag on. Read more Written March 5, 2020
• Georgina M 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Informative Informative tour about the structure, art work and rooms of this magnificent terminal! It was apart of the New York sightseeing pass. Read more Written February 18, 2020
• Lucaperna12356783837 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Audio Tour Good service,aforable, interesting, educantional , would do again, and I will recommend this tour to my friends and family Read more Written February 17, 2020
• Cococat0 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Really fun! Great information and well worth the time to learn above the history of the building! Would highly recommend Read more Written February 17, 2020
• Jamesjesi 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Grand Central audio tour Very amazing tour. Youll learn about history and how tremendous the place is. After the tour you can go eat and shop on different stores. Definitely recommend Read more Written February 14, 2020
• xtinegrace0216 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome! The tour was amazing.. very informative! I was really amazed with the whisper gallery! I'd recommend it to anyone! :) Read more Written February 14, 2020
• SShinkai 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour especially for cold day Self guided audio tour is a great diversion on a cold day. I learn a lot about the history and saw things that I past by unnoticed many times before. Now I can impress my friends with the interesting details and encourage them to take the tour as well. They also have a downloadedable version so you can listen on your own time and a guide lead tour if you like interaction. Read more Written February 14, 2020
• teresafB2427BC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Audio tour Great tour. Interesting facts. Recommend to all!! Awesome tour. Fun. Looking forward to doing again on next trip. Read more Written February 14, 2020
• A8691EEtiffanyb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Grand central station This tour was very informative and nice to be able to look at our own speed. The whispering gallery was pretty cool. Read more Written February 10, 2020
• AbrahamE65 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful audio tour! This a wonderful little tour of one of the most well known transit terminals in the world. The self guided tour takes you all around grand central terminal and gives you insight of all the changed that have happened over the years. Read more Written February 10, 2020
• 4given316 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Informative, Easy and Affordable It was very easy to book this tour and very affordable. The staff at Grand Central Station were super nice and helpful. The audio tour is extremely detailed. Sometimes I found it a little difficult to know exactly what the tour was talking about, but for the money and convenience, I would do it again. Read more Written January 26, 2020
• JA_MI_12_2019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles WOW just WOW Our docent was a member of the fine arts society and full of knowledge. Tour lasted 1.5 hours which seemed like minutes as so informative. He offer to take just us after for a walking tour of nearby buildings which lasted over two hours! He asked for nothing (his love of history and architecture) and was willing to spend as much time as we wanted (he was retired musician). I have him a generous tip as he spent almost four hours with us and gave such a detailed and appreciative review of the architecture. What a great experience! Read more Written December 9, 2019
• AyaLynn 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Super Dope Everyone’s always said that NY people are rude and nasty but I disagree- that opinion is continued here at GCS audio tours- man in the window assisting is super helpful and awesome, gave us great recommendations that work for our family. Seriously so awesome. Read more Written December 9, 2019

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What to See and Do in Grand Central Terminal

This post is a guide to Grand Central Terminal, what you can see here, tours, dining, shopping, and secret locations. ( Guia en español )

All aboard!

• How to Get Here
• What to See
• Shopping and Dining
• Secrets of Grand Central
• Grand Central Station (or Terminal)?

WHERE IS GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL?

Grand Central Station is located at 42 nd Street and Park Avenue ( map ).   

It can be also accessed from Lexington Avenue on the East, Vanderbilt Avenue on the West and 46th Street on the North.

Getting there:

As one of the busiest subway and train hubs in the world, multiple subway lines serve the station. 

• 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains to station stop  Grand Central-42nd Street
• S shuttle train that runs between Times Square and Grand Central

If you are new to the NYC Subway, then be sure to read the following guides.

• How to Use the  Subway  
• Tips for Choosing the Best MetroCard

By bus: M42, M101, M102, M103, M1, M2, M3, M4, and Q32 

TIP: Hop-on-hop-off buses all have stops very near Grand Central, so why not consider a tour bus as a fun means of transportation around the city, and hop-off to check out Grand Central along the way!

The subway 5:00 am - 2:00 am (the subways run to this stop 24 hours a day, but the terminal building itself closes for a few hours each morning.)

Practical Tips: 

If you need to store your luggage before departure or after arrival, check out these  options for luggage storage near the terminal as there are no longer lockers available.

Nearby Attractions

Due to its Midtown location, the terminal is located near several popular attractions, including:

• Empire State Building
• Times Square
• Bryant Park
• New York Public Library
• Rockefeller Center
• St. Patrick's Cathedral
• United Nations

WHAT TO SEE AT GRAND CENTRAL

Grand Central is one of the most beautiful structures in New York City. It is one of the very best locations for iconic New York City photograph y , so have your camera ready to go as you visit the sights below!

Start on the outside of the Terminal. Look all the way up to the top of the building where you will see a cluster of sculptures. 

This collection was designed by Jules Felix-Coutan and depicts Minerva, Mercury, and Hercules. 

This represents Wisdom, Speed, and Strength, according to Roman mythology.

When it was unveiled it was the largest sculpture grouping in the world and it was called “The Glory of Commerce.”   

Just beneath Mercury is the exterior clock of Grand Central. It is the largest piece of Tiffany glass in the world, measuring 14 feet in diameter.

This clock is also the only one that is a part of the station is set to the correct time, but more on that later!

Look for the eagles perched on the corner of the building.  These eagles actually adorned the previous Grand Central Station, which opened in 1869. 

These eagles have very lifelike and ferocious expressions on their faces.  This helps to keep pigeons away. 

The statue out in front is The Commodore or Cornelius Vanderbilt. The Commodore was the man that started it all by unifying the railroads at Grand Central Depot. 

The Vanderbilt family also built the current Grand Central Terminal.

Consider using our audio tour to guide you through the terminal.

Main Concourse

The Main Concourse is the center of activity in the terminal, with people rushing through the massive, 275 ft-long space trying to catch their trains. 

It is also one of the most beautiful train terminals in the world.

Plan to spend some time here and admire the splendor, though best to avoid during rush hours (8-9 am and 5-6 pm).

You may recognize the Main Concourse from dozens of films, from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest  to the animated film Madagascar .

Superhero fans will certainly recognize the terminal from the Avengers , Superman , and X-men . Check out our Superhero Tour of New York City .

The Ceiling 

This is probably the best-known part of Grand Central. It depicts the constellations of the zodiac.

Though it is beautiful, the ceiling is not astronomically correct. It is actually backward. 

This was pointed out by an astute commuter in 1913.

This error was explained away with the reason that it was painted to reflect the perspective of God looking down, in keeping with medieval artistic traditions. 

Many think that it was not intentional and that the sketch provided by Columbia astronomer Harold Jacoby for the painting of the ceiling was simply misread and done backward by careless painters.

The four-sided clock is possibly the most iconic feature of Grand Central. The clock has been a long-standing meeting spot for New Yorkers.  

The clock is made of brass and it is said that the clock faces are made out of precious opals and that the value of the clock is well over $10 million! 

Also, if you take a look at the clock and then a quick peek at your phone or watch, you will notice that the time on the Grand Central clock is a minute or so ahead.

This is on purpose and is consistent with every clock inside the station. The clock helps people to not be late for their trains and prevents safety hazards with people running for trains that are about to pull out of the station.

Some fun trivia: In the movie Madagascar , Melman the giraffe breaks the clock while the animals are in the station trying to catch a train to Connecticut.

Ceiling Smudge

look all the way over to Cancer the Crab in the northwest corner of the ceiling. Just past that, where the blue and white meet, there is a small blackish rectangle.  

That is just how filthy the original beautiful sky-blue ceiling had become after decades of accumulated tar and nicotine smoke.

There were a great many smokers among the nearly half-million people who passed through the terminal every day since its opening.

Over time the ceiling became coated with thick grime which was finally removed in 1998 when the terminal underwent a massive restoration spearheaded by Jackie Kenndey and other preservationists.

Workers got up on the scaffolding with buckets of soap and water and paintbrushes and cleaned away the years of build-up. 

The one spot was left as a reminder of how much work was done.

The missile was very big, so in order to not disturb pedestrian traffic flows, a hole was made in the ceiling so that the rocket could be suspended above the floor.

It was left as a testament to all of the different eras of history that Grand Central has seen.

Carvings of acorns and oak leaves 

Keep an eye out all throughout the station for carvings of acorns and oak leaves.  They are everywhere! 

That is because Cornelius Vanderbilt chose them as a family symbol. The family motto was “Great oaks from tiny acorns grow”. 

Vanderbilt was a self-made man and that symbolism resonated with him. There are carvings all over the Terminal; some large, some small. 

The easiest to spot are on the bottoms of the beautiful 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers, which have 110 light bulbs each! 

The Biltmore Room  

The Biltmore Room is also known as "The Kissing Room."  

In the height of train travel for long-distance trips, the famous 20th Century Limited train from the west coast arrived at the tracks next to the Biltmore Room.

Passengers, sometimes including movie stars and politicians, would exit the train and reunite with their loved ones in the Biltmore Room.  

There was much hugging and kissing, hence the nickname "The Kissing Room."  

While you are in here, check out the back wall. On it, you will see a chalkboard, a relic from the early days of Grand Central.  

Before automated boards, it was someone's job to sit there and hand-write the arrivals and departures on the chalkboard.  

This was no easy task because, in the heyday of Grand Central, there were over 550 departures every weekday.  (There are usually 286 today.) That's a lot to keep up with! 

The Whispering Gallery (right outside the Oyster Bar)

One of the most popular spots in the Terminal, the Whispering Gallery is often crowded with people who have their faces pressed into the corner. 

This relatively plain-looking space can do something amazing. 

The gallery transmits sound from corner to corner perfectly, so that you can have a conversation with a friend at the barest whisper and hear each other as though you were standing face to face. 

This architectural anomaly is caused by the precise arch of the ceiling and the tiled surface.  Don’t miss this!  Click here for a 45 second YouTube video demonstration .

For the most in-depth exploration of this building, sign up for one of our free Grand Central Tours ! If you are going to visit on your own, use this post as a guide.

GRAND CENTRAL STATION TOURS

This building is chock-full of amazing history, details, and quirks.  Whether you take a tour or explore on your own, do not miss this gem of NYC.

Free Tours by Foot audio tour with GPS , perfect for any time, day or night. A download is just $1.99. Below is a sample.

Free Tours by Foot also offers a two-hour tour of Grand Central  on Sundays at 10 am and sometimes at 1 pm.

The Grand Central Partnership offers a free (donations accepted) tour every Friday @ 12:30 pm.

The Municipal Arts Society offers daily at 12:30 pm, 75-minute tours of the terminal. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors, students, children under 10, members of the military. Space is limited. 

TIP: If you have the New York Pass , the audio tour of Grand Central Terminal is included.

Not sure if a tourist pass is for you?  Then check out our post  Which New York Tourist Pass is Best?

What is the difference between Grand Central Terminal and Grand Central Station?

The difference is that the commuter trains that service the suburbs of NYC start and terminate at Grand Central, thus it is a terminus for these trains (hence Grand Central Terminal).

Technically, there is also a station is for subway trains. These trains don't terminate here, they pass through (hence the name Grand Central Station).

Most people call the combined units Grand Central Station even though this is a misnomer.

Part of the confusion stems from the history of train use in this area. 

The first structure built there in 1871 was Grand Central Depot and was a hub for railroad lines that came through Manhattan.

As the use of railroads grew, the depot was demolished in 1899 and a larger structure was built.

It was called Grand Central Station as railroad lines passed through the site and did not necessarily terminate there.

Once railroads ceased servicing New York City, all railroad lines coming into the city terminated at the station, and the name of the structure changed to Grand Central Terminal.

HISTORY OF GRAND CENTRAL

The current Grand Central Terminal was opened on February 2, 1913.

Prior to the opening of this beautiful, Beaux-Arts building, there were two previous stations on this site: Grand Central Depot and Grand Central Station.

The previous buildings served to unite all of the existing rail lines in New York at the time and to bring them all under one roof. 

From 1903 to 1913, Grand Central Station was systematically torn down and the current Grand Central Terminal was built in its place. 

The architectural firms of Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore designed the massive granite building. 

The station was considered revolutionary in many ways. The station was electric, bi-level and the tracks were below ground. 

This novel scheme made for more efficient rail traffic and also opened up Park Avenue north of Grand Central, which had previously been covered by rail tracks. 

Over 150,000 people turned up to celebrate the opening day of Grand Central Terminal, and it had been drawing crowds ever since! 

SHOPPING AND DINING

What shops are at grand central terminal.

Grand Central Terminal (GCT) has a variety of shops that cater to both commuters and tourists.

Many shops sell upscale clothing, accessories, jewelry, and other items that appeal to tourists and also commuters from the wealthy suburbs.

You’ll find stores like Vince Camuto clothing, Jo Malone fragrances, and TUMI Luggage.

Other shops aren’t as fancy and sell practical items, including a pharmacy, several beauty supply shops, a nice wine store, and more.

Top 10 shops we think visitors to NYC will enjoy:

• Apple Store - shop, just recharge your phone and surf the web for free
• Banana Republic - men’s and women’s clothing
• Warby Parker - trendy and affordable eyeglasses
• PIQ  - designer toys, unique NYC items, clever books
• New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store - NYC souvenirs
• Swatch - fun and funky watches
• L’Occitane - France-based chain selling skincare, bath & hair products
• Li-Lac Chocolates handmade chocolates & other confections
• Papyrus - fanciful paper goods, accessories, and gifts
• Kidding Around Toys - independent toy shop with an educational slant

Save some money by taking advantage of the monthly deals and offers at the Grand Central shops and restaurants .

TIP: If you are here during the holiday seasons, visit the Grand Central Station Holiday Market .

Top 10 Places to Get Food

There are dozens of places to get food inside of Grand Central. Most are affordable and perfect for grabbing lunch or a snack.

Many are located in the Dining Concourse on the lower level of the terminal.

Here is a  map of the dining concourse and a directory of food shops .

• Prova Pizzabar
• Grand Central Market
• Doughnut Plant
• Murray’s Cheese
• Shake Shack
• Great Northern Food Hall
• Shiro of Japan
• Dishes At Home
• Magnolia Bakery (of Sex and The City cupcake fame!)

There are also some fine dining, like Cipriani Dolci, where you can dine on the second level balconies of the Grand Hall and watch as people pass through the terminal. 

The Oyster Bar

The famous Oyster Bar is the only business that remains from the very day that Grand Central opened in 1913. 

They offer one of the largest seafood menus in the city, with over 25 kinds of fish and over 30 different kinds of oysters. 

They just underwent a renovation, so stop by and check it out! 

While you are slurping oysters, be sure to look up and check out the beautiful Guastavino tile ceiling. 

The Oyster Bar is shown in the current opening of Saturday Night Live, as a background while they are introducing cast members.

Campbell Apartment Bar

Grand Central’s “hidden” bar can be accessed from the Vanderbilt Avenue side of the station.

Despite the name, it was never actually a residence. The Campbell Apartment was the private office of railroad executive John W. Campbell in the 1920s.

Campbell leased this large, 30ft by 60ft space from the Vanderbilt family. He then paid to have the place transformed into a 13 th century Florentine Palace. 

He had a safe built into a faux-fireplace and ordered a Persian rug that took up the entire floor. The rug alone cost $300,000 in the 1920s (as much as $3.5 million today!) 

Campbell also had a pipe organ installed and bought a grand piano for the office. 

In the evenings he used it as a private reception hall, entertaining up to 60 guests and hiring world-class musicians to come and play private recitals.  T

here was a permanent butler on staff named Stackhouse. 

After Campbell’s death in 1957, the office became a relic of a bygone era and became first a signalman’s office, then a storage space and then finally a small jail for the Transit Police. 

The Campbell Apartment was restored to its former glory in 1999 and opened as a bar. 

Drinks are not cheap, but it is a fantastic experience and truly feels as though you have stepped back in time.

SECRETS OF GRAND CENTRAL

M42   .

M42 is the most closely guarded secret of the station. The room is not shown on any map or blueprint and its existence was not even acknowledged for many years. 

It contains a massive converter that is responsible for all of the electricity in Grand Central, including the rail tracks.

It is such an important room that it was the target of an important German spy mission during World War II. 

Two German spies attempted to debilitate the rotary motors, which would have cut off the power grid. 

Because we moved troops by train in the 1940s, this would have halted troop movement on the Eastern Seaboard and would have been a major setback. 

The men were arrested before they could carry out their plan, and M42 is still a closely guarded secret.

Track 61, a part is Grand Central, is underneath the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. It can be reached by a private elevator car that goes directly from the Presidential Suite down to the platform. 

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used it often because he disliked being seen in public in his wheelchair.

Using this platform made it possible for him to travel out of the public eye. 

In later years, the platform was a fashionable (if bizarre) event space. Andy Warhol held a party on the platform and a fashion show has been held there. 

Though it isn’t used regularly anymore it could technically be accessed from the Waldorf Astoria in the event of an emergency if someone needed to get out of New York quickly and discreetly.

Tennis Court 

Yes, you read that right!  There is a tennis court in Grand Central, added in the 1960s.

It is currently owned by Donald Trump and is called The Vanderbilt Tennis Club. 

Superstars such as the Williams sisters have played there. Technically it is open to the public, but most people would have a tough time getting a reservation!

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Grand Central Terminal Tour 4+

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Get to know Grand Central Terminal, the most famous train station in the world. This walking tour takes you through the whole terminal, points out the most magnificent sights, and gives you the little-known history behind it all! Featuring riveting stories, a phenomenal narrator, and easy automatic audio, this app puts exploration in the palm of your hand! Grand Central Terminal: Uncover the secrets behind the most famous train station in the world! Did you know there’s hidden significance behind much of Grand Central’s design? This tour won’t just show you the most magnificent sights within the terminal—it’ll also fill you in on the fascinating history behind it all. Stroll through the awe-inspiring Main Concourse and hear the stories behind the constellations which decorate the famous Sky Ceiling. Plus, find the spot where a NASA rocket once damaged the ceiling! See iconic sights like the opal-faced clock and learn how Grand Central technically created time as we know it today. No, really! Plus, dive into the fabulously wealthy Vanderbilt family who built this terminal and learn to spot the family symbols they’ve hidden throughout the space. Then visit the mysterious Whispering Gallery and the astonishingly elegant Oyster Bar for a glimpse back into the Gilded Age. The tour of Grand Central Terminal includes: ■ 42nd Street Sculpture and Clock ■ Vanderbilt Hall ■ Main Concourse ■ The Info Booth & Clock ■ The Ticket Windows ■ Tycoon Drama: Rivalry with Rockefeller ■ The Sky Ceiling ■ Pegasus, the Winged Horse ■ Aquarius, the Cup-Bearer ■ Pisces, the Fish ■ Aries, the Ram ■ Taurus, the Bull ■ Orion, the Hunter ■ Gemini, the Twins ■ Cancer, the Crab ■ The Chandeliers ■ The Walls of Glass ■ The West Staircase ■ The Station Master’s Office ■ The New York Transit Museum ■ Grand Central in Movies ■ Whispering Gallery ■ Oyster Bar HOW IT WORKS: As you travel, audio stories play automatically based on your location. Simply go to the starting point of the tour and begin following the given route. Each story begins playing on its own, usually just before you reach a point of interest. TOUR FEATURES: ▶ Freedom of travel No scheduled tour times, no crowded buses, and no rush to keep moving past stops that interest you. You have total freedom to skip ahead, linger, and take as many photos as you’d like. ▶ Automatic play No muss, no fuss. Just follow the app’s built-in route to all the must-visit spots — the audio stories about everything you see will play automatically! ▶ Works offline Download the tour in advance and then use it seamlessly, even in areas with no service! ▶ Lifetime purchase No monthly subscription. No time limits. No usage limits. Enjoy this tour as many times as you like. ▶ Incredible stories Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and secrets of this famous site with the help of a top-tier narrator and fascinating stories written by experts. ▶ Award-winning app Featured on Thrillist and WBZ, this easy-to-use app won the Laurel Award for Technology from the Newport Mansions, who use the app for over a million tours per year. FREE DEMO vs FULL ACCESS: Check out the totally free demo to get an idea of what this tour is all about. If you like it, purchase the tour to get full access to all of the stories. QUICK TIPS: ■ Download ahead of time, over data or WiFi. ■ Be sure the phone battery is fully charged or take an external battery pack. NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. This app uses your location service and GPS tracking feature to allow real-time tracking of your route.

Version 1.4

New York Bundle now has 6 Tours. New US - Mexico tours added. Supports AirPods Control. Bug fixes and performance improvements.

Ratings and Reviews

Glamorous nyc landmark.

We enjoyed exploring Grand Central when we visited New York City. It’s one of those sites you’ve heard of but don’t know why it’s famous. This tour helps you figure that out. We enjoyed learning about all the constellations on the iconic ceiling, as well as the little design details hidden all over the terminal. The narration/voice is very pleasant.

Developer Response ,

We're so glad you enjoyed the tour! Thanks for the review!

Excellent tour!

I have tons of pictures from my previous visits through Grand Central. This time I used this tour I found online. Amazing! I saw and learnt so many new interesting things. A must do for regular New Yorkers and tourists alike.

I had no idea that Grand Central had so much history. This is the third tour I used from this company. I like the narrator. His. Live is quite enthusiastic and the stories are good.

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The developer, David Kneynsberg LLC , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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• Grand Central Audio Guide $14.99
• NYC Combo Audio Tours $19.99
• Financial District Audio Guide $4.99
• Brooklyn Audio Tour Guide $4.99
• Central Park Tour Guide $9.99
• Midtown Manhattan Tour Guide $4.99
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NEW YORK Guide Tickets & Map

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• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Michigan Central Station to celebrate reopening with 10 days of tours, concert

Detroit — As restoration of Michigan Central nears the finish line, plans are moving forward for the former train station's grand opening in early June, which will include a concert for 15,000 people and several days of free public tours.

Michigan Central's team on Tuesday asked the Detroit City Council for permits to host the grand opening. Events will run from June 6-16 with performances, station tours, discussions and family-friendly activities, said CEO Joshua Sirefman.

"Our celebration is going to have two core pieces, a free concert we call 'Open Live' on June 6 to celebrate all the station has meant for the city and what it will mean going forward," said Sirefman. "We anticipate an audience of 15,000 for this. This will be free and we will make sure the residents in the immediate neighborhood have priority access to tickets."

The station's public opening comes 36 years after the last train left the station on Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. Ford Motor Co. purchased the building and its surrounding campus in 2018 and has spent hundreds of millions of dollars restoring the area and station.

Sirefman said Michigan Central expects 60,000 people to tour the station over 10 days in June.

"The goal of that experience will be to celebrate the restoration and revitalization of the building," he said.

The station will open to media first on June 6 and an event to thank those who supported the Michigan Central Children's Endowment, led by Bill and Lisa Ford, begins at 5 p.m.

There will be a 90-minute outdoor free concert at 8:30 p.m. Gates for the concert will open at 6 p.m. The event will also be streamed globally, though performers haven't been announced. Pre-registration will be required for all events.

Then on June 7, there will be VIP and general entry tours, an open forum with leadership of the tower and Newlab at Michigan Central. There also will be food service, performances, displays and activities expected.

The station will host free ticketed tours from noon-10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. June 8; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 9. The open house and festival continues noon-8 p.m. June 10-13; from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 14-15; and from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. June 16.

The weekends will have programming with multiple performances per day, demonstrations and music. Weekdays will have a light programming approach with a few spikes of interest each day, according to the permit request.

Open houses will continue June 21 through Aug. 31 from 5-9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

An "OPEN" sculpture will guide visitors to the entry point of the open houses alongside empty frames people can pose with the train station in the background. Food trucks will line the streets to serve a variety of options from around the surrounding communities.

There also will be a shuttle service and more parking for festivities, Sirefman said.

In 2018, Ford acquired the station and several nearby buildings for $90 million from the Moroun family, the billionaire owners of the Ambassador Bridge. With the state approving tax breaks at the time estimated at $207 million, there was the promise of a revitalization of the shuttered icon.

That year,  40,000 visitors  waited to see the vacant 1913-built rail stop before extensive renovations began.

The 30-acre Corktown mobility innovation hub anchored by the station eventually anticipates one day being home to 5,000 tax-paying jobs, as Ford promised in 2018. Half are expected to come from the Dearborn automaker’s advanced technology teams and the rest from startups and suppliers. Fulfilling the vision, though, is likely to take years, according to the project's leaders, who promise more details will be shared in June.

Ford has estimated the price tag to restore the entire Corktown campus at $950 million, but it wouldn't say how much has been spent restoring the 500,000-square-foot train station. Over the last six years, 3,100 workers put in more than 1.7 million hours into its construction.

Although restoration will be complete in time for the open house in June, the station won't immediately be the buzzing center of shops, restaurants, Ford employees at work and overnight visitors.

"We will start after that, the long process of activating the building over time," Sirefman said.

Still, Ford is expected to occupy several floors in the station's tower, according to two sources familiar with the situation. There are plans for a still-to-be-named hotel to occupy the top three stories. Other businesses will have some tie into advanced tech, electrification or mobility.

More: Michigan Central about to open, but what will be inside?

Restaurants and shops on the ground floor are being curated by Roslyn Karamoko, founder of Detroit Is The New Black apparel brand. Art installations will pay homage to the station's history, and there'll be space for public gatherings and live music performances on its campus. There's also potential for the  return of passenger rail service nearby .

District 6 Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero said the NFL Draft was not as successful near Corktown and Southwest Detroit as previously expected and asked how the station would make more efforts to boost nearby businesses outside their campus.

"We want Michigan Central to feel a part of the neighborhood," Sirefman responded. "We're going to have a partnership with all the local businesses. ... We are going to have limited availability for food and beverages on site but we want to make sure local businesses are highlighted. We are still working on shuttle services for the event but I think that could create opportunities and ensure people are in the neighborhoods."

The petition for the grand opening permits was sent to the council's Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee for a vote before returning to formal session next week.

[email protected]

X: @SarahRahal_

Tours and concerts to headline Michigan Central depot's reopening

A multiday celebration to welcome the public back inside Michigan Central Station is in the works for next month's reopening of the historic depot.

Driving the news: Officials from the depot shared plans during a City Council meeting Tuesday in order to obtain permits for events, including a free concert for as many as 15,000 attendees.

• Michigan Central CEO Joshua Sirefman told council he thinks more than 60,000 will tour the building after opening to the media and a private event on June 6, the Detroit News reports.

Catch up quick: After a six-year restoration of the abandoned train station, the public will get its first glimpse of the finished product June 7-13.

• Station officials said in August they're planning food, beverage and retail options "that will be as much of a destination as the depot itself," but they haven't announced specific tenants yet.

What's happening: The building will remain open to the public from 5-9pm Fridays and 10am-5pm Saturdays from June 21 through Aug. 31.

What they're saying: "Pending City Council approval of the event permit for our community celebration, we will release details, including how our neighbors and the public can participate, in early May," Catherine Kelly, Michigan Central's head of communications, said in a statement to Axios.

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.

Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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