Grand Central Terminal

This majestic, lively hub for commuters is a must-see for architecture buffs.

Stand aside from the 750,000 daily visitors rushing to and from their trains and admire the architectural beauty of the majestic Grand Central Terminal. It’s also home to shops and dining options, making it an entertaining one-stop destination.

Even if you’ve nowhere to go, a visit to this Beaux Arts building is a heady sensory pleasure. Enter from 42nd Street in Midtown and stroll towards the Main Concourse, the station’s central area. You’ll recognize this cavernous space from many Hollywood films. Look up for a celestial treat: the 125-foot (38-meter) high ceilings, decorated by French artist Paul Cesar Helleu in 1912 with gold leaf on cerulean blue oil. The mural depicts the zodiac constellations backwards, an error some believe was simply an accident. Just below the ceiling, light streams in from six 75-foot (nearly 23-meter) arched windows, illuminating the stone walls and marble floors.

In Hollywood movie style, make your way down one of the two opulent marble staircases modeled after the grand staircase in the Paris Opera House. Or rendezvous under the multi-million dollar, four-faced opal clock atop the information booth.

Other highlights of Grand Central, designed by architectural firms Reed and Stem and Warren and Wetmore, include French artist Jules Coutan’s sculptural group of Mercury flanked by Hercules and Minerva on the building’s facade. The sculpture surrounds a 13-foot diameter clock containing the world’s largest example of Tiffany glass.

Still one of the largest transport hubs in the United States, Grand Central Terminal has 44 platforms and 67 tracks. There are two underground levels servicing surrounding parts of New York, as well as parts of Connecticut. If you visit with an empty stomach, the Dining Concourse, below the Main Concourse, has a range of options, including the iconic Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Opened in 1913, it’s the oldest establishment in the terminal. There’s a brilliant example of the tiled vaulting system designed by Spanish immigrant architect Rafael Guastavino, whose work can be seen in more than 200 buildings in New York City. Other examples include the Cathedral of St John the Divine and the Registry Hall at Ellis Island.

Grand Central Terminal is located at E. 42nd Street and Park Avenue. It’s a major subway, rail, and bus terminal.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Grand Central Terminal

Chrysler Building

Venture into one of the world’s most iconic buildings, which harks back to a time of industrial growth and art deco flair.

Midtown East

Among all the dazzling architecture of Midtown East, Grand Central Terminal remains the most beloved, and the most iconic.

New York Public Library

Meet the iconic library lions, explore the Rose Room and marvel at millions of books at New York City’s flagship library.

Bryant Park

Stop for a picnic lunch at a shaded table, create some art, ride the carousel or play chess, ping-pong or boules at this amazing multi-use park in midtown Manhattan.

NBC Studios

Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous television studios in New York City, where some of the nation’s best-loved shows are filmed.

Hotels near Grand Central Terminal

Roosevelt Hotel

45 E 45Th St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Grand Central Terminal. Chrysler Building and St. Patrick's Cathedral are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 5 minutes by foot and 47 - 50 Sts - Rockefeller Center Station is 8 minutes.

Hyatt Grand Central New York

109 East 42nd Streetat Grand Central Terminal, at Grand Central Terminal

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is steps from Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal. 5th Avenue and Bryant Park are also within 10 minutes. 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Pod 51

230 E 51st St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue and St. Patrick's Cathedral. United Nations Headquarters and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and 51 St. Station is 8 minutes.

Pod 39

145 East 39th Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chrysler Building and 5th Avenue. Grand Central Terminal and New York Public Library are also within 10 minutes. 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 9 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 6 minutes.

Waldorf Astoria New York

301 Park Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Museum of Modern Art are also within 10 minutes. 51 St. Station is 5 minutes by foot and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 8 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Metropolitan - New York City

569 Lexington Ave

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Museum of Modern Art and Madison Avenue are also within 10 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station and 51 St. Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Lotte New York Palace

455 Madison Ave

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the entertainment district, within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Central Park are also within 15 minutes. 51 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 7 minutes.

The Westin New York Grand Central

212 East 42nd Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal. 5th Avenue and United Nations Headquarters are also within 10 minutes. Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 9 minutes by foot and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 12 minutes.

The Redbury New York

29 East 29th Street

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Empire State Building, and Madison Square Park. Madison Square Garden and Grand Central Terminal are also within 15 minutes. 28 St. Station (Park Av. S) and 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) are within a 5-minute walk.

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza

1 United Nations Plaza

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of United Nations Headquarters and Grand Central Terminal. Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center are also within 1 mi (2 km). Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 13 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 14 minutes.

The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection

511 Lexington Ave at 48th St.

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Grand Central Terminal, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Museum of Modern Art and Times Square are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 7 minutes by foot and 51 St. Station is 7 minutes.

The Maxwell New York City

541 Lexington Ave

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

An urban oasis, this trendsetting East Side W hotel, 1 block from Park Avenue, is within 1 mile of Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and the Broadway Theatre District.

Courtyard New York Manhattan/ Midtown East

866 3rd Avenue

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Madison Avenue. Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is only a 2-minute walk and 51 St. Station is 4 minutes.

Shelburne Hotel & Suites by Affinia

303 Lexington Avenue

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Chrysler Building. Grand Central Terminal and Empire State Building are also within 10 minutes. 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 7 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 7 minutes.

Hotel Chandler

12 E 31st St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Housed in a 1905 Beaux Arts building, this boutique hotel is in New York's Murray Hill district. Located between the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Penn Station and Times Square, the Chandler Hotel is 3 blocks from Macy's, and one mile from Union Square.

Club Wyndham Midtown 45

205 E 45th St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Chrysler Building, United Nations Headquarters, and Grand Central Terminal. 5th Avenue and St. Patrick's Cathedral are also within 15 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 8 minutes by foot and Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 9 minutes.

The Court - A St Giles Hotel

130 East 39th Street

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this boutique hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, and Chrysler Building. Bryant Park and New York Public Library are also within 10 minutes. Grand Central - 42 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 8 minutes.

Seton Hotel

144 E 40th Street

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Chrysler Building, 5th Avenue, and Grand Central Terminal. Bryant Park and New York Public Library are also within 10 minutes. Grand Central - 42 St. Station is 5 minutes by foot and 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 11 minutes.

Omni Berkshire Place

21 E 52nd Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly New York hotel is located in the historical district, within a 5-minute walk of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Museum of Modern Art, and Rockefeller Center. Radio City Music Hall and Broadway Theatre are also within 15 minutes. 51 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 7 minutes.

Iberostar 70 Park Avenue

70 Park Ave

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this romantic hotel is within a 5-minute walk of 5th Avenue and Grand Central Terminal. Empire State Building and Chrysler Building are also within 10 minutes. Grand Central - 42 St. Station is only a 4-minute walk and 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) is 6 minutes.

InterContinental New York Barclay, an IHG Hotel

111 East 48th Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Building are also within 10 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 7 minutes by foot and 51 St. Station is 7 minutes.

Westgate New York Grand Central

304 E 42nd St

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and Empire State Building. Rockefeller Center and Broadway are also within 1 mi (2 km). Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is 14 minutes by foot and 5 Av Station (W. 42nd St.) is 15 minutes.

Hotel 31

120 E 31st St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, Empire State Building, and Madison Square Park. Grand Central Terminal and Gramercy Park are also within 15 minutes. 33 St. Station (Park Av. S) and 28 St. Station (Park Av. S) are within a 5-minute walk.

The Benjamin

125 E 50th St

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Midtown, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of 5th Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center. Grand Central Terminal and Chrysler Building are also within 10 minutes. Lexington Av.-53 St. Station is only a 5-minute walk and 51 St. Station is 5 minutes.