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Grand Central Terminal Tour with Optional Empire State Access

27 Reviews 4.93 out of 5 stars Based on 27 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 96% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
New York City, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Step inside world-famous Grand Central Terminal and uncover the secrets hidden beneath its Beaux-Arts beauty. On this 2-hour guided tour, explore the grand Main Concourse, the celestial ceiling (painted backwards!), and the four-faced opal clock worth millions — plus secret stairways and hidden passageways most visitors walk right past.
Experience the Whispering Gallery, where a quiet word travels across the arched walkway, and hear how preservationists — including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — saved the terminal from demolition. The tour ends at the Dining Concourse and Grand Central Market, perfect for a classic New York lunch.
Make it a full NYC day with the Empire State Building option. After lunch, enjoy an easy 15-minute walk down Fifth Avenue, past Bryant Park, to the 86th-floor Observatory — where sweeping views of the city you just explored await, including Grand Central itself, 1,000 feet below.

What's Included

  • Local Licensed NYC Tour Guide
  • Hidden Gems and Secrets of Grand Central
  • Guided Tour of Grand Central Terminal
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

90 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Pershing Square

Your tour begins in front of the famous Pershing Square Café, located across from the main entrance to Grand Central Terminal. Your guide will kick off the tour with an introduction to this architectural marvel, sharing its fascinating history and significance.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Grand Central Terminal

Next, you’ll go on a tour inside Grand Central Terminal, discovering its hidden gems and iconic features. Your guide will dive into the terminal’s stunning architecture, explaining how it was built, and lead you through the main concourse, showcasing the famous ceiling mural, intricate lighting fixtures, movie scenes filmed here, whispering arches, and much more.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Dining Concourse

The next stop will be at the Dining Concourse, where you'll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of food options, including snacks, desserts, and light bites. This is also a great time to use the bathroom before continuing the tour.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Campbell Apartment

The next stop is the iconic Campbell Apartment, a stunning former office turned speakeasy bar. Your guide will share the fascinating history of this hidden gem, once the private domain of a railroad tycoon.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Empire State Building

Enjoy seamless access to 86th Floor of Empire State Building after your tour at Grand Central Terminal.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Grand Central Terminal Tour with Optional Empire State Access?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-122012P29

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.93
27 reviews

Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 27 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
26
4 stars
0
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Local Licensed NYC Tour Guide
  • Hidden Gems and Secrets of Grand Central
  • Guided Tour of Grand Central Terminal
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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