Donovan H.
Yelp
One word to describe "Grand Central Terminal" - ICONIC! Many people also refer to this place as Grand Central Station but either way of saying it is fine. By the turn of the 20th century, New York City became a very successful commercial and cultural landmark. And with the alarming number of people moving here, this terminal officially opened its doors back in 1913. Since then, it has undergone numerous and cosmetic changes, upgrades, and retrofits to accommodate the thousands of passengers that pass through on a daily basis.
Covering approximately 48 acres, the exact location of Grand Central is at 89 East 42nd St, Manhattan, New York City. It attracts an estimated 20 million passengers, commuters, and tourists from all walks of life. Throughout my life, I have been here on numerous occasions over the years. Every single time I re-visit, I see things that I did not see on my previous visits. As for the connecting trains and buses, you have the option of going to any of the boroughs as well as up north to New Haven, Connecticut as well as neighboring states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Since this is a centralized "hub", it is actually easier to navigate around than nearby "Penn Station" and "Port Authority".
Truth be told, there are a lot of people that don't even visit here to take a connecting train, they come specifically to the "Main Concourse". This has been the backdrop to a countless number of movies, TV shows, and the perfect place to capture some breathtaking photos. Everything from the architectural layout and painted green ceiling to the marbled floors and Frieze display, this place resembles a museum more than a terminal. All of the terminal's primary departure boards are still in operation which looks more like an airport. And finally, the information booth is topped by a four-faced brass clock, one of Grand Central's most recognizable icons.
As I mentioned, this place has gone through evolutionary changes to keep up with the times. You can download the MTA app that zeroes in the ETA of every arriving/departing train and I've gotta say, it is very accurate. Furthermore, there is an abundance of ticket stations where you can purchase a one-time ticket or the OMNY card; either through cash, card, or tap to pay. And at the very bottom floor, there are a TON of great eateries to choose from; bakeries, coffee, sandwiches, burgers, smoothies, sushi, and much more. Finally, they offer several public restrooms while navigating around here isn't as difficult as I once thought.
All in all, the energy and excitement of "Grand Central Terminal" in the heart of Manhattan, NY is a place that any out-of-towner MUST check out if they visit the big city. Even if you are not taking any connecting trains or buses, visiting is an experience all in itself. With the history and legacy that this landmark has incorporated for well over a century, I am giving Grand Central Terminal a unanimous five-star rating.