Sight Midtown East, New York City
Grand Central Terminal
A sight in Midtown East, New York City, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
Beaux-Arts station with the celestial ceiling; Hudson Line trains to Beacon leave here.
It is one of 9 curated places we feature in New York City, alongside 3 places to eat, 3 sights and 1 place for a drink. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with The Campbell and Top of the Rock. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.
- Type
- Sight
- Neighborhood
- Midtown East
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 45 min
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 5 beyond New York City. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1The Campbell
Restored 1920s office of a tycoon, now a cocktail bar inside Grand Central.
Drinks · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Top of the Rock
Open-air decks atop Rockefeller Center with a clear view of the Empire State Building and Central Park.
Sight · Manhattan · 0.5 mi straight-line - 3Keens Steakhouse
Steakhouse open since 1885, known for its mutton chop and ceilings lined with thousands of old clay pipes.
Food · Midtown Manhattan · 0.5 mi straight-line - 4Joe's Pizza
Classic thin New York slice, served fast since 1975.
Food · Manhattan · 0.5 mi straight-line - 5Times Square Ball Drop
The ball atop One Times Square drops at 11:59 p.m., followed by confetti and fireworks over a crowd of about a million.
Sight · Midtown Manhattan · 0.5 mi straight-line - 6Times Square
The billboards and Broadway theaters are at their best after dark.
Sight · Manhattan · 0.6 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Grand Central Terminal is a stop on our Hudson Valley by Rail route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More sights to see in New York City
3 more curated sights in New York City. See the full New York City guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in New York City run from 38°F in January to 79°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For Grand Central Terminal itself, we suggest: Morning.
Modelled monthly averages for New York City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full New York City weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Grand Central Terminal, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Coordinates
- 40.75271, -73.97723
- Destination
- New York City
- Website
- grandcentralterminal.com
Grand Central Terminal: quick answers
How much time do you need at Grand Central Terminal?
Plan on about 45 minutes at Grand Central Terminal. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Grand Central Terminal?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Check the Whispering Gallery outside the Oyster Bar.
Is Grand Central Terminal free?
Yes, we list Grand Central Terminal as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Grand Central Terminal?
Grand Central Terminal is at 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA, in Midtown East. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Grand Central Terminal?
Grand Central Terminal appears on Hudson Valley by Rail, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Grand Central Terminal to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to New York City.
Plan New York City
- New York City travel guide 9 places
- Best time to visit New York City weather by month
- New York City to Beacon 55 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in New York City
- Chelsea Market Food
- The High Line Outdoors
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.