Grand Central Terminal's Secrets and Stories: An Audio Tour

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 reviews collected by Cool New York City and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | New York City, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

90 to 110 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Grand Central Terminal is one of the world’s top ten tourist attractions, with hidden features and fascinating stories. It’s also the setting for hundreds of famous films and novels, from Hitchcock’s North By Northwest to Salinger’s Catcher In The Rye.

On this tour, you’ll spot the details others miss, like why its famous starry ceiling is backwards, why it has a hole for a rocket, and why it neglected to clean one tiny spot. You’ll learn how Grand Central birthed the phrase “red carpet treatment” and the word “commuter.” You’ll find out how “air rights” were conceived here – and how they made Grand Central possible and nearly destroyed it.

As you walk around Grand Central Station, finding its often overlooked corners, you’ll learn how this historic landmark was created “by accident."

By the end of the tour, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for this architectural masterpiece and engineering marvel that pioneered many features now common in transportation hubs worldwide.

What's Included

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and Drinks
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017, USA

Show on Google Maps

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

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Grand Central Terminal

Begin your journey through the iconic Grand Central Terminal, a bustling transportation hub steeped in history and adorned with breathtaking architecture.
Read more

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grand Central Market

Explore the vibrant Grand Central Market, a culinary paradise offering an array of gourmet delights and artisanal treats, where locals and visitors alike gather to indulge in gastronomic delights.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Whispering Gallery in Grand Central Terminal (Pass By)

Experience the enchanting Whisper Gallery, a hidden gem within Grand Central Terminal where whispered secrets are magically carried across the vaulted ceilings, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery.
Read more

The Campbell (Pass By)

Discover the timeless elegance of The Campbell Apartment, a sophisticated hideaway bar nestled within Grand Central Terminal, offering a sanctuary of luxury and refinement amidst the bustling city.
Read more

Vanderbilt Tennis Club (Pass By)

Immerse yourself in the sporting heritage of Grand Central Terminal at the Vanderbilt Tennis Club, where enthusiasts can partake in a game of tennis amidst the historic surroundings of the terminal.
Read more
Show 3 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Grand Central Terminal’s Secrets and Stories: An Audio Tour?

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?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P722

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool New York City and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Tour Contrasts of New York VIP
4 to 5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation Instant Confirmation
from
$55

World Trade Center Photo Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
2 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation Instant Confirmation
from
$125

VIP 9/11 Ground Zero Tour With 9/11 Museum
2 to 4 hours Free Cancellation Instant Confirmation
from
$129

Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink
2 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation Instant Confirmation
from
$49

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour (includes bus, walking tour and ferry ride!)
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
6 hours Free Cancellation
from
$99

American Dream DreamWorks Indoor Water Park Ticket
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
1 day Free Cancellation
from
$89

American Dream Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park Ticket
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
1 day Free Cancellation
from
$62.91

NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports
6 hours Free Cancellation Instant Confirmation
from
$84

What's Included

Activity name

  • Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and Drinks
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

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).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool New York City wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool New York City over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.