Grand Central Terminal Tour with Optional Empire State Access

4.9 (27 reviews) New York City, USA
Duration2h - 3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 20 travelers

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.

Options

Tour Only: No Empire State
Tour with Empire State Access

Empire State Access Included

What's included

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

What to expect

  1. 10m
    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.
  2. Grand Central Terminal
    1h
    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.
  3. 15m
    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.
  4. Campbell Apartment
    10m
    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.
  5. Empire State Building
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Enjoy seamless access to 86th Floor of Empire State Building after your tour at Grand Central Terminal.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your tour guide holding a red Experience NYC flag in front of the Pershing Square Cafe (red building with green signs).

End point
End point

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.9 (27)
From
$32.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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