Travel: Grand Central Helps You Prepare for Memorial Day

I love Grand Central Terminal. Nothing represents the charm and history of New York City like GC.

And as Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, and there’s no better place to prepare for summer celebrations than GC. No matter what you’re planning for Memorial Day, here are three ideas to help prepare for the long weekend all while taking advantage of the new Grand Central Rewards program. )The shopping rewards program offers visitors who make purchases in all four zones of the Terminal limited-edition, Grand Central Terminal-branded, summer-themed gifts while supplies last).

memorial-day-weekend_bbq

  • Celebrating the holiday with a cookout or beer bash at home – Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a Prohibition Punch at The Campbell Apartment’s seasonal al-fresco seating ($19). Visitors can purchase a growler ($5) and fill it up with fresh drafts (starting at $18) at Beer Table To Go for refreshing summer libations. Start the cookout with an assorted cheese plate from Murray’s Cheese with Isabella Gouda ($15.99/lb.) and Mrs. Quicke’s cheddar 16-month reserve ($19.99/lb.). Pair the cheese with fresh baked goods and crackers at Eli Zabar’s Bread & Pastry post in Grand Central Market such as the freshly baked cracked wheat loaves ($5.95). Complete the meal with Zaro’s Bakery mini black-and-white cookies (15 for $14.99). By spending a minimum of $50, shoppers will receive the Grand Central Reward of two GCT branded pint glasses.

boy-holding-flag

  • Heading to the beach for the long weekend– Everything beachgoers need for a seaside getaway is under the Terminal roof.  Before heading out of town, visitors can grab a light summer read, such as the new book One More Thing by B.J. Novak, at Posman Books ($25). Look cool under the hot sun with the trendiest summer wear from Tia’s Place, which sellsmaxi dresses, beach totes, and fedoras (ranging from $20 to $75). Perfect beach snacks can be found at Eli Zabar’s Farm to Table with fresh fruitsuch as strawberries and blueberries ($6.99 for a basket). Children’s sandals and cover-ups from LittleMissMatched help keep the kids happy (ranging from $10-$25). Spending a minimum of $100 to prep for a beach weekend will earn shoppers a limited-edition beach towel to help round out a perfect day of sand and surf.

Stars-and-Stripes-Picnic-Party-101965116-01

  • Picnicking or BBQing with family – Putting together a traditional backyard barbecue at home or picnic in Central Park is easy with a few stops at the Terminal. Prepare to man your grill with quality prime, dry-aged porterhouse steak, filet mignon, and Kobe beef kebabs (ranging from  $32.99-$49.99/lb.) at Ceriello or purchase wild Alaskan king salmon ( $33.99/lb.) atWild Edibles. Barbecue masters can buy fresh supplies, such as a Ninja Barbecue Set stainless steel fork and spatula with a carrying case ($36) at PIQ . Complete the meal with a refreshing summer rosé by Hecht & Bannier ($24.95) or a crisp Sancerre by Domaine de la Pauline ($33.95) from Grande Harvest Wines.  Dessert is served at Magnolia Bakery’s, with their famous buttercream cupcakes ($3.25/ea.) and a large banana pudding ($6.50), which can be kept cool in the free insulated tote bag, courtesy of spending a minimum of $150 through the Grand Central Rewards program.

Grand Central Rewards is available through June 16. To earn the pint glasses, beach towel and insulated tote bag, shoppers must spend a minimum of $50 and buy at least one item in each of four Terminal shopping zones. Shoppers who spend a minimum of $250 can earn all three rewards. To pick up the limited-edition items, shoppers must redeem their receipts at the Biltmore Room on select dates. To view these dates, please visit www.grandcentralterminal.com/grandcentralrewards.