New York City is full of interesting, historic buildings, but few can say they have as much appeal and hidden secrets as iconic Grand Central Terminal.
The terminal is the largest train station in the world by the number of platforms it holds (44, with 67 tracks) and was ranked “the world’s number six most visited tourist attraction” by Travel & Leisure Magazine in 2011. The station sees around 21 million visitors a year. Visitors are awed by the elaborate astrological ceiling, which was originally done in 1912 by French portrait artist Paul Cesar Helleu.
One of the most frequented destinations by tourists and locals alike in New York City is Grand Central Terminal. Their is an official, self-guided audio tour available in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German and Italian. MTA’s Metro-North Railroad, which operates the Terminal, teamed up last year with Orpheo USA, one of the world’s most experienced producers of audio tours, to give tourists, travelers and locals an aural history of the Terminal. The tour focuses on the building’s architectural highlights, providing real stories about little-known secrets, anecdotes, and the history of the Terminal.
At just $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under, the tour is also a bargain. The tour comes with a map of the Terminal and an introduction by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Visitors who plan ahead can download the tour from www.myorpheo.com to their personal MP3 players, iPhones and smartphones for $4.99. The audio tour is available on site every day, all year long.
