Millions of travelers pass through Grand Central Terminal, but most never discover the secrets of this Manhattan showpiece. This tour lifts the lid: spotlighting the origins and evolution of the beaux arts train station from its heyday to disrepair and restoration. Spot detail and design quirks; and hear stories of its past that will give you a deeper understanding of the building than you could get alone.

Discover the secrets of Grand Central Terminal on a small-group walking tour
Learn about detail and design features not obvious to untrained eyes
Uncover surprising gems and historical tales you may not experience otherwise
Enjoy a tour capped at 15 that's ideal for history and architecture buffs

What's Included

Guided walking tour led by a local New Yorker
Ear pieces provided to each guests, ensuring everyone hears the guide perfectly, even from a distance

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Grand Central Terminal
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA
The tour starts in front of Track 29, inside Grand Central Terminal's main concourse. Your guide will be holding an "Untapped New York" sign.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Grand Central Terminal

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Midtown (Pass By)

MetLife Building (Pass By)

Chrysler Building (Pass By)

Campbell Apartment

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Grand Central Market (Pass By)

Graybar Electric Building (Graybar Rats) (Pass By)

New York City

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Manhattan Skyline (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Tour is in English
The tour starts in front of Track 29, inside Grand Central Terminal's main concourse. Your guide will be holding an "Untapped New York" sign.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

1,001 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 1,001 reviews

Gand Central tour

Karen_F, Apr 2024

I really enjoyed seeing the upstairs rooms that you usually do not see, and learning about the signifigance of the Acorn for the Vanderbilt family.

New appreciation of a beautiful building.

Jeffrey_M, Apr 2024

Learned lots of cool factoids about GCT. AJ even got us to the tracks where the 20th Century Limited used to arrive and depart. That was after some North by Northwest trivia. Really appreciate making it “ customized “.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Jeffery, glad you enjoyed your Grand Central tour with AJ. He is a well-font of knowledge especially when it comes to trains. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us this review. Be well!

Fascinating tour

Amanda_G, Apr 2024

John was an excellent guide and storyteller. I have rushed through Grand Central countless times but I found his tour fascinating. Good for a visitor but also equally interesting for a New Yorker.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Amanda, thanks so much for the review both John and the company appreciate it. Take good care!

Great tour- fabulous guide- love the ear piece

Patricia_M, Apr 2024

John was the BEST guide!!! And I love the ear pieces. Well worth the money. Would highly recommend! Looking forward to my next tour

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We agree, John is THE BEST! Thank you for the recommendation we always appreciate it. Hope to see you again soon!

This tour didn't disappoint!

Jonathan_L, Apr 2024

John was a fantastic guide. He provided an earphone so nobody in our group missed a word he said. Grand Central Terminal is loud so this accessory truly made the experience more enjoyable than otherwise would have been listening to a guide screaming, which was the case all around us. John has 40+ years in the hospitality business and it showed. He has a warm, welcoming personality and comes equipped with good stories and a book full of really great pictures of the terminal and history. I've been on many tours in NYC and highly recommend this one. It won't disappoint.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Wow Jonathan, what a great review, we whole-heartedly thank you for it! We'll also be sure to send this along to John as well, he be thrilled to read it. Be well!

Fun and informative tour

Pam_S, Apr 2024

We had a great tour with Alexis! Loved all the history and the hidden secrets of Central Station. Who knew there are tennis courts there!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Many thanks Pam, we appreciate it. The tennis courts are always the hit of the tour. Glad you enjoyed it.

great tour guide jonathon

Debra_G, Apr 2024

lots of fun facts and history of the terminal were shared in an inventive and personal way by jonathon our guide

Great tour of Historical building.

janewilner1, Apr 2024

Great Guide AJ. Humor and Information. Head phone apparatus made presentation clear even with high volume of noise in terminal.

Highly recommend!

Tanya_H, Apr 2024

Really enjoyed our tour, highly recommend! Got to see some secret spots in the station that we would have never come across and enjoyed the back stories on the art and architecture details.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Tanya, thanks for joining us and for leaving this great review. Take good care!

Grand Central Station tour

Lynn_S, Apr 2024

Jonathan is a great tour guide, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We learned a lot on the tour about the station and the surrounding area. Highly recommend

Memorable tour

Mike_R, Apr 2024

Tour guide Johnathan’s knowledge of Grand Central Station and his engaging approach made this a very memorable tour. Great job, Jonathan.

Very interesting Behind the Scenes Tour of Grand Central

DisViatorAccount, Apr 2024

Our guide was very knowledgable about the history and books and crannies of Grand Central Station. He gave us ear pieces so we could hear him throughout. We went a little over the 90 minutes but it was worth it- jam packed with information and interesting tid bits. We went all through the station - up and down.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to leave this amazing review. Glad you enjoyed your experience with us at Grand Central Terminal.

Very good

Sharie_W, Apr 2024

Interesting historical information and the guide was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and humorous. We brought friends who had never been to NYC and it was a highlight of the trip for them.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We are so glad to hear this and that your friends enjoyed the tour as well. We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Take good care!

Educational and cultural definitely recommending this to friends

John_P, Apr 2024

It was great to learn about the history behind GCT and our tour guide Laura was excellent!!! I want to take other tours that you have available.

Book the tour!

Melissa_D, Apr 2024

Wonderful guide and entire experience:) Learning about Grand Central Terminal was informative & magical and helped me remember why I love NYC so much!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Melissa what an amazing review and so well put. Thank you for joining us at Grand Central. Be well!

Get to know one of the great buildings in NYC

Jerry_D, Apr 2024

I have visited GST many times on my own but taking this fun informative tour enriched my visits past and future

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks Jerry, glad to hear it. We appreciate you leaving a review. Be well!

Enthusiastic knowledgeable Guide

Patty_Q, Apr 2024

interesting tour, so much history. I like the way we were never stuck in the crowds of people. Very knowledgeable guide who obviously had a great interest which translated to a fantastic tour. I would highly recommend it’s definitely something different, you will learn new things along with the beautiful sights.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thanks Patty, we appreciate the recommendation and glad you enjoyed the tour. Please take good care!

Fantastic tour!

Olivia_S, Mar 2024

We loved our tour guide Louis! He was charming and super knowledgeable. I’m a New Yorker of 13 years and I learned a lot of new secrets about the city and grand central. Would absolutely recommend to friends and family members! Especially with Louis!

Not what we expected

Larry_T, Mar 2024

Not what we expected. Barely saw and "secret " areas that aren't seen by everyone and anyone. Not exciting. We left tour before it ended.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi Larry, thank you for leaving this frank review of your experience. And thank you for reaching out this weekend over Viator as well. The refund for your experience was processed as we offered and promised. We apologize you didn't enjoy the experience and as you can read for the hundreds of five-star reviews of our Grand Central Tour, we are don't hear this often. Perhaps you missed some of the areas the public doesn't normally visit before you left the tour as I know the ending had a few surprises. Thank you and be well!

Grand Central Terminal Tour Worthwhile

scott_l, Mar 2024

John was a great guide, constellation story, tennis courts, knowledge of the history with before and after photos--all made our tour memorable.

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