New York Highlights #1

We did manage to see a few tourist things while we were in New York City, in between playtimes with Samuel and visits with Mel and Tyler.  One of the places that I associate with NYC is Grand Central Terminal.

Grand Central Terminal (often inaccurately referred to as Grand Central Station) is a beautiful Beaux-arts building in midtown Manhattan. First opened in 1913, Grand Central Terminal underwent a massive restoration to restore it to its former glory, and is now both a transportation hub, as well as a destination in itself for visitors to New York City.  (from gonyc.about.com)

Wikipedia says:  Grand Central Terminal (GCT) — sometimes called Grand Central Station or simply Grand Central — is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Built by and named for the New York Central Railroad in the heyday of American long-distance passenger trains, it is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms:^[3] 44, with 67 tracks along them. They are on two levels, both below ground, with 41 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower, though the total number of tracks along platforms and in rail yards exceeds 100. When the Long Island Rail Road's new station, below the existing levels, opens (see East Side Access), Grand Central will offer a total of 75 tracks and 48 platforms. The terminal covers an area of 48 acres (19 ha).

The terminal serves commuters traveling on the Metro-North Railroad to Westchester, Putnam, andDutchess counties in New York State, and Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut.

We took the subway from Queens to midtown and spent some time wandering around. 

The building was reopened in 1998 after being saved from the wrecking ball and it's spectacular.

The main hall is huge and the ceiling is painted a beautiful blue-green color.  (Sometimes laser light shows are projected here but we didn't get to see one.) 

There are hallways on two levels leading to nearly 100 different rail lines, some within the city and some to other destinations.

Restaurants and shops can be found on 3 different levels.

The original, gold melon-shaped chandeliers were spectacular.  I just learned that a walking tour inside the building is available.  Always good to find that out after returning home :))