Why is the Grand Central Station famous?
The Grand Central Station/Terminal is an iconic American train station in New York City, located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan. It is the largest train station in the world that covers an area of over 48 acres and has 44 platforms and 67 tracks!
What is it like being at the Grand Central Terminal?
As you would enter the grand main concourse, you would find at its centre a circular Information Booth, on top of which is placed the Grand Central’s famous clock which is a four-sided timepiece and is one of the most iconic attractions in New York.
This clock has been a popular meeting point for over a century. This iconic timepiece is made up of expensive Tiffany glass and opal, and is valued somewhere between $10 and $20 million!
Who has painted the iconic ceiling mural at the Grand Central?
About 125 feet up, on the Grand Central Station ceiling, you would see a spectacular mural showing the Mediterranean sky. It comprises of 2,500 stars. This marvellous ceiling was designed by artist Paul Helleu and painted in gold leaf. There are 60 large stars that symbolize different constellations and are illuminated with fibre optics.
11 Interesting facts the Grand Central Station
- There is a unique gallery, ‘Whispering Gallery’, where you can whisper a secret to your partner. All you have to do is to stand at one corner of the wall and whisper into; your partner will be able to hear you way across on the other side.
- If you are a foodie, there is a series of restaurants and a large gourmet culinary market wherein you will find a wide choice of food items to satiate your taste buds.
- For the shopaholics, there are more than 65 stores spread throughout the terminal.
- For those who are fond of reading, it even has a spacious and well-equipped library.
- The Grand Central Terminal is owned by a private company known as Midtown TDR Ventures.
- Grand Central Terminal became functional at midnight on February 2, 1913. It was built on the spot that housed Cornelius Vanderbilt’s railroad network, The New York Central. Acorns and oak leaves are used throughout decorations in the terminal, representing the Vanderbilt family motto: “Great oaks from little acorns grow.”
- The estimated construction cost of the Grand Central Terminal is approximately $2 billion.
- More than 750,000 visitors pass through the Grand Central Terminal daily.
- The Grand Central Terminal is also known as the first ‘stair – less station’ as all levels and platforms within it can be reached by lifts or ramps.
- One of the most latest Hollywood movie to feature Grand Central was Men in Black III. A race of tiny aliens was shown being kept inside a Grand Central locker.
- It was preceded by Grand Central Depot (1871) and Grand Central Station (1900), both of which were demolished.
Famous quotes about the Grand Central Terminal
- There’s something so soothing about the hum of Grand Central Station – Rachel Nichols
- Better to get off the train at this station. Than to do it later, when it’s too late. Remember Time doesn’t wait! – Deyth Banger
- If you are happy in the station, then the station becomes your train! In other words, if you are happy where you are, it means that you are already travelling! Happiness is a great journey! – Mehmet Murat ildan
‘Grand Central’ Poem by Billy Collins
A poem by Billy Collins (Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003), an ode to the 750,000 people that move about daily at The Grand Central Station for the centenary celebrations
The city orbits around eight million
centers of the universe
and turns around the golden clock
at the still point of this place.
Lift up your eyes from the moving hive
and you will see time circling
under a vault of stars and know
just when and where you are.”