THE DESTINATION
Grand Central Terminal + Dear New York

THE JOURNEY
No need to explain…

THE DETAILS
The Municipal Art Society offers regular tours of Grand Central Terminal with an MAS docent for $35.

THE BACKGROUND
As a thank you gift last year, Tribeca pals gave me a membership to the Municipal Art Society — great gift! — that came with a free tour. And since a friend from New Hampshire was in town and had *never* been to Grand Central, we did the tour. Unfortunately post 9/11 there’s no secret access, but there are super fun historical tidbits — even if you think you know the place.

GCT is part of the organization’s lineup largely because it saved Grand Central from destruction back in the 1970s with the legendary help of board member Jacqueline Onassis. Tours are 75 to 90 minutes and include a walkabout with details galore, such as:

• It’s a terminal, not a station, since all trains terminate there. Grand Central Station is the subway stop.
• The 6 on the clock outside is a door.
• There’s a tennis court on the fourth floor.
• The expression “roll out the red carpet” came from there.

BONUS!
Humans of New York, the famed photo series that documents the regular folks of NYC, has an unprecedented exhibit called “Dear New York” in the terminal and station: every ad is gone and in its place are Humans. When we were there they were setting up, but I recommend going to see it. It’s only up through October 19.

EXTRA BONUS!
Since I follow Grand Central Terminal on Instagram, I caught sight of Tribeca’s own Ken Brown as part of the exhibit! So exciting.