In the terminal's information booth, jokes come almost as frequently as the 1,000 questions they receive each hour. The booth also has a secret: a covert spiral staircase leading to the lower level.
But that's just one of the gems in the iconic 49-acre terminal that serves 750,000 people a day.
The terminal was almost knocked down in the 1960s but was saved thanks to Jackie Kennedy Onassis who took the landmark preservation fight all the way to the Supreme Court.
Still, it needed plenty of work. Between 1996 and 1998, a half-billion-dollar restoration project brought Grand Central back to its original splendor. Perhaps one of the most cherished items in the original design was the massive Tiffany clock.
The historic terminal has also kept with the times. It is home to a state-of-the-art operations control center and a pretty elaborate lost and found.
People who work here say they love this mix of old and new.
Thursday, June 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-06-20 10:10:08 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:07:13 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have been working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:13:07 GMT
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
A simple commute into New York City on a New Jersey Transit bus turned into a nightmare on Thursday. The driver appeared to get lost, so the 45-minute ride took more than two hours.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:32 AM EDT2013-06-14 14:32:37 GMT
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the killing of a livery cab driver.