Take the express back to a bygone era. Grand Central Terminal — don't call it Grand Central Station — is a living, bustling temple to New York's illustrious past. Gaze at the celestial ceiling mural above the vast main concourse. Slurp some Kumamotos at the legendary Oyster Bar downstairs, and wash them down with a Manhattan at the swank Campbell Apartment. Tell a secret to your partner in the Whispering Gallery: stand at the end of either Oyster Bar ramp and whisper into the wall; you'll be heard way across on the other side. Mingle with the commuters in the gourmet culinary market. Explore the "secret" elevated passageways for a spectacular view of the concourse. Even if you have nowhere to go you can spend hours in the 100-year-old depot and never get bored.

• 1. Grand Central Terminal
  87 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017; 212-883-2420 for tour information 40.752109-73.977641 grandcentralterminal.com
• 2. Oyster Bar
  Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY 10017; 212-490-6650 40.752109-73.977641 oysterbarny.com
• 3. Campbell Apartment
  Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY 10017; 212-953-0409 40.752109-73.977641 More Info