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-   -   Grand Central Terminal (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/grand-central-terminal-912988/)

Rxist1235 Nov 23rd, 2011 08:20 AM

Grand Central Terminal
 
is there a train show at GCT in december? what else is going on there and is it recommended?

travelbuff Nov 23rd, 2011 08:43 AM

There is a train show at the Botanical Garden in the Bronx and yes it's worth a trip up, and you can take a train there at GCT, the #5 train to the Bronx.

At GCT, there is a holiday fare but I don't know of any other "shows" there.

Aduchamp1 Nov 23rd, 2011 09:17 AM

There is often a laser show on the ceiling of the main concourse and a holiday shopping fair.

doug_stallings Nov 23rd, 2011 09:20 AM

No, there never has been a train show at Grand Central, so I'm not sure where that notion came from; in fact, they don't even do the holiday laser light show anymore.

nyer Nov 23rd, 2011 09:32 AM

There has been for several years and will again be a train show at the Transit Museum outpost in Grand Central
http://mta.info/mta/museum/pdf/trainexhibkiosk_sm.pdf

It's small, but it makes a nice stop along with the holiday fair and the light show (if it happens this year-- I haven't heard it mentioned)

Rxist1235 Nov 23rd, 2011 09:49 AM

so the transit museum outpost is in GCT? excellent

doug_stallings Nov 23rd, 2011 10:00 AM

Ah ... so there you go. Thanks for pointing that out, nyer. That is the logical place.

But this isn't an elaborate train show. There used to be a large show in in the Citicorp Center, but that was many years ago.

HowardR Nov 23rd, 2011 11:45 AM

The train show at the NY Botanical Gardens is definitely worth a visit. Check out the details on its website: www.nybg.org. When you get to the site, click on the word "Exhibitions" in the left-hand column.

nytraveler Nov 23rd, 2011 11:56 AM

The best train show by far is at the Botanical Gardens - but sine that is in the Brons it requires a significant expenditure of time - although IMHO well worrth it.

Rxist1235 Nov 23rd, 2011 11:56 AM

thank you Nyer, that's why i only post about things i'm sure about (see above posts)

nyer Nov 23rd, 2011 12:17 PM

You're welcome, Rxist1235
And credit to you for referring to the building as "Terminal"!

Rxist1235 Nov 23rd, 2011 01:53 PM

i don't understand Nyer....what else is it called?

nyer Nov 23rd, 2011 02:47 PM

Many people (including I) commonly call it "Grand Central Station" though it is formally a terminal, not a station. Maybe that's just a local variation and everyone else calls it by the proper name all the time!

Rxist1235 Nov 23rd, 2011 03:20 PM

ahh, i see. thank you. i love it there, great for photography. i could spend the day wandering....

ellenem Nov 23rd, 2011 06:21 PM

The 5 train goes near the Botanical Garden, but is not as convenient as it could be--a mile walk or bus ride to the closest entrance. It's better to take a MetroNorth train from Grand Central Terminal to the Botanical Garden stop, which is right across the street from the entrance that is closest to the conservatory where the train show is held.

Aduchamp1 Nov 23rd, 2011 06:43 PM

Ellenem advice is correct for getting to the Botanical Gardens. Afterwards you can go to Arthur for some Italian food and some of the best Italian provisions stores in NYC.

http://www.arthuravenuebronx.com/
http://www.arthuravenuebronx.com/directions.html

________

By the way as noted on other topic regarding Grand Central, the ceiling is a victim of the exuberance and romanticism of Beaux Arts. Not only are the stars out during the day, but the stars are backwards, as if seen by god.

SueNYC Nov 24th, 2011 05:29 AM

Look for the small leftover nicotine dot on the ceiling.

ellenem Nov 24th, 2011 06:36 AM

To find the nicotine dot: On the ceiling, follow the ecliptic (the dashed line along which the signs of the zodiac are located) to the west side of the ceiling. At the spot where the ecliptic meets the stone cornice, you will see a blackish rectangle that overlaps both the ceiling and the stone. This rectangle was left uncleaned when the terminal received a massive renovation in the 1990s.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wvagent/5071052309/

nytraveler Nov 24th, 2011 10:27 AM

Everyone I now says "Station" - but perhaps that's because we are locals. We also still call 6th Ave - 6th Ave. (The city finally gave up trying to make it Ave of the Americas - which it was named in the 1930's - and is not called 6th Ave of the Americas - and locals leave off the end.) We alos still say 59th St bridge (as in the Simon & Garfunkle song) even though the official name is Queensborough Bridge.)

SueNYC Nov 25th, 2011 07:09 AM

Actually the 59th St bridge is now named after Ed Koch but to me it is still th S & G feel in groovy bridge.


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