New York, Grand Central Terminal: address, description

The central station of New York (Manhattan) is one of the main attractions of the city. Every day there are an average of 750,000 people here, and only a third are passengers. The main station is considered to be the oldest in the city, it ranks first in the world in terms of the number of tracks and platforms - 67 and 44 respectively.

The building is very beautiful and has interesting architectural features. It is unique in its kind. At the moment (2016) the premises are already 103 years old, but "Grand Central", as it is called by local people, does not cease to please the view of Americans and tourists.

Grand Central Terminal: description and architectural features

The building was rebuilt three times in its history.

• The very first station Grand Central Depot existed only 8 years, from 1871 to 1879.
• Second, the Grand Central Station was in this place from 1899 to 1913.
• The latter was named Grand Central Terminal, it was opened in 1913.

The designing of the current station was carried out at that time known American companies. The first was engineering, the second - architectural.

The development of the construction plan began in 1904. While engaged in the project, the companies had to take into account the wishes of the authorities. The main requirement was to hide the railway tracks in the tunnel in order to get rid of the townspeople from soot and excessive noise.

The idea was not just complicated for those times, but extremely difficult to implement. Nevertheless, the designers managed to achieve the desired result, even if this took a whole decade. The grand opening took place on February 2, 1913.

The services of the Grand Central are enjoyed by everyone who lives here or arrives in New York. The central station covers an area of 19 hectares. There are two subterranean levels on which the roads and platforms are located. On the top floor - 41, and on the bottom - 26.

Unique architecture is a separate topic. In 2011, the station was recognized as the most outstanding in the world. This title was appropriated to him by the authoritative magazine Travel & Leisure, and it is thanks to architectural features. In addition, the annual number of tourists attending the Grand Central is 22 million people, and this is the sixth tourist attraction in the world in terms of the number of guests.

And, finally, about the architecture itself. Few people have heard of such a style as bezar. It is a mixture of Baroque and Renaissance. Railway Station in New York is one of the few buildings made in this architectural style. It is difficult to describe all the beauty that bezar bears in him. A combination of rigor and symmetry with bas-reliefs, stucco molding and other decor. This is exactly what it is better to see once.

The interior is dominated by vaulted ceilings. The main hall, something like a temple, gives a lot of impressions to visitors: this is a room measuring 84 x 38 m and a height of 37 m. The windows have an arched form, and there are a lot of columns in the hall.

Nearby - Vinderbilt Hall. Every year the Christmas market is held here and exhibitions are organized. And in the Campbells Apartment, which dominates the style of the Florentine Palace of the XIII century, is the eponymous cocktail bar and restaurant.

A cult place in New York

Once Pope John II said that New York is the capital of the world. And the railway station is a cult place in this city. Indeed, with a mere glance at him, one recalls the many films and animated series shot here. For example, in Madagascar on Grand Central caught a company of animals looking for Marty. He can also be seen in the movie "13" with Statham, "Kiss on luck" with Lindsay Lohan and many other films.

Meeting place can not be Changed

Where to date, if you do not know New York at all? Central station! This is an ideal place, and very many people agree to meet under the legendary clock, and then continue to walk around the station or leave it. But even being in the walls of this institution, you can find an occupation to your liking.

Defeat hunger

The cocktail bar and restaurant Oyster, mentioned above, is a popular place in New York, considered the most "delicious" in the whole city. Fresh oysters are served here, right before the clients' eyes. And they are offered amazing wine that improves the taste of seafood dishes. A large assortment of different delicacies and a nice noble drink will refresh and make the evening memorable.

It is worth noting that this institution can not be compared with the station diner. Restaurant Oyster is a nicely decorated room with relatively low prices. Here, you can even see a Hollywood star in a sports suit or other style of kazhual.

Shoppers

This station in the US has many shops and boutiques, where you can buy a wide variety of goods. Products for every taste, electronic devices from Apple, clothes and accessories, and in the Christmas holidays on the territory of the Grand Central are unfolding big fairs with interesting goods and theatrical performances.

Tips for tourists

Megapolis is dangerous for tourists by the fact that many thieves are wandering around its streets. Therefore, you need to be more careful:

• Do not take with you the amount of money that it is a pity to lose;
• If you have to carry something valuable, better hide;
• It is recommended not to visit dark streets, so as not to run into criminals, and in general, extremely cautious to behave in the night and evening.

New York is a big city, and the crime rate is not low either.

The station is convenient because it is a great place for tourists to relax. In addition, there are free toilets here. In between visits to attractions you can refresh yourself or buy some snacks if restaurant prices hit the budget. And then continue the walk.

New York, Central Station: address

The Grand Central is located on average in Manhattan: 89 E 42 ^nd Street (also called the metro station). Here the following subway lines lead: 4/5/6/7 / S. You can get to it by buses under number М42, Х22, Х68, Х22А and Х31.

In Secrecy, or Secrets of Central Station NY

The main pride of Grand Central, watches with dials from opal, is estimated at about 10-20 million dollars. And if you look at the ceiling of the main hall, you can see the universe. It is decorated with a fresco that depicts the zodiac signs and 2500 stars, 60 of which are equipped with illumination.

One of the halls (Vanderbilt) was named after its owners, people who donated about $ 6.5 million for construction. The family motto reads: "The great oak grows from a small acorn." Therefore, as a tribute to the memory, the station building is decorated with stucco with similar images.

Taking care of the health of the citizens of the country, the workers, cleaning the ceiling of the main hall from the tobacco smell (at the station constantly smoked), a small part of it, located next to the claw of the cancer, left as it is. The goal is to show people how harmful smoking affects health.

There is even a secret cellar, and not a little one. Its area is about 200 thousand square meters. Part of this territory is a secret room, which is not even on the drawings. It has generators installed, and there is also a red button, when pressed, all the trains stop. Continuing the topic of secret rooms, it is worth mentioning the platform, on the whereabouts of which no one knows from outsiders. It was created during Roosevelt, when the president had to hide his citizenship from the citizens of the country: he was paralyzed by a paralysis that resulted from poliomyelitis. So, he imperceptibly got to his residence. Now this platform exists to ensure the safety of the president in case of threat.

It will also be interesting to know that the clock on the information board is rushing for 1 minute. And it was done specially - so that the passengers are not late. What can you do, this is business New York. The central station is very interesting, a walk along it will give a lot of pleasant impressions, and maybe souvenirs if you look into shops and boutiques or get to the Christmas market.