We stopped in Grand Central Station for a quick bagel with cream cheese at one of the local shops.

The inside of the station is just gorgeous, with all the intricate detail, from the marble steps to the huge windows overlooking all the commuters.

If you have only a couple of minutes, this is certainly a place to check out while in NYC.

Grand Central Station is one of those places you have to go to whilst in New York, as it is featured in so many films. How many times have you seen people meet here or leave loved ones there, or seen people running from the police and disappearing into the restrooms, never to be seen again?

Well, we walked from Times Square down to the station to see for ourselves. When you first walk in you look up and notice the ceiling. It is dark green with gold stars and constellations on it. There are huge chandeliers hanging between the opulent arches. For a railway station it is quite a spectacular architecture.

As I suppose it is most days, it was pretty busy with a mixture of genuine travellers catching trains and the rest of us who were just there to admire the building. Security and police officers are in abundance, watching everyone, as I suppose this would be a good terrorist target.

We went onto the balcony areas that sit at either end of the great hall, reached by large stone staircases. From here you can join the queue of people waiting to rest their cameras on the balcony ledge to get that elusive shot of the building, complete with large clock in the centre. As the room is quite dark, getting a good photo is bit of a gamble. Some of ours, although they looked ok on the camera viewer, turned out either too dark or a little shaky. Never mind, though, Photoshop is a wonderful thing.

If you follow the signs, you will get to shopping areas within the building and to places to eat too. However, if you need the restroom, I would recommend finding them elsewhere, as they were not very nice here!

Even if you only have 5 minutes in this building, it is worth it as it is everything you don’t expect a train station to look like, especially in the middle of New York.

The main concourse of Grand Central Station covers 375'. Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1871 as a rail palace and gateway to the city its 125' vaulted ceiling features painted constellations and lighted stars. Hercules frames the 13' clock that crowns the southern entrance. Covered in specialty shops that offers olive oils from Tuscany, soaps and lotions from Paris, and foods from around the world. See the Oyster Bar restaurant journal review located here.

The holiday season is a fantastic time to visit Grand Central Terminal because there are so many extra activities going on. The train terminal first opened in 1913. After four years of renovation, the city claims that Grand Central is "grand again" and I agree.

Trains still arrive and depart from this station, so it is a wonderful spot to watch the 'holiday rush'...commuters are always hustling about. Be sure to walk into the main concourse and gaze at the beautiful ceiling decorated with images representing the various constellations. My dad also thought the chandeliers were impressive. Guided tours are available, but I think exploring on your own is the way to go. There are maps in various locations in the terminal and it is fairly easy to find your way around.

Grand Central has a new food court on the lower level with lots of options and ample seating. Grab a Kosher sandwich or snack on Mexican food. We just had a Coke. There are also lots of shops in the terminal that are open year-round (like the food court). You can buy everything from books to children's clothing here. Some of the merchants include: Banana Republic, Godiva, Origins, and Posman Books. You can also get a cup of coffee or pastry at almost every turn in the terminal.

We roamed through the Grand Central Market where different companies sell foods. The fruits smelled wonderful, but you can also find breads, meats, cheeses, flowers, and sweets. Watch for the free sample trays!!

For the holidays they have added a Laser Light Show in the main concourse. Watch the lights dance along the ceiling as you listen to seasonal music. The show is free and takes place every half hour from 11am-9pm, Nov.20-Dec. 31. The show is short, but kids will probably be impressed. My parents and I thought it was pretty cute, especially since it was free!

There is also a Holiday Fair. My parents and I walked through this area. There are over 70 vendors here selling crafts and clothing. Most items were a little pricey, but the various products are pretty interesting and original. We saw some beautiful jewelry and clothing. Don't miss the Merino wool products (somewhere in the middle) - great mittens! It doesn't take long to walk through the fair and maybe you'll find some inspiration for gifts. The event runs from Nov.20-Dec.24.

Check out the Grand Central website for information on guided tours and their calendar of events: www.grandcentralterminal.com.

This is what an office building should be: functional, inspiratonal, and beautiful. Hundreds of thousands of people come and leave the building every day in the course of their travels. If you pause, you can take in the inspirational and the beautiful. The exterior has a pediment of Greek mythology reflecting themes of commerce and travel. The constellations in the ceiling inspire you. The beauty of the walls fills you with awe. You can explore the many different caverns of delights at your own pace. Best of all, you can always sit down and enjoy the views of this magnificent structure.