Grand Central Station

At this beatuiful train station, you can eat some lunch, or shop till you drop, but recent travelers most enjoyed just taking in the scenery. One TripAdvisor user describes the station as a "Clean, iconic space where you can find good shopping and restaurants too."

Before you enter, be sure to snap a few shots of the ornate Beaux-Arts neoclassical architecture outside. Inside the celebrated main concourse, you're treated to glimmering marble floors, gold and nickel-plated chandeliers, and a sky-themed ceiling. Food options range from the upscale (Michael Jordan's Steak House or Campbell Apartment) to the legendary (the Oyster Bar or the gourmet kiosks at the Grand Central Market) to the fast and easy (Starbucks) and shoestring cheap (a bag of potato chips from the Rite Aid is always an option). As mentioned, there's also plenty of shopping options, though most travelers suggest you leave most of Grand Central's pricey merchandise in the store. If you want a train-themed souvenir, visit The New York Transit Museum Store in the shuttle passage.

Grand Central Station is another prominent attraction located in Midtown Manhattan. You can reach the station on the 4,5,6,7 or S trains. If you just want to take a quick peek, note the station is free to enjoy from 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. The website offers suggested itineraries for self-guided tours, but most travelers recommend you take a free guided tour on Wednesdays and Fridays. Grand Central's shops and restaurants have more restricted hours; for information on their hours, plus details on tours, station maps and train schedules, visit the official website.