Grand Central Terminal Turns 100, Hosts Events and Irving Farm Coffee Roasters

Events and things to do in New York City in October 2013

A Grand Celebration

Beloved Grand Central Terminal just turned 100 and is celebrating all year with everything from restoration projects to art exhibits. Here’s what’s on the docket this month:

Oct. 11-12: Orphan Train Around the time of the terminal’s construction, hundreds of orphans were sent from the city to live with families out West, in hopes that they could lead better lives. In this musical, performed in the station’s own Vanderbilt Hall, six children reveal their pasts and chronicle their long journey to Iowa through poignant monologues. Tickets are free but must be reserved; visit www.orphantrainmusical.wordpress.com for times.

Thru Oct. 27: The Next Level Photographer Hiroyuki Suzuki goes deep beneath Grand Central — 18 stories down, to be exact — and chronicles the East Side Access Project, an expansion of the Long Island Railroad into Midtown. His photos of workers excavating the tunnels are on display in the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central.

- Advertisement -

New Brew

The newest addition to Grand Central’s dining scene, Irving Farm Coffee Roasters opened a concession stand in May. The new outpost of the Millerton-based company is located in the lower dining concourse and serves sustainably sourced and locally roasted java. Customers can purchase either single-cup drinks for an instant shot of caffeine, or bags of beans for brewing later. Bagels, sandwiches, organic oatmeal, and pasteries are also available for snacking on the train.

bannerman castle

Share Your Story

Having spent a good chunk of the ’80s commuting to Manhattan on Metro-North — much of it on the Hudson Line — I’d become rather blasé about the scenery that whizzes past the train’s windows during the 73-mile journey. I was pulled up short, however, on a recent mid-morning ride from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central. A party of six people sat in front of me, five of whom were from out of the area. The sixth, obviously a local resident, spent the trip pointing out all the landmarks — Bannerman’s Castle, Storm King Mountain, West Point, the Palisades — as we passed them. Listening to his short but interesting descriptions of each spot, I found myself seeing these familiar places with fresh eyes — and marveling anew at their unique beauty and historic significance. As I emerged onto 42nd Street, I couldn’t help but think, “I live in a truly magnificent place.”
— Grace Turner, via hvmag.com

Have your own commuting saga? Tell us about it by submitting it to the form below, and we’ll consider printing it in a future issue.

» More from Commuter Corner


 

Our Digital Partners

Learn how to become a digital partner ...

Our Best of Hudson Valley Party is September 26!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.