An oft-overlooked landmark in New York City, Grand Central Terminal is anything but your average train station. The original station, a vision of Cornelius Vanderbilt that was built in the 19th century, was an architectural wonder of glass and steel said to rival the Eiffel Tower and Crystal Palace. That structure has since been demolished, but the current building is no slouch when it comes to looks. Constructed over 10 years, the Beaux-Arts building, which serves as an anchor between uptown and midtown, features marble staircases that descend into the main concourse, which is often a dramatic meet-up spot in Hollywood movies. Giant bay-style windows flank the sides, allowing thick streams of light to flow in during the day. The famous arched ceiling features a celestial mural by French painter Paul Helleu. Stretching 80,000 square feet over the main concourse, the gold leaf and cerulean blue masterpiece depicts zodiac symbols and 2,500 stars, many of which twinkle, thanks to a fiber-optic cable system.

Grand Central Terminal is a hub of activity, moving hundreds of travelers up and down the East Coast via its numerous train lines. But much more than public transport can be found here. Find the historic ramps that lead down to the classic Oyster Bar, where martini lunches over freshly shucked oysters and the restaurant’s famous oyster stew still take place. At Grand Central Market, gourmet purveyors sell everything from fresh shellfish to exotic vegetables, making it a top New York shopping destination. Commuters find the essentials at Banana Republic, The Art of Shaving, Aveda, Tumi, LaCrasia and Papyrus, among other well-known shops. The station’s lower level offers casual dining and nearly every cuisine imaginable; many kiosks are smaller outposts of famed New York restaurants. You’ll also find elegant dining here, including Cipriani Dolci and Michael Jordan’s The Steakhouse. For a truly Rockefeller-style experience, check out the Campbell Apartment. This former private office and salon of 1920s tycoon John W. Campbell is where you can sip cocktails in the grandeur of another time period.