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Magnolia Bakery, Grand Central
1
107 E 42nd St
Magnolia Bakery, the West Village institution that began the country's cupcake craze (thanks in part to cameos on Sex and the City and Saturday Night Live) whips up banana pudding and Instagram-worthy pastel cupcakes.
2
Grand Central Terminal
2
15 Vanderbilt Ave.
Whether or not train travel is in your plans, Grand Central Terminal deserves to be one of your destinations. Since the building's revitalization 10 years ago, Grand Central has enticed visitors and locals alike, with quick bites and delicacies located in the Grand Central Market, fine cuisine in the Dining Concourse and free arts events in Vanderbilt Hall.
3
Cipriani Dolci
3
89 E. 42nd St.
Dolci owes its very own Cipriani scene to its chic ambiance, attentive service and well-priced Venetian menu. The restaurant offers all-day casual dining, and the bar has become a lively after-work meeting place, renowned for its charming bartenders and sensational tower of prosciutto. Featuring a dramatic design by Arturo di Modica (sculptor of the Wall Street Bull), Cipriani Dolci blends gracefully into the landmarked beauty of the magnificently restored Grand Central Terminal.
4
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store
4
Main Concourse
The New York Transit Museum operates a gallery annex in Grand Central Terminal that presents changing exhibitions. (The annex is located just off the Main Concourse in the Shuttle Passage next to the Station Master's office.) Visit the museum's website for information on the galley annex's current exhibition. Devotees of the Museum's unique transportation-related merchandise may shop at the gallery annex, as well as at the museum's Brooklyn Heights headquarters. Open Wed.–Fri.
5
The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant
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89 E 42nd St
One of the grandest restaurants in Manhattan, this breathtakingly massive spot in the lower concourse of Grand Central Terminal packs them in at large booths and plenty of counter space, which snakes through the joint like a reptile. Marvel at the tile ceilings (or in the Oyster Bar's adjacent, wood-happy, old-school saloon—if only the walls could talk!) while noshing on fried oysters, clams casino and an expensive (nearly $30) but satisfying lobster roll.
6
Grand Central Holiday Fair
6
87 E. 42nd St.
If you want the holiday-fair experience but don't feel like braving the cold, head to Grand Central Terminal for the best of both worlds. The Grand Central Holiday Fair offers a diverse mix of products in an elegantly decorated environment—all in the warmth of Vanderbilt Hall. The market opens November 14 and closes December 24.
7
Inaya - Grand Central Terminal
7
Grand Central Terminal
Run by two sisters, Inaya has a pair of local stores, including this one in Grand Central Terminal. They handcraft striking designs for all kinds of jewelry—rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings and more—using metals and stones from across the globe.
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Pescatore Seafood Company - Grand Central Terminal
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327 Grand Central Terminal Market
Tucked into Grand Central Market, Pescatore vends fresh wild-caught fish and seafood, prepared seafood dishes and an impressive selection of caviar.
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Central Cellars Wine & Spirits in Grand Central Terminal
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89 E. 42nd St.
Pick up a bottle or two (or ready-made cold drink) before your commute or if you live in the area. This wine and spirit store always has something new to try, and it’s located right next to Grand Central Market and across from track 17.
10
Neuhaus Chocolate - Grand Central Terminal
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460 Grand Central Terminal
Neuhaus has been creating Belgian chocolates for more than 160 years. All of its products are made in its atelier near Brussels. The chocolatier has multiple Manhattan locations, including this one in Grand Central Terminal.