Grand Central Station to Union Square (Self Guided), New York

Despite being smaller than almost everything around it, including the humongous MetLife Building that dwarfs it from behind, the Grand Central Terminal is just so gorgeous and palatial-looking that it still manages to be the centerpiece of the whole East Side of Midtown Manhattan. Passing from here to Union Square, our self-guided tour is bound to introduce you to some of New York City’s most iconic landmarks!

Walking to the Empire State Building is a must, especially for the unique views of all the amazing sites NYC has to offer. The observation deck at the 102nd floor, which is a modern addition with unobstructed floor-to-ceiling windows, allows for only a small number of guests at a time, so it’s not overcrowded. You can walk all the way around and see the city from every angle!

Another quintessential NYC experience, Macy’s flagship location in Herald Square is a great place to shop if you’re looking to do that. And even if you’re not planning on buying anything, walking through at least part of it is a fun activity, just to say you've visited. On a few of the uppermost floors, they still have original escalator steps which are rather interesting.

Swing by the Madison Square Garden arena and the incredibly photogenic Flatiron Building before finally reaching Union Square – a nice place to be if you have no agenda and just want some place to hang out or people-watch. Despite the neighborhood having changed significantly over the years, it still attracts artists, performers, activists, students, chess players, locals and tourists, and is home to an amazing farmers market.

Make sure to bring your walking shoes, and select a nice day for wandering around. Our self-guided walk will do the rest, so why not give it a shot? ;)