Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour in New York
New York, United States

Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour

Outty Ranking 58 4.4 · 23 traveler reviews1.5 hoursFrom $35

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September 2026

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Adults

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From, per person$35
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Outty Ranking

58/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour worth booking?

Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour is a 1.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $35 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
58 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (23)
Duration
1.5 hours
From
$35 per person

Treat yourself to a sesame bagel and an inside peak at the inner workings and secret treasures of one of the world’s top attractions, Grand Central Terminal in New York City. A triumph of architecture and transportation

What you get

    About this experience

    Treat yourself to a sesame bagel and an inside peak at the inner workings and secret treasures of one of the world’s top attractions, Grand Central Terminal in New York City. A triumph of architecture and transportation for its era, Grand Central has been renowned as a premier destination for more than 100 years. These days, the terminal is also a destination for deliciousness exhibited at an exceptional range of top food establishments.

    What's included

    Included

    • Local guide
    • Breakfast

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Grand Central Terminal

      A triumph of architecture and transportation for its era, Grand Central has been renowned as a premier destination for more than 100 years. Trains such as the 20th Century Limited set the highest standard of luxury travel for its time. Granted landmark status in 1976, Grand Central remains one of New York’s great tourist destinations with many stories to tell. These days, the terminal is also a destination for deliciousness exhibited at an exceptional range of top food establishments. A special variety of these yummy delights can be experienced at Grand Central Market and at several eateries on the lower level dining concourse. Begin the tour with everyone receiving a hot fresh bagel, the iconic symbol of New York! We then explore the terminal beginning with the main concourse, move on to the Vanderbilt Waiting Room, and go outside and look at the famous facade of the terminal. Visit the famous Campbell Apartment (even very few New Yorkers know it exists!) and on to such sites as the Kissing Room and Whispering Gallery.

      Admission included

    2. Campbell Apartment

      Campbell Apartment

    3. Ben's Bagel Tours

      Ben's Bagel Tours

    4. Grand Central Market

      Grand Central Market

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New York

    Meet at Information Booth on the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal. Call or Text me with any issues: 347-931-7676

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Grand Central Lower Level

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Sat
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Ben's Bagel Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Minimum age is 10 years old

    Photos

    Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour in New York, photo 2Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour in New York, photo 3Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour in New York, photo 4

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    8 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    23 verified traveler reviews for Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    15
    4 star
    5
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    0
    1 star
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    Sort
    Travis_L · October 2024

    A fun time!

    Had a blast on this tour this past weekend. It was just us with Ben but he was personable, knowledgeable, and brought great bagels too! I would gladly do his tours again and think everyone else should too.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your very nice review!!

    via Viator

    Kevin_H · October 2023

    Very enjoyable

    Great experience of Grand Central. So much history and knowledge by Bob. Impressed by technology compared to other guides.

    via Viator

    Edward_A · March 2022

    Knowledgeable and v pleasant guide

    Excellent tour. Knowledgeable and engaging. Next time I’m in NY I’ll do one of Ben’s other tours. Can’t wait.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much and look forward of taking you on one my many other tours Ben Wagenberg Ben’s Bagel Tours

    via Viator

    estheraD9967CW · February 2022

    Fantastic!

    Our first organised tour in NYC and loved it. Ben's encyclopaedic knowledge of the station and its history was fantastic! And the bagel was lovely too - so much so we visited the same bagel store the following day for breakfast!

    via Tripadvisor

    Nora_Keith · October 2019

    What a Great Tour!!!

    Growing up in the New York suburbs, living in Connecticut, working in NYC for a while, I have been in Grand Central Terminal countless times. This 90 minute tour was jam-packed with information I had never considered as part of the 700,000 people passing through the Terminal every day. Ben Wagenberg of Ben's Bagel Tours provided history, insights, cool facts and figures, all with the humorous edge of a true New Yorker. I have recommended it to numerous friends already. Our family is looking forward to joining Ben again for his tour of the East Side. Not to be missed!

    Response from the operator: Wow! Thank you so much! And thank you for Shmearing the word about Ben’s Bagel Tours

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue, Thu, Sat
    Price range
    $35 to $50
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    8
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 58

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)65
    Review evidence (18% weight)40
    Booking momentum (14% weight)32
    Value for money (12% weight)73
    Listing quality (10% weight)71
    Local standing (8% weight)33
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.

    How much does Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.

    Is Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour?

    +

    Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Grand Central: The Open Sesame Bagel Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in New York?

    +

    New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit New York?

    +

    September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in New York?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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