Sherman's Travel

At midnight on February 2, Grand Central Terminal, one of New York’s most beloved landmarks and one of the most splendid transit hubs in the world, will mark its 100th birthday, and the Big Apple is throwing a big party in its honor.

A year full of commemorative events kicks off today, with a “Grand Centennial” celebration that includes 1913 pricing at many of the terminal’s restaurants and stores (10¢ shoe shine! 5¢ coffee!), giveaways of all sorts of goodies, including centennial luggage tags and vintage train whistles, musical performances, and appearances from notable New Yorkers such as Caroline Kennedy and the Vanderbilts, the family who originally built and owned the world’s largest train station.

Highlights from the yearlong event calendar include a historic train parade, art exhibits, and book launches. And although 750,000 commuters a day whiz through the building (that’s four times as many passengers that come through JFK Airport, by the way), Grand Central Terminal is a memorable spot to stop and linger for a while. Here’s what not to miss.

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Train travel, whether for commuting or vacation, can be delightful. It’s slower than air travel, but it offers breathtaking scenery and a trip back in time to a more romantic era of adventure. Of course, traveling by train has its dangers. This video from Metro Trains Melbourne offers a not-so-subtle but incredibly cute reminder that you need to be aware of your surroundings and make good decisions when you’re away from home. They’ve built an equally adorable website to reinforce their message.

Be safe when riding the rails…and good luck getting this song out of your head. Sorry!

All aboard…the rainbow rails! Following an announcement earlier this summer that Amtrak will use its diversity funds to launch a first-ever $250,000 multimedia advertising campaign aimed at the LGBT community?of course drawing ire from conservatives (Go, Rachel!)?the government-owned rail company unveils its new gay microsite, AmtrakRideWithPride.com.

The rather butch site, designed with a metallic motif and supported by public funds (trains being more welcoming than the military these days, we guess) is supported by TV spots as well as print and digital ad campaigns in gay media and aims to “raise the level of awareness of the benefits of train travel and increase consideration and ridership amongst this segment,” according to Darlene Abubakar, director of national advertising. Read more

Many of us associate trains with uncomfortable seating and cramped quarters, but Northern Rail has managed to turn vintage train cars into a unique hotel substitute. Located in the town Two Harbors in the picturesque Northwoods region of Minnesota, this unusual take on a B&B offers upscale accommodations inside 18 converted train car suites. These old-fashioned enclosed boxcars offer enough space for a family of four, many of which feature full or partial kitchens, with separate dining areas and working fireplaces. Hopping off into the great outdoors, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking in nearby Gooseberry State Park. Summer rates for two in  the Porter Suite  start at $147/night, or try the posh Yardmaster Condo with rates from $289/night, available from June 1 through October 18.