Brooklyn Exploration: Dive Deep into the History and Secrets of NYC Subways
5.0
15 Ratings
Brooklyn
Uncover the secrets of NYC subways on a Brooklyn exploration. Discover abandoned stations, iconic film locations, public artwork, and learn about the subway's impact on the city's development.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Brooklyn - This is my Brooklyn tour. Highlights on this tour include many abandoned stations, commuter railroad tunnels, and a lot more, including impressive skyline views! The tour will end at Atlantic Terminal (not the start location).
What's Included
- Guided exploration of the NYC Subway system
- History and trivia of the subway shared by knowledgeable guide
- Tips for navigating the subway efficiently
- Visit to iconic subway stations and murals
- View unique quirks in the subway system
- Opportunity to ask questions and learn from a local expert
What's Not Included
- $2.75 MetroCard or OMNY Tap
Additional Information
We’ll delve into the role of railroads and the subway system in shaping and linking Brooklyn, the most densely populated borough of New York!
Key Points:
• Discover numerous forgotten subway stations hiding in plain view.
• Take in the architecture of Brooklyn’s earliest subway station.
• Enjoy panoramic cityscape views from the tallest rapid transit station in the world on the Manhattan Bridge.
• Try your hand at moonwalking in the very station where Michael Jackson filmed ‘Bad’.
• Appreciate public works of art, including the renowned Masstransiscope.
• Study the running of the subway system and understand the tech that keeps it operational round-the-clock.
• Observe how the subway and railroads continue to impact the NYC region with its 20+ million inhabitants.
Your tour guide is a licensed NYC local, an AICP verified urban planner, and a member of the Guides Association of NYC.
Heads up: The tour is restricted to public domains, and the tour’s route/length may be altered slightly depending on the MTA’s timetable.
- Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking up and down many steps (underground)
Location
Borough Hall
Please meet outside the rear steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, next to Joralemon Street.
Since our tour starts outside, a MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap will be required to enter the system.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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Experience589123
Nov 11, 2023
Fun and interesting tour of the subway system and its history - This was a very interesting and fun tour!
Our guide, Rayn, was clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about the subway system.
He shared a great mix of the history of the subway system, overlooked aspects of its day-to-day operation, and abandoned areas (they’re not accessible). Even as people who’ve lived in NYC for many years, most everything Rayn shared was new to us!
Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachelmx9456im
Aug 6, 2023
Delighted with HIGHLY Customized Tour! - We could not be more pleased with our tour experience. We had a uniquely young age group and Rayn did an OUTSTANDING job tailoring the tour just for us, age appropriate, physically appropriate, emotionally appropriate, musically appropriate... the list goes on & on. I have absolutely no doubt that he customizes his tour based on whatever needs that his tour attendee population presents. Of course we also took home a toolkit of fabulous trivia; here is a sample: Borough Hall opened for service in 1908 and was the first underground subway station in Brooklyn. The oldest rapid transit station in Brooklyn still in service today is Gates Avenue on the J/Z (but that isn't an underground station). The oldest railroad tunnel in Brooklyn, built in the 1800s, is sealed up under Atlantic Avenue and is accessed from a utility cover next to the Trader Joe's right in the middle of the avenue! We can't wait to book our next tour experience with Untapped NY when time & the growing age of our young ridership permits :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissaji5186or
Jun 15, 2023
A Hidden Gem in NYC - I always loved the idea of unconsciously walking through historical locations in cities. Rayn always made sure to prioritize the group's safety by constantly making sure no one was left behind. I appreciated his willingness to check the MYmta map to track train arrivals. It was a strategic way to not miss any trains during weekend track plan schedules. I learned hidden gems I know I would have missed if Rayn hadn't pointed them out. I would definitely invite my friends on the next tour! It's an exciting experience. I learned so much and also did some useful walking exercise. Truly one of a kind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dtbreitz
Sep 14, 2022
Engaging and fun tour with an expert guide - Rayn is a knowledgeable and engaging guide, with a wealth of information about the history and secrets of the NYC subway and evolution of the city's transit systems. Not only is he clearly passionate about the subject matter and full of interesting facts and info, he also was incredibly patient and kind while leading a sizeable group of often rowdy fifth-graders on a subway adventure! Rayn was attentive and respectful of the kids' needs, and was able to adapt the itinerary on the fly based on the train schedule, sharing interesting knowledge and history at every point along the way. The adults in the group found it just as (if not more) fun than the kids! Highly recommend for locals and tourists alike.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zacharyy2012
Jul 24, 2022
Great And Detailed Brooklyn Subway Tour - Rayn is extremely knowledgeable about the subway system, having previously worked for the MTA. He is also an engaging speaker, making him the ideal tour guide. The best part of the tour (in my opinion) is looking down from the Smith-9 St station to the Gowanus Canal. You also ride many different train lines including the 4/5, D, G, F, and R, representing all three former subway companies, the IRT, BMT, and IND. You see some abandoned stations and tunnels, including Nevins St lower level. I look forward to joining another one of Rayn's tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iana_loveyou
Jul 23, 2022
Discover Brooklyn subway history - Overall a great Brooklyn subway tour, very knowledgeable tour guide Rayn was so sweet to answer all of our questions. Definitely would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tcb2304dp
Jul 18, 2022
Perfect city adventure for having fun while learning a ton - This is an excellent tour and a great experience for both locals and visitors alike. As a lifelong Brooklynite, I learned a ton about the subway, the city, and the role of public infrastructure in our ever-changing society. Our tour guide, Rayn, did a fantastic job — he was engaging, informative, and fun. His extensive and insightful knowledge really shined through as he adapted the route in real-time to the train schedule and participant questions/interests. My friends and I didn’t want the tour to end and will definitely be looking to join more of Rayn’s tours in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
370maggiel
Jul 18, 2022
Fascinating tour, not just for NYC visitors! - Rayn is a fantastic tour guide, able to balance the complicated logistics of navigating through the MTA's weekend schedules while giving us a fact-filled tour. I've been an NYC resident for years and still learned so much. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janicemcguire
Jul 17, 2022
BROOKLYN SUBWAY STATIONS - Interesting and informative tour of Brooklyn subway stations..both active and hidden. Rayn is an expert on the history of the NYC subways both in Brooklyn and throughout the city
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jayden_duran70
May 26, 2022
Intriguing subway tour with Rayn -- 5 stars! - The Brooklyn subway tour was super informative and interesting, even for a local. Rayn was a great guide. Knowledgeable, funny, and very interactive with the whole group. I recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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