• Battery Bikeway - Introduction to the tour of Lower Manhattan, the oldest part of New York City. The first Europeans to settle here were the Dutch in 1624, arriving on the ship Nieuw Nederlandt (New Netherland).

We will also visit the historic settlement of New Amsterdam.

• The Battery - Located at Battery Place State 3 and Battery Place, this introduction to the tour of Lower Manhattan highlights the oldest part of New York City. The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle here in 1624, arriving on the ship Nieuw Nederlandt (New Netherland). Duration: 15 minutes.
• Fraunces Tavern Museum - Situated in City, NY 10004-4300, near Phillipse Well (on the left side of Pearl Street, outside the Goldman Sachs Building).

In 1664, the British took control of the colony of New Netherland, ending the century-long struggle between the two powers over the territory’s ownership.

• Wall Street - Federal Hall (26 Wall Street)

This building was constructed in 1842 as the United States Custom House. The original Federal Hall, built in 1700 as the second city hall of the colony of New York, no longer exists. The United States government was established on this site, where in 1789, George Washington took the oath of office as the first president of the United States of America.

“Even as antislavery gained white supporters, grassroots activism and a critique of white racism defined black abolitionism in New York. No issue weighed heavier on black New Yorkers than the threat of kidnapping, as slave catchers from the South flooded into the city.” - David Ruggles

• Foley Square - The new racial hierarchy that developed to justify American slavery quickly became entrenched in American society. The extent to which this racial philosophy influenced Americans’ perceptions of the world is reflected in the four statues here outside the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House and National Museum of the American Indian.
• African Burial Ground National Monument - We will discuss the slaves who were buried in this location.
• National Museum of the American Indian - NY 10004-1415, an introduction to the Lenape people and the concept of race. Race, in other words, is a purely social construct with no genetic basis that arose to legitimize the institution of American slavery. Even today, the belief in human races, along with the prejudice and hatred of racism, is so ingrained in our culture and has been a part of our worldview for so long that many assume it must be true.
• Battery Park City - Construction of Fort Amsterdam began in 1625 at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, where the East and Hudson Rivers meet. The fort was intended to protect New Netherland from attack and also served as the center of trading activity.

• Guides equipped with microphones and speakers

Uncover the clandestine and acknowledged links of private homes, religious organizations, assembly locations, and sanctuary residences used by slaves seeking northward freedom from captivity. Contradicting common belief, New York was a pro-slavery region during the antebellum era. Abolitionists, free Black individuals, and escapees were in an antagonistic environment. Slave hunters roamed the streets of New York in search of runaways but often abducted free Black men, women, and children, sending them south to a life of bondage. Explore the various locations in Manhattan and the stories of people who were integral parts of the Underground Railroad. Through their selfless actions, numerous enslaved Africans were helped to liberate themselves from slavery.

Starting from Fort Amsterdam, traversing through Tribeca, towards the African Burial Ground Memorial, we will see… primary landmarks.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.