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NYC Subway Tour: Hidden Stations & History
5.0
32 Ratings
New York
Uncover the hidden secrets of the New York City subway system on this shared tour. Explore abandoned stations, learn about the history and operations, and discover the future of mass transit in the region.
Uncover the hidden secrets of the New York City subway system on this shared tour. Explore abandoned stations, learn about the history and operations, and discover the future of mass transit in the region.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Lower Manhattan - This is my Downtown Manhattan tour. Highlights on this tour include many famous abandoned stations, Brooklyn Bridge secrets, and a lot more, including the PATH subway! The tour will end at the WTC / Fulton Center (not the start location).
- Lower Manhattan - This is my Downtown Manhattan tour. Highlights on this tour include many famous abandoned stations, Brooklyn Bridge secrets, and a lot more, including the PATH subway! The tour will end at the WTC / Fulton Center (not the start location).
What's Included
- Subway secrets revealed by a local expert
- Subway secrets revealed by a local expert
Additional Information
Join us as we delve into the most bustling rapid transit system in the Western Hemisphere!
Highlights:
- Discover hidden abandoned stations, including the renowned 1904 City Hall Station.
- Visit a deep station that required scuba gear just a decade ago due to severe subway flooding.
- Reflect on the 9/11 attacks while standing on subway platforms…
Join us as we delve into the most bustling rapid transit system in the Western Hemisphere!
Highlights:
- Discover hidden abandoned stations, including the renowned 1904 City Hall Station.
- Visit a deep station that required scuba gear just a decade ago due to severe subway flooding.
- Reflect on the 9/11 attacks while standing on subway platforms that collapsed beneath the World Trade Center 20 years ago.
- Find out how to access an old wine cellar beneath the Brooklyn Bridge from within a subway station.
- Gain insights into subway technology and learn how the subway operates around the clock.
- Explore the history, current state, and future of mass transit in the area!
Your tour guide is a licensed NYC native, an AICP certified urban planner, and a member of the Guides Association of NYC.
Notes:
- Full subway fare is included!
- Individual earpieces are provided to ensure everyone hears clearly.
- The tour only covers public areas.
- The experience includes walking up and down stairs.
- Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking up and down steps
Location
One Battery Park Plaza
Battery Place
Please meet outside the Starbucks located at One Battery Park Plaza on State Street
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(32 Ratings)
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Mrk321
Jul 7, 2025
A Fun and Informative Tour Experience for Our Summer Interns - As part of our Summer Intern Program, we once again booked Rayn as our guide for a close look into the historic and architectural wonders of New York City’s subway system, with a focus on lower Manhattan.
Rayn’s passion and expertise brought the system to life, giving our interns a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic transit networks. From the beautiful old City Hall station to the mechanics of subway operations, Rayn’s insights made the tour both educational and engaging. Practical tips, like sitting in the middle of the car for a cooler ride, added a fun touch and made the interns feel like there were a little bit closer to being “in-the-know” New Yorkers.
Other highlights included learning how the subway has shaped NYC’s social and economic growth, and very importantly, discovering the all-important role of drip pans!
More than just a tour, it was an exploration of the people, history, and engineering that keep the city moving. A big thank you to Rayn for making it a standout experience and a true highlight of the summer internship program.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deanmcalister
Jun 24, 2025
Odd facts known by few but definitely help inform how the MTA has ended up the way it is today. - Rayn is incredibly knowledgeable about the NYC transit system with an experience base the transcends commonly available knowledge
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jed_b
Apr 21, 2025
Great Tour of an Under-Appreciated Part of NYC - Our guide was truly an expert at the NYC subway system and its fascinating history. He took us to many interesting stops and never missed an opportunity to point out a fascinating detail that would otherwise have been missed by both tourist and commuter alike. At one point, he took us outside of a subway car with a flashlight in order to better show us the interior of an abandoned station. Skip the by-the-books tour and take one that truly looks at the history of NYC from a unique perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Jessica_f
Mar 18, 2025
Great tour! We had the best time!! - We've never ridden the subway in NYC and we were very nervous about trying it on our own. We had the best time on this tour! We learned so many fun facts and feel like we could confidently explore on our own now! Great tour for families!
Review provided by Viator
Seaside13797257684
Jan 2, 2025
Chicken nuggets lol 😆 😋 😂 - Rayn is a true drooler 🤤 , lol 🤣 (take tour to get explanation) lol 😂 seen more than I expected 🐀, chicken nuggets,red box messages... 🤣 ... we felt safe we laughed, we now have more respect for the subway system❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nygcirl
Dec 28, 2024
Interesting Subway Tour- Fun for Teens and Adults - This was a fascinating tour through part of the NY subway. We live in NYC and loved learning the history and current uses behind things we see every time we ride. Rayn was very knowledgeable and funny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vanessagb7949qx
Oct 7, 2024
Subway Enthusiast! - My brother and I took this wonderful private tour with our mother for her 75th birthday! We wanted to something different than just another Broadway show. I have lived in the city for 24 years and am a subway / train enthusiast who held my son’s 5th bday at the NY Transit Museum! He’s obsessed with the subway and together we have been on all 26 subway lines! So I thought I knew a lot, and that this subway tour sounded intriguing. Our tour guide Rayn was excellent and had so many interesting facts and private sights to share with us! (Watch out for the drip pans!) We were able to see the abandoned City Hall and South Ferry stations, which was super cool! I wish we could have seen the bathrooms but we didn’t have Key 9B! ;) And the hidden wine cellar would have required an MTA jacket- next time! lol. All around a super fun evening and a “NY Moment” for sure! Thanks Rayn for a really special experience for my Mom’s birthday, and for taking care in the amount of steps she could do! Looking forward to another tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elaine_g
Oct 6, 2024
Mom’s birthday trip! - Our tour guide was wonderful! He was so knowledgeable about the subway and shared so many historical facts with us. We were most excited to see the abandoned stations of South Ferry and City Hall!
Review provided by Viator
E7741mnkevinb
Sep 22, 2024
A Born and Raised New Yorker's Take on the Subway Tour - As a born-and-raised New Yorker and a self-proclaimed NYC snob, I tend to be skeptical about anyone trying to teach me something about my city. Naturally, I’ve learned and know a lot about NYC's history, especially the subway system, so when my friend asked me to join her on this tour, I was hesitant. But, to my surprise, I had a great time!
We kicked off the tour at St. Paul's Chapel, with a view of the World Trade Center, then headed into the Fulton Center before hopping on trains to start the real adventure. While most of the information was spot on (with only a few minor differences from what I thought I knew), the guide made it fun and engaging, balancing wit with a great sense of humor that wasn’t too dark, but definitely sharp.
Even as a lifelong local, I walked away learning a couple of new facts—like the significance of the tile colors in the stations and the state insignias on the old train models. The highlight for me was finally getting to see the legendary City Hall station loop. I'd heard about it for years, but seeing it up close was an entirely different experience.
Overall, this was a fun afternoon. Our guide (I regret forgetting his name) mentioned he does other tours, including ones of Penn Station and even Brooklyn. I’d definitely recommend this tour, especially if you're looking for a unique, knowledgeable perspective on the subway system, with a side of humor and local flavor.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunshine171986
Sep 21, 2024
Highly recommended tour with Ryan! - We took the tour with Ryan, that was SUPER knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subway system. Two hours of pure fun for anyone who wishes to know more about the system and how it works, and especially to everyone who wants to have tons of fun subway facts. I lived in NYC for several years and it's hard to get me excited- but Ryan enthusiasm was contagious!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
