NYC Underground Subway: Explore Hidden History
4.6
260 Ratings
New York
Uncover the hidden history of NYC's underground subway system. Explore abandoned stations, discover hidden art installations, and learn about the birth of the subway through archival photos.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- City Hall Park - You will learn about the creation of the very first NYC subway station while looking at visible remnants from City Hall park!
- Brooklyn Bridge - We will see the Brooklyn at the beginning of the tour
- The Municipal Building - Learn about the importance of this building in the creation of the NYC subway system!
- Union Square - Explore the Union Square subway station and its surprising Art installation
What's Included
- Ear pieces provided to each guest for clear audio
- Guided walking tour by a native New Yorker
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Metro Card (1 swipe)
Additional Information
Experience the incredible expanse of the largest underground transit network in the world, the lifeblood of the incessantly active city.
- Encounter the nearly vanishing structures of the formerly bustling and now partially deserted Chambers Street station, dubbed as the ‘Downtown’s Grand Central’
- Unearth the remaining traces of Union Square Station and become privy to a concealed art piece that is unknowingly passed by thousands of passengers every single day
- Make the number 6 train your personal time-traveling device as it carries you past deserted subway stations unbeknownst to even the most travelled NYC commuters
- Delve into the history of the NYC subway system with extraordinary archival photographs not accessible to the general public
- Understand the amusingly brief route of the legendary ‘Subway prior to the Subway,’ Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System
Attendees are required to either swipe one MetroCard or tap an OMNY to get into the subway.
Please be aware that despite providing a glimpse of deserted subway stations from the train, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) decidedly denies public entry into these stations under any given situation.
Location
200 Broadway
Broadway
The tour meets outside 200 Broadway, New York, NY 10038 on the southeast corner of Broadway and Fulton Street right outside of the entrance to the Fulton Center. Your guide will hold an "Untapped New York" sign.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(260 Ratings)
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Twosamoyeds
Apr 25, 2024
Fantastic tour and guide! (AJ) - AJ our guide was incredible! His knowledge of the history of the NY subway and the city in general. It was fascinating and I learned so much more about NYC. They packed a lot into the two hours! Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to really understand how New York grew the way it did.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kim_r
Apr 23, 2024
Wonderful tour guide and fascinating tour - The tour was great from start to finish. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and gave a great tour. He knew fascinating facts about the subway, was very inclusive with everyone he was as good a listener as he is a tour guide. He seemed to enjoy the participants as much as we all enjoyed him. Really enjoyed going by the old, abandoned subway stops. Wish we could see more of those. Enjoy that they used parts of the old walls of the subway stops in the art work of the newer stops, giving the beauty of those their just due. great tour!
Review provided by Viator
John_r
Apr 15, 2024
Worth the walk - We signed up for this tour a couple of years ago but had to cancel due to illness. It was worth paying for it again. The guide was super knowledgeable and kind. It’s an amazing story.
Review provided by Viator
Melissaki460gv
Apr 14, 2024
Learned a lot. - We really enjoyed our experience. Our guide, Ayinde was very knowledgable and shared lots of information with us. I would recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
462alyl
Apr 6, 2024
nyc underground subway tour - super informative and interesting! - AJ, our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge and friendly! He made a point to remember everyone’s names as well as guide as through the subways - which is no easy feat with tourists! His knowledge was extensive but engaging and clear. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ewa_p
Apr 1, 2024
So Much Great Knowledge! - AJ was amazing! SO much knowledge , the tour should have been 4 hours long he crammed so much information into so little time.
Loved going to the transportation museum after, it made for an even deeper dive!
AJ, if you read this please e mail or text me, I have a question about doing a private tour next time.
Review provided by Viator
Thomasrosteck
Mar 31, 2024
Nice tour, just a little too loud - It was an exciting insight into the history of the New York subway. Our guide described the development in great detail. Unfortunately, we were not able to visit any closed stations, this is not possible for safety reasons.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
840fernd
Mar 30, 2024
The Incredible, Permanent NYC Subway Art Exhibition - It was an amazing, eye-opening tour of the artwork of the NYC subways. Justin was a font of information about the history and about each artist. We've already recommended this tour to all our friends. Really incredible "unknown" permanent art exhibition!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariajose_f
Mar 24, 2024
Great gift for train lovers! - Alexis is a great guide very enthusiastic and with tons of knowledge! Highly recommend this tour if you are interested in learning more about the subway history!
Review provided by Viator
Smperle
Apr 28, 2024
Good tour for visitors to NYC - This is a better tour for visitors NYC. Locals in particular older ones will find it less than inspiring. Nevertheless I enjoyed this. Nice review of the history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
