Underground Railroad Tour: NYC's Slavery History Unveiled
4.9
359 Ratings
New York
Uncover the hidden history of NYC's enslaved people and their brave uprisings. Explore the Underground Railroad's secret routes and hear stories of courage and triumph on this historical walking tour.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • National Museum of the American Indian - (Exterior Visit) Built in 1907, Alexander Hamilton Custom House stands as a Beaux-Arts treasure commemorating the rise of trade and commerce in NYC with 3 floors of art and artifacts dedicated to Native Americans.
What's Included
  • Local expert guide provides insights
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Explore the crucial role played by enslaved individuals in shaping NYC and their courageous resistance against subjugation. Delve into the intriguing history of the Underground Railroad, a secret system of pathways and sanctuaries used primarily by enslaved African Americans to flee to free states and Canada.

Tour an excavation site and monument honoring the legacy of enslaved Africans in colonial America. Explore the area of a past station on the Underground Railroad. Understand the insurgencies, abductions, and daring breakaways that marked the American slavery period. Hear stories of bravery and victory and learn about the actual New Yorkers who risked their lives and assets to aid in the flight from slavery on this historical New York City walking tour.

Location
1 Bowling Green
Bowling Green
In front of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(359 Ratings)
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Erica_o
Mar 31, 2024
Eye opening thoughtful walking tour - Wonderful tour guide. She shared a wealth of challenging history and details while connecting with the humanity of the people involved in the events. In the time we had I learned so much, and it gave me a great, jumping off, point to die even deeper into this history.
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_b
Feb 4, 2024
Great tour and life changing. - Hands down. Great tour. Not Sugar coated and I appreciated that from the guide. I learned a tremendous about of history. I was particularly amazed at how much of New York (up north) owes its grandiose from Black human trafficking — especially the Stock Exchange. It was sad but we have to get the truth and facts out there. I learned about Dr Smith, the best physician in New York, a black man who at the end of his life had no family because of the tragedy of “passing” by his descendants. I was excited to see the African American burial Ground. It was solemn and powerful. Overall I was just thankful for this tour and the guide because it changed how I see the Justice system and made me realize that Black Americans have come a long way in a short time but there is still more to go and the American past is affects the present. It’s sad and scary that some school systems don’t want any of this American history taught.
Review provided by Viator
C0ffeeallday
Jan 13, 2024
Engaging and educational! - We learned a lot! The tour guide was friendly, personable and invited questions. He gave book recommendations related to the topic too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
178dorah
Dec 31, 2023
NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour - This walking tour was fantastic! We learned so much about the history of slavery in NYC, and its role in supporting, influencing and financing the slave trade nationally and globally. A sobering and heartbreaking lesson about our nation’s history. Our tour guide Stacey Toussaint was excellent for our group of 20+ adults and teens. The 2.5 hours was a perfect length of time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hazmol
Dec 31, 2023
Insightful walk around Wall Street and its history and the role of slavery in New York - A fantastic insight into the role of slavery in the development of New York. Our guide was excellent, it was a wet and cold day with a horrible sharp breeze but she kept us enthralled throughout.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Khadia2ud
Dec 11, 2023
New York City Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour - The tour was excellent. The guide was excellent and very interesting. It was a real pleasure to discover these ancient buildings and their history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rebeccaj947
Dec 9, 2023
Must do NYC tour - Incredible experience. We never wanted the tour to end. Maia was a personable and earnest fountain of knowledge. And we saw parts of NYC we never would have visited.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robertmweir
Dec 5, 2023
Inside Out Tours provides an in-depth historical experience - Fantastic!!! Stacey, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, informative, professional. She spoke clearly and delivered a powerful message of New York City history that is probably not widely known ... but should be.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curiosity57446036305
Nov 19, 2023
Experiencing Important NY History - Clint Smith wrote about this tour in his book "How the Word is Passed" and my experience of this tour is every bit as good as Smith's. Sean out tour guide helped me picture what the lives of people of African descent might have been like in the first few centuries of New Amsterdam and New York. Sean shared his knowledge in accessible and memorable ways. This tour is a must do for anyone wanting to learn more about Slavery in the North.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidkaren32648
Oct 24, 2023
Great tour; even better guide - Super tour and an even better guide. My wife and I visit New York often and we always try to take at least one walking tour....it is a very interesting city! This was the best. The history that we heard about was interesting, but the highlight was our guide, a high school history teacher. He was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and entertaining. I would take any tour that he is leading.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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