NYC Underground Subway Walking Tour

Overview

Explore the world’s largest subway system, the beating heart of the city that never sleeps. On this guided NYC subway tour you will discover the fascinating beginnings of the NYC subway, and explore spaces even the most seasoned commuter might not know about.

- Explore City Hall Park as the birthplace of the NYC subway system
- Learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System
- See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten, and partially abandoned, Chambers Street station then nicknamed the “Grand Central of Downtown”
- Use the 6 train as your own time machine as you ride through abandoned subway stations
- Discover the remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation thousands of riders walk by everyday

Guests will need one MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap to enter the subway.

All the stops on this tour are in stations which are publicly accessible.

City: New York City

Mon 18 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Mon 18 Nov

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Ear pieces provided to each guests ensuring everyone hears the guide perfectly

Guided walking tour with a native New Yorker!

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
We provide ear pieces to each participants so guests can hear the guides perfectly, even from a distance while maintaining social distancing.

What To Expect

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

Show 1 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (158)

hallegra35

Jul 2018

Our tour guide, Jeff, was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject. He explained all kinds of details to us and kept everything interesting. I learned a lot from him. He pointed out the pink marble which I would never have even noticed, the garlands, tulips and poppies on the wall, etc. His explanation of the history of how the subway got started, the stories about the people involved, the extra laminated pictures he brought, everything about the tour was great. It was well worth taking and I would recommend taking any tour led by him if one is interested in New York City history.

Response from Host

Jul 2018

Thank you very much!

eulaliana

Jun 2018

While I'd known about Untapped Cities' excellent NYC tours for years, it was thanks to a visiting parent's instigation (she'd read a novel that mentioned the 'forgotten' city subway stations) that we took the Underground Tour Of The NYC Subway. Our guide seemed to know everything about the subway and its history and how all the different operators came together, including anecdotes about the personalities behind it, and her presentation of the information was engaging and digestible. The tour group is small, less than 10 people, which is nice.

Response from Host

Jul 2018

Thank you very much!

Violeta A

May 2018

Our tour guide, Mandy, was very personable and knowledgeable, with a great sense of humor. Despite the rain during the above-ground portion of the tour, we had a good time and I learned a lot!

Response from Host

Jun 2018

Great to hear, thank you very much! Please don't hesitate to reach out and let us know what you think we could have done better to earn a fifth star! Thank you again