Exploring Downtown Manhattan's Subway History: Oldest to Newest Stations

Schedule

Sat Nov 30 2024 at 11:00 am to 01:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Starbucks @ Battery Park Plaza (Outside) | New York, NY

Advertisement
New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com
About this Event

Have you ever wondered what original details still remain inside New York's oldest subway stations? Why there are so many abandoned platforms and stations? What the politics were surrounding some of the MTA's costliest stations? Or even why your subway train is delayed? With the help of a former transit planner, it's time to head underground to uncover the past, present, and future of mass transit in our region of 20+ million people.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history and subway operations behind Downtown's Manhattan's most important transit landmarks, from the very first subterranean stations on the island to modern-day multi-billion dollar transit hubs.

Led by licensed guide and urban planner Rayn Riel, our unique subterranean experience will include:


  • An overview of how and why Manhattan's transit system was built underground at the beginning of the 20th century
  • The meaning behind the art and architecture surrounding some of the system's oldest subway stations — and the stark differences with stations built in the 21st century
  • Transit secrets surrounding some of the older stations, such as a former wine cellar under the Brooklyn Bridge connected to NYC Subway tunnels
  • A peek at several abandoned stations and platforms hidden in plain sight, including the famous 1904 City Hall Station
  • The catastrophic effects of 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy on New York's downtown transit system, along with how the subterranean network is now more resilient than ever
  • A walk through the newest downtown subway stations, including the $1.4 billion Fulton Center and $4 billion World Trade Center Oculus


Our experience will conclude at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which has food and drinks available for purchase.

See you there!



*Since our tour starts outside, a MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap will be needed to enter the subway system

**Please bring water and comfortable shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking and stair-climbing

***This tour does not access the Old City Hall Station platform or any restricted areas

****This tour concludes at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub

*****Exact route and tour length may vary slightly based on the MTA’s weekend schedule



About Rayn Riel

Rayn is a big believer in big cities and fascinated by the urban transportation infrastructure that supports such levels of density and dynamism. He is from NYC and has worked for MTA NYC Transit as well as the NYC water utility (DEP) & Sanitation Department. He is an AICP certified urban planner and is a licensed NYC tour guide, as well as a member of the Guides Association of NYC (GANYC) and Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT-NYC).



Testimonials

"Guide was well informed and pointed out things we do not normally notice on the subway playforms" -Sharon

"Guide was very knowledgeable and it was well organized." -Lee

" Rayn conducted a great tour. It was extremely well planned and interesting and he has a vast knowledge of the MTA's subway system in lower Manhattan. During the event, I actually felt excited to see what the next stop on the tour would be. This tour is most highly recommended." -Bruce

" Rayn has really done his homework! This tour was well timed, expertly researched, had great photos and was really interesting. He planned out a route to take us through well travelled places and pointed out things we probably had seen 1000's of times and never knew the meaning of. I loved it and would highly recommend for anyone the least bit curious about the history, infrastructure and operations of the greatest Subway system in the world!" -Ann

" Excellent tour! Thorough, full of surprises, well paced. Rayn Riel has a real passion for NYC history, with particular expertise in the city's vast, storied, and complex subway systems. A must-do tour for anyone interested in urban infrastructure, transportation logistics, and city life." -RZ

" Wonderful tour. Rayn has amazing knowledge of NYC, subways, and infrastructure. He is passionate and kind. If you want to know more about how New York City came to be, this tour is a good start or a further exploration in your journey." -Douglas

" Unique, original experience. Highly recommend to anyone visiting NY, whether you have a specific interest in urban issues or just want a new angle on the backbone of transportation in the city. As a former MTA employee, Rayn is extremely knowledgable about subway operations, history, and politics. The tour covered a large amount of physical ground in the two hours, and the sheer density of facts and information is impressive. Topics range from technical bits (how the signal system is still essentially entirely mechanical and uncomputerized, just like when it was built) to the current politics around infrastructure projects in NY. Rayn did a good job of balancing objective information and history with some of his own opinions and suggestions for improving the subway." -Nhvtraveler

" Great information, well-organized." -Linda

" The guide worked hard, carried books of pictures, and took me to stations in Manhattan I almost never get to" -Michael

" Everything!!" -Leslie

" Rayn was very informative" -Jane

" We got to see and hear about things that are not generally available or known to the public. Rayn is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. I would definitely attend another tour with him as guide." -Charles

" I liked all the information on the subways. I could have continued on for another 2 hours. The guide was interesting and knew his information." -Wayne

"Lots of little interesting facts along the way, very scenic, tour guide was great" -Deborah

"Amazing tour guide" -Barbara



Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Starbucks @ Battery Park Plaza (Outside), One Battery Park Plaza (Corner of State and Pearl Streets), New York, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 36.81

New York Adventure Club

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in New York

Bad Donkey Run 5K\/10K\/13.1 NYC
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 07:30 am Bad Donkey Run 5K/10K/13.1 NYC

Hudson River Trails

SPORTS VIRTUAL-RUN
Rumble x Lustoic Home Fragrances
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 09:00 am Rumble x Lustoic Home Fragrances

Rumble

WORKSHOPS SHOPPING
Greenmarket Volunteering at Union Square
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 10:00 am Greenmarket Volunteering at Union Square

Union Square Greenmarket

VOLUNTEERING NONPROFIT
Hands-On: Pasta Workshop at Il Pastaio
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 10:30 am Hands-On: Pasta Workshop at Il Pastaio

Eataly NYC Flatiron

WORKSHOPS FOOD-DRINKS
Storytime with the Artist | with Ni\u00f1a Mata
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 11:30 am Storytime with the Artist | with Niña Mata

Books of Wonder

ART
Michigan vs Ohio State Watch Party
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 12:00 pm Michigan vs Ohio State Watch Party

23 Park Pl

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
El Souq Pop-Up,  Holiday Edition
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 12:00 pm El Souq Pop-Up, Holiday Edition

9 W 8th St

POP-UPS ART
Dog Adoption Event at Petco Union Square
Sat Nov 30 2024 at 12:00 pm Dog Adoption Event at Petco Union Square

Petco

DOG
Secret Places of Central Park, Walking Tour - New York City
Fri Mar 16 2018 at 12:00 pm Secret Places of Central Park, Walking Tour - New York City

Central Park

PARTIES TRIPS-ADVENTURES
New York Scavenger Hunt-Operation City Quest
Wed Oct 05 2022 at 09:00 am New York Scavenger Hunt-Operation City Quest

Monumento General José de San Martín

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Midtown Manhattan: Secret Societies Outdoor Escape Game
Thu Dec 01 2022 at 11:00 am Midtown Manhattan: Secret Societies Outdoor Escape Game

Grand Central Station

ENTERTAINMENT TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Alexander Hamilton New York: Outdoor Escape Game
Tue Dec 13 2022 at 02:00 pm Alexander Hamilton New York: Outdoor Escape Game

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

ENTERTAINMENT TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Ultimate Speakeasy Pub and Prohibition History Tour NYC
Sun Jan 01 2023 at 04:30 pm Ultimate Speakeasy Pub and Prohibition History Tour NYC

Outside the 8th Avenue business entrance to One Worldwide Plaza

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
5 Days wildlife, Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking safari In Uganda
Thu Jan 12 2023 at 07:00 pm 5 Days wildlife, Gorillas and Chimpanzee Trekking safari In Uganda

United States

TRIPS-ADVENTURES TREKKING
Romantic New York: Outdoor Escape Game Central Park
Wed Jan 18 2023 at 12:00 pm Romantic New York: Outdoor Escape Game Central Park

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

ENTERTAINMENT TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Manhattan Outdoor Escape Game: Follow Dylan & Streisand in NY
Wed Jan 18 2023 at 12:00 pm Manhattan Outdoor Escape Game: Follow Dylan & Streisand in NY

567 Hudson Street - The White Horse Tavern

ENTERTAINMENT ART
Ghosts of Greenwich Village: Haunting Stories & Legends Outdoor
Wed Jan 18 2023 at 12:00 pm Ghosts of Greenwich Village: Haunting Stories & Legends Outdoor

St. Marks Church-In-The-Bowery

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Ghosts of Greenwich Village New York: Outdoor Escape Game
Wed Feb 01 2023 at 07:00 pm Ghosts of Greenwich Village New York: Outdoor Escape Game

131 E 10th St

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ENTERTAINMENT
New York Outdoor Escape Game: Alexander Hamilton
Wed Mar 01 2023 at 12:00 pm New York Outdoor Escape Game: Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House

ENTERTAINMENT TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Sound Therapy Meditation - New York
Tue Mar 21 2023 at 04:00 pm Sound Therapy Meditation - New York

New York

MUSIC HEALTH-WELLNESS

What's Happening Next in New York?

Discover New York Events