Underground Manhattan: Exploring the History of the NYC Subway System

It's right there under your feet, you probably ride it every day, but how much do you really know about New York City's subway system? It's time to explore one of the oldest and largest public transit systems in the world.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history of the New York City subway system — opened in 1904 with a single line serving 28 stations, the City of New York's subway system has since grown to encompass 472 stations and over 245 miles of tracks, serving nearly 6 million riders per day.

Led by transit expert and licensed tour guide Gary Dennis, our subterranean exploration from Brooklyn Bridge — City Hall station to Times Square Station will include:

• An overview of New York public transportation back in the 1800s, and why The Great Blizzard of 1888 was the catalyst for a subway system
• The history and inside story of the creation of the original 1904 subway line, and how it grew into the most extensive transportation system in the world
• A closer look at the art, architecture, and secrets hiding in plain sight of stations including Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall, Astor Place, and Times Square
• A glimpse of Old City Hall Station from the 6 train, the crown jewel of the subway system, which closed in 1945

Check out pictures from one of our last Underground Manhattan tours!

See you there!

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

**Please bring water, snacks, and comfortable shoes as we’ll be on our feet for most of the tour

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

****This tour concludes at Times Square Station

*****The exact meeting location is shared in the 'additional information' section of the confirmation email, which is sent immediately upon registration

About Gary Dennis

"I am a native New Yorker, NY subway aficionado, and product of an insanely competitive family of "know it alls". My parents, younger brothers, and I all love New York City history, and to get some parental attention I had to be historically correct and entertaining at the same time.

"I love this city and all its peculiarities, and I love sharing it with newcomers, returning visitors or native New Yorkers— I'll tell you these and other fascinating things you never knew about this amazing place I call home because 'there are 8 million stories in the naked city' and I will share with you as many as possible."

Testimonials

"Gary, our tour guide, was awesome!! The topics he chose to cover were fascinating, and his delivery was great." - Jessica

"Gary was really fun, so informative, friendly, and had a clever sense of humor." - Christine

"Gary had a great personality and was extremely knowledgeable of NYC's Subway history. Got the chance to learn new things that I never learned before." - Faisal

"We had a great day. Would definitely do it again. Our guide was brilliant! Could have listened to him for many more hours." - Doris

"It was a great tour. Gary was an excellent guide: very knowledgeable and highly amusing." - Julie

"Our guide was extraordinary. Gary is the best most knowledgeable and engaging of any guide we have had in years. want another tour with him" - Lynn

"Gained a deeper understanding of what I knew, learned new details and the guide is perfect for the role." -Kathy

"Tour guide was the best I have ever had - articulate, well informed, personable and struck a great balance of detail without minutiae. Would take a tour specifically with Gary- really excellent guide." -Laura

"Gary is awesome." -Patricia

"Super knowledgeable guide, nice group." -Kyle

"Our guide was very engaging while delivering epic information on the subway system. He was also very tentative/protective of us while we were in the subway." -Arleen

"Very knowledgeable guide; walking around the subway system learning the tile work significance; having the old unused City Hall stop pointed out as we passed; seeing the original lines at the Shuttle subway stop at Time Square; learning about Grand Central and Penn Station." -Brent

"Thorough history and the guide’s personality." -Robert

"Very informative. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. It was clear that he valued our. Experience on the tour. He never seemed rushed, even when multiple questions were being asked, and he gave a good amount of information that was easily digestible...he wasn’t long-winded, which is good considering it’s a long tour." -Maura

"Interesting fun. Informative." -Bruce

"The tour guide was very interesting and extremely knowledgeable." -Richard

"Learning about how the subway began and about the art work in the subways." -Holly

"How thorough the tour was, the amount of information given, the tour guide’s personality." -Nick

"The guide knew his subject well and was funny and engaging." -Anne

"Highly recommended. I moved to NYC many years ago and Gary's Subway Tour taught me much about a system that I use most days and is invaluable to NYC." -Dru

"Tour guide was fantastic! Amazing!" -Evan

" Gary was an amazing guide!" -Trina

" Great info, interesting locations, lively guide, attentive and interested audience" -Kirill

" The guide had an encyclopedic knowledge of the NYC transit system and shared it with infectious enthusiasm! It was part lecture / part field trip and all interesting!" -Catherine

" The pleasant demeanor and incredible knowledge of our guide, Gary. We learned so much and enjoyed it all." -Kathleen

" Loved Gary's knowledge, all the fascinating maps and photos, seeing City Hall station, seeing things I’ve walked by but never noticed - just an essential trip for anyone who’s interested in NYC" -Caitlin

"The guide is very knowledgeable and passionate about trains." -Craig

"Gary was excellent and knew his stuff" -Simon

"A+ guide. Possibly best guide I’ve ever had." -Glenn

"Learning the history of the subway system. Our guide, Gary, was amazing!" -Diane

"EXCELLENT...THANK YOU." -Michelle

"Guide was really amazing" - Ty

"Gary the tour guide was amazing, the whole tour was informative and interesting. Learned a lot. Gary has the best personality and his presentations are amazing." -Deborah

"Our tour guide Gary was amazing! Knowledgeable, funny, and dynamic" -Abb

"Guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subject. Actual experiential knowledge was educational and fun." -Linda

"The tour guide was fantastic, the perfect person to be giving this tour. He’s born and raised, clearly passionate about the subway system, and knows the detailed history." -Sonora

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

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club