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This week, you can join Untapped New York for exciting NYC walking tours and events as we explore the subway system from above and below ground, walk through the abandoned halls of Ellis Island’s historic hospital complex and discover hidden secrets of one of NYC’s most famous sites, Rockefeller Center.
Underground Subway Tour
Our subway tours run every Monday through Saturday! On this tour, you’ll visit some of the earliest stations from when the subway first opened in 1904, see the largest art installation in the system, hear about the short-lived precursor to the subway (Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System), and much more!
Do you have photos from an Untapped New York tour? Send them to us at contact@untappedcities.com and you may be featured on our website or social media channels! You can also tag us @untappedny on Instagram. See the list below for all our upcoming experiences in May!
Thornwillow is a living museum that houses a remarkable collection of historic equipment used every day to teach and perpetuate the related arts and crafts of the written word. In this live virtual tour, you’ll get to see some of the historic machines in action and learn about the projects currently being printed. You’ll get up close to a Heidelberg flatbed cylinder letterpresses, engraving/die stamp presses, and various hand tools along with the finished product: a beautifully handcrafted book!
Visit hidden tennis courts, spot a design flaw in the iconic main atrium space, find out where there’s a secret staircase and uncover more secrets of NYC’ historic train terminal on this expert-led tour! You’ll trace the evolution of the station from its construction and golden age through its near demolition. This guided walking tour is offered everyday of the week. If you’re an Untapped New York Insider, you can get $5 off our public walking tours!
On this tour, you’ll uncover the hidden gems of one of NYC’s most popular landmarks. Walk through a lobby covered in gold, find out where there is a sterling silver model airplane made by the Cartier, and peer into a secret portal that ceremoniously marks the completion of Rockefeller Center’s construction (and is signed by John D. Rockefeller himself). These NYC walking tours are offered every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
On this tour led by a Save Ellis Island docent, you’ll don a hard hat and enter the abandoned hospital complex on the island’s south side. Once the standard for United States medical care, the facility was later transformed into a US Coast Guard base and an FBI detention center. This exclusive behind-the-scenes tour will take you into areas usually off limits to the public including the laundry building, contagious disease wards, autopsy room, and more! As you explore, you will see larger-than-life images of immigrants pasted on the walls, part of artist JR’s exhibition, “Unframed- Ellis Island.” This tour is offered every Saturday and select Sundays.
Walk the same street grid laid out by the Dutch colonists as you search for the physical remnants of Manhattan’s first European settlement! You’ll get to literally touch history when you discover the oldest fence in New York City, the ruins of an 18th-century wall, and more. On this tour, you’ll navigate one of New York City’s largest landmarks, the Dutch street grid which still gives shape to Lower Manhattan.
Discover trap doors, hidden underground art, and the most luxurious bathrooms in NYC on this members-only tour of the famous green space behind the New York Public Library! This tour is free for Untapped New York Insiders. Not an Insider yet? Get your first month free with code JOINUS when you sign up today!
Stroll along Millionaire’s Row and see the opulent homes of New York City’s Gilded Age. On this tour, you’ll admire the magnificent homes that still exist, and see historical images of those that have been lost to time while listening to stories of the scandals that took place inside. At the end of tour, you’ll step inside one of these dazzling buildings and visit a hidden bookstore!
Venture deep below the streets of New York City to explore the subterranean transit system. Starting at the very beginning, you’ll trace the evolution of the subway from opening day to the present. Along the way, you’ll discover hidden symbols in subway art, ride through abandoned stations, and see a side of the subway you never knew about.
Join the Gotham Center for a fascinating discussion on the little known Revolutionary War sites in New York City! At this interview, which will take place inside the New York City Fire Museum, you’ll hear about forgotten figures of the war and stories that often get overlooked. You’ll also have time to explore the museum’s new exhibit on Colonial firefighting! This event is free for Untapped New York Insiders! Not a member yet? Get your first month free with code JOINUS when you sign up today.
Virtually visit the sculpture workshop of New York City artist Joe Reginella on this live behind-the-scenes tour for Untapped New York Insiders! In this experience, Reginella will show us around his Staten Island studio and give us glimpse of what goes into making his whimsical sculptures. You’ll see images of past art pieces he’s created, and find out what is in the works now!
Check out all of our NYC walking tours here!
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