Image via Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress

Our Tour of the Remnants of Penn Station has been a favorite “Untapped” event since its launch—and due to popular demand, we’ve added new summer and fall dates for the tour. Join us on July 15th for the next tour, and make sure to also check out our Insider Tour of the American Irish Historical Society, which takes place this Wednesday, July 12th, and our Tour and Wine Tasting of Rooftop Reds, on Sunday, July 16th.

Image via Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress

Even today, there are two things most commuters don’t realize about Penn: First, there used to be a gorgeous Beaux Arts station that was demolished in the mid-60’s. Second: Parts of that old station can still be found today. They’ve just been buried under the arena that landed on top of them.

On our tour of the Remnants of Penn Station, we’ll take you back inside this central transportation hub to discuss the past, present and future plans for the structure. Join us as we embark on a hunt for the remaining pieces of the grand McKim, Mead & White station (of which there are many)!

Tour of the Remnants of Penn Station

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Get a comprehensive history of the past, present and future of Penn Station
• See the various indoor and outdoor old-station remnants hidden in plain sight
• Understand why so much of the current station is actually a remnant of the long forgotten original Beaux-Arts marvel
• Learn insider navigation tips for one of the most cramped and complicated transit hubs in North America
• See never-before-seen old station photos from the collections of three photographers who photo documented Penn’s life and demolition
• Each guest will also receive a framable, reproduction ticket of the first commuter ride into Pennsylvania Station from 1910

DETAILS:
Price: $35
What to know: The tour is 1.5 hours long; please consult with the MTA for weekend subway schedules and routing changes.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes

ABOUT YOUR TOUR GUIDE: Justin started his career as a New York city middle school English/Language Arts teacher on the Lower East Side dragging his students to historic sites across the city in an effort to bring NYC’s lesser known stories to life. That’s how he became co-creator of The Wonder City, a graphic novel that re-imagines New York City’s entire history currently running as a serial on Untapped Cities. He was also the playwright and producer of The Eternal Space, an off-Broadway play that centered on the demolition of New York City’s Pennsylvania Station. It was with this production and one simple tweet that he fell head over heels for Untapped Cities whom he partnered with for his Remnants of Penn Station Tour. Now Justin is a licensed New York City tour guide and continues to develop and lead tours exclusively for Untapped Cities. When he isn’t deep in the bowels of NYC he is busy as Founding Director of the Character Connection Initiative, a non-profit organization that connects character education and mindfulness to middle school curricula

Tour of the Remnants of Penn Station

See our full list of Behind the Scenes tours.