It takes a lot of energy to power the city that never sleeps. But where does it all come from? On a new tour led by Untapped New York tour guide and energy professional Cullen Brown, Untapped New York Insiders are invited to hop aboard an NYC Ferry and discover the various methods used to supply power to the five boroughs. As you cruise up the East River, you will pass steam plants, historic bridges, abandoned islands, and more!
This event is $8 for Untapped New York Insiders! Your ticket price goes to your guide and covers your ferry ticket. Not an Insider yet? Become a member today with promo code JOINUS and get your first month free! Registration for this tour opens on July 27th at 12 pm ET.
This tour explores the history of New York City’s infrastructure by focusing on the East River and its islands, shores, tunnels, and bridges. Our tour begins on land where we’ll dig into the history of electricity in the city. Your expert guide will explain how industry consolidation led to over 170 companies becoming one…Consolidated Edison!
Next, we will board the NYC Ferry Soundview route for a better look at current and former electricity, steam, and gas plants along the banks of the East River and its infamous Hell Gate. One of the plants we’ll discuss is the Waterside Generating Station which once stood next to the United Nations. As we sail past U Thant, Roosevelt, Mill Rock, Randall’s, North and South Brother, and Rikers Islands, we’ll examine the role they have played in New York City’s development and find out how the prison island may be a catalyst in our clean energy future.
On the way back down, we take a look at the power infrastructure in Astoria Yard and DUMBO and their clean energy future. There may even be a few shipwreck stories along the way!
Your guide, Cullen Brown, is an energy professional who specializes in connecting people with the infrastructure that makes our lives easier. He is passionate about learning from the long-term visionaries and the working people who worked to make power, gas, steam, and water plentiful and dependable in our modern society.
