Every week, Untapped Cities brings you unique behind-the-scenes experiences at New York City’s most iconic landmarks and locations that are off the beaten path. This week, hear tales of sea captains, sunken ships and the glory days of the Port of New York on our Maritime History Tour, uncover the secrets of the subway on an underground tour and discover more things you may have never known about New York City as you explore with us!

Wednesday, May 1st

Midnight Society: The Science of Scary Stories – Ghosts of NYC at Caveat

Photograph by Mike BrykJoin the Midnight Society as they examine the science behind scary stories, focusing this month on the ghosts of New York City. At this Midnight Society show taking place at the Lower East Side speakeasy Caveat, storytellers will dive in to the scary stories that haunt us, and the psychology behind them. Guest will uncover the unexplained and realize that the reasons we invent supernatural stories are often more terrifying than the stories themselves. If you are an Untapped Cities Insider, you can attend this show for free! Not an Insider yet? Become a member today to gain access to free behind-the-scenes tours and access to special events all year long! [mepr-show if=”rule: 518547″][uc_booking_button title=’Book Now’][/mepr-show][mepr-hide if=”rule: 518545″][uc_insider_button title=’BECOME A MEMBER TO JOIN THIS EVENT FOR FREE!’ url=’/plans/insiders/’][/mepr-hide][mepr-show if=”rule: 518546″][uc_insider_button title=’UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO JOIN THIS EVENT FOR FREE!’ url=’/plans/insiders’][/mepr-show]

Saturday, May 4th

Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour of the Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore the over 100-year-old contagious disease hospital, which has been abandoned since 1954
• See an exhibition by the world-renowned artist JR, who has placed life-sized historic photographs of Ellis Island immigrants on interior walls of the hospital buildings
• Visit the Laundry Building, where 3000+ pieces of laundry were washed and sanitized daily
• Discover the kitchen, autopsy room and other usually off-limits places
• Get special access inside the original morgue and long abandoned FBI offices

Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour of the Abandoned Ellis Island Hospital

Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Learn about the secrets of one of NYC’s most iconic buildings
• See Grand Central’s hidden tennis courts
• Peek into the entrance of the glass walkways
• Learn about the design flaw as large as Grand Central Terminal‘s main atrium
• Discover a multi-million dollars jewel hidden in plain sight and more!

Secrets from Below: Underground Tour of the NYC Subway!

Underground Tour of the NYC Subway TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore City Hall Park as the birthplace of the NYC subway system, including elements of the famed, decommissioned City Hall Station you can see right in the park
• Learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System
• See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten, and partially abandoned, Chambers Street station then nicknamed the “Grand Central of Downtown”
• Use the 6 train as your own time machine as you ride through abandoned subway stations
• Discover the remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation thousands of riders walk by everyday

Sunday, May 5th

Tour of NYC’s Maritime History

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Explore the early Dutch era maritime history through the stories of infamous sea captains Adrian Block and William Kidd
• Walk the less-charted trail along the historic east side slips including Old Slip and Coenties
• Learn about New York’s old buried ships on both the Hudson and East River shores and New York’s old floating churches
• Discover other related sites including the International Merchant Marine Building, The Cunard Building, the Alexander Hamilton Custom House and a stop at the stunning Merchant Marine Memorial by the historic Pier A building
• Visit South Street Seaport for the history of this unique museum, its historic ships and unparalleled views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline

Tour of NYC’s Maritime HistorySee our lists of all upcoming public tours and Insider events!